Summer Fun

Our summer has been packed full!  I don't have pictures to document all of the fun days at the Lake and different parks, but I do have pictures from our dog Milo's first birthday - silly as it may seem.

Emma decided that it was definitely an event worth celebrating. She made this invitation for his one and only dog friend, but then decided it would be more fun to have some of her friends come instead.

They pampered him with a walk, some playing time, and even a bath.

Linsey, Hunter & Emma made this adorable birthday banner.

Linsey baked Milo his own special doggie birthday cake.

Yup, this dog has worked his way into all our hearts.  

His sweet and good nature, no accidents, and no chewing on anything has helped him find his way into even my non-pet wanting, only giving into the kids kind of heart.

I also have pictures of the start to a big yard project that we hope to forget about once it's done.
After Jared built a retaining wall around most of the yard, he and his brothers and dad began digging trenches for sprinkler pipes.

Check out that huge rock they dug up.  Oh those rocks sure made this project miserable.

Our front yard looked like a war zone for 3 weeks.  Mostly Jared, but I also spent a lot of time working on this project.  You can't sit on the couch and read a book when you know your yard looks like this outside.

Next we spread soil and then grass.  Ahhh.. simply grass will be wonderful!  Next summer we'll worry about more landscaping, garden boxes, and a cement pad on the side of the house for basketball.

I didn't go to girls camp for the entire week this year, but Linsey had a great time and Jared and I enjoyed going up on leaders night.  At the time I was first counselor in YW (now I am the president - Yikes!)  Jared is the High Counselor over YW and girls camp.  

Having never been to girls camp before, he left saying is is VERY DIFFERENT from scout camp.  

Grandma Jeanne and Papa set up a pool in their amazingly beautiful backyard this summer.  

Some of our good friends moved away this summer.  It was hard saying goodbye and we are glad they have lots of family and lots of history here so we know they'll be back to visit.

Austin and Jacob.

Hunter and Lydia

I didn't get a picture of Stephanie and I but here is one from last Summer when we ran the Ragnar together.  She is the one on the right.  One of my closest friends and a fabulous running buddy, just a really great person.

The kids did other fun things like swim lessons (Hunter was on a swim team).

I love this picture of Hunter and his friend headed over to fish at a little pond near our house.

Hunter has started practice for football, it's his first season to play tackle football and he and his dad are super excited.  I love that he is having a great time and so far it's been a great experience.

And to take a break from our yard, we went and spent one last week with the cousins on Hayden Lake.  That deserves it's own post...

Thank goodness I had a few pictures to document some of the fun we've had because Summer just flew by.  We loved every minute of sunshine, relaxing, vacations, fun and friends - all of our favorite things about Summer!