July 2020

July began with some of our favorite friends stopping to visit!  We have known the Rickers for our entire marriage.  Devin and Jay served in El Salvador together and have stayed friends ever since.  We have been there for weddings, moves, birth of kids, worked in the same places, and so many good memories.  We love this family and it was fun showing them around a bit. 

Selfies with this girl. She cracks me up and I always love her snuggles...

Golf date with Devin.  Love watching him do the things that make him happy!

Then we went to scope out a lake to take the kids to and Coco found a makeshift swing... 

July 4th 2020:

• We started the day swimming and kayaking at Fire Lake and really had the chance to appreciate the freedoms and the beautiful country that we are blessed with.  
• Quincy made the whole family cute red, white, and blue bracelets. 
• Then we headed over the Jr. High parking lot for a neighborhood fireworks show.  The girls did sparklers, passed out candy, and fun watching with their friends.  Coco liked watching the fireworks but did not like how loud they were.  We could also see all the firework shows across the valley. 

July 8th 2020:

Tess turns 6!  Hard to believe how fast this sweet kid is growing up.  She is our firecracker and our ray of sunshine.  She is sweet with a lot of sass and cares deeply how others feel.  She befriends everyone and is thoughtful, fun loving, and feisty.  She loves being with/following her sisters but knows how to get under their skin.  She is always drawing pictures and writing cute notes to tell us how much she loves us.  She loves sloths, pizza, tikka masala, cinnamon rolls, sloths, Ariana Grande, anything that sparkles, and sloths.  For her birthday we celebrated with cinnamon rolls the night before, then woke up early for presents.  Right after we packed up the van to drive to Bear Lake for the Payne Family Reunion.  She was such a good sport to spend most of her birthday in the car.  But we decorated it for her to make it a little more fun!

On the way we stopped in Salt Lake for Addie's eye appointment and found out she no longer needs to wear glasses!  She was thrilled! She wanted to see what her eyes looked like after they had been dilated. 

Ummm...

Once we arrived in Bear Lake, Grandma and Grandpa had an awesome sloth blanket for Tess and the whole family sang to her.  I think she had a pretty good day, driving and all.  

Bear Lake Day 1: 

We headed to Rendezvous Beach and had a blast!  Uncle Gavin created challenges for each family to complete each day and the first one was to create the tallest structure using only things you find in nature.  We clearly had the tallest, but unbeknownst to us, we took Ryan and Sara's branch that they had stashed away.  The debate over who it actually belonged to went on for the rest of the week!

Relaxing back at the house.  Coco became very attached to Becky this week and called her "Ducky."  It was the cutest!

Bear Lake Day 2:

We headed to North Beach for more swimming fun!

Bear Lake Day 3:

Since the boys go golfing every year, the girls took off on a hike and treat shopping.  It was fun to get out with these ladies who I adore.  

That night we got to go to the Pickleville Playhouse.  This is one of our favorite Bear Lake traditions and is fun for the whole family.  

And then of course mandatory family pictures thanks to Becky!

On the last night Quincy put together snack bags for all the kids to travel home with.  She is such a thoughtful kid!

As we left Bear Lake we extended our trip a few days to fit in a few things.  First, we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Wayment's for my birthday dinner and to drop Tess off for her birthday sleepover.  

Then, while Tess stayed with Grandma and Grandpa we headed back to Gavin and Becky's house for a couple of nights.  They showed us around their town, made and bought some amazing food, and Coco got an extra couple of days with her favorite "Ducky."

Coco's first dental appointment with Uncle Aaron.  She was amazing but the news of her already needing crowns was not ideal.  

Meanwhile, Addie was on a 12 and older grandkid trip with Grandma and Grandpa Payne.  They stopped at the Payne house in Montana and then headed to North Dakota for the Enchanted Highway and Hotel.  They had a blast!

Once we were back home the summer shenanigans continued.  The girls really wanted to swim.  Here is Devin's solution...

Afterwards they had popsicles and I just love how this kid wants to hold my had at every moment.  

Once Addie was back in Salt Lake from her trip with Grandma and Grandpa I decided to drive up to get her and stay for the night so that she could go to the birthday party of one of her best friends in Lehi.  Of course I had to have a night out with my besties while I was there!

Addie hiking with her Lehi BFF's for Rachel's birthday party:

Ashley, Brinlee,  Rachel,  Addie, Charlotte

Meanwhile I had a hair appointment.  

After begging and begging to stay one more night with her best friend, Brinlee (whose mom was nice enough to offer us the guest bedroom) we drove home on Sunday.  When we arrived home Devin took us on a picnic at Pine Valley for my birthday celebration.  It was fantastic!

On my birthday Devin and I started the day with a beautiful early morning bike ride.  

Love watching sisters interact together...

Devin and I celebrated our 15 year anniversary this month!  We have had so much adventure, joy, new experiences, traditions, trials, hard work, laughter, tears, change, growth, and so much love. With how crazy busy our lives have been, Devin and I kept our anniversary celebrations minimal.  But these cones from Handel's were impressive. 

Okay, what is happening?  How is our baby girl growing up so fast?  Shaving? Please stop!

More summer fun and finding ways to stay cool...