Fun at the Parkin's House

Today it was Amy's turn to host the water fun.  She filled up her pool.  But the highlight of the day was that they got a trampoline.  Matt stayed up until 2:00am putting the trampoline together so the kids could play.  The kids loved the tramp and they put the sprinkler under it to cool the kids down.  As always the kids played in the dirt pile.  They were all covered in dirt, well mostly the girls.  They also did something new today they scaled the fence.  They thought that that was so cool.  Thanks, Parkins for the awesome day.

Face painting and skits

Today the boys decided that they wanted to paint their faces.  So we got out the craft paint and the dress up clothes.  Britton dressed as Santa Claus and we painted a white beard and a mustache and we painted his eye brows white.  Bryson dressed as Mario and we painted a big black mustache.  Parker dressed as a pirate and we painted a black beard.  Then each of them got to perform a skit and we took video of each of them acting out their character.  Bryson was so funny pretending to be in a video game.  The boys painted their faces a few different times.  When the girls woke up from their naps we painted butterflys on their faces.  A few of the other characters were two face(half orange and half yellow), a white face with black eyes and lips and black clothes, a cowboy with a big mustache and an Indian with lots of arrows.  The kids had fun and this kept them busy for hours and hours.  I can't wait to see all of the videos.

Christmas in July Tea Party

For our Christmas in July we decided to have a tea party.  We made hot chocolate, lemonade and fruit punch for the beverage to choose from.  We had chocolate dipped marshmallows with sprinkles.  Crackers and cheese, zucchini bread, and chocolate covered strawberries.  We had marshmallows on a stick to use for a spoon and whip creme for the hot chocolate.  We used our christmas dishes and had candles to decorate.  It was so fun.  The kids sat very proper and used extra manners when asking for treats to be passed.  We had a very enjoyable night.  This might be a new tradition.

Gardner Family Reunion at East Canyon

We took the kids up to East Canyon today.  Dans family has been camping their all week.  But we were not able to go because of youth conference and work.  So we went today and had a lot of fun.  The kids love the playground, it has a bunch of tires to climb on and swings to swing on.  Then Landon brought his horses and Grandpa Gardner's horse and gave the kids a ride.  The girls were so excited to ride.  They love horses and especially Buttercup.  After riding we had dinner and the kids had fun playing with cousins.  The girls collected rocks and the boys played a bunch of games with cousins.  We saw some deer on the ride home and also a porcupine was crossing the rode.  I love East Canyon.  It is such a beautiful drive.

Service Project with the kids

Today we went to Bishop Monson's house for our service project.  We got to put in their sod.  Dan was not able to take off the entire day so I had to bring the kids with me.  I was worried that the kids would be busy and not listen, but I was so wrong.  The boys helped with the sod.  They carried the heavy pieces and unrolled it and laid it in rows.  Parker got the cut some of sod with President Webb.  The girls played with the bunny and played on the new grass.  They were such good kids.  Then Dan got home and I went with the youth to Pineview for a day of boating.  I even got to ride the tube with Jenae.  Then we had hamburgers and a testimony meeting.  It was a great youth conference.  Dan took the kids to Dinosaur Park today.  He was so surprised how easy it was to take the kids somewhere alone.  The kids had fun.  Brynlee loved the dinosaurs.  They got field journals and made leaf prints.  It was an all around fun day for everyone.

Youth Conference

We had a water day.  We filled the pool and set up the slip and slide and had the pvc sprinkler out.  We put the sprinkler under the trampoline.  We invited Reese and Ryal to come over and the Parkin's came also.  I enjoyed the hammock and was able to relax while the kids played.  Great summe day. 
We started our youth conference today.  We went to the church and had pizza and watched the movie Other side of Heaven.  Then we went to listen to Elder Groberg.  He came and did a fireside at the Stake Center.  He talked to the youth about serving missions and keeping the commandments.  It was an amazing evening.  We had some good conversations with our girls.  I love my calling.  I get to work with the beehives. 

Day Farm and the Library

Today we went to the Day Farm.  We look to go to the local farmers.  We don't have a garden this year so we get to support our local farmers.  We love day Farm.  They have such good produce.  We got corn, watermelon, zucchini and yellow squash.  We can't wait until u-pick starts in two weeks.  After the farm we went to the library and got the kids all their own library cards, even Brynlee.  The kids were so excited to have their own cards.  They each picked out the books they wanted.  Then we came home and read.