Some of our other Summer Activities

We had quite a busy summer. In between our numerous trips to Flagstaff and camping here are some of the other things we did that made our summertime fly by.

Last school year Riley developed a love for kicking, so we signed him up for soccer. Actually he played futsal, a fancy way to say indoor soccer. Sorry, it's just too hot to play outside.
Go team Fireballs! YAY for #3! He's such a cutie!

Riley absolutely loved to go to practices and his games. Jeffery and I loved watching him. I honestly don't know who had more fun at the games Riley or us. We love you Riley! Good job son!

This summer the boys also had swim lessons. They are little fishes!
Joseph also finally learned to ride a bike. Because of the problems with his feet, he never learned how to pedal a bike. He would complain that it hurt him too much, but after his surgery in February (when"Uncle John sawed me open and put me back together") he has finally figured it out without pain! WOOHOO!

And while Joseph learned how to pedal, Riley was busy learning how to ride a 2-wheeler, again finally.

Jeffery has kept busy this summer taking care of his melons. The vines have almost taken up the backyard but the sweet melons are well worth it.

As for me, I have just tried to keep up with my 4boys and survive. I was afraid that summer would be too long, but now I wish we had more. It was an excellent summer 'cation!

Anderson Family Reunion/Campout

We had such a wonderful time camping for the Anderson family reunion. We went to the same location as always on the Mogollon Rim. Once again we have a lot of pictures, which means a lot of good times and great memories. This year it was just Johnny and Kay and their children and families. We missed Jared with his family and also Kassy and her family.

The first afternoon we were there, the boys found hundreds and hundreds of ladybugs.

Every day we loaded the kids up into the back of Grandma's truck and Aunt Kenya would take us on "an adventure of a lifetime." Usually we just went up to the rim so the adults could use their cell phones to check messages. But we did go berry picking, bear hunting, and found some old cabins to look at. Just for an idea of how many cousins these kids have, one adventure took us to Buck Springs. Riley asked from the back of the truck "Buck Springs? Is he a cousin?"

And of course there was always a fire burning and smores! Joseph was so funny everytime he saw someone start the fire he would start to sing "We Didn't Start the Fire" He has a song for everything.
Aunt Kara put together a treasure hunt for all the kids, and there was a lot of kids.The treasure hunters went all over camp collecting clues. When they had all the clues, they glued the map together and figured out where to dig for the buried treasure. The buried treasure was a box of jewels...or should I say ring pops.

Look at this wonderful pile of kids...

Thank you Kara for making me feel like a girl! I love pedicures while camping...

Doesn't she look great for having a baby less than 2 weeks before?

Sunday afternoon my parents took the drive out to see us and they brought along some surpises with them: Josh and Sara and the Kids and Jacque!
We took them on a hike to see the bear caves and out to the rim.

There was plenty of time for relaxing. Jeffery was so sweet, we actually had extra room in the trailor so he threw in our recliner for Kara who just had a c-section. It was the most comfortable chair out there. After berry picking, smore eating, camp fires, tents and tarps, wood swords made by Dad, ladybugs, our family adventure of a lifetime had to end. We went home a little dirty...but with many memories of good times with those we love!

The boys are already excited for next year!