Family Camp with SMCC Scouts

Last weekend we spent Fri-Sun with Riley's scout pack.  SMCC does a "Family Camp" that included cub scouts, boy scouts, girl scouts and all of their family members.  This year we were at a park in Lehi so it was nice and close, which worked out well since we didn't have a dog sitter.  We were able to zip home twice on Saturday to feed her and let her out.

Friday night was basically a time to set up camp and there was a movie with popcorn and sno cones.  The kids got to watch Bedtime Stories on the big screen while hanging out with their buddies.

Kendall and Kaitlyn were inseparable the entire weekend!

On Saturday the boy scouts cooked us a delicious breakfast then afterwards we had a family activity.  The families built catapults from kits and then there was a contest to see who's catapult could shoot a marshmallow the furthest and which dad could get a marshmallow into his son's mouth.  The kids had a blast with it.

Trying out the catapult

Riley was so happy to have us all together.  He had so much fun at camp.

Afterwards we had a service project to do at the camp.   I scooted home to take care of the dog while Andy took Riley to help paint a fence with the rest of the pack.  It's great that our kids are learning about giving back outside of just our family and school.

We had lunch on our own, which I brought back from the house with me.  I had sandwiches for us so we didn't need to pack ANY cooking items whatsoever!  What a great relief!  No coolers, no stoves, no pots & pans!

After lunch we had medieval type games for the kids to play.  They jousted each other, learned to throw knives, got stuck in the stockade and had water soaked sponges thrown at them, and then made first aid kits.  It was a blast!

Riley and his friend Bradley jousting 

Warren, Timothy, Riley and Bradley - 4 of the 5 Bears who went to Family Camp this year

Warren and Riley learning to throw knives and tomahawks

They had so much fun trying it!

Family Camp was a little too much fun for our little one!

Scoutmaster Brian teaching the boys how to properly soak a sponge before throwing it at someone!

Bradley was the first target!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Riley was a great sport.  It was so hot out, all the boys wanted to get wet!

He mostly got hit in the stomach which you can see by hot wet his shirt was!

Timothy was a good sport too - he got nailed in the face a few times but never flinched!

After the games we had some more downtime and then dinner was served by the scout leaders.  After dinner we had a campfire ceremony.  This included games, skits, songs and at the conclusion, a flag retirement ceremony.  I remember the one they did last year and it was just as powerful and meaningful as the first one I was a part of.  Such a great chance to help the kids understand that freedom isn't "free."

The next morning was breakfast served by anyone willing to help out and then a church service and break down of camp...What a great weekend.  The best part is that we were able to hang out with the Thomas and Major families who we adore.  Kendall had two of her little girl friends with her and she was in HEAVEN!  It was the first time we've camped with friends of hers too!  Usually she's the youngest and the only girl in camp.

Kaitlyn, Kendall and Gracie AKA: The Three Musketeers

a New Hiking Trail

On Tuesday the kids and I decided to pack a lunch, our Camelbaks and head for the mountains for some cooler temps.  We drove up to Brighton and hiked the Lake Mary trail.  It was steep from the start for Kendall.  You hike up under the Majestic lift which was fun for her to see where she skied earlier in the year.  We were even able to pick out the part of the slope where a snowboarder wiped out in her video!  She thought that was hysterical!

Taking a breather on the way to the lake

Finally - it flattened out a little bit!

On our way to Lake Mary, we found a geocashe and the kids were so excited.  We used the geocashe app on my phone which isn't the easiest to navigate with, but we managed.  After checking out the cashe, we continued to the lake.

Found it!

We all loved how calm, beautiful and peaceful the lake was - even with all the other hikers around, we found a huge boulder to sit on and bask in the warmth of the sun (it was a good 20+ degrees cooler there than in the valley).

See what I mean?

The kids enjoyed throwing rocks into the lake and hopping from boulder to boulder.  We sat and ate our lunch and then hiked around the other side of the dam before heading back to the car.

Throwing rocks and feeling the water temp

Climbing on the boulders

One of the perks of hiking at Brighton is that there is a cute little store/cafe where you can get ice cream/popcicles.  That's usually our reward for a good hike.

Yum!

I love that my little ones enjoy hiking and can appreciate the beauty that surrounds us.  We look for wildlife, interesting plant life, etc. on our treks.  They enjoy it as much as I do thankfully.

Enjoying the early blooming wildflowers!

Busy Summer

Our summer has been so busy that I haven't had time to even blog!!!  I guess that's a good thing though because it keeps us from being bored.

