Keeping it Real

My nephew Bryce (#27) kindly brought his basketball team to play in a tournament 15 minutes from my house.  It was so fun to watch their games.  I asked his brothers if Bryce preferred to be called Mr. Bryce or Brycie by enthusiastic sideline supporters.  Strangely, he prefers neither.

The brothers were excited that the basketball tournament coincided with my work party, which happened to be a Real game.  Tons of free food beforehand (pulled  pork! churros! soda!) and pretty great seats for the game.  I was disappointed Dahlia and Mickey couldn't make it this year - but Tyler, Bryce, Tanner and Grandpa were welcome substitutes.  We're already scheming to do it again next year.

Here's a question though.  After a busy weekend and a late night Saturday game, all I wanted to do on Sunday was hang out in my living room.

How come these guys, who had an equally busy (although not nearly as cool) weekend, still wanted to do THIS? 

Happy 4th of July?

My theme for July has been "Make America Ok Again." Because clearly - we're not. But rather than indulge in political rantings, let me just say that I spent July 3rd at urgent care with a kidney stone.  And nothing is "less ok" than trying to pass a kidney stone when you have house guests (who you love) for a week and several large family gatherings scheduled at your home.

Some of the things I missed while I was lying in bed, taking not enough pain killers, and trying to survive were... S'mores

Fireworks

General cousin cuteness

Free spirits having fun

Swimming

Lagoon (we all know I don't love Lagoon, but I was disappointed to be sick and not able to go, nonetheless)

A family BBQ - and Theo's current favorite - the swing!

I did catch Sadey's long and painful goodbye to Rooney. I offered to let her take her "bestest friend" back to Pennsylvania with her, but Sadey's mom declined.  Meanie.  So that was my very disappointing beginning to the hottest month of the year. Maybe it will be ok again. But my 4th of July certainly was not.

Bear Lake

By the end of June, we were more than ready for a getaway to Bear Lake. (Although my Dad reminds me I always seem pretty ready for a getaway.)  It was an unusually cold June and the wind and water temps kept us mostly off the lake. But there was still so much to do!

We loved the city park with awesome access to a small public beach.

You truly cannot beat that view.

There was trench building for those who wanted to make a river to the lake, under Ethan's capable direction.

And more scenery for those who (apparently) needed a quick break from the construction site.

We all did a Clue-themed escape room.  Did most of us have a blast? Yes. Was Biz the most competitive? Yes. Did Ty insist on asking everyone repeatedly, "But what does this mean?" Yes.  Did Lauren get upset and refuse to pose for the group picture because she didn't feel like she had contributed enough? Also yes.

Aunt Jess did matching hairstyles for the girls.  And Lauren quickly recovered after a raspberry shake.

Aunt Heather read most of the stories on this trip.

Tay taught the kids how to go out in the kayak.

Jason and I supervised from the shore. TOO COLD.

We also rented one of those cute little bike buses that look so fun. You don't realize how heavy they are and how hard you'll have to pedal to get them to move. But we had a good time and the kids enjoyed the banana bikes and were much faster than us after they figured them out and stopped calling from their cell phones telling us to slow down.  (Kids these days.)

And, of course, Tyler caught a fish that Grandpa helped him cook up. Not pictured is the BBQ, the Old Ephraim pizza, Heather's crepes, and the local fudge we had to try.  Apparently I was too focused on eating and not focused enough on photographing the food.  But it was so fun to have everyone in the same house for a few days.  Dad's right about me and getaways.  I'm ready to go again.

This Girl

This girl is unstoppable.  She sweet-talked her softball coach into letting her play with a broken wrist.  She also convinced the refs in Mapleton and Springville this was totally ok, and was mad the "big city" refs in Provo benched her.  The insurance and liability girl in me tended to side with the big city refs.  But her Dad was sure proud.

School's Out

I have no words, so I won't even try.

Tidy, 12

Brycie, 10

Scooter, 8

Kami Kakers, 3