Wrapping Up Summer

A few more summer highlights as I try to catch up the blog... 

Payson Scottish Festival: Hazel danced at the Scottish Festival so we attended for the first time. It's an annual event here in Payson, and we'll be sure to go again in the future. Such a fun day! The younger kids especially enjoyed "competing" in the Wee Highland Games. They were pretty serious about their skills and were fierce sword fighters. 

Conrad could barely see around the helmet he chose

Orson and Conrad learned to play checkers and many serious games ensued...

We enjoyed some lovely walks. One day Eliza and Lenora found a cat that loved them and enjoyed cuddling it. 

Summer Forest School: Forest School never disappoints, but this summer was especially fun. The kids discovered a swimming hole a short hike up stream from our normal spot. They spent hours swimming in the creek this summer and loved every minute of it! Could there be a more idyllic way for a child to spend the summer than swimming in the creek? 

One day Conrad found this amazing caterpillar! 

YSA Campout: One of the most fun parts of Michael's calling is the opportunity our family has to hang out with the YSA in our ward. There are quite a few of them, and they are so much fun! They had a campout nearby and invited us all to join them. The kids were spoiled having so many adults to play games with. We made dry ice root beer like I remember doing at family reunions growing up. It's still magical! 

Of course we had some swimming days! 

Cousin's day at the lake: We had a wonderful day at the lake with our cousins! 

Garden: I planted a wonderful garden in the Spring before I was pregnant. It was pretty neglected this year as the growing season went on, but it still did a great job producing! 

Regency Luncheon: Hazel and her sweet friend Annabelle, who wish they'd lived in a Jane Austin novel, planned the most fun "Regency Luncheon" for our book club. It girls all dressed up, at dainty food, and enjoyed a good "turn around the garden." I LOVE this group of girls so much! 

Dinosaur Gardens with just the Boys: While all the girls were at summit, the boys and I got to tour the dinosaur gardens at Thanksgiving Point. They LOVED it! It was so much fun to have a slower morning with just these two silly boys. 

Summit! The girls had such a great time at the Heroic Youth Summit! Brenna got to come this year which made it even more fun. 

This year I was a villin in the final battle - it was a blast! I even got to capture Hazel as part of the plot. Who knew playing the bad guy would be so much fun. 

Bubble Party: The kids were invited to a birthday party with this giant bubble machine - pure joy! 

Labor Day we spent the morning at the lake as a family soaking in the last moments of summer. The girls did kayak yoga which was hilarious to watch. The boys fished and caught tadpoles. We all had a great time enjoying what always feels like the end of summer.