The kids have been to VBS at their school which was a HUGE hit!  Kendall still begs for "BBS" music in the car and all I see in the rear view mirror are arms flying in the air as she does the motions.

Last week Riley had Camp Invention from 9-3:30 every day.  He loved it and asked to go again next year.  They create things, learn about how things were invented, take electronics apart to see how they work, etc.  It's a perfect camp for his inquisitive mind!

While Riley was at camp, Kendall and I went to see the movie Brave with some of her girlfriends, headed to the Princess Festival, spent two days at Little Gym camp, and had a playdate at a new splash pad with friends from school.

No down time for us.  I've also been using my spare time (what little I've had of it lately) to start prepping for Kendall's mermaid themed beach birthday party.  For some reason I have it in my head that I need to make mermaid tail towels for each of the little girls!  I already made them sea shell headbands and a fishing trifold board for them to fish for candy, etc.

Some pics from the Princess Festival:

Learning to dance with the "Dancing Princesses"

Trying out her "sunbrella" - I splurged just to help keep the sun off that scar of hers!

First Week of Summer Vacation!

So far this week has been busy, as I anticipate each week over summer break will be for us.  Sunday night and all day Monday Riley had a friend sleepover and play.  I took the kids to Classic Fun Center so the three of them could skate/scooter for 2 1/2 hrs.  Tuesday was our "relaxing" day this week.  We headed to the gym (where both kids get to play while I sweat), did lots of laundry, played outside and then went to scouts.  Wednesday was Bible Study in the morning where the kids again, got to play with their friends while I enjoyed the company of some fantastic women!  Wednesday afternoon we went on a hike with friends from school along the Bonneville Shoreline Trail.  Thursday was a fun day too because after the gym, we headed over to a friend's house to play and another friend with her kids met us there.  My kids are getting spoiled in their first week of summer vaca!

Today is yet another adventure.  We rode our bikes to the skate park nearby to try out our new archery equipment.  I made their bows from pvc and the arrows from wooden dowels with rubber furniture feet for arrow tips.

Trying them out

Practicing his draw

No, I didn't teach her to nock her arrow this way...

This is how I taught her to do it!

Draw...Aim...

Release!

 We learned about our family heritage last Saturday by attending the Utah Scottish Festival at Thanksgiving Point.  The kids got to hear lots of music, see Highland and Irish dancing as well as some of the Highland Games.  I think the perfect conclusion to learning about our Scottish Heritage (on my mom's side, MacGregor clan) is to see the new Disney movie Brave.  Here's a clip of some of the action:  BRAVE CLIP

This story is about Merida, a Scottish, skilled archer and headstrong daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor.  She is determined to carve her own path and ends up turning to an eccentric witch to help her grant an ill-fated wish.  Hoping to tie in the archery and our Scottish heritage along into this movie!  

Later today we are headed out to another friend's house for a play/craft date.  The kids play while the mom's work on a craft - my favorite kind of play date!  Then tonight it's off to our Friday night dinner at Wing Nutz where it's our own version of "Cheers" because Jamie (our favorite waitress) knows our orders and starts pouring our beers when she sees us walk in!  

Tomorrow we'll be heading downtown for the Farmer's Market.  Nothing like Central Market, but it will do.  Then later in the day I have our sitter coming to watch the rugrats so I can take Andy to BrewFest at Snowbird for Father's Day.  Can't wait!  We are so fortunate to start our first week of summer with lots of great activities!  Hope we can keep up this pace for the next few weeks.  I have a feeling this summer is going to fly by!

This Year's Teacher Gifts

Nothing like waiting till the 11th hour to get the teacher gifts done, right?  Kendall's last day is tomorrow and Riley's is Friday.

For teachers and the aides in my kids' classes, I found these cute cups at Ross for a few bucks, filled the bottoms with m&m's and gift cards to Jamba Juice.

Easy peasy lemon squeezy!

Is is Friday yet?  Gosh I can't wait till school is out!

It's Show Time!

Today was Kendall's last class at The Little Gym.  It's a bittersweet ending, but as you can see in this video, she's ready to move on to a more gymnastics focused program.  We will miss her teacher Miss Kim who we've had for a year and a half.  Kendall was one of the few brave ones who even voluntarily ventures to the high bar and I think she'd do more if she was pushed - yes the teacher and coach in me isn't settling even when she's three!

Here she is:

My little gymnast

Kendall with her two little buddies who she absolutely adores.  Hoping they all can get into class together in the fall too!