Summer Full of the Temple

Watching DeA and Ryker pit cherries in late summer sure reminded me of times as a kid with Gma Helen

Jen went down sick and was throwing up. It's probably Rissa's fault, but I want to blame myself for sharing a meme mentioning how all summer no kid has had a tummy ache or sniffles, and that had better not change when school starts in two weeks.

She was pretty beat.

Rock was working on picking short-hops and one caught him in the forehead. I guess that makes us even for when he drilled me with the ball in BP.

We run a tight ship around here in the summer.

There was a little excitement with a brushfire around the corner from our house. Thankfully it was put down pretty quickly.

I was able to serve two shifts in the open house as an usher, it was a wonderful experience.

The very last tour was Poutine and his family and I was able to catch up and finish it with them.

We went to Shari's for dessert and stayed until almost closing. It has been quite a few years since I shut down a Shari's, I think I was still in high school. It was awesome to catch before they head back to Canada, eh.

DeA wasn't happy that I had a picture in front of the temple with Joey but not with her, and we needed one for our anniversary. They kind of turned out like "hey, 18 years of marriage is easy, just look at us..."

I think this is the best one...

Or maybe this one.

Basic white girls, all dressing the same.

Temple Open House and Evening Walks

The kids all had the opportunity to spend a morning at the temple. Jens snuck along as a youth and had a great time.

They helped by putting foot coverings on guests.

Rock asked to go golfing after work and we had perfect weather.

We have had some great walks in the evenings with the kids.

Well, some of us like walking with the kids...

Some nights Leo and DeA seem to take their own walks.

The apples are coming in nicely. Uncle Dustin wanted a pic, so here it is.

I also had the chance to serve at the open house as an usher. I had to walk up around 5:40, drove two hours excited that I arrive early, only to find out that they moved my shift up to 7:30 and I was already way late. It was a wonderful experience and I'm already looking forward to going next week for my other shift.

The sunsets have been great on our walks.

Ryker took a picture of DeA and I, it looks like I'm trying to keep her from escaping and running away to freedom.

 

Late Summer Fun

I love August days, it's still hot but not oppressive like July and the lake water is perfect.

Ryker and Jens average more than one trip to the lake a day. 

That's summer summed up in one picture for these kids

I was throwing BP to Rock when he drilled me right in the shoulder. My arm immediately went numb and I couldn't feel the baseballs. Thankfully it only left a bruise.

Teaching my daughter to kill annoying and useless things, so the future boys in her life better understand that up front.

Rock was gone for a day and a half hunting with Ryan LaTurner and Carter, Leo was pretty fond of the smells that he brought back with him.

 

Summer of Dirt

The Chelan Youth Softball team does a great little summer camp and Jens was really excited for it. She did really well the first day and looked like she was having fun.

For some reason, she freaked out the second day and didn't want to stay. DeA called me wanting me to talk her into playing (or, I think she wanted me to say that they could just go home). I drove back into Chelan and accompanied Jens to her groups and tried to help her have fun. Once she got back out there she was solid.

They did a scrimmage on Thursday and she made a few plays in the field and had a sharp ground out.

Teenage Rock sleeps more in a day than baby Rock did in a month.

We spend a lot of summer out in front of Hampa and Nama's house, usually enjoying the Luca and Leo show.

The lake is at the perfect temperature where it cools you down but doesn't feel cold. Ryker and Leo wouldn't care either way, they just love swimming and scratching each other.  

I love that Luca turns into a free range child in the summer, to the point of almost becoming feral.

He is a very good assistant to Hampa Dale.

Leo loves hanging out by Luca because there is always free food available.

It was surprising to realize that we had not done any fires yet this summer. Leo Boy launching flaming marshmallows and Luca trying to Kamikazi into the fire pit let us know why.