Coming To An End

 Well, how fast has this summer gone by? Faster than any in my current recollection. I know that had a lot to do with school (I got my grades back... 4.0 baby!) and the fact that I only get a 2 week break, but it makes me a little sad. I am really glad that I took so many pictures this year. I have noticed that when I am feeling happy and content, I tend to take more photos. When I am not as happy and stressed with life, I tend to take less. I suppose it has something to do with wanting to remember and not wanting to remember.

Whatever the case may be, I took a lot of pictures this summer, everything from the daily mundane to exciting adventures, for which I am glad. Here is a sampling of each end of the spectrum and everything in between.

The Silent Assassin strikes again. Disaster and chaos seem to follow this child wherever he goes.

I found him like this one morning. I'm not sure why he was there, unless he has managed to inherit his father's unique sleep-walking abilities. If that is the case, I am a tad concerned.

 Oh, these boys' love of Pokemon sure does run deep. Here is Jonah's collection of cards.

Cookies and lemonade anyone?

We finally made it to Seven Peaks Waterpark with our passes.  Baron has turned out to be an amazing big brother who loves Magnus fiercely and it makes my heart so happy.

 It plum tuckered this boy out.

Jonah went fishing with his Papa and caught some beauties with his new fishing pole. They are the catch-and-release type, but unfortunately this one passed away before it was released. 

Fortunately, it didn't go to waste. It was delicious.

It is really hard to tell, but Jonah is right near the top of that giant tree.  He loves to climb anything.

Wow, it's the Jonah show I just realized. We had been growing his hair out all summer, and it was finally time for some haircuts before school started.

 We decided not to go with the mohawk.

We had a new bitty-baby born into the family. Little Garrett is my brother Nate's little guy. He is delicious.

 Do you see where this boy is? That's right, in my bed. Not only is he in my bed, he is on my side of the bed, in my spot. Do you see that tiny area of blue sheet? That is where I was all scrunched up because this youngest child of mine is a spoiled stinker and I am too tired to take him back to his own bed when he sneaks into mine at 5 in the morning, so he stays there and even though I am dead tired, I can't seem to wake up enough to put him back where he belongs. Ohhhh, how my mothering has changed. Never have any of my other children been allowed into my bed combined as many times as this one has. I am such a pushover.

 This sweet girl cleaned the entire kitchen while I was at the gym one morning, which was a disaster pre-cleaning, and she even made pancakes afterwards. She doesn't do this all the time, but when she does it is right when I needed it most. Bless her.

The same day, a dear friend of mine brought over this "Bag of Sunshine" and left it on my porch with the sweetest note. Bless her too. 

I absolutely adore weddings. My cousin Adam got married and I think the reason weddings are so much fun, especially family weddings, is because I get to see so many people I love all at the same time in the same place. This is my mom's side of the family who I am very close with, and I simply can't say how much I love all of these people. That's a lot of love folks.

And Adam definitely married up when he tricked Alli into marrying him ;)

 We had such a fun night celebrating, eating, talking and laughing. 

One day I was driving home and Andy called. He reminded me that the car needed gas and I told him I thought I'd be fine. I despise getting gas, and Andy almost always does it. Well, unfortunately for me, Andy was right and about a 1/2 mile from home the car stopped in the middle of the road. I was able to get it started and into a parking lot. As soon as I put it in park, it died again. Here is us, walking home, the boys lolligagging :)

 Later we went to get the car and I filled it up with gas. I guess the gas station had a $100 limit and it stopped pumping. The car wasn't even filled up all the way. I guess it really was empty, haha!

Daphne had her first soccer tournament and her team played awesome! They made it to the finals and ended up taking second place. 

Daphne's coach actually coaches 2 teams, so they have practice together and they are all great friends. The two squads are the ones that ended up being in the finals together, and like I mentioned, Daphne's team took second place. This was after the awards ceremony and all of these cute teammates/friends were so happy that they all won a medal.

 Daphne's coach is fabulous.

What is summer without swimming? We go swimming to my grandma's pool almost weekly.

And here's my little Sadie who doesn't get much blog time ever. I just have to say that I love this little dog so much. She bugs me sometimes, and I hate that she licks everyone to death, but she is such a good  and obedient little dog (most of the time.) As I type this she is sitting at my feet and she is my little buddy throughout the day. She follows me around and when I sit, if my hand is in reach, she'll bump it with her head to remind me to give her a little pat now and then. It is said that people with dogs are happier and live longer, and I have to believe that it's true. They are such loyal and happy companions. Thanks little dog, your family loves you.

Kaylie and I went on a last ride together a few days ago. She is heading up to Utah State next week for college and I will miss her so.  My kids will too, she is a fabulous auntie.

 

 

 At least they got to help her give Luna a bath before she leaves. They have been begging to do this all summer. I don't really know what they were expecting, but I hope it was everything they dreamed it would be, haha.

 

My mom told me that when I got done with this semester we would go out and do lunch and whatever else I wanted. I just like to be with her. We went to City Creek, ate at the Copper Onion (delish!) and moseyed around the mall. We got ice cream at Farr's, window shopped at really expensive stores and found some great deals at some not-as-expensive stores. I love my mom more than I can express and I love to be with her. She is the absolute greatest mom (to me :) ever.

 

Park days are fun days and I love this little guy. 

 

 The sunset was incredible last night. Of course my poopy phone camera doesn't do a fabulous job capturing it, but it was a sight to see. The sun was literally hot pink. It was breathtaking.

 

 I can barely believe school starts in a week. I have so many things I want to do before then and so many things I have to do before then, and isn't it a shame that there just never seems to be quite enough time for everything?

On the docket for the week is: A quick camping trip, a trip to the dollar movies, back to school shopping, hit up Seven Peaks at least one more time, swimming at Murray Pool (we have a free pass that expires soon!), a snow cone run, and one more day boating at the lake.

Ahhhh summer, as you come to an end, I reflect upon my love/hate relationship with you. I love your carefree days, your easy-going attitude. I love the fun in the sun, the no homework and no schedules. I love the summer treats, the water, the warmth on my skin. I'm sad you're ending, and at the same time relieved. I hate to be hot, I long for the crispness of fall. I get tired of badgering kids to clean up their messes and I am ready for a better time-table. But I will miss you. Until next year...