Uncle Clay and Uncle Logan

Our good Wounded Warrior friends came to visit us from San Diego, Clay and Logan. It was their first time to Utah (Provo), so we did our best to show them around. The boys grew very attached to them and were swinging off their arms or getting piggy back rides after just a few minutes of introduction. We went to Seven Peaks where we played with all the Christensen clan, hit up the Provo Bakery, Tucanos, BYU Creamery/campus/bowling, played lots of Monopoly (which was great b/c I try to avoid playing that game with my competitive boys) and even tried to pull a tooth for Isaac with a floss and football. Clay and Logan were super helpful and hands on, polite and spoiled the kids rotten. I loved the extra help with my little monkeys and they always asked lots of questions about marines and other interesting things about their life. Great exposure!

Swimming

We have enjoyed our swimming passes to the Provo Rec Center, and 7 peaks all summer long. The older boys have rode their bikes to and from 7 peaks with friends, using a bike lock and the home phone to call and ease mom's worries if needed.  The rec center has been great for the littles b/c the water is warmer and it's all self contained so I can keep track of them better. It's been great for picnics, playdates with friends, and we are melting of heat like we always did in AZ.

temple to temple run

A great tradition: running at 5 K temple to temple Run here in Provo! Besides the cost of the shirts, it was free and popular (18K people ran it). Jared ran with with Wes and Austin, Isaac on the scooter. I then ran it pushing the double stroller aka "train" while Levi was on the scooter. That thing was a beast weaving in and out of the crowds! But, we didn't stop the whole time and I definitely broke a sweat. Jared and I decided to WALK back to the original start point, Provo Temple, which just about did us over (pushing and encouraging our kids to keep going), all while just hot and sweaty and tired...but it made me think of our pioneers and it was special. We ran for Grandpa Raul Guzman, Gpa Lowe, Lizzy Christensen, Andrew Lowe, Gpa Wilson, and even Levi ran for Wrangler. 

Provo Peak 3rd ward campout

Our dear ward family chose the Cherry Hobble Creek Canyon for the ward campout this year. Less than 30 min drive allowed us to get right into the beautiful forest with wild fruit, streams, animals and cooler weather. We danced the Virginia Reel (baby in tow), set up tents, had dutch oven cooking, told stories around the campfire and had a great time. Ruby is beginning to test her limits with climbing out of the pack n play, wanting to follow brothers around everywhere and not sit down to eat (just graze and eat in my lap instead). Rex did great though, of course slept nursing on me, but the weather was nice and everyone else slept well and played with friends, so it was worth it! We were the last ones to leave the campground!