Summer 2

The morning after we got back, the kids all had to get up early to start Lango Spanish Camp.  This was Connor's fifth year, Elise's third, and Evan's first.  It was also our fourth company, and definitely the best!  We did Berlitz last year, which was amazing, but tons more expensive.  The kids loved going (Elise added a third week, she liked it so much,) and they learned a ton.  At the end of the first two weeks there were performances by each age group to show off their skills.
   

"Passport" Photos for Spanish Camp

No, she didn't really go, but she wanted a picture anyway!

   

About to start "Cabeza, Hombros, Rodillos y Pies"

"Baila Con Tu Cuerpo"

Second Week - "Arco Iris" (Rainbow)

"Animales"

  

Connor was "El Oso Caminando"

Nicaraguan Folk Dance

  

  

Connor made a paper mache mask at camp.

Not sure what it is, but it does look creepy!

     
While the kids were in Spanish camp, Corinne didn't know what to do with herself:
  

Cleaning the Kitchen

Lying in a Puddle

Looking Fancy (She found the headband and glasses herself.)

     
Our good friends, the Corrigans, were sealed in the Los Angeles temple on July 26.  We were excited to be able to attend it.  I had only ever been to wedding sealings, so seeing Mason sealed to his family was really special.  (Yeah, I cried.)
  

 
The first Saturday in August, our outdoor-maniac friends organized a trip to Zuma Beach.  Zuma, however, was full.  So, we went down the road to La Piedra, which required a hike down a steep trail, but was awesome!
    

Ryan continued his project of growing the "spiciest peppers in the world."  It includes Ghost Peppers, Butch T Trinidad Scorpions, and Carolina Reapers.  He started the seeds (which he had to order online) in March, then babied them through the summer.  They weren't doing so well on this day, though.
   

      
We drove over to Mothers' Beach one evening to hang out with Aunt Helena.  Both the kids and her dogs had an awesome time.  The lack of waves made Corinne pretty confident, so once again, she scared tons of strangers by sticking her head underwater!
   

Summer 1

After Elise's ballet recital, Joy School graduation, and the Girl Scout field trip, we declared it officially summer!  We took a couple of weeks to just hang around the house, sleep in, swim, attend birthday parties, and go to the beach!
  

Cutting Down the Nectarine Tree

It's okay, he had safety goggles.

Blanket Forts and Watermelon

First (or second?) Breakfast of Summer

Fruit-Stand Papaya

 
On the first of July, the kids, the dog, and I took off for Utah.  We stopped in Mesquite to enjoy our favorite pit-stop park, but the 105 degree heat made it less than refreshing!
  

On Our Way Again

We didn't have as much time as usual this trip, but we had a great time at my mom's house.  We did a lot of rhino rides, and all the kids got to take turns driving (with different levels of assistance.) 
   

One of Many Evening Walks

   
Ryan joined us a few days later via Allegiant Airlines, so we were able to go swimming at the Nephi pool, and spend July 4th up with Kelli and Kyle (sorry, no pictures.)
   

Evan's First Time on the Big Waterslide

Connor went with him.

Proud Evan

Corinne kept holding her breath and ducking under - it scared people.

During our visits to Grandma Cloe's house, we were able to pick cherries from her tree.  Corinne went crazy eating them once she figured out what they were (in addition to the cookies Grandma Cloe gave her.)

  

  

Taking Grandma Cloe to Chuck A Rama

   
On July fifth, we drove up to Salt Lake to attend Fantasy Con.  It was a bit overpriced, but totally fun and family-friendly.  
   

    

 

During the last week we were there, the kids and Ryan were able to bike down from Bridal Veil falls (Evan tried, but it was a bit too much for him, so I picked him up in the van.)  We also hung out with my family a ton, and the older three kids went with Ryan to the Ute Stampede rodeo.  It was hard to leave, but we had an awesome time!
  

  

  

   
On our way home, we took a one-day detour to hang out with our friends in Southern Utah.  The daddies went on a Brian Head mountain bike ride while the moms took the kids to explore petroglyphs and play in an honest-to-goodness creek.  You just don't get experiences like that in Los Angeles!  We spent the night at their cabin, then continued on our way home the next afternoon.
  

Stinky Bones!

  

Summer is just too short anymore!