Swim Lessons 2016

 We are down to only two kids in swim lessons and I promised Rhett this could be his last year...so next year I will be down to only ONE kid in swim lessons.  Where has the time gone?!?!

These two were paired up great this year in their classes with two little girls. The girls were good little swimmers just like Rhett and Laiklie and is made progressing easy.  It is so fun to watch them at this stage because they are such good swimmers.  I was amazed at how well they both knew their strokes.  Rhett is such a pretty little swimmer.  His body just glides through the water.  Laiklie is getting to be stronger and stronger and more confident with her strokes.  It was definitely a fun year! 

Cow Hauling Day

This is the first time in 17 years that I remember hauling cows in JULY! We usually haul them in May.  This year has been a little different though.  

 Ryan, Dale and Dallin.  We were a little short handed this year on help so I was recruited.  I do love helping with this kind of thing and Oakley ran Rhett and Laiklie to swimming lessons so I could.  On a farm everyone has a job and is needed.  

Dallin is a GREAT KID and GREAT HELP! So thankful for him and proud to be his mom!

Our Missionary

We were able to go to Preston to listen to Kaden's mission farewell.  He did a great job and will be an awesome missionary! I know California will be blessed to have him.

 We wanted a few pictures of him and the kids to compare for when he gets home.  I couldn't get a serious picture from any of the kids!! 

 I'm guessing Dallin will be as tall as Kaden when he gets home. :)

 And these two girls.  This is their pictures with Kaden.  What crazies! 

Rhett and Tyce were seriously the worst out of all of them though! They had Kaden laughing so hard I could hardly get a picture.  Neither of them would do a straight face for nothing!! 

 First attempt....

 Second attempt....

 Third (+ many more I didn't post!) attempt.... STINKERS!

 These cute girls were super cooperative though.  Thank goodness for them!

 We wanted to do a funny picture.  My favorite part is Kaden putting Dallin in a headlock.  HAHAHAHA!! So fun! Cousins make everything better!!! Good luck Elder Shumway! We are so proud of you and your choice to serve Heavenly Father.

Summerfest

Along with going on tour this summer, Oakley got to participate with her tour team in Summerfest.  Summerfest is the international dance festival right her locally.  What and INCREDIBLE opportunity to be team USA among 6 other nations.  SOOOOO COOOL!!

 They had the opening ceremonies, the street parade, dance workshops, the Matinee and gala performances and closing ceremonies, all spread throughout the week and all which Oakley was able to participate in.  The other teams were Russia, French Canada, India, Polynesia, and Puerto Rico. The got to meet people from all over the world and made so many new friends.

 Laiklie even got pulled out of the audience to dance with the Russian team. :)

 You seriously couldn't wipe the smile off Oakley's face all week long! It was so fun to get a little taste of what her Indonesian tour will be like.  They keep telling us that Indonesia is summerfest X 1000.  I can't even imagine!!

I am so proud of Oakley and love this adventure that she has been blessed to be a part of! 

Scout Camp 2016

Dallin got to go to scout camp the week of July 4th.  He was not looking forward to it this year unfortunately. :(  He has some tricky kids in his group and they try his patience.  ;)  He did great though!

 He and Nate decided to sleep out in hammocks this year.  I love the bunkbed feel they have going on. 

 Since Rhett is only 11 he could only go if his dad went. So he was able to go up one night and spend a couple days working on merit badges.  He sure didn't want to leave when it was time to go home.  He had a great time with his friends and is looking forward to next year when he can go the whole week.  

 It is weird to look at the scout group and see my boy as the "older" one in the group.  Dallin is a great leader to his troop and these younger boys look up to him and Nathan.  It is fun to watch them grow and mature into young men.

4th of July 2016

We started our 4th out with smores and fireworks on Sunday evening with grandma, grandpa and some of the Hawkins cousins.

 

 Then Monday morning we hit the 4th of July parade where we got our fill of candy!

 After the parade we headed to the ranch for a bbq.  It has become an annual thing to do a picnic at the cabin and we always have fun. Only Chase's family was able to make it with us this year so the kids were missing a lot of their cousins, but had fun with the few that were there.  The weather was kinda crappy because of the wind so kayaking and fishing were short lived.

 Great grandpa and grandma Romrell made it and we even got Uncle Dale out on a kayak. It was a great day!

We finished the night off with fireworks in Menan with Shane's family and a quick facetime with grandpa and grandma Jacobson.  Hard to believe they will be home next month from their mission.  Can't wait to see them!