Summer Fun

In my last post I was worried about not filling up our days with meaningful activities. After this last month, I've decided that we do plenty of that. And actually it's not so bad to have some down time after all. So here it is....the summer catch up post!

We'll start off with a visit from our sweet friend, Angel. She stayed with us for a week while her family was out of town and it was lots of fun. As I've said before, the girls love her and she loves them. She has the sweetest spirit and you can't help but love her to pieces. While she was here we went to Sonic many times for 1/2 price shakes after 8:00, took several trips to Walmart (the fun never ends at Walmart!), did pedicures, went swimming and many other little outings. Here is pedicure day. The girls lounged in the recliners while I gave them full out spa like pedicures. They have no idea how spoiled they are!

The next week we were off to Utah and Southeast Idaho to visit with family. This was the week of the 4th of July and it was a fun break. First stop was Utah to visit Aunt Abby and go to Lagoon. Abby and Lizette spent the day together on Monday while Jeff, Lexi and I went to Park City to explore. And when I say explore, I mean we shopped at the outlet mall there all day. Our plan was to walk around the old downtown, see some sights and do a little shopping. Well, we shopped 'til we dropped and found so many great bargains for Jeff and the girls that we couldn't resist the opportunity. We'll go back to Park City again and see the other sights later. Lexi was a good sport and we each took turns playing with her while the other one shopped. I think she had a good time having one on one attention for the day. Aunt Abby and Lizette had a blast. Of course Abby spoiled her with a trip to the zoo, stuffed animals, and lots of fun goodies. Lizette was in heaven.

The next day we took Lizette to Lagoon while Lexi got to have her fun day with Aunt Abby. Lagoon was fun and I would highly recommend it as a GREAT family destination. We met Thayne and Angel's family there and had a fun day. Lizette and I were both timid about rides so it was good that Jeff had good ride buddies for the day. Jeff made me go on Wicked and I have still not forgiven him. And I don't think Lizette has forgiven me for some of the rides I made her go on. In fact, on one of them, she screamed bloody murder and cried the entire time. I really thought that once it got going she would like it. Well, I was wrong. When we left the ride I felt many stares from other parents. No doubt judging me as the worst mom ever. (At least that's how I felt!) Her favorite ride of the day was the merry-go-round because it was a nice and safe escape from the scary rides! We ended the day with ice cream and that made it all better. The valuable lesson that I learned from this is that Lizette is exactly like me. She is shy, timid and afraid to try new things. So, why do I feel that I need to push her to not be shy or timid and try new things? Because I don't want her to be like me! I'm thinking counseling is in our future. 

We left Utah on Tuesday night and headed to Soda to celebrate the 4th. It was fun and as always Grandma and Grandpa Rigby had tons of fun things planned for the kids. They should really write a book or teach classes on how to be the best grandparents to your grandkids. They take such an interest in each one of their grandkids and spend time planning meaningful and memorable activities with them. The kids adore them and it's not because they spoil them with things. It's because they spoil them with their time, their undivided attention and pure unconditional love. I really need to take notes when I go there. 

Soda does the 4th of July right. They have a fun parade and lots of fun community events. Here are the girls on a barrel train ride. We thought it would be a fun idea to have them ride together. Sweet, right? Well, by the end I think Lexi had taken charge of the car and Lizette was more than happy to be done. These sisters have a love/hate relationship for sure! 

After our trip, we spent the next week catching up at home. Getting back into the swing of things again with Lizette's camp and ballet schedules, laundry, errands, housework, callings...I could go on, but you know what I mean. We did take a break to play dress up one day. The girls love putting on our winter coats, hats and gloves so we broke them out and had a great time dressing up. Lizette is always in charge of wardrobe and she did a great job. Lexi's tank top, rain/go-go boot and winter hat ensemble work well together. And I love how serious Lizette becomes when she puts on a scarf. Something about a scarf brings out lots of serious posing. 

On the 12th, I had Cub Scout Camp. Yes, you did read that correctly. Cub Scout Camp. Believe it or not, through my church calling, I am sort of "over" scouting in our ward. I was the obvious choice for this as I have no sons and no clue about scouting. Yes, I am being very sarcastic. I bring it up at church all the time in the hopes that they will see what an unfortunate misfit I am and put me in ANY other calling. But I guess I am supposed to be learning a life lesson here or something and I am in scouts. When I am given an assignment I do it and to the best of my abilities (even when I have hardly any) so that is what I have done with scouting. I actually even have a scout shirt now. I look like a full fledged den mother. And truth be told, I sort of like scouting. I like pack meetings and roundtable and all that stuff. I just don't really like being in charge. Here I am in 108 degree weather at the end of the day at camp. 

All in all, our summer is going great. The girls are so fun and having a lot of fun this summer. I'm loving that they are having more fun moments together now. Mixed in with lots of fighting of course, but it is nice to see them enjoying each other more and more. We finally bought some backyard toys which was challenging given the size of our backyard (Small. Very, very small.) We found an 8' trampoline which the girls immediately have shortened the name to the tramp. It's like they think they are pretty cool saying, "Mom, I'm going to go jump on the tramp." I don't know. It just cracks me up. Like "Yeah, we're going to jump on the tramp. That's how we roll." I guess after waiting for so long, they probably do feel pretty cool to finally have a tramp. We also bought a swing set. It has one swing and one glider swing. Yes, small but it does the job for us. 

Lizette is loving ballet and still goes to fitness camp three times a week. Between that, trips to Jackson's and Sonic for Diet Coke, trips to the library, the park, and many trips to the swimming pool each week. We stay busy. And I LOVE spending time with my little sweet girls. Blessed I am. 

I had to get this picture of Lexi as big as possible. Her expression cracks me up.

Speaking of spending time with people. Jeff and I are finding that we have very little time together. Yes, you've heard this before I know. :-) As I've mentioned before, his job is busy. He is 110% dedicated to any job he has and this job requires a lot of his time both at work and working from home. He comes home exhausted and is going on very little sleep. His calling is busy and he is also very committed to that. I'm selfish with our time these days and cherish any date night we can get! Remember the restaurant reviews I used to do? Haven't seen those lately have ya? It's because we barely get any date nights anymore. 

Woe is me! 

I know there are bigger problems in the world, but I'm just saying...I miss the good 'ol days when he got home by 5:00 and could even come home for lunch now and then. Well, through all this I've been noticing more and more how Jeff is actually a really good guy. :-) I know that does sound ridiculous. Of course he is a good guy. But he's someone that people look up to and turn to for advice. He is actually pretty wise. I guess I've never really thought about him as that guy before. I'm seeing him in a whole new light and it's making me love him even more. I guess sharing him is not so easy sometimes, but I'm glad he's the kind of guy that needs to be shared. He does a lot of good.  

On that sappy note, I end this post. Hope you are having a really fun summer. 

(P.S. Sorry Jeff that some of my pictures are fuzzy. I know this is not acceptable. I will admit that you need to give me lessons on taking photos with the iPhone.)