Happy July 4th!

    We had a great week. From another great ice cream gathering to celebrating our freedom and the birth of our nation.

Carter and his buddies are fixing up this boat so they can access more fish. This photo was taken right before they went on their maiden voyage.

    Sunday night ice cream is still going strong.

 

Ice cream night wears Ada out!

    Andy treated us to a prequel fireworks show the night before the 4th and it was spectacular. Sadly, it also resulted in an injury.

 

    Poor Kat got hit with a fairly big piece of shrapnel and we had a bit of a blood bath on our hands. Thankfully she's going to be fine and our amazing friend, nurse Stephanie, came to the rescue and glued up Kat's hole in her head so she didn't have to get stitches.

Kat and Ada sharing some love.

 

    Kat came better prepared the next night. The hard hat was priceless! Charlie put together this little care package for Kat and we could't help but add a head wound to the little cat drink. 

She's the best!

    We had a bit of a wet start to our backyard barbecue but we didn't let that stop us. And of course it stopped and dried up quickly.

 

    Best friends and family!

 

A cute family photo of the Wendel's.

    And then it was out front for a neighborhood free-for-all fireworks extravaganza!

 These cute girls loved the sparklers.

 

Elliot with the birthday girl. Mackenzie is officially 16!

And Ada finished up the night with a sparkler and the best cheesy smile!

    Another great July 4th with some of the best neighbors, friends and family!

A little blast from the past

    It's hard to believe it's been a year since cute Reese was sealed to her family. We just love her so much! 

 

 

    This week was a lot quieter than last week and that's what I love about summer. Let the simplicity continue.

Happy dad day and more

       We had fun celebrating Greg on Father’s Day. We even got to use our neighbors Big Ass Fan for ice cream night. It’s a game changer on a hot evening.

Fun gifts for Greg

 

A photo of ice cream night before the crowds arrived.

Best fan ever!

All set for Independence Day.

Cute Reese had her first ponytail.

      Then we had a short visit with the Bowlby’s as they were headed home to Texas from Oregon.

I grabbed these photos at the last second.

Georgia finally got a haircut! We decided to start fresh.

    And then we finished the week with the best babysitting gig! A Friday night with Reese, lucky us.

 

 

 

    She was giggling pretty good at this silly dog video Charlie was showing her.

     Summer is panning out pretty good, so far!

The boys camp out & fun with the nieces

    Greg, Brock, McClane & Carter had a fun fishing adventure at Flaming Gorge with several other young men & leaders from the ward. It was basically a repeat of their camp out two years ago, and just as fun the second time.

They started with Baptisms at the Vernal Temple.

Greg caught another gorgeous photo that deserves to be on canvas.

Captain McClane

He won the prize for catching the most fish, 11 total!

Greg always gets in on the fun.

Carter was the great fishing guru.

Brock really got official with the captain's gear.

A hike to finish off their fun adventure. 

    And Charlie recently had a fun adventure with her nieces and some chickens.

 

 

    Kayli caught a great video of Charlie communicating with the 'head' rooster of the chicken coop.

And today it was water fun in the backyard.

    There's no better time than summer time!

A Wendel girl post

    We have a 28 year old! How is that even possible? 

 

    And while Greg and the 3 boys are on a young men's camping/fishing adventure, Charlie got to spend the day with her nieces and had a great time. And I got to be home alone enjoying a clean house and reading a good book.

 

 

    We're headed into a quiet weekend and with the last of our church camping obligations behind us we can sit back and relax and enjoy the rest of our summer break!

Swimming, nails and Girls Camp

    Charlie was invited to swim at our neighbors house with their granddaughter and she left the cutest welcome notes for Charlie.

It says, "wellcome Charlie make sher you bring your swimming suit Charlie

Greg and I snuck in a quick motorcycle ride around town.

Another fun set of nails.

    Then it was time for girls camp. I don't know why, but I've been dreading this for months. Thankfully I survived and it was a great three days and nights, at least for a majority of the girls. I really was struggling though, so I failed to take very many photos so here's what I got to share. (And if all goes as planned, this will be my last girls camp for now).

 I think Charlie's first girls camp was a success for her.

    I don't know if getting older is bringing on more stress and anxiety but I've never felt worse about attending girls camp. I've always loved girls camp in the past, but this one had me in a real mental state. I'm glad it's done and that no major problems occurred. 

    Now on to boys camp, at Flaming Gorge this coming week, for Greg, Brock, and McClane.

Birthday girls, lucky duck and last days!!!

    We had a blast celebrating Harley and Elliot's birthday Saturday afternoon. 

The cutest four and two year old around!

Elsa and Anna cake for the win.

    Charlie participated in her final dance festival at the elementary school. 

 

    And then she had a lucky meeting with cute Reese at the ballfields behind the elementary school that same day. Lucky Duck for sure!

I'm not at all jealous! But seriously, how lucky is Charlie!?

 

    And then it was 6th grade advancement day! 

Charlie and Kat are ready to head on to bigger and better things.

 Lets GO! Our last event EVER at the elementary school!!

We started with the longest countdown chain in October, and before I knew it, DONE!

    Let the summer break begin! However shall I commemorate my 23 years contending with the elementary school?! 

     And pray I survive my three nights at girls camp next week. (I've never felt such dread over leaving the safety and security of my house. Getting old stinks!)