July 2019 (The Rest of It)

At Young Men's High Adventure, Connor and Ryan got to hang out at our friend Scott's family ranch up north.  They did lots of target shooting while they were there, and Connor was apparently a superstar with the long-range stuff.  They also toured a cave, floated down a freezing river (Connor's tube deflated,) and went on a decent-sized hike.  Connor had a great time, minus the river thing.
    

 

700 Yard Sniper Shot

At home, the rest of us visited Chuck E Cheese!  It's such a great hot day activity.
     

 

  
A forest fire broke out on the hill above our old house in Springville.  The "Sunday Resting Spot" was totally burned up, but the hillside directly facing our yard stayed safe, thank goodness.  I felt bad because I had wanted to take my kids hiking there earlier in the year, but didn't do it.
    

  
We were able to make it to the beach several times this summer. Celeste decided that jumping in the waves was her favorite thing ever!
    

In late July, the Murrays stopped by on the way to their borrowed beach house in Morro Bay.  We joined them there a couple days later, and got to hang out, kayak, look at sea otters, play on the beach, visit tide pools, and shop at Kelli's Candies!  Big thank-you to them for inviting us!
  

Beach House Pool

Puzzle

Connor had the opportunity to go on Pioneer Trek this summer.  In preparation, we read a collection of pioneer stories as a family, and found a specific ancestor on Family Search that Connor could walk "in honor of."  The ancestor was Louisa Ann Rowley's brother, Samuel, who turned 14 during his time in the Willie Handcart Company.  I found an excerpt of his account of crossing, which Connor was able to share at one of the meetings.  Although he was really nervous about the trek, he had a great, very meaningful experience and worked hard the whole trip.  I'm so grateful for the leaders who make these kinds of activities available to our kids!
    

Connor decorated his bucket with these two Pioneer images.

Verdugo Hills Ward

While Connor was being deprived of civilization, we enjoyed Play Doh and ice cream cones.
   

Random pictures from July:
  

Planning for Idaho

First Real Haircut!

 

This lasted less than a week.  But it was fun!

Facebook Photo of my Aunt Joyce and Grandma Cloe

I finally got my Ektorp Chair!!

Celeste continued swim training with her siblings (supervised).