more friends!!!

our friends from Orem (who now live in Colorado) were on summer break from med school and stayed with us for three days. It was a great time…

we had a hard time keeping the five kids busy because it was so hot outside we couldn’t go out and we ended up car seat-less the day we planned on going out to the splash pad - thanks a lot Paul :)

so we tried our hand at freezer paper crafting – cool product!

The last morning we all went to the Hill Air force Base Museum – it is pretty ghetto, but the girls liked it (and Hudson who I can’t forget)

I had to take this photo because that morning Abi prayed for it to rain so that the earth would cool off… and sure enough, even against what the weather forecast said, it started raining while we were outside looking at the planes. Abi was thrilled her prayers were answered.

 

don’t you love the big plane with the stroller?

the girls were acting scared of something?

You can see a photo of these girls last year at about the same time here--- it makes me realize how much they really have grown up.

BTW – Dan was in Idaho for the week so he didn’t even get to see them :( – He has been working so much during this busy season and we miss him terribly. It kind of makes me excited for cold weather – kind of…

Progress on the yard

We have been working SO SO SO hard on the back yard. This project of digging the trampoline hole has been such a stress for Dan. We have worked for hours and hours and it felt never ending. However, we are making awesome progress. I took these photos on Wednesday. We were finally putting in posts.

I walked out and there was this incredible orange/ward hued sky with an incredibly HUGE rainbow with a double rainbow above it. These photos don’t do it justice, but I can’t express the awe we felt as we relished in the beauty… and then five minutes later, the sun set and everything was gray.

squatting whilst being creative & being in the sun

this is how Trout spent 2 hours of her morning… squatting, while coloring with a yellow colored pencil upside down. I couldn’t convince her to try different colors or to sit on her rump.

I wanted to capture this moment because Abi shared so well with Brookie that it made my heart swell.

Do you know that this week Abi cleaned my vacuum with baby wipes to surprise me? It touched my heart that she was so thoughtful.

telling secrets

giving kisses

then we took off for the afternoon to Willard Bay to jet ski with our surrogate grandparents and their family. We had such a great time and it was so therapeutic. I am convinced we need a jet ski… although I would never claim that Dan and I hit 48mph while I was driving. He might tell you he took a ride with a crazy/free woman who screamed and laughed the whole time while he held on for dear life… but I couldn’t possibly tell you who that woman was.

Abi was a little fish and Trout was so chill the whole time. I think that I would like to get a pass next year and just bring the girls up during the week.

Dan and I took Abi out on the Jet ski. When we got out of the “no wake” zone and sped up she felt that thrill and yelled, “Yeah Baby!” It was hilarious. Abi loved being in the front and helping drive. She did awesome!

two little stinks

our first little stink actually had two piggies last Sunday. And oh, how she worked them!

do you know she has two top teeth now? No fang anymore! We have a top left fang and a front right tooth. Silly girl!!! This last photo is my favorite of her.

Then there is the second little stink… who has grown almost camera shy (just to push some buttons). BUT we were so lucky to have some of our friends from Orem (who now live in California) stop by on their way through town. It was such a blessing as we have been blessed to have many friends in our home who I wondered if I would ever see them again. But, Abi and Kylie used to play together from when Abi was Brookie’s age now. Crazy to think about. They watched Abi while I was in school.

How I love my stinks and how I love good friends and how I love how the Lord answers prayers*

*I have been dealing with some heavy trials for about three months and about two weeks ago I prayed for Heavenly Father to send people to help me get through the lowest point… and I have had not only one friend, but FOUR of our best friends and their families visit or stay at our home. I have also had some friends call who I know there was no other reason they called except by prompting. I have been busy as all get out and just feel like He is SO aware of each of us.