Finishing Out Summer

 I can't believe this was our last week of our summer break!

On Monday we visited Kennecott Mine with my parents before they went back to Cedar City. It was so fun to see the HUGE equipment and learn about just how big the mine is. I had no idea you could see it from space.

On Tuesday we went to see the dinosaur gardens at Thanksgiving Point with Kindal and Rosie. Kindal and I had high hopes of getting a lot of things done together that day, but it was just impossible with our kids around. We love them very much. But it was really validating to me because sometimes I get frustrated that I don't get more things done on my creative side's to do list when my kids are around and our time together showed me that it just really isn't very possible without my kiddos being with someone else for a little bit. It was still so fun to hang out together though and we had a good long discussion that night that resulted in us changing one single word of our new book :) It's pretty incredible how much goes into the smallest details of projects to bring them to life.

Wednesday we drove back home, and the boys were champs. We stopped at Little America and had a good break together and filled everyone's bellies and let everyone run. Then we hit the road and made it the whole 5 hours home without stopping again! Stops are the hardest part of solo road trips, so it felt like such a quick and easy day, and also got us home 50 minutes ahead of when I thought we'd be there by. Michael made potstickers and salad and watermelon and we were happy to be home with him!!

We've been having some low key days since the trip as we gear up for school next week. Both boys got to meet their new teachers, see their new classrooms, find out which friends they'll be with, and they are looking forward to a fun new year. We start Tuesday and it really blows my mind to have a second grader and a kindergartener!

Saturday night we took pizza to the park and then went to the city pool for a school pool party, which was super fun for the boys. But after about 30 minutes there was lightning within 10 miles, which meant that the pool requires everyone to leave. They were bummed but it was still a fun night! And Westin loved his final flag football game that morning. I finally remembered to register him for fall sports through the city rec league rather than this other league that I've been doing since it fills up so much more slowly. But his new basketball league will be at his school and hopefully have some kids he knows in it, but it doesn't start until October. It'll be a good winter sports fix though.

Summer, you were good to us!

I love seeing these brothers make Asher happy when he wakes up. He's got a good little set up in our closet. Someday Camden will move in with the other two boys and Asher will take over the crib but for now, we're happy doing what's working!

Cracks me up when Kitty takes a drink from the water table,
because before she jumps up there she tests out the water with her paw while on her two back legs,
so it just looks like she's playing at the table just like the boys do. Makes me laugh.

Flag football has been his favorite sport by far.
I'm not going to lie, I have high hopes for some soccer and basketball dedication in our future because those are the only sports I really like watching/am ok with -- football scares me! But it's too early to be too set on anything. We gotta figure out what sweet Benny would enjoy, too. He's not too into the sports scene right now.

On the Road Again

 We spent the first part of the week getting the house ready to be empty, because on Wednesday the boys and I drove to Utah to be with Jonas at his baptism, and on Thursday Michael went on a High Adventure with the youth in our ward.

The boys did great on the trip! Asher never cried. The hardest part is answering/acknowledging Camden's constant (constant. so constant.) chatting about all the cars and trucks and cows and horses and trains and everything that we pass. The bigger boys listen to podcasts in the backseat the whole drive (Circle Round, Earth Rangers, Purple Rocket, or Magic Tree House CDs from the library), Asher is pretty content with a car or two and his stuffed elephant. And Camden just needs that constant conversation.

I left my headphones at home so our first stop involved grabbing a cheap pair at Wal-Mart because 7 hours of driving with no books or podcasts to listen to is basically impossible for me to do if I want to stay awake. And staying awake is preferred. So after that first stop I had headphones and a Dr. Pepper and the rest of the drive felt like smooth sailing. 

I went to dinner on Thursday night with some of my aunts and cousins and I just love catching up with them. Friday night my mom and sister and I spontaneously went to see Mrs. Harris goes to Paris and it was just a cute, happy movie and a fun night out with them. My parents got us Thai food one night and I just had so much fun being with my family. 

Michael had a good time on his High Adventure! He picked up some new gear for the trip and had a good time getting to know some leaders and youth in our ward more. Our bishop is super outdoorsy so they were in good hands. The boys sure missed not being able to talk to him at all those days!

I love how his little hand holds that little car seat strap holder like it's a handle.

We had some hawk or something leave us a disgusting mess on our deck.
I'll spare you details but I will tell you that Westin has become a super helper around here.
He took care of a mess that day that I would absolutely have had the hardest time dealing with.

Camden went to his first birthday party! It was at his nursery leader's house, so he was stoked about it.
So the rest of us had a totally blissful library trip. We did origami, read tons of books, got their summer reading program prizes (books and pizza!), and just loved the long trip.
I won't lie, I have a 5-minute rule at the library right now with all four boys and we just do all the reading of what they choose at home. But without the toddler we had a leisurely time and Westin said it was the best library trip ever. Cute kiddos.

Road trip stop 1: nursing on the floor of a Wal-Mart toy aisle, not my classiest moment, but we got it done.

Road trip stop 2: Little America, where we've made many, many stops.
Westin being able to hold Asher in this little side room of the Women's bathroom is a game changer.
I've held a baby while peeing with a toddler in the same stall as me more times than I'd like to count and I'll happily say goodbye to that stage :)

He loves slides. Not going down them, necessarily, but throwing things down them. Like pinecones.

Elise only wanted Camden to put on her shoes a few times, which made for a slow process.
They are hilarious together.

There's a farm by Ali's house, and if you pass it, they have a little sign that ways,
"Why didn't you stop?" But the thing is...

...this is the sign.
And it was poorly planned, I think.
We kept laughing about it.

Dallin loved Westin and followed him around like an adorable puppy.

Eliason ladies' night at Cubby's

Asher did start the day with pants, but, you know. Babies.
We were so happy for Jonas! It was a special day for that cute special boy!

I only brought one skirt, and Ali walked out of her room that morning before wearing a dress made out of the same material. We didn't even know we both owned that, our accidental matching has reached new levels.