June

At the beginning of June, Connor left with his Scout troop for Camp Chewanakee.  It was the first camp he'd done without a parent, and he was a little nervous.  He ended up having an amazing time, of course, except for being sick one night.  He ended up missing the "Polar Bear Plunge" with the other boys the next morning, because he was feeling so lousy.  This must have really bothered him, because the next available morning (after sleeping in a lean-to), he got up alone at dawn, packed up his gear, ran the mile-long "Chieftan Run" by himself, and finished with the Plunge.  Ryan managed to join him for the plunge part, since he had come up a day early to help give rides home.  
  

Lake Chewanakee

Cafeteria Chores

Rifle Shooting Merit Badge

Connor made a firewood stacker for extra points.

Comfortable Lean-To

Polar Bear Plunge

   
While Connor and Dad were gone, the rest of us went to Chuck E Cheese.  And I tried to cook healthy food.
  

Other Summer Stuff:
  

Family Bike/Skateboard/Walk

Meow-Meow

 

Elise's Fathers' Day Card

The kids got their final grades in the mail!
  

   
Elise did the "Les Petits Gourmets" cooking camp at our friend Stephanie Ghiya's house.  She woke up crazy excited each morning to see what they would be cooking (and eating.)  They actually learned to make some pretty complicated recipes, including cinnamon rolls, croc monsieurs, bananas Foster, roast chicken with mashed potatoes, blueberry pie, homemade mac and cheese, and chocolate pudding.  We invited Elise's friend Ashlee to join in, and they all hosted the parents at a luncheon on the last day.
    

Elise adores "Chef" Ghiya

While we were at the luncheon, Ryan got a text from his sister saying that their planned camping trip that night would have to be moved due to a MURDER at their reserved campground!  So crazy.  They ended up going to Chilao Flats and poaching a spot there instead.  It took them about six months to solve the murder at Malibu Creek.
  

  

    
We spent a fair amount of time in June and July at piano, getting Connor and Elise ready for the SYMF competition.  It's always a trade-off between having time to enjoy summer, and the amazing progress the kids make when they're preparing for a festival.
    

Mrs. Yoder's House

Piano Notes

Our dear friends the Vances came to visit from Michigan.  Jennie was so sad to go back at the end of the visit, she ended up extending the trip by several weeks!  We had a great time playing, visiting the beach and going to a 100-degree Souplantation.
  

Baby William!

Elise and Meili

The kids and I went up to Utah at the end of June.  I was feeling pretty stressed, and Utah trips always help me relax!  We played at Grandma's, spent time with cousins, ate at HuHot, rode the Rhino, swam at the Nephi Pool, visited the Kennys, drove the Nebo Loop with Grandma Cloe, watched Incredibles 2 at the Towne Centre theater, and ate ice cream at Red Barn.  Plus a million other things I didn't get pictures of.  It was a great visit.