Swim Team Championships

Summer is filled with swimming and swim meets.  This summer we swam every single morning. We had two Saturday's of swimming in a row.  I have been getting up early to run with my friend Pam.  We have been marathon training all summer long.  It has been so fun and so tiring all at the same time.  As soon as I get home from running, I wake up the boys, then we get in the car and head to the meets.

 

We finished off our summer of swim team with a fun swim team championship meet on Saturday.  Both boys had a great time and swam hard.  I think summer went a little too fast this year.  It always goes quickly but this time just flew by.  

A Visit from Grandma

 When we bought Pearl, I knew we would need someone to watch her when we went on vacation. I asked Susan if she would come spend nearly two weeks at our house. She was so kind and agreed. While we were in California, she was here with Pearl. We spent a few days together and I am so grateful for time with her as time seems to go by so quickly. 

Swim Team Photos

 

A visit with my Cousin

 I haven't seen my cousin in YEARS!  I think at least 6 or 7 years.  When I heard she was flying back to the United States for the summer, I knew I needed to make a special trip to see her.  On our way home from Palm Springs, I made us all stop at Joshua Tree National Park and it was a HUGE disappointment.  There is nothing to see but desert for miles and miles.  

 

 I dropped Stephen off at the airport on Friday after our trip to Palm Springs, then drove over to see her.  I LOVE my sweet cousin.  She is the light of my life.  We have laughed so much together.  I miss her in my life.  We Marco Polo but it is so great to see Lindsey in person.

Palm Springs in July!

 Yep, you read that correctly.  We went to the extreme heat of the desert in July!  116 degrees nearly every single day we were in Palm Springs.  Wow, it was hot!  We had so much fun just hanging out as a family.  We ate a lot of food, played a lot of games, and laughed a lot.  

Saturday, we drove to Kingman, Arizona and I made everyone stop at the Petrified National Park right off the freeway near Holbrook.  I am hoping to hit up as many national parks as I can in my lifetime.  There are 63 (so far) and I haven't been to very many.  I also started collecting magnets for the refrigerator from each national park.  Once we got to Kingman, we went out to eat to celebrate Stephen's birthday with my side of the family. 

Sunday, we woke up and went to church at my old ward in Kingman.  It was fun to see a few faces I recognized but a lot has changed in 20 years.  After church we drove the three and a half hours to Palm Springs.  We rented a HUGE mansion in the desert.  It had nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms!  The out door pool was incredible.  The kids had fun swimming and the adults had fun relaxing in the pool.  We played table tennis and Michael is still the reigning champion.  We played some card games and I actually won a card game! Jared and Faith were the only people who didn't come.  It was sad to not have them there to spend time with during the week.  I look forward to our vacations each year. 

 

Thursday night I gathered everyone for family photos.  I know it is a lot of work to get photos done but it is worth it to me.  I love seeing the finished product.  I also love seeing how much people have changed over the years.