JULY

4TH OF JULY
We had a fun 4th of July hanging out on the lawn across from the MTC.  The kids spent the afternoon playing soccer and other games.  Of course no 4th of July would be complete without good food, great friends, and enjoying the fireworks (even if someone makes you leave before the fireworks are over).

TEMPLE

The youth from our ward had a fun super activity starting with an early trip to the Mount Timpanogas Temple.  Then it was off to Salt Lake to walk around Temple Square.  We played in the art museum and rode to the top of the Church office building.  It was rainy but the kids had a great time.  

HELAMAN MARCH



 Z and T had the opportunity to walk in the Fiesta Days parade with 2000 other boys from the Spanish Fork area in the Helaman March.  They were given the tunic and had to decorate their own staff.  The bigger staff's were very heavy!











What an amazing sight watching all of the boys marching and singing!  It was the best part of the parade.

More pictures and video can be found at:

Our boys were in the middle of the pack.






 http://armyofhelamanmarch.blogspot.com/

YELLOWSTONE
We went with Grandma, Aunt Tamra and cousins to Yellowstone for 2 days.  It was fun to see all of the wild life, hot pots, and geysers.  We stayed in some fun cabins and did a lot of walking.  We even got a little lost (not the best part).  But all turned out well, and the kids are begging to go back!

After Old Faithful drenched us.  Who knew we were sitting in the "splash zone".

Excited to be at Yellowstone.

All the cousins- youngest to oldest.
This picture was by our cabin at Yellowstone Lake.

Standing on the edge of a cliff, looking at the river below.  Didn't realize how high the drop off was when we took this picture.  Kinda scary!

 Enjoying the beautiful views!

Always climbing on something.

The girls.

These tree roots were such a cool place to take a picture.  This was our last stop before we headed out.  Hope to go back again another time.






T and S got some fun t-shirts as souvenirs before we left--

SOCCER TOURNAMENT

We spent the 24th of July weekend in Orem at the Utah Invitational tournament.  Z's team did really well- 2nd place!

U15 Shooters

S's favorite part of sitting at a soccer tournament in the hot sun-

JUNE

IT'S GREAT TO BE 8

What a wonderful time for S.  He is so excited to be 8 years old.  He has made the choice to be baptized and we are looking forward to the special day.  We took some pics of him at Salem pond so that we'd have a photo for his baptism announcement.  I think he looks as excited as he feels.

All dressed in white and ready to be baptized.  Dad will baptize him and confirm him and he will be a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.



















 

                   




And it's all done.  This cute boy is the newest member of the church.  Thanks so much to all of our family and friends that came to support S on this day.  It means so much to have the people that love him there to witness his baptism and show him some love!  We appreciate all of you.

 We are so proud of S and we sure love him!

 Great Grandpa and Great Grandma Bird made it to the baptism.

 Grandpa and Grandma Bird

 Grandma Terry

 Aunt Sara and Aunt Susan

BRACE FACE

It's hard to believe it's been 2 years.  We are so used to seeing Z with braces and now they are gone.  Look at those beautiful, straight, teeth now!

Before                                                  After

 

SWIMMING LESSONS

S was a little nervous about taking swimming lessons.  He really did not want to go off of that diving board.  He practiced hard and listened to his teacher and he really improved.  He also got up the courage to jump...3 times!  

CUB SCOUTS

First pack night- branded a cub and earned his Bobcat.
Way to go!













WARD CAMP OUT
 We love the good food and good company.  Another successful ward camp out.

 Redmonds brought the Rhino.  It was a huge hit with all the kiddos.

S and the girls were super excited to catch this little caterpillar.  They thought it was really cool but they didn't want to get much closer than this.

T's favorite thing about camping is finding a stick and using his pocket knife to whittle away at it.  This year he also learned how to use his flint and steel and he thought that was the coolest thing ever.

STEWART FALLS

  A fun evening hiking Stewart Falls with our friends.  It was chilly and threatening rain the whole time.  It was very cold near the falls- much too cold to get into the water.  Everyone had fun playing but we didn't stay long.  A few pictures, a look around, and then we were on our way back to find some warmth and some dinner.

Friends- taking a little rest

These boys think they are so clever, hanging off the edge of this cement platform...

and again- hiking up to the top of the lower fall.

T- Having fun.

JUMPING

  

Some summer time fun with trampolines and foam pits.

 

T loved the trampolines and flipping into the foam.

 

S was brave, too.

FUN WITH COUSINS

Playing at the splash pad in Springville.

TENDERFOOOT

T loves scouts and is so excited to start earning his scout advancements.                   1 down and 5 to go....

TIE DYE

Grandma wanted a family picture and her choice of clothing- TIE DYE.  We spent one whole day making enough shirts for everyone in the family.  

 19 shirts and a bunch of colors

And the final result-

  Family

 Cousins

 Siblings

 

Us