Summer

EEEK I can't believe its July 19th already. Better write how things have been this month before July is totally over.
First there was the 4th of July. We celebrated at Justin Schauers' with a big barbecue in his neighbor's awesome yard with a great view of the Orem Provo valley. We watched lots of fireworks all over, not just stadium fireworks go off anymore, these days people spend thousands of dollars on huge fireworks all over the valley. 

 We went to see Inside Out with lots of the Barretts because they were going and invited us, and its awesome! Go see it, so fun and full of analogies, metaphors, hidden parallels, and mental health truths. Right up my alley. Rachel turned 17 and we celebrated her birthday at my parents. I was able to take her, my mom and grandma to lunch and it was so fun. She is a joy and so grateful she is part of our family!

 Savanna's been spending half her life over at Justin and Shawnas earning money for her phone. We are proud of her for the work ethic she is developing. She took this picture, not sure why, but sometimes this is how she looks when she has to go "back to work." She really does love Bailey, Ethan, and Tate, and tries to be very patient. Justin said she was a life saver with him working so much and Shawna being so pregnant this summer. We love you Savanna. Keep up the hard work!

Fiora made her own chocolate chips, made her own gluten free batter, and then made chocolate chip cookies. They were chocolate volcano cookies, but tasted pretty darn good. They still spiked my insulin and I felt a bit sick, I love having a sensitive pancreas. It's the best. I took a selfie of the new blazer my friend gave me. I'm getting old, but my friend said I was smokin. LOL

 Fiora has been pet sitting for our neighbors, they are paying her, but sometimes I think she would pay them to let her come play with their dogs and take care of their chickens. She loves animals so much. Our cat gets lots of loving from Fiora. This last week she decided she had to have some fish, so she did some extra chores and gave me all the cash she had earned this summer and bought herself three fish and a new tank. She was so happy.

 My dad turned 61. Jared and I took him and my mom out for mexican food to celebrate, but the whole family got together at Timpanogos park the next Monday to play kick ball and sing happy birthday. It was fun to play ball with all the nieces and nephews. My dad, whose pancreas I inherited, is trying to back off sugar too, so he had candles in a pizza for his birthday. Ha ha.

 Savanna went to Youth Conference this year at Snow College. She had a great time, staying in dorms with friends and doing lots of activities and a dance. She had mostly positive reports when she got home which is a good thing. She was pretty tired though! Staying up late and getting up early and being active for 3 days wore her out.

 Our nephew Titus Jonathan Carpenter surprised us all and came 3 weeks early July 17th! Heidi and Gabe were radiant with joy. It went very well and Heidi went 100% natural, no complications except they had to change hospitals in the middle of labor because she was goign with a midwife VBAC and they had no doctor on staff to stand by for an emergency c section. Lame! But Heidi handled it with heroic strength. I got there right after he was born and shared in their triumph. He is a cutie!

 We trimmed our plum tree last fall and it was trimmed in such a way that there is just enough space for a nice swing, which I finally purchased last week. It is so darling, I love it. I've been trying to keep my yard looking nice this year and it was a nice finishing touch.

Fiora swinging and taking a selfie, talented

 

Not pictured: Jared took us up to his friend's cabin to have a dinner and go four wheeling, which was fun. Weston had a AAG Team pool party which was a nice reward for all his work, he is learning a lot of new skills for level 8 he is excited about. I finally got some hiking poles and love them, don't know how I've never hiked without them! Took the girls to the temple last week and did lots of names I found from golden hints and Ancestry.com. Our ward choir sang my mom's pioneer hymn medley and it was awesome! Always lots going on! We are so blessed.