She is here!

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Perfect Attendance

At the end of June, all 46 living descendants of Walt and Betty Woodbury ascended to beautiful Park City to enjoy a few days of family togetherness and fun.  We stayed in condos at the Canyons resort and planned for a very relaxed schedule that included plenty of free time for game playing (a favorite pastime of the Woodbury Clan), catching up, swimming and, of course, eating good food (an equally favorite pastime).

The highlight activity of the reunion was the "Family History Extravaganza"  Grandpa collected stories, anecdotes, poetry, and songs from our ancestors and with the help of Elyse, everyone in the family was given an assignment to present one of these family history "highlights."  Other planned activities included a run down the Alpine slide, Stealth water gun war, Kids Fun Run, "Minute to win it", and a nature hike.

It was a wonderful weekend!

Family History Extravaganza

Alpine Slide

Between the birthdays

Only a month until school starts and magical summer time ends.  I love summer and this one has been especially beautiful and fun.  We have stayed busy with outings, picnics, swim club, soccer, art camp, piano lessons, tennis lessons, camping, reading, parades, festivals, reunions, movies, cold treats and lazy days too.

The kids have had fun with our "kids kash" bank that gives them money to buy their extra snacks and screen time during the week.  At the end of the week they can buy prizes or buy their stuff back (stuff that was confiscated for being neglected).

Curly and Lou committed to participate in swim club which has required painfully early mornings of braving cool water.  I have been impressed with their good attitudes.

Along with the busy days, their have been some lazy days too.  Days where the kids wake up and start playing some make-believe role play of pirates or fairies or both and I don't have the heart to have them get dressed or do their chores.  So they play in their pajamas (or dressups) until lunch time with wild hair and unmade beds.  And I get a lot done :)

But most days aren't like that, so we enjoy them when they come.

Here is a photo summary of some of our other activities:

Last day of school

End of school party

Splash pad with the Lovells

Spud and S on the carousel

Great Grandpa Lake's 99th birthday

Finding tadpoles at Egin Lakes

Popcorn and books in the backyard

Cookout at the ranch

Curly's and Lou's puppet show

Sprinkler time

Berry eating her berries on our camping trip

Camping

Easy cheesy face

Waterslide at the ranch

 

Our dear friends, the Hintons, stopped by to visit on their way to a family reunion in Washington.  We enjoyed a walking tour of BYUI and an evening of kids playing and adults visiting.  The girls played "lessons" just like they used to in Arizona.

Playing "Indians" after getting bored picking huckleberries

3 year olds! Especially those named Russ

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Lou's Baptism

Lou's baptism was a wonderful day for our family.  We felt so much love an support from all our family.   Lou was baptized by Fisher and confirmed by her great grandpa Morgan.  I wish I had a picture of the huge smile on her face right after Lou was baptized!  Her friend, Sadie was also baptized and confirmed.  Afterward, we had a big lunch in the backyard and enjoyed the beautiful day until a storm rolled in (complete with a tornado sighting 20 miles away).  So, we moved the party inside and went bowling.  

Thanks to Paisley for taking pictures!

Lou and Sadie

Sisters

Spud and Paisley selfie

Nail Salon

We believe in teaching our kids patience and perseverance, so we take them to pick huckleberries.

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Waiting for your sisters at piano lessons isn't so bad when their piano teacher has a magical backyard with a stream.

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Marathon

We are approaching the finish line of the summer birthday marathon.  Summer already is a so busy and fun with all the activities and outings, but throw a few birthdays in and it really makes the summer fly by.

Spud turned three in June.  We celebrated his birthday with a quick overnight camping trip.  He loved all the attention, and treats and the tractor ice cream cake that his sisters helped make.  He's the size of a 4 year old and talks really well, so we are glad he can finally say he is three.

 Curly celebrated her 10th birthday with a birthday bowling outing and donuts.  She is excited to be a "tween" and I think it has something to do with being able to go in the "tween" only reading room at the city library.  All she wanted for her birthday was a pogo stick and she proved instantly that she knows how to pogo!

 

 Lou had a big birthday weekend for her 8th birthday.  Her birthday was on a Thursday and her cousins arrived just in time to watch her soccer game and have birthday cake.  On Friday she had her BIG birthday party with about 22 friends and cousins.  The weather threatened her outdoor water party all day long but it turned out ok in the end (aside from the dud of a pinata that kept breaking of the hook before the kids could crack into it).  On Saturday she was baptized and we had another fun day with family celebrating her baptism (more on that later).

 

The end of the marathon is in sight with out final summer birthday arriving any time in the next week!