Our Summer

Our summer has been enjoyable and a little busy, thus the reason why I haven't written for awhile. Here are the highlights:

- Clara celebrated her 1st birthday on June 14th. We finally received her birth certificate which states that Brian and I are her birth parents. What a joy that was to see.

- Kaylie celebrated her 16th birthday on June 15th. We gave her a little get away for her present. Her dad took her and Maddie up to Provo for a two-night stay at a hotel. Little did she know that two of her dearest friends were up there to surprise her. One lives in New York and the other in Indiana. They had a wonderful time catching up and enjoyed a day at Seven Peaks Water Park.

- Kaylie took her driver's ed course plus did her required driving with an instructor and passed her test. She just has to wait until October to get her license. I am so glad that is over, and am excited that she will soon be able to drive herself to seminary.

- July 4th was spent at our dear friends' home, Worth and Glenda. There was great food, conversation and fireworks. It has become a tradition for us.

- Wesley received his Bear badge.

- Brian went to Germany on business. I don't usually get jealous when he travels, but I must admit that I was a little envious this time. Germany is one place I would absolutely love to visit. I did get some Swiss chocolate out it.

- Wesley celebrated his 10th birthday on July 16th. He was able to take a few friends to see the new movie "Cars".

- Kaylie and Maddie went to girls' camp at the end of July. The first day they were poured on but the rest of the week was pleasant.

- My parents celebrated their 58th wedding anniversary on July 21st. I think that is pretty awesome.

- The 24th of July was celebrated here in our small town. Brian was over the festivities, so he was a little uptight, but it turned out wonderful. We had a parade, dinner at the park and lots of fun booths, plus entertainment. We look forward to it every year.

- My sister and brother and their families came to surprise my parents. They had no clue they were coming. Brian was in Asia on business, so he missed out. My kids and I lured my parents to Ihop, telling them that it was a late anniversary gift. I wish we would have got a picture of their faces when they saw everyone waiting there for them. It was priceless. It was a wonderful day, and I know my parents absolutely loved it.

- We took our annual vacation to Salt Lake City on August 11-13. We visited Temple Square (Brian and the kids got to see the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practice), went to This is the Place Heritage Park, ate at the Old Spaghetti Factory, did some swimming and finished it off with the Jones reunion up at Settlement Canyon in Tooele. We look forward to this every year.

School starts for us on September 6th, so we have one more week before we are on a pretty strict schedule. We are trying to get into bed early and wake up for prayer and scriptures so we have that established when school starts.