Memorial Day 2011

Thank you, Casey for the picture.  It is so sweet to see Evan's grave being taken care of back in Utah.

I took a closer look, and first, I thought it was just tons and tons more of white daisies for Evan.  Haha, just kidding :)  but then I asked Jared, "Is that snow?"
That question was answered on Facebook later when I read someone in Utah complaining about the snow in May.  I guess I would complain, too, if I knew what I could be doing if it were warmer...

Here is Lance's face when he heard about the snow in Utah today:

Meanwhile, here in St Louis, it reached 94 degrees today.  The pool down the street had an open house with lots of yummy food, including pulled pork, hamburgers, hotdogs, etc.  I didn't know about the food and had to leave Jared and the kids to walk back home and take the lazagna out of the oven.  What a relief not to have many dishes to do when we got back!

It was so nice to have Dad come today!  He worked last night and got a few hours of sleep before I woke him up to come with us!

Jace back diving

Lance walking on water

Kyle singing, "I believe I can fly!"

Super Dad!

Cami thought about it, and thought better, like her mom.  I'm a wimp for the cold water.  It gets warmer with the summer days, and I can wait for that.

Jace believing he can...

 

 Lance took this one.  Maybe I'll frame it :)

I remember playing at the beach with Evan.  And hangin' with my Gramma in California.  And being at the cabin with Jared's grandparents, who bought the cabin many years ago.  I miss them each so much, and can't wait to see them again!  Surely there are pools, diving boards, and sunshine in Heaven!

Couldn't Resist

The boys did something naughty today. Luckily they looked so cute with their empathizing sister that I can't remember now what got them there in the first place!

For Gramma

A few photos for you, as you wished :)Just hanging out on the porch, where we were when we chatted with you just now :)
Lance is holding up his bug for you to see, Cami's got mom's mug, and Kyle's holding the coveted toy between him and Lance, the whistle dad brought home from work (prizes for the residents with correct answers!)

We love you, Gramma!

Gotcha!

In this case, it was actually Jace that got me. He was pretending to be asleep with his Harry Potter book one evening, and as I tried to sneak up with a camera.... he couldn't hold it in any longer!

If You Can't Stand the Heat... Make Lemonade!!!

Jace sharpened his business skills by having a lemonade stand. He is working towards buying an Ipod Touch. Lance and Kyle even got tips! It pays to be cute :)

What I Will Miss About Summer...

Aaah, what a summer. And Jace begins school tomorrow. But first, I want to reminisce about the happenings I will miss from our summer '09.

...I think she's reminiscing, too...

...Being "Bear-Laken' Ready" for summer!

Good times with good friends...

Friends in Jared's class enjoying the cabin with us...

Good laughs...

Good Fishin'

...Sweetness...

Silliness...

Weee!

We got to visit the Draper and Oquirrh Mountain Temples during their open house. I am so grateful for such an opportunity and for grandparents that helped make it possible!

Mmm! Patriotic Fruit Pizza...

Jared took a break from his studies for the Step 2 Board Exam to enjoy a favorite tradition. He and his Dad are announcing at the Days of '47 Parade in Bountiful.

Zoo Days

Jace found this insect while at the zoo. Out of all the living things in the zoo, this seemed to be the most fascinating for him. He doesn't know what it is, so he took photos of it to further investigate.

This is "Mantee". Jace kept her as a pet for several days. His brothers helped him catch grasshoppers to feed it and were entertained by its eating habits.

Lagoon Days...

The Gateway Mall Fountains...

WATER: Jace and Lance got to take a swimming class together. At one point during a lesson, I saw Lance's face light up when he exclaimed in realization, "I can swim!"

I have concluded that my boys are all water kids just like me. Lance and Kyle had so much fun jumping off the edge at the shallow end. Jace has grown to love the diving board just like his Mom. Once he got the courage to make that first jump off, he was a natural. The second dive of his life was a forward tuck somersault (front flip). I was so proud! (He had done it on the trampoline before) I wanted to dive with him again so much on this last day in the water before school begins, but something happened that I will not miss about this summer...

I hit my toe on the bottom of the pool after jumping off the board 2 days previous. It was a little more shallow than I was expecting! It hurt a little but not like I would think it should have. My good friend, Sherrie (Thank you so much for watching my kids so I could do this!) told me to do some more cool stuff! Of course I had to. I was amazed that I could do it after so many years! I did an inward dive, reverse dive, and forward one-and-a-half somersault, pike. Woohoo! (I'm grateful that I did them without knowing that my toe had been broken, or I wouldn't have had the opportunity!) It's just a little chip of bone that needs to heal back on... 4-6 weeks and I'll be back on that board! I'll watch out for the bottom next time...

Jared's mom came and helped me at the pool after the toe incident. Why should the kids miss out? I couldn't have done it without her!

Jared's Dad helping me get the kids to bed. Jared's been gone insanely much.... it really has felt insane some of these days! He's completing his last week of a 4-week Sub-Internship at the U working hours like 5:30pm-7am. I won't miss this schedule. We just miss him and look forward to seeing him again soon...

Lance took this of Cami and I during a photo session. I will miss taking photos outside in the warm weather!

OTHERS I WILL MISS:

• Late nights - no hurry to get to bed on time...
• Relaxing mornings, no rush to hurry anywhere
• Picnics at the park
• Trips to the library and the excitement for the next prize from participating in their summer reading program
• Jace helping me at the grocery store: This is a big deal. It was SO much easier to go shopping with him! He helped with everything, keeping track of kids, pushing the grocery cart in the store and, after unloading, taking it back into the store while we wait in the car...

...AND FINALLY....

This is the photo that inspired this post. Today, I captured Jace as he read to Lance. I was cleaning the kitchen after lunch and asked Lance to pick out some books for us to read. Rather than sitting there with his books and waiting for Mom, Lance had this awesome brother come and read to him. Ah! What are we going to do with Jace gone? It has been fun to watch the children as their relationships grew closer during the summer. So sweet. This I will miss...