In between all of our playing this summer, we have spent a lot of time at home. This was partly an economic imposition, but the side effect of us having to stay closer to home is that the kids have become more creative in their play. BONUS!

I remember playing in the linen closet in Sandy, and after my house-wide clean-out, the bottom space of ours was empty. The little space filled up quickly when a certain little girl decided to move in with all of her prized possessions.


In addition to becoming more creative, they have also become more resourceful. For example: it didn't take them long to figure out how to open the notepad on the computer and send their docs to the printer. Anthony and I were upstairs talking after he got home from school one day, and we came downstairs to about 40 pages composed. We had only been upstairs for ten minutes! Anthony then took it upon himself to orate their novel.




We headed back up to Bear Lake for the Broadhead weekend. Anthony and I rented a paddleboard and a kayak, and I think it was a groupon well-spent!








It's not Bear Lake without some mud play!








Mom was cute, just swishing her feet in the water, enjoying the view.




After playing in the mud, we came in and got the kids bathed. We didn't expect them to head straight outside and start playing in the dirt!


There have been a lot of changes this year with the new house, and I'm guilty of some strong nostalgia. As unflattering as these photos may seem to some, they make me feel a little bit better, as some views haven't changed yet. Dirty kids, that ancient table at which I can almost see Grandma sitting, those old carpet strips leading to the aging trailer. It's kind of a like a security blanket for me.




Bear Lake face!


BFF Bear Lake faces!


We spent a lot of time getting Mom's vision of a photo wall up. It really lends a feeling of communal history and fun, and I think it's a great addition to the house!


Saturday morning, Mike took this group (and me) out on the boat!

I don't think I've ever seen Bear Lake this smooth.


I'm proud to see that my kids love the beauty of nature. Connor's always been infatuated with the mountains, and Alaina was in heaven with the tranquility of being out in the crystal blue water.




...not to say that Connor didn't enjoy himself.


Chris went out on the kneeboard.




Anthony had to kayak out to the boat to get a life vest that fit. To make a very long story very short...wear your lifejacket, people. It's all fun and games (and arrogance) to think you won't ever need it.


Beautiful water!


Wes had a great time on the kneeboard, too.


Wouldn't you know that this old lady can play on the water, too?!




Like the classy parents we are, we taught Alaina how to, um, avoid the hike back up to the house. Love this pic.


On Saturday night, we decided to show the children some real Rich County fun by taking them to a demolition derby...with seven contestants. The hill was quite a hike, so one nice man offered to chauffeur Grandma and the kids up the hill.




The derby group




This is the real reason I like to go to these things: to people watch and make fun of people's terrible haircuts. The downside is that these experiences don't enhance my opinion of the general public.


I think the kids were a little surprised by how loud the cars were.




We ended up leaving a little bit early, and catching the sunset right before bed. I think I prefer this view to mullets.

It's about that time, isn't it? Anthony and I dubbed this summer the "Summer of Fun" back in May, and it has lived up to its name! We have been busy forging new friendships with neighbors and trying to enforce new habits in the home. I spent about two weeks going through every square inch of our home, organizing things and deciding which of our possessions are ready to be donated. We filled up the entire back of the van with stuff that was just taking up space around here, and it feels fantastic to know where every little thing in my house is located. I'm trying to readjust my attitude about work so that I will be ready to hit it hard after we get back from our end-of-summer trip to Colorado (39 weeks until graduation!), and I've been doing a lot of deep-thinking about my parenting philosophy and reading interesting books on that. Anyway, that's what's been going on around here, if you've wondered about my falling off the face of the planet...

...we left off on the fourth of July. On the fifth of July, the kids had a fun-hangover and couldn't even make it through a 6:30 story time.


We went to Elle's birthday party on the 15th...


...and headed up to Bear Lake on the 20th. I was so nervous on the drive up, wondering what this new house would feel like after decades of great memories on our humble lot with the old trailer. Yes, the new house definitely gives Bear Lake a contemporary spin and a different experience, but I am not complaining! Let me tell you how awesome it is to have a place to bathe your kids after a day of playing in the mud! No more fighting over the tiny bathroom sink in the trailer, no more being eaten alive by mosquitos at dusk (though I did miss the campfire that was banned this year, but I understand), and a kitchen to cook in? Fantastic. After dessert on Friday night, I was stricken by Alaina, covered in chocolate, sitting on the back steps. I have many pictures of a dirty little me on the trailer steps when I was around her age...it's wild to see my own daughter there, with such a different definition of Bear Lake in the frame behind her.


Once everyone had been fed on Saturday, we all headed down to the water. The muck was gross this year, but the reward of warm, shallow water was worth it! Ava, Alaina, and Elle worked on collecting some shells.




Emilee and I got to take a turn on the paddleboards that the Grows rented. So fun, tranquil, and a perfect time to have a meaningful conversation.


The view from the water. The new house next to the old trailer is a poignant sight.


The Grows outnumbered the Broadheads 1,635 to 8 this year.


This boat was aptly named, since the girls couldn't get it to do anything but go around in circles.


Cute pic of Robert and Linda, complete with old-people poles.

Parking lot in front of the house


It wouldn't be a Bear Lake trip without some Fruit Loop jewelry!


Alaina was proud of her new duds!


It wouldn't be a Bear Lake trip without filthy hands, either.




It got pretty windy in the evenings, so we ate in the garage. Even a garage is such a vast improvement over what we were working with before!


It's been seven years since Emilee, Stephanie, and I were all at Bear Lake together. It was so fun to catch up, and it's even more fun that now that Meredith is all grown up and can now officially be involved in conversations about boys! :)


Karl and Lisa brought up their propane fire pit to roast s'mores on Saturday night. So smart (but look who I'm referencing)!


The sunsets did not disappoint.



One of my favorite memories of this trip was seeing Connor pull up a seat next to Katherine and watch the sunset and chat with her. He is cautious about strangers, but if he knows you're family, then you are okay in his book, even if he doesn't know you well. <3

I woke up Sunday morning to these little gems on my camera:


I promise I put sunscreen on these kids! My reapplication near the eyes left something to be desired. Sorry, guys!

Before pulling out, I had to get a pic with Em and Steph. We thought it was funny that we all showed up with aviators. Why didn't anyone tell me how bug-eyed I look in these huge ones? Want to trade, Em? :)


We're more of a jazz-hands group than a serious photo bunch.

All-in-all, our Bear Lake trip was great and we're so excited to leave in 36 for our Broadhead weekend up there! You better believe I rented a paddleboard! :)

The next weekend, I attended Kandis' Wish Photography Retreat. I've got to be honest and say that I was nervous to go, but it was a blast. It was so fun to see Kandis in action, and it my goals were to feel completely comfortable in full manual and with my 85mm lens. It was nice to get out of my comfort zone of photojournalism and shoot pretty people in pretty places! I have so many fun memories of the weekend, but my favorite was at 7:30 AM, after our water shoot: everyone was getting ready for the day, and I went out to the hot tub on the back deck of the house. I swished my legs in the warm water while the sun peaked through the trees and robins danced all around me. I mindfully breathed the 65 degree Park City air while fully recognizing that I could be alone in my thoughts for however long I wanted. I think I stayed there for 45 minutes, just being quiet, which is a luxury to me these days. Heavenly! You can see my favorite photos from the retreat here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48974252@N05/sets/72157630980860260/ And now, we're off to another two and a half weeks of fun before it's back to fall semester. You better believe we're going to make the most of it!