We have had a very busy but fun summer. As I mentioned, James is quite busy during July and ends up taking most of the month of July off. He attended Youth Conference, Scout Camp, Teacher High Adventure, Priest High Adventure, and Girl's Camp. He came back from most of these trips sunburned, tired, and happy. I think Teacher High Adventure was his favorite because he got to spend a few days with Luke down in Southern Utah biking, hiking and four-wheeling. I've decided four-wheeling is a "guy thing." They were excited to show me video of the jeeps trying to drive over boulders and I think they were a little disappointed when I didn't show their enthusiasm as I watched, well, jeeps trying to drive over boulders. I learned a great lesson though as I watched video after video of teenagers and grown men standing around cheering on drivers and jeeps trying to get over the rocks-- these boys truly had learned to enjoy the journey.
Luke had the busiest Summer. He started off with Youth Conference, then he went to BYU for EFY. He enjoyed both very much and made a lot of good friends. He then had football camp and tennis camp, both at BYU-- I think he felt like a regular student minus the books and studying. He ended his summer with a trip to London with his dad. All in all, I think he enjoyed himself.
Lindsey had cheer camp which meant they started having practices in July. They go three mornings a week and condition and practice. Her squad participated in two parades, Heritage Days and the Fourth of July. Despite the heat and bleeding ankles, Lindsey loved it. I have been surprised at how hard the girls work. They spend hours running, weight lifting and running the bleachers. They have to run 21 miles in September (they get to spread it out over a few days). I told Lindsey they should just enter a marathon, it's about the same thing. Lindsey also went to Girls Camp and had a fabulous time. She always comes back wishing it were longer. She ended her summer with a trip with her dad to Florida.
Heather, Savannah and Matthew had a quick summer following Luke and Lindsey to parades and hanging out with us. We went boating a few times which was nice. On the fourth we spent time with the Andersons at Stadium of Fire where we listened to the Beach Boys and enjoyed the fireworks. Afterwards, the cousins all worked out sleepover schedules and spent a few days and nights at each others homes. We enjoyed having the various cousins at our house getting to know them better. Matthew was finally old enough to have a sleepover at his cousin Gabe's and loved it. We went to Beaver for the 24th of July and enjoyed the traditional activities there-- gathering candy in the parade, getting sprayed by the fire hose, running in the races. Of course, seeing Yardley cousins and family is always the highlight. It was fun to catch up with everyone there.
All in all, we have had a very busy Summer which seemed to fly by. We definitely made a lot of good memories and enjoyed spending time with everyone that we saw. I think that's my favorite part of summer, taking time to see family and friends and enjoying all of the many celebrations.
