it started with shingles, and ended with a hit and run: the rest of summer

Tyler had a birthday! The day was a Sunday so the night before he got a party (every other year in our house, or longer if I can pull it off...). He decided to take 5 friends laser tagging. They got to play two games, and then came back for pizza and cake.

Sure love this kid. He is so fun and so easy, and so CHILL.

These two did a lot of baking, as usual.

We went to Great America for the last time in a while. It's still open weekends but weekends are kinda crazy. (It IS super fun at Halloween time though.) Tyler finally got tall enough for Drop Zone. I wish I had a picture of his face every time he did the free-fall - it was pure gold.

Tanner rode the bumper cars 11 times one morning. Most of the time the other cars were totally empty and he cruised around without hitting anything. I think he will be a good driver someday.

We only made it to the water park section ONE time! It was great. It is hard for me to do the water park with 4 kids (2 non swimmers) but just because something is hard doesn't mean I shouldn't do it. In fact...it's sometimes the opposite. :)

 The kids have been asking to get a funnel cake all summer. I finally caved and got the "loaded" one. OH MAN - YUM. We were all full after.

The temple finally opened after being closed for 2 months - hooray! Back to monthly date nights!

The Eyre's were here visiting for a week. These cute girls were matchy matchy. So fun to have them together again. They baked, of course. And did a lemonade stand, of course.

The 12 of us went to Maggiano's for dinner. Oh MAN it was good! I couldn't sleep that night because my stomach was so much in a funk. But the company was great and the food was incredible. Awesome.

Tiffany had her annual corn roast and this was our first year going. HOLY COW it was some good corn. Again, I felt sick for a portion of the night - maybe from all the butter?

 We were all big fans. Especially of the #10 can of melted butter for dipping.

We finally got a beach day in! We went to natural bridges and I was so happy to be there that I forgot sunblock on Sadie's face!

 BIGTIME Mom Fail. I still feel bad.

Spencer and I went to see Rascal Flatts. It was good but not as good as I had hoped.

I got to go on one final YW activity - temple baptisms. I adore these girls so much. I was released two days after this and am still so sad. They are amazing. The youth of the church - that is where the strength is, if you ask me. After 6 years I am no longer there (and am out of a calling).

Our annual Monday night trip to the Santa Cruz boardwalk...it is dollar night and cheap and is SO SO FUN. Tiffany came with us, as per tradition. (Spencer can never make it.)

Unforunately we got to the car at the end of the night and realized I had been hit. Hit and run. My alignment was so bad that I wasn't comfortable driving the 50 miles home through the mountains. Thankfully Aaron and Dan were willing to drive it and me and the kids packed into the other cars. Poor Spencer felt so helpless at work. We got home at 11:30 pm and were all wiped out...LAME end to a super fun summer.

And now the kids are back in school... :(