Summer update..

This summer has been a full one so far.

My parents joined us here in UT in early June, moving into a home about five minutes from our house. The children have enjoyed many visits to grandma's house. Their favorite is getting a chance to spend the night all by themselves. They are thoroughly spoiled and can't wait until it is their turn again. We have also resumed occasional Sunday dinners and other get-to-gethers that we missed while we lived here without family.

Joelle had her first Dance recital at the end of June and she looked so beautiful and grown up, I couldn't believe it! The photos are still on my camera for some reason, so when they are finally uploaded, I will post photos of my beautiful, grown up daughter. She is excited for another year of dance to start in the fall (I think she is just as happy that this means she does not have to continue playing soccer again this coming season).

The children enjoyed the Heritage Days parade again this year, especially Joelle, who was able to ride on a float from her Dance Studio. She got to throw salt water taffy to the people lining the street. She can't wait to do it again next year. The boys enjoyed catching candy and other fun stuff as they were thrown. I was the lucky one who got to walk down with the float to get Joelle at the end of the parade route. The evening ended with a fun fireworks show at the park, where we enjoyed visiting with friends and getting bit by mosquitoes.

When Joelle was in preschool in Sacramento (many years ago) I met a wonderful friend, Stephanie. We discovered a common love for books, especially young readers. We were both part of a fun music program for young children that I brought Liam to weekly. We developed a close friendship over the course of the year. At the end of the preschool year, Stephanie and her family moved away. I was so sad to lose such a great friend. Luckily, thanks to email and IM, we have stayed in touch over the years. Her family lives here in UT, so about once a year or so we have been able to meet up for a play date while she and her children were in town. This year we were lucky enough to have her whole family spend two days with us. Her three children are the same ages as my oldest three children, so they all had so much fun playing together! Thanks for a fun visit Steph, and come back anytime!!

This summer seems so full of great days! Early this month my sister went through the temple for the first time. For those of you who are not members of the LDS church, the temple is a sacred place where we go to worship God and make covenants with him. I was able to escort my sister as she had this new experience and it brought back many wonderful feelings from my first experience with the temple. Thanks sis for letting me be a part of your day!

Our next adventure is a trip to Sac for two family reunions...wish me luck camping with five kids!