Independence Day Weekend

 I loved the fourth of July this year. Most years it is just exhausting and I don't think it is worth it, but that wasn't the case for some reason this year. The fourth was on a Sunday so North Ogden celebrated on Saturday and Plain City on Sunday. We went to the North Ogden parade for the first time ever and I loved it. It was crazy hot and busy, but I like parades. My kids were bored because we were at the end and there was hardly any candy thrown. Megan was in it. Claire was super excited to see Megan cheering.

That night we swam at Missy's. I stayed until about eight and then took Claire and Van home. Matt stayed with the other three and they watched Cruella on the projector while floating in the pool.

On Sunday we had dinner at Marianne's. Claire and Jack decorated their bikes to be in the kids parade. I think it is super cute how obsessed Everly is with Van. You have to watch them close because she loves him so much. The kids did a few little fireworks, big fireworks were banned this year because of the drought conditions. Matt and the kids slept at Marianne's and Van and I slept at my parents. 

The morning of the 5th Claire, Jack, Maggie, and Maybree rode in the kids parade. We watched the parade, went to breakfast at Barbara's and then went to the square for a little while. Just the norm, but it was really fun, super crazy hot, but still fun. Van is just a trooper that does it all. He did get a good nap at my parents, but he sat through the parade and didn't cry at all.

Mantua

I love that this campground is so close to us. Every year it seems like, we head up to the Box Elder Campground day use area just to beat the heat and have something to do for an afternoon. Shannon and I took the kids a few weeks ago just for a few hours. Beau made an awesome rope swing and the kids played in the muck for a while. I love just getting them outside to play and explore.

Newport Beach

 For Mylie's graduation trip this year the Grandma Jenkins and all her aunts went to Newport Beach, California. Maddi came too because she just got home from her mission the week before. It was my first time going to Cali and I loved it! It was short and sweet, perfect for me. We flew out Thursday afternoon and we came home Sunday morning. 
We had a shuttle from the airport to our rental home. It was only about a half hour away. We were right next to Sancho's Tacos that had been recommended to us so we ate there for dinner. After dinner we walked around the corner to the grocery store and then down the street one minute to the beach. It was such a perfect located house because we were close to everything. 

The next day we rented bikes and rode along the beach. We ate lunch out on Balboa Pier. We took a ferry across to Balboa Island and they had the cutest shops that we spent the afternoon at. The bikes were so much fun! Then we played in the water which I loved! It was so much fun to play in the waves and the beach sand was amazing! I didn't go to dinner that night because it was a little fancy for my liking. I stayed back and watched a movie. It was actually really fun to not have anything to do.

On Saturday we shuttled over to Huntington Beach for the Aardeema's to take surf lessons. A few of us went to the shops there because there was a lot of shopping. Then we watched them surf for a while. The surf company shuttled us back to our house and we played on the beach for the day. Dinner that night was right by our house, and Italian restaurant Mama D's. 

The next morning we packed up and were headed out by 8 am. We had a while in the airport so we played some games and then flew home. It was such a fun little trip!

Corbin is 11

Corbin turned 11 on June 15th. He opened his presents in the morning even though Matt and Maggie were both gone.  His soccer ball had a hole so he got to pick a new one and chose a hot pink one. His other present came in the mail and he just opened it out of the mailing package when he got it. He was excited, it was a backpacking mat though. It wasn't a super eventful day this year, I am getting lame. We went to Zeppes to get a treat and then he had a soccer scrimmage that night. I probably should have done more to celebrate him, but sadly that really was it. The next night Grandma and Grandpa Davis came over to celebrate with him and brought cake and ice cream. He was super excited about his rock grinder. He just finished all of his rocks this week actually. On Sunday we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Jenkins. He loaded up on clothes and got the microscope he wanted.

Corbin loves to play soccer. He just started tennis lesson too. He loves to read, play with his friends, and play on his switch. He plays games with me and hikes with Matt. He can totally be the mediator and play with any kid that needs it. I love you so much Corbi!

Mt. Pleasant

 My family rented a cabin just outside of Mt. Pleasant in the mountains this year. We had so much fun! We spend one day at Palisades state park with the kayaks. Water and Kayaks are always a hit for my family. The water was cold enough Claire just hung out on the beach for most of it, but the rest of us enjoyed the water. Kent as always was in the water from the second we got there until we made him get out to leave. That kid loves the water like no one else. Van put his toes in the water for a second, but he mostly just hung out in the stroller and wagon.

                                 

Shannon brought water colors as her craft and it was a hit. Claire painted this one purple picture for probably 45 minutes. All the kids made Grandpa a picture and even Matt joined in the water color session. I think the kids each came home with a couple paintings. I brought double dutch jump ropes, which were super fun for the few that tried it. 

Matt brought the Ranger so he went for a few long rides with that. As per tradition he got stuck in the snow and had to wait for some nice man to come pull him out.

We did a small hike to a really pretty waterfall one day because the hike we wanted was closed for construction. And the rest of the time we hung out at the cabin. It was a super fun vacation.