Hill Family: July 2013

Our summer is almost over! It has gone by so fast! The kids start school in about three weeks! I really thought I would get more time to relax, read, work on some blankets, that sort of stuff, but I haven't! Oh well. We have been having a busy and good summer and are definitely enjoying not having a set schedule every day. Here is what happened in July!

Fourth of July- This year the 4th was on a Thursday so we decided to just stay home and go to Causey Reservoir with my dad. We had never been there, so we didn't know really what to expect or what there was to do. Well, we forgot life jackets for the kids, so we couldnt' go swimming and there wasn't much of a beach to hang out on, so the kids threw rocks into the lake. My dad had brought two kayaks (one for him and one for Matt), but one of them had lost a plug, so it wasn't functional. Anyway, it was fun to go out there and see what is available to do and now we know for the future! Later on that evening we let the kids light some sparklers and had a BBQ with our tenant (Matt's coworker, Greg). It was a nice relaxing day for us and we really had a good time just being together as a family.

Visiting the Farm- The weekend after the 4th of July we decided last minute to go and visit Matt's grandparents in Lava Hot Springs, ID. We hadn't been up to their house in a long time and we actually hadn't seen them in quite awhile so we thought it would be nice to go and visit them. Not to mention Matt had told the Elder's Quorum president that he was going to be out of town and couldn't teach that Sunday, so we had to find somewhere to go! Anyway, we had a wonderful visit with Matt's grandparents and the kids had fun playing and walking around the farm. It's so beautiful up there!

A week of freedom- Matt's brother flew out from Pennsylvania for a week to visit so we went and picked him up from the airport and drove him up to Cliff and Leslie's house. Leslie and I had talked about having all of our kids stay with them for that week and then they would bring them down with them when they brought Brett back. Well, I wasn't sure if it would work, but we decided to try it. They did great! I guess there were a couple of times when Emily got a little homesick, but Caleb and Alora loved it! They had so much fun playing with their cousin, Taylor, and eating junk food, and swimming, and all sorts of fun stuff! While they were gone Matt finished up the summer semester and I worked on the house. We finally got the kitchen cupboards painted and then I had to repaint the kitchen. My sister came and helped me (thank goodness)! It was great to spend time with her and I couldn't have finished everything without her help. I was so glad to have the kids away during that week because the house was a disaster, but they were missed! I was grateful to have them home by the end of the week. I am hoping, though, that this can become an annual thing because the kids reallly did have a fun time.

Oregon Trip- Towards the end of the month we went to Enterprise, Oregon and celebrated Chief Joseph Days. We had been planning to go Thursday through Sunday, but we got an extra day because of a Utah holiday called Pioneer Day. So we left on Wednesday and came home on Sunday. It was about an 8 1/2 hour drive and the kids did so great both ways! We tried entertaining them with books, toys, and of course movies and it worked! We stayed with my dad, Brian & Suzanne at Dad's house in Enterprise. It was fun to have us all together, especially since Brian & Suzanne will be leaving for Pittsburgh soon. When we arrived it was dinner time and we were warned early by Brian that my dad was cooking a lasagna that was about 10 years old, so we skipped that and went to a delicious drive-in restaurant called R&R. Their food is so yummy! The next day (Thursday) we went and rode the go carts (which Emily really didn't like at first), then played a round of miniature golf, then walked around and looked at the shops. We went to downtown Joseph and browsed the street vendors and the shops and let the kids get snowcones.

More Oregon Trip- The next day we went on a really nice hike to a little waterfall. Alora was so excited to see a real waterfall! It wasn't very strenuous, which was nice with the kids, but by the end Emily was worn out! Along the way Caleb had to go potty, so with Matt's help he went by a tree, standing up, for the first time! It was hilarious! Well, after our hike we were all dirty so we decided to go back to dad's and get everyone bathed and cleaned up and just relax. I should've known better! Emily and Caleb were in the tub together and I had left a glass cup there by the tub. Next thing I know Caleb is screaming and Emily is crying hysterically. I go in and see blood everywhere. Emily has a little cut on her hand and Caleb has a pretty good gash in his arm and there is glass everywhere. So we get everyone out, dressed, cleaned up and head out to the nearest Urgent Care. Well, two staples later we are all better! That was not my idea of a relaxing afternoon! Later on that evening we went to the rodeo. That is always a fun time! On Saturday we went to the grand parade and the kids got lots of candy and then we spent the day relaxing (for real this time) at dad's house until the final rodeo that evening. It was so nice to visit with my grandparents and to spend time as a family. This was a really fun trip and we will definitely be doing it again!

Random Activities- Well, in between the trips and holidays we have been spending our summer swimming, playing at the Treehouse Museum, watching movies, reading books, playing on the swingset, and just being lazy. I think that by the time school starts we will be ready for our routine again, but for now we are enjoying the break!