Camp Jeremiah Johnson

Blythe went to Camp Jeremiah Johnsen this afternoon/evening.  The girls rowed a boat, did a bead craft and made a salamander and played other games.  Blythe got to shoot a bb gun and do archery, and they found a short-cut to the boats their leader didn't even know was there.  They did an obstacle course and played in the water, and all in all, had a marvelous good time.  I'm grateful for Ashley Jensen who took pictures for us.

Friday Night Activities

All of us have fun Friday night activities.  Well, all of us but Kent. 
Katherine: Off to Logan with Eva Fisher to spend the night and bike around Cache Valley tomorrow.
Brandt:  Off to see Matilda again, this time with Paul Moreland.  He liked it the first time, so why not a second? 
Blythe: Off to Camp Jeremiah Johnson to row, craft, and get really dirty.
Kent:  Sitting quietly.  He does like to sit quietly.  And maybe, just maybe, perhaps, you can never tell, he'll be up to something wild in our absence. 
Maybe.

See you later!

Does he look like he's up to something?

Maybe . . . 

Blythe's Birthday Party

Blythe's birthday is not actually until next week, June 5th, but she will be at fifth grade camp on her actual birthday, so we had a party for her today.  I told her she couldn't get out of control, so she opted for pedicures and frozen yogurt, both of which seemed reasonable to me.  I made an appointment at the nail salon I frequent, and told Blythe she couldn't invite more than four girls because we wouldn't be able to squeeze more than that into the car.  Even with four extra, that made six people in the car, so they had to squish in the backseat.  Blythe invited Lizzy Jensen, Addie Lepinski, and Lilly and Emma Bradford. 

At the salon, the girls were given a mini sort of pedicure, without hot rocks and all the attention they give to older, better paying customers.  The mini-pedi saved me quite a bit of money, for which I was grateful.  The girls talked as they had their nails done, and were all delighted with the results. 

 

Blythe chose sparkly bright green polish which looks practically magical.

I'm sure it can make her feet do amazing things.

I had thought to go right around the corner to get frozen yogurt at Yogurtland, but they didn't open until noon, and it was only just eleven when we finished.  We couldn't wait.  We went across University Parkway to the mall, still hoping to find frozen yogurt with fun toppings, but were disappointed in the offerings.  We ended up at Cold Stone where there were lots of ice cream flavors, lots of add-ins, and everyone could make their own treat.  It was a hit!

Looking for ice cream.

Eating ice cream.

We returned home after ice cream, Blythe opened her presents, and everyone went home.  It was an easy party to put together, as my effort meant driving and paying, but felt more grown up than previous birthday parties.  I suppose, now that she's turning eleven, Blythe feels a bit grown up, too.  Here's to another year!

Circle of Life

Sitting at dinner today when suddenly a hawk swoops into the yard and snatches up a sparrow.  With small bird clasped in its talons, the hawk landed on the helicopter rotor and waited until its dinner expired.  Then it began to pluck feathers.  The magpies were not happy about the hawk being around at all and swooped and shrieked at it.  The hawk seemed largely unconcerned.  It did move to the fence, but it defeathered for some minutes with the magpies flying all around before it flew off, kill in claw.  

Sing all together now, "It's the circle of liiiiiiife!"

Battle Creek Falls

School is over, summer has begun, and we started it off with a hike to Battle Creek Falls in the company of cousins.  We love a hike, we love a waterfall, we love a cousin.  It was the perfect combination for a great day!  Mikayla came with all of her children.  She and I both carried a baby, and I am absolutely convinced neither of them will remember a bit of our hike.  I was carrying Freya and found that she slept most of the way.  She did look around at the beginning of the hike and seemed to love the wind across her fluff, but then she slept.  The big kids hiked ahead of the little kids who all wanted to keep up.  Except Kal.  He wanted to eat.  Mikayla gave him a large Ziploc bag of popcorn, and he munched happily along as he walked, which he did pretty much the whole way.  I think Brandt and Luke each took a turn carrying him part of the way, but mostly he walked.  Everyone walked.  Except Freya and Thea.

The waterfall was beautiful, the mist was cooling and refreshing, and only Brick fell in, soaking himself and scraping his knee.  He recovered enough to be able to walk back on his own accord.  Brandt, Blythe, Luke, and Makenna hiked up above the falls, then walked down the river when we started back.  They are big and open to adventure.  I need to remind myself that they aren't little anymore and should be given freer rein to do their thing without me standing over them trying to direct their affairs.  It was a good time!

The first of several selfies taken today.

Brandt clearly needs a haircut.

At the trailhead.

Cora ate popcorn, too.

While walking.

Seesters holding seesters.

\

See?

More selfies.

The big kids, heading off down the river.

Playing Outside

I love these boys!

One is big. One is small.

I love them both.

They make me laugh and fill my heart with joy.

I love that the big boy is so good with the small boy.

I liked watching them swing,

and then swinging with the small boy, too.