Bubbles

 We had a lot of fun trying out our big bubble solution.  Never tried it before, and it didn't work well, but occasionally we were successful in making a complete bubble.  The twins were really excited every time that happened.

Idaho Falls

 The kids were so excited for our trip to Idaho Falls again this year.  This year, due to budget constraints, we stayed with my nephew's wife's family at their cabin in Swan Valley ID.  They were very nice in letting us crash with them for 2 nights until we could drop Savannah off at CMM on Sunday afternoon.  Unfortunately, I didn't get any pictures of our activities Saturday or Sunday, or the camp, which was so cute.  These photos were taken Friday in Idaho Falls.  We stopped to walk along the river trail through town and found this really cool river park.  The kids had a great time exploring it and walking across the lily pond.  It was a little nerve-wracking for us as parents, because it bordered a steep fall into the swift waters of the Snake River.  Thankfully, none of the gang was lost.

 Next stop was the temple.  We got out and walked around the grounds for a while.  It was beautiful, especially at sunset.

I liked this photo of Moroni, with the setting sun lighting him up.

On Saturday we went boating on the nearby Palisades reservoir in Austin's boat.  The girls and Brighton LOVED it; Keaton and Waverly swore never to get on another boat during their lifetimes.  We then played on a small "beach" and drove out to Alpine, the closest city.  

Sunday we ate breakfast, then drove Savannah out to Camp Magical Moments, still in Swan Valley.  It was only her second time there, but the volunteers lining the driveway on both sides yelled and screamed for her like she was a returning celebrity.  I admit I teared up a bit, in my pregnant state.  She had a great time, and got spoiled again.  We picked her up in West Point UT 6 days later.  She'll have to blog her experiences while there.

First (hopefully) Annual Henry Cousins Camp

 In a goal to give Savannah something to structure her days around, pass off a YW Personal Progress Value Project, and entertain my little ones for a few hours every day, I helped Savannah organize a Henry Cousins Camp.  We decided on themes every day for a week, Monday through Friday, and she and older cousins, Chloe and Baker, gathered up their siblings and entertained them for 2 hours each day.  We rotated between the 3 houses, and, for the most part, it worked well.  It was supposed to be a test run for a summer camp for paying customers, but we were never able to find a week that worked to run it, so we'll save it for next summer.  I hope it taught her organization, planning, and leadership skills.

 Monday, the first day, was Jungle Safari Day.  They played elephant tag,

 did an elephant walk,

 and had frozen, chocolate-covered bananas for snack.

 Tuesday was American Day.  It was held at Chloe's house, so I didn't get any photos, other than of these tri-colored cookies Savannah made for snack time.  They had multiple activities planned, but spent all their time on decorating their bikes and scooters for their parade around the block.  This day was not great, but I think she learned to plan better.

 Day 3, Wednesday, was Circus Day.  They played several circus-type games, and we did a photo shoot with the kids.  Irelynd

 Brighton

 Cami

 Piper

 Wrigley

 Cadi

 Waverly

 Maddie

 Baker, looking so debonnair

 Chloe

 Savannah

 The 3 Ringmasters

 Donut on a string game.  I loved seeing all the tongues come out to corral the donut.

 These 3 little ones cracked me up in their attempts to eat it.

 "I give up!"

 Ok, maybe some help was neccessary.

 Baker brought over this extremely cool cotton candy maker.  It made a full spool (is that the correct term?) of cotton candy from 3 hard candies.  I was dying to try it with Starlight mints but we had none, darn it!

This was the back up, in case it didn't work.

Day 4, Thursday, was again at Chloe's and was a water day, so no photos.

Day 5, Friday, was at Baker's and was Under the Sea theme, which they did some fun games, but again, no photos.  All in all, I think everyone enjoyed it and she'll be ready to do it again next summer!  If nothing else, I very much enjoyed my quiet time at home those 3 days, and it passed off a value project.  Whew!

June Highlights

 This was our June in a nutshell.  We went to the Springville Art City Days (no pictures), used our milk water balloon catchers,

 had fun with ice cubes on the tramp (I love the beginning of summer when everything is still fresh and new and exciting, and the kids can entertain themselves with almost anything.  That changes mid-July)

 had fun with a new sprinkler,

 and slip-n-slide,

 tried out fishing on Spanish Fork's Free Fishing/Huck Finn Day (no we did not catch a thing, and I'm convinced fishing is the world's most BORING sport/hobby, but the kids enjoyed it)

 on the second throw out in the water, Brighton managed to get the hook stuck up in a very high, very prickly tree.  It's still there to my knowledge.

 Keaton, tired of waiting his turn with the pole, found this piece of plastic and was determined he was going to fish with it.  He refused the actual pose when it got to his turn, in favor of his own "fishing pole".

 Savannah, Baker and Chloe conducted a week-long Cousins Camp (more on that to follow),

 we went to Idaho Falls to drop Savannah off at Camp Magical Moments for a week-long cancer camp.  It was her last time being able to go, as she'll be a teenager next summer.  This was taken in front of the Idaho Falls Temple.

And we played with making giant bubbles, which was another item in the Summer Fun Basket.  It only kind of worked.  Not sure what we did wrong.