4th of July

We had so much fun this year with the 4th of July aka Brandon's birthday.

 We had all of the Warning cousins in town which was so fun and entertaining.  Grace looks a little funny in the dress ups with the girls, but these three had a lot of fun together.

 Kyle, Graham, and Gavin jumped on "the monster" over and over again for a few hours.  Apparently it was a game.

 Baby Gwen got in lots of snuggle time.  So fun to cuddle a baby.

 Patriotic cousins

Dad and Bryce thought it would be a good idea to hold flower fireworks in their hands til they were good and lit then throw them into the water.  I'm amazed they didn't burn themselves.

 Our birthday boy and puppy.  Finn handled his first 4th like a champ.

 Deacon looking very patriotic.

 Camille had fun mustaches which Grace loved.

 Brandon posing for birthday pictures with each of our munchkins.

 Bryce had something you put in the fire to change the color of the flames.  Very cool.

We had a fabulous 4th with family, watched a few fireworks, then headed back to our house to get to bed long before the fireworks ended.  

End of June

 We did our first ever Space Derby for scouts.  Wasn't super successful because we couldn't get the rubberbands to twist right consistently (nobody could), and the strings weren't staying tight enough, but we had fun. 

 Brandon was working out of town and didn't think he would be back, so Grandpa came to fill in.  So glad they live close.

 Then Brandon showed up and took over.  It ended up being more of a dad event while the boys ran around and played, but I think even the dads had fun.

 The last weekend in June we headed to Chandler's mission farewell.  He is now off to Bolivia, but we had tons of fun seeing him and the other "big cousins" before he lef.

 Nick made us all delicious shaved ice.  

Love this picture of Derek and Kyle.  I love that the big cousins are so good with my littler guys. 

 The soon to be missionary working on his giant gobstopper.  He was determined to finish before he left.

 Kyle and Derek went to the high school and harvested veggies.  Kyle loved getting to go with just him.  So glad we made the trip down to hang out with these guys.

Night at the Zoo

I got an ad for members night at the zoo and we decided to give it a try.  I had very low expectations - but it was so fun!

 First up touring the elephant barn.  The elephants were maybe 5 feet outside that window.

 We (and a few hundred other people) got up close and personal with the tigers, otters, monkeys, and anoas next.  They have all kinds of spaces for the tigers to go and walk behind the exhibits, and we learned there are 6 tigers, but usually only 2 out.  Same with several of the other animals, they swap out who is out in the exhibits and who is hanging out in the back.  Very cool, but very smelly.

Tour behind the aquariums.  They had all kinds of seahorses and jelly fish back there. 

 First peek at the new shark exhibit.  We need to go back and explore that more.

 Up close and personal with a polar bear.  He was going to bed for the night.

 Then a ride on the carousel to end the night.  Our kids didn't even know there was a carousel so they were pumped.  Kyle rode a walrus, Evan a horse, and Grace a pink horse.  They were three very happy kids.

Dunk Tank Day

 At the end of the school year the kids' school has a dunk tank.  Anyone who walked 10 miles at recess gets to throw a ball to dunk either my dad, or one of the teachers.  Grace and I stayed for the whole thing this year and it was so fun.  So glad my kids have teachers who are willing to do this kind of stuff, and that my dad is there so we get to see him too.