Party Time

Lydia wanted a Birthday party this year. Usually when we plan a summer party, nobody can come. So I told Lydia to invite whomever she wanted. She invited 11 people--and 10 were able to come! Holy Cow! (The one person who wasn't able to come was Liam--the only boy invited. So it was probably better for him, but they are moving soon, so sad for all of us at the same time.)

These girls were great. She wanted another party where they cook pizza. I decided this is the last time I will do this type of party. I just need 4 ovens to be able to do that one with less stress.

I'm not sure too much of what they did because I was cooking pizzas. But it seemed like they had a lot of fun!

'Night, 'Night

The kids have been wanting to sleep outside. There have been a ton of bears spotted around our house lately, so we were a bit hesitant, but we figured with Raider it would be safer. 
So they packed their stuff and headed out.
It wasn't even 12:00 when Trevor, who never gets freaked out, came inside because Raider was barking at some noise off in the trees. Grant, being the best dad ever, headed out to sleep with them so they wouldn't have to come inside. I'm sure being at work was a bit harder today because of lack of sleep. Our kids are blessed to have him as their dad, and I'm blessed to be married to him!

The Moose

Ben finished up his season with his mountain biking team, The Moose. For his last race, his cousin Tyler got to come with him.
Tyler wants to join next year, so we thought that this would be fun for him to come and experience. However, he got lost on the course. Poor guy. I'm just so thankful he is okay!
Ben is going to miss his team and his coaches next year as he will be moving up to the High School team. His coach was awesome! This has been such a great experience for Ben--life changing for our whole family!

Joy

I had a hard day on Friday. I experienced something very traumatizing and I feel like I went into shock. I felt like I was in a daze and was just sad.
So Grant took us out to his parent's river house. As much as I did not want to go, it was the best thing that I could have done. I needed some water therapy and to be on the water. There was a beautiful sunset that helped as well. It seems that it was just what I needed.

OT

Piper was put on a 3-month break from OT because she is doing so well! We have been so excited to see her progress. A year ago, she wouldn't participate in many activities, her eating was awful, and she started getting more upset at little things. She was constantly touching people and things. The touching was getting out of control.She would carry rocks around and would often sleep with them in her bed. She had absolutely no interest in drawing or coloring. A friend helped steer us in the right direction and we were led to Athena. She is Wonder Woman in my book!

Piper has learned to write her name, can do physical activities, sleeps better in her own bed, eats like a normal 4 year old, and interacts with us more. She doesn't chase down babies at church so she can touch their hands or feet anymore. (Literally, she would run down the hall, and didn't care who she would have to get by or who she was cutting off to go touch a baby's feet--it was crazy!) Now she sleeps in her own bed 2-3 nights a week. She still likes to touch babies and people, but it isn't obtrusive. She doesn't suck on her food. She will do imaginary play now too. She has come so far so quickly, and I know we have Athena to thank. She is the best!

Happy Father's Day

They love their Dad so much!

Whistler

Ben got to go to Whistler and Coast Gravity Park this week. Here are some pictures of his adventure:

{Hugs}

Lucy is giving the best hugs ever these days!

Letting Go

Ben is going to Canada with some friends for almost a week. I can't believe we are letting him go! I am going to miss him like crazy. 

Nursery

Steve was in the Bishopric in our last ward, and today they were serving in nursery together!

Grant got a new calling in nursery (he teaches the 18 month olds to the 3 year old kids at church). So Lucy got to go to nursery early! Grant said that she did well there! How I wish I got to be in there with them! 

Garage Sales

Every year our community has a huge garage sale. Last year was the first time that I took the kids down to it, and they fell in love. So this year we decided to do it again.

This year was amazing. There were several people who just gave the kids their stuff saying that it would bring them joy to see them enjoy having the item. Another man actually paid the girls 25cents for taking some of their stuff. It was so much fun. We all found stuff that we didn't know that we wanted. Pure treasures!

Daddy Daughter Date

Karmin's last activity days activity for the school year was the same night as her concert. It was supposed to be a daddy daughter date, so Grant gave her a refund on the activity.

They went out to dinner, and then went to the mall. I think Karmin had fun with this alternate date! 

Field Day!

 I got a new calling in our new ward as the Primary President. It has taken up a lot of my time, and I am glad that school is ending so I can focus on this new adventure. We needed some things from Costco desperately, and I did not have time to take the kids out for lunch afterwards because I had a meeting, so we went to Costco for lunch before bowling.
And the best thing ever happened. Heather was in line in front of us! This just made it the best field day ever!!

We visited for as long as we possibly could and then we had to leave.
Piper has always wanted to go on this ride, so I finally let her for being a trooper with homeschooling. It is always fun hanging out with these kids!


And Lydia had her field day as well: