The Rest of July

We found a little hike/walk near Lagoon that took us by some of their animals. The kids really enjoyed seeing those. It was also mostly shady and was paved so we could take the stroller. Nice on a hot July day.

Buffalo

How Ethan enjoyed the hike

Friendly Horses

We went to a Summers family reunion at a park in the Salt Lake area. Nate's aunt Sherrie had just passed away (after a long battle with cancer) so all of their kids were there. It made for a more somber reunion, but it was good too. Our kids enjoyed playing with their cousins at the park.

We did the usual things for the 24th of July. We went to Bowman's for breakfast, then went back home. Then later went back to Bowman's for lunch. They usually have a bounce house, but they didn't this year. They did have free hot dogs and drinks, face painting, balloon animals, and cotton candy though. For dinner, we had a BBQ at the Summers. Nate bought some J-Dawg sauce so we were able to add that. It was yummy!

Sherrie's funeral was nice. She was really a wonderful person, as is her husband Carter. He was obviously sad, but I think it was also a relief because she isn't in pain anymore and he won't have to spend so much time caring for her. Unfortunately, I had to spend a lot of the funeral out in the hall with Ethan. I went outside for a time, pacing, until he finally went to sleep. When he did, I went back in the hall and sat on a chair while he slept. Karl joined me with Weston.

Ethan finally learned to roll over. He had rolled over twice when he was just a couple of months old, then he didn't do it again until 8 months old! Silly kid. He has just been really happy to sit and play with toys. If one goes too far, he either waits for someone else to get it for him, or just forgets about it. Not too motivated to move. So we were really happy with this development.

He loves to squish his face into his doggy to fall asleep.

Cute bath picture

One day when we went out for ice cream, he decided to eat the table. The kids thought it was hilarious!

This was just the cutest! I was pushing Ethan in the swing at the park and Logan was helping Kylie ride her bike. What a sweet, helpful, big brother!

Our Anniversary was on a Sunday, so we had to celebrate on a different day. First of all, Nate surprised me with flowers! They were beautiful and lasted a long time! We dropped our kids off at my parents' house, then we went to Top Golf. It was really fun! I wasn't amazing at it, but Nate took a golf class in college so he was able to teach me how to hold it and hit it and I got better. We were on the second level and ordered some drinks too.  After that, we went to the Cheesecake Factory for dinner.  Nate had a gift card from work. It was so nice to get away, just the 2 of us. And to celebrate 8 years! They have been really good years. So many people talk about marriage being hard and it just isn't for us. We get along really well and really are best friends. If I could spend all day everyday with Nate, then I would so happy! He is the perfect person for me!

Here is a picture and video from Family Home Evening. I decided to teach the kids hopscotch and Kylie was so cute playing it! She couldn't jump on one foot, but she did her best. (I realized later that I drew it wrong!)

Ethan was supposed to wave hello in this video, but he didn't perform. He's still cute though.