Work Party and Ward Campout

Before our ward split several months ago, they had planned a ward camp out that our family had paid to attend. We were really looking forward to spending the day with several of our friends and neighbors. The girls also love going to Joel's work party every year so when the girls found out that their dad's work party was on the same night we were supposed to be out camping, they convinced Joel and I that we could make it work so that we could attend both events. We did our best to make that happen. The party started at 6 so we got there nice and early and the four older girls quickly got in the line to get their face painted. This year the party landed on the same night as the birthday of one of the main bosses for Joel's company so the entire theme of the party was based on all of her favorite things and was basically a giant surprise birthday party for her. Everyone who worked for the company even got a shirt with her name on it while everyone else was asked to wear white. 

After face painting we got some dinner, there was lots of great food, and then the kids played in a kids area that they had set up until it was time to go. The girls convinced us to let them go on a quick pony ride before we headed out to the mountains so we stayed and let them do that and then we left for our camping adventure. We had and hour and a half drive up to where we needed to camp and we still needed to set up our tent before it got dark. 

As soon as we made it up to our camp spot, we set up the tent and then the girls went for a walk and were super excited to say hi to some of their friends. They made sure we made popcorn over the fire that night and then it was late so we had to get ready for bed. A few of our kids were super tired and one of them had a major meltdown and cried for a long time before falling asleep but eventually they all fell asleep. It was still cold so most of our kids ended up snuggling on the double air mattress with dad. I had the baby with me on a twin air mattress. Miriam slept pretty well and was nice and warm all night and I think I slept a lot more comfortably than Joel did.

When we woke up it was still a little bit cold but it warmed up quickly. Joel had to help make breakfast and then I walked the kids over where we feasted on pancakes, sausage, and eggs. There was nowhere safe to set Miriam because I didn't want her to get too close to the fire. I had to hold her and that made it a little tricky to help all my kids get food. I had to recruit help from one of my friends that was there. She held Miriam and then I helped all my kids get their food. After that we took down our tent and went exploring. It was fun to be in the mountains and we all enjoyed the view. Our kids all tried to climb up a big mountain and then couldn't make their way down when they went off with their friends so Joel yelled at them and rescued them. Then we made sure they were well supervised while traipsing through the woods for the rest of the morning. The kids roasted marshmallows, played with friends, and had a super great time. No one wanted to leave but eventually it was time to go. On the way home we stopped at one of the local towns and picked up ice cream cones for everyone. It was a super fun weekend. 

Tie Dye and Horses

I have been working on my July post for a while now and it is becoming obvious that I have way to many picture for one post. I had over 90 and was having a hard time choosing which ones to keep. To make things easier I am going to make a few separate posts about some of the fun things that happened in July.

Brynlee got a Tie Dye kit for her birthday and she got a few white shirts to go with it. I went ahead and bought a few more shirts so all of the kids would have one and then we got the kit set up and the girls each got to decorate a shirt for family night one evening. We did Miriam's for her and it was a messy craft but a fun one. The girls could not wait to see how all of the shirts turned out. Brynlee made three of them and I think they all turned out pretty awesome.

My girls could not wait to put on their new shirts and wore them as soon as they were dry. Then they happily posed for some pictures outside. Once their dad got home we all headed to aunt Joanna's house. Summer convinced her to let us all ride horses again and she happily agreed and told her to bring us all over for a little ride. Tara and Telissa came out and helped us to lead some of the horses for the girls so we all went on a pretty long ride. I just walked and held Miriam at first because we only had three horses. None of the girls wanted to share after a short ride so Joanna saddled up another horse and then all four girls got to ride their own horse. Kyla's horse got spooked a little bit and scared her when one of the dogs jumped out of a corn field they were riding by. She was already a little nervous about riding so then she decided she would rather take a break and walk for a little bit. Joanna ended up getting on the horse and she took Miriam with her so Miriam could get a little horse ride. Miriam seemed to enjoy it. We walked a long ways and Kyla got tired and eventually rode the horse again. 

When we got back to Joanna's the girls helped brush the horses and the older girls went on a swing ride. It was a super fun day. Summer seemed to love riding the most and Kyla liked it the least but they all enjoyed it and had a lot of fun. 

4th of July

 Today was the 4th OF JULY! We all went to the parade in Melba and Joel was able to take the day off of work. The girls all got lots of candy and had a great time. We were surrounded by family so the girls had lots of cousins to talks to and we had a blast. 

After the parade we stopped by and picked some cherries and visited with grandma and grandpa Hirtle. Grandma was selling things at her stand and the girls had a lot of fun helping her even though there were not a lot of people that stopped by.

We spent the evening at grandma Verna's house where we enjoyed some hamburgers and hotdogs and we lit a few fireworks that Joel and the girls got. The girls all loved them this year. Even Miriam was clapping and excited about those fireworks. There were a few sparklers that the kids all got and they had fun with those.

 We headed back to Melba that night where the girls got their traditional french fries to eat while we watched the big firework display. Joel and I tried to skip that part this year but the girls were talking about it and so excited about those fireworks that we decided we didn't want to disappoint them.  Joel's cousin Simon was in town from Canada so we talked to him and his wife Danielle while we waited for the fireworks to start. The girls danced and put on a little show for us while we waited. They all liked the fireworks this year. Summer was super scared of them last year so I was worried about how she would do. She was still a little nervous and stayed right in mom or dad's lap but she really did pretty good. Kyla also seemed more relaxed and not so scared this year.

I am always grateful for the time and the memories I get to make with my little family.