Skim Boards, Paddle Boards and Bear Lake

Putting Birthday money to good use, Ryan helped the boys design their own SKIM BOARDS.
 

Picture of Perfection. They turned out like pieces of art!
 

ta-dah!

Time to try them out. Josh watches on as Jared gives it a go.
 

Off to a good start Danny!
 

Last weekend we loaded the boards into the van and headed up to Bear Lake where Ryan showed his boys how it is done.
 

There were actually quite a few people out skim boarding where we were. It was nice the boys had their names on their boards. I didn't worry anyone would wonder off with the wrong board.
 

Jared testing out the water.
 

The best part of the beach always seems to be the sand though.
 

I hadn't planned on getting into my bathing suit, but after 45 minutes sitting on the beach in a t-shirt and capris I couldn't take it any more! Too HOT! So, I guess the cats out of the bag. Check out my baby belly!

Baby BOY #4 is due December 19th. We are delighted, it will be a festive Christmas at our house!
 

After putting the skim boards away it was time to try out the PADDLE BOARDS! Ryan had fun teaching the boys how to get around on there boards. First they had to learn how to get on though!
 

They figured it out pretty quick. I think this will be a tradition for years to come.
 

Me, Josh and baby belly chose to chill on land. While we waited around, Josh decided he'd ham it up for my camera.
 

Don't look so surprised. :)
 

Dirty face and all (from our Bear Lake Raspberry Shakes and Ice Cream) he is still a QT.

All Smiles with MORE Summer FUN!

If you ask Danny where he would visit on vacation he would tell you either "Wisconsin Dells" or the "This is the Place Heritage Park". Clearly this is not the Dells. We thought this would be a fun place to visit in Salt Lake. We had no idea that we'd spend the entire day there or how much Danny would LOVE it!
 

Josh still talks about riding "Honey" the horse. I can't remember if he took 2 or 3 rides that day.
 

Jared was all ready to go with the wash. He and Danny would have washed the entire basket of rags if Ryan and I had let them. 

Forever a train boy. Danny loves his trains, and riding one is even better, even if it is just a little one.
 

Worth every penny! The kids had a blast, the ice cream was just the "frosting on the cake" for them that day.
 

Tired legs at the end of the day. Time to go home.
 

We made it back to Hyrum just in time for SUMMER SCHOOL! Yeah... The kids actually enjoyed it (mostly) and it was only 2 weeks long for a few hours a day. We decided to do summer school to help the boys become familiar with the new school they would be starting at at the end of the summer. So far, Thomas Edison Charter School seems to be a good fit.

Happy Birthday Ryan!! I surprised him with breakfast out on the back porch with yummy, yummy LEMON POPPYSEED muffins.
 

Yeah for Ryan! He is now 34... though he thought he turned 34 LAST year. Oh well!
 

Yummy...
 

We LOVE you Ryan! Happy Birthday!
 

Summer also meant lots of trips to the Hyrum Reservoir. Usually just swimming was involved, but one early morning Danny and Ryan headed off with Danny's Primary Class on his first FISHING trip!

Danny also got to attend his first DAY CAMP with the scouts!
 

Danny is all smiles on the chair lift up to the Alpine Slides with Nana. We spent a weekend with Ryan's parents in Park City before me and April headed off to BYU's Vocal Beauty Boot Camp for a week.

Ready, Set, GO! Time for Jared to head down the Alpine Slides!
 

Back at home Ryan has seriously enjoyed his time spent in the yard. Nice mowing Ryan!
 

Happy Hatch's and Hochstrassers! How fun to have our dear friends from Wisconsin, the Hatch's, come and spend an afternoon barbeque with us in Utah!

A highlight of the summer for sure; seeing my dear from Kimberly Hatch!

Summer FUN!

June and July really are the best months for Ryan. Besides our anniversary he has Father's Day AND his Birthday. Lucky Guy! It's an early Father's Day morning for Ryan with a surprise breakfast on the porch before church.

Then there was an amazing LASAGNA dinner after church. (Yes, I make good lasagna and I'm not afraid to say so.)
 

It wouldn't be Father's Day without DESSERT! Not too bad for a homemade peanut butter and chocolate ice cream cake. YUM! He deserves it!
 

We all got to enjoy Ryan's Father's Day.

This summer all 3 boys did swimming lessons again at the Logan Aquatic Center. I was even able to go to Water Aerobics while they were in class. Sweet deal.
 

Jared and his buddies preparing for a safe first trip off the diving board for the season.
 

This picture doesn't need a caption... so cute.
 

What's more American than red, white and blue cake!?! HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
 

July was a hot one in the West. Besides fireworks and fun, there were plenty of FIRES. We could see this one from our front porch.
 

My parents came out and celebrated with us, along with Chris and Wendy and a few of my cousins.
 

A HOT afternoon for a parade, but we were still all smiles.
 

Daddy and his little man hanging out during the Hyrum City Parade.
 

Daddy and his little man hanging out after the Hyrum City Parade. It is so nice when Ryan is home!
 

Did I mention it's hot in Utah?! Sometimes we just prefer to stay inside on the couch in the air-conditioning. 

Jared scaling a rock wall while waiting for FIREWORKS.
 

It's almost time!! Grandma came prepared with glow sticks for the kiddos to play with before the real light-show.

Our 4th really was a BLAST!
 

We continued our little summer vacation / staycation with a mini trip to Provo following the 4th. The boys loved visiting BYU with Dad and Dah-Dee-Doh. The MUSEUMS are always a favorite.
 

It's never a trip to BYU with out BOWLING!
 

Splish-Splash! One of the highlights of our trip to Provo, besides staying with Grandma and Grandpa Great was our day at 7 Peaks Water Park. Don't you just LOVE summer!?!