July 2015

Since it is already September, it seems about time that I report on how the rest of our summer played out, starting with July.  It is crazy to me how quickly these months pass by and as I look back at our pictures and remember all we did each month, it makes me realize how fast life goes.  I look at these photos of my little babies and watch them grow and change each month and a part of me is so excited for every new development while another part cringes at the thought that very soon they will no longer be my babies.  That realization is a good reminder to take a lot of time every day to soak these little people up.  To really enjoy their company and play.  Some days I get too caught up in the list of chores that seem so urgent to complete that I forget to just enjoy my children.

July was wonderful.  We had a lot of family time and I even snuck in a girl's trip!  We celebrated the fourth, one of our family's favorite holidays, took a trip to Santa Barbara, I spent time with some college besties and we had a great time at the ward campout.  See, I told you it was wonderful.

Fourth of July

One thing I love about Scott is he is as big on family traditions as I am.  One of our newest family traditions is to have breakfast at the Pancake House (not IHOP, let me make that clear) every Fourth of July.  The highlight of this tradition for me, is watching James completely finish three giant chocolate chip pancakes that are covered with chocolate syrup and whipped cream.  There is no limit to the amount of sweetness he can handle.  I dare anyone to try and complete this meal, it is no small feat.  

Did I mention there is powdered sugar? 

We spent the rest of the fourth swimming at Scott and Brittney's pool and having a bbq with the family.  Mom and dad were out of town so there was no baton twirling this year but we had a great time.  We ended the night in customary fashion with a fireworks show at the stake center that I may add was pretty horrible.  I hate ending a story on a bad note but James asked to go home before the fireworks were even over.  It was super foggy so we could barely see anything at the end.  Oh well, we still had a wonderful day and we're glad our country is free and stuff.  But for reals, we are really grateful to live in our country that allows us so many freedoms.  We are so lucky.

Santa Barbara

We decided to celebrate Scott's birthday in Santa Barbara this year and it was a great decision.  It was a super restful vacation where most of our time was spent relaxing around the house with the family.  It was a great chance to see Paul, Christine and Elliot as well as eat McConnell's ice cream.  We threw in a James the Brave reading as well!  But the highlight for me was taking walks around the neighborhood and enjoying some good ole' Olson bonding time.  

James the Brave party!

James the Brave reading!

Santa Barbara was restful for everyone! 

Girl's Trip

It was so fun to spend the weekend at the Bird's house with Charlotte, Jeni and Lara.  These girls are lifelong friends and it was like we were back living in Provo circa 1999 all over again.  We shopped, ate cupcakes, swam and ate more cupcakes.  You know, everything you're supposed to do when your with amazing girlfriends.  The ladies also introduced me to red lipstick.  We had never met before.  It was a big moment.  Can't wait for the next trip with these amazing friends!

We took a lot of these photos and this was our best.

Ward Campout

The ward campout is one of our favorite activities of the year.  We drove up to Wildwood Ranch Friday night and had dinner, played games and even watched an outdoor movie.  We however, were the "wet blankets" that did not spend the night but drove the twenty minutes home and slept in our own bed.  Some people call us wimps, I call us smart.  We went back up in the morning so Scott could help out at the shooting range while the boys and I shot arrows and played with friends.  Spending time with my three boys is magical.  Did I mention I am the luckiest girl in the world?

Water balloon toss with James and Hudson.  They just kept throwing the balloons
at each other's feet.  Which made the game really, really, really short.

Here are some other fun things we did in July

When it's hot outside we do our playing inside...at the mall.  You know, where they sell Sees candy.

The boys had a big fascination with bats in July so they begged and begged to go see the bats at the Safari Park.
Foster's face is so creepy in this photo, I love it.

One of the boys was really into this.