Week 17 - Piano Recital and a climb

Monday July 6th was Emma and James last piano recital with their first teacher. She is having her 4th baby soon and is finding it just too much right now. We are so sad because she is so great for my kids but we will be moving on and know that another teacher will be good for them in new ways. The kids were not excited for this recital at all. When they were given their songs they both complained for quite a while that they were just too hard and there was no way they could learn them in time. But guess what they did! This teacher knows how to challenge her students. They both did a great job. 

The cheering section!

Celebration dinner at Culver's and our first time eating out in several months.

The rest of the week was just normal stuff.

Still working from home most days.

Finding ways to play with friends and still be careful.

Making trucks from a wood kit from Home Depot.

Water time.

Saturday I went for a hike (that turned into a climb) with some great friends. We climbed to the peak of Mt. Olympus in Salt Lake. 

Here we are at the start and ready to hike.

Now we're feeling the climb. This is hike is so steep.

It felt like climbing stairs that never end. In the picture where I'm standing behind Pam, I am looking for some Advil because my thigh/knee is already hurting and we're only 2/3 of the way up.

 

Still climbing and going straight up!

Hit what they call the saddle. It's the high point before climbing straight up to the peak. We met a 80 year old man who says he climbs this at least 3 times a summer. One summer he said he did 3 times in one day many times with a 35 lb. pack to prepare for climbing Mt. Denali. We were very impressed!

Now we are at the scamble/climb almost straight up for the last 500 feet to the peak. This was actually easier because we got to use our arms.

We finally made it and the view is amazing. It felt so good to get all the way to the top. These women are amazing and we all helped and encouraged each other. I'm so grateful for their friendship. 

The top of the peak is just these big boulders that you have to scramble over. And there is also a mailbox with a log book. 

The hike down was not any better. It was so steep and all of our knees were really hurting. So glad no one twisted an ankle. Pam did slip and hurt her shoulders as she caught herself but got up and got down. We also saw one rattlesnake on the path but backed up and rolled a rock down the path to encourage him to move off. This was also our biggest fear. So happy I was not leading at that point. And last of all a photo to show we all made it sweaty, sore and very tired. So we got lunch at Ruth's Diner before heading home.

Week 16 - 4th of July fun

Sunday June 28th we acted out the story of Ammon saving King Lamoni's sheep for part of our church. The kids had a blast. Quinn and I did some planning for our up coming trip to South Dakota. To help the kids get ready for our trip and because a lot of visitor centers are closed we are pre-working on a few of the Junior Ranger programs. That night the kids did some work on the Pony Express Junior Ranger packet and National Forrest Junior Ranger packet. But first we had to do a puzzle of the United States so the kids could remember where certain states are located.

A very cute Ammon.

King Lamoni and Ammon

A few of the robbers.

Doing the puzzle.

Working hard.

Just a boy and his dog.

Tuesday it was finally cool enough to have a fire in my new fire pit that I got for Mother's Day. I love any excuse to have smores!

By Thursday July 2nd the temperature had climbed back up into the 80s so we planned a fun day at Pineview Reservoir with friends. We had such a fun day with the Olsens and the Dahles. Nicole Olsen was able to get 4 kayaks in her van so we had something fun to play with. The kids really liked them. Mia was even brave enough to get on one by herself. Now we really want some for our family.

James and Mia. I'm sad that I missed getting a picture of Mia on it by herself.

Mia and Lydia

James and Ben

Emma

Emma, Caleb, Malaki, Ben and James

Andy, Lana and Me

Friday July 3rd it was even hotter so we escaped up Muller Park Canyon. We got a picnic spot for the day and had fun with friends. The Reeves came first. It was so nice to visit with them. We hadn't seen them for several months. The kids played by the river and built a lean-to. It was so nice for them to be outside and to be able explore and use their imaginations and not be on screens. Just after the Reeves left the Olsens came. We chatted, played games and roasted hot dogs and marshmallows. It was perfect.

With Val and Dan Reeves

The Reeves, Malaki Olsen and the Lavender crew.

Lydia, James, Malaki and Emma

Mia and Lydia just chillin in the hammock.

Scott and Emma working on our fire.

James taking a chance with the hammock again after breaking his arm in the last one he was in. So he takes it up a notch by rolling it and hanging upside down.

Playing spike ball.

Smores!

Saturday was July 4th. We celebrated with a barbecue at Grandma Bibber's. Dad/Grandpa and Uncle Brock had a ribs cook off. They were both great. We also convinced Great Grandma Moore and Grandma Lavender to come too. The kids played in the water and on the bouncy house for a bit but it was really hot.We ended the day with some fireworks at Aunt Annie and Uncle Brock's house. Then we sat on their deck and had a great view of Ogden for all the Ariel fireworks. Happy Birthday America!