July 22nd, 2012

• We had our July Girl Scout activity this week. The girls wanted to go to 'Jump On It' with some of the money they earned selling Girl Scout Cookies. 'Jump On It' is a huge warehouse type place that has the floor covered in trampolines. There are trampolines even on the walls! We had never been there but all my kids LOVED it! It turned out to be a fun time with all the other moms in the troop as well. Addy's favorite part was swing on the rope swings and jumping from them down to the trampolines.
• On Thursday evening we left for our camping trip up to Jordanelle State Park. We got in really late on Thursday so we had just enough time to set up camp and fall asleep. 
• Friday morning we launched the jet skis (I backed the jet ski trailer down the driveway into the lake for the first time:) and took the whole family on a ride around the lake and picked up the water trampoline we rented for the weekend. We played in the lake all  day and on Friday afternoon our friends, the Tongi family pulled into the camp site next to us. They came just in in time for the first storm. We could see the storm coming in but it was still a ways off so we started picking up the camp and all of a sudden a HUGE gust of wind came and broke the awning on the trailer. It took all four of the adults about 20 minutes to roll the awning up. It was bad! Thank goodness the Tongis were there otherwise the wind would have broken the awning right off and it was have flown and probably hit another trailer or hurt someone. After a few hours the weather cleared and we all came out for a campfire and cobbler.
• Saturday was a perfect day at the lake until dinner time and another storm came in. Todd was driving fast in the "No Wake Zone" because he could see lightening in the sky and ended up getting a ticket by the lake police! The storm cleared up again and we made another campfire and the kids just played and had a wonderful time. 
• All Saturday night Brynn cried that her ear hurt. Since we were up all night long we ended up packing up Sunday morning and heading home were we had some ear drops for her. 
• All in all, it was a great weekend at the lake! The kids had the best time, we loved taking a break from it all but between the storms, the awning, and a sick kid we were ready to head home on Sunday:)

• The lake from our campsite.

• Brynn just couldn't take it anymore. She fell asleep sitting up!

• Brynn, Bodee, and Matai on the trampoline.

• Io taught Addy and Sea a Hawaiian hula. It was so cute! Addy still likes to shake her hips:)

• Brynn and Matai playing in the sand.

July 15th, 2012

• We spent dome time at the outdoor pool again this week. The kids just love swimming and want to go all the time. Addy learned that she can jump off the diving boards AND swim to the side by herself without her mom or dad there to help. At first she was a little timid and made little jumps but by the end she was running down the board and jumping out as far as she could. It was pretty fun to watch her confidence grow.

• Addy participated in her Aunt Amy's golf camp this week. She loved it so much and really enjoys playing golf. Her favorite thing to do is to hit her driver as long as she can. Her friend Emma joined her for camp so that was a highlight too.

• This picture just makes me laugh! Bodee is so cute and it's scary how he can work the iPad so well:)

• Late Wednesday night my brothers Rodney and Dane came to visit! It was so exciting for me to have both of my brothers here at the same time. On Thursday Dane and Rod went to BYU to tour the campus for Dane. Later that night we all went to Planet Play for a pizza buffet, laser tag, go karts, mini golf, and games. I think we all had a pretty good time!

• On Friday morning we all got up and drove to Provo to hike the Y. I put Bodee in the carrier on my back and off we went. It's not a really long hike but it is steep. I was so proud of Addy and Brynn for walking all the way up! Although my shirt was soaking with sweat from carrying Bodee, I made it. It was a good time. After the hike the kids were rewarded with some ice cream from the BYU creamery. It made it all worth it:)

• The "Y" is pretty high up on the mountain. 

• Friday night Rod was able to get free VIP tickets to the Utah Blaze arena football team from a former mission companion. The game was really fun but since Bodee and Brynn lost interest early on I left with them at half time. The game itself was pretty cool.
• While my brothers were here we played Settlers of Catan, oh...about 8 times. And I lost every single game! Next time I see them I declare a rematch!
• Rodney went home on Saturday but of course we had to make a stop at Culvers before he left. It was sad to see him go. I really enjoyed spending time with him. I also loved seeing my children bond with their uncles they so rarely get to see.

• Saturday night Dane, Addy, and I went bowling. I had a good laugh because Addy beat Dane TWICE! Yes, she had bumpers but she's only five years old. Dane definitely needs to go bowling more often.
• On Monday I got a babysitter for the kids so Dane and I could go to Lagoon and enjoy the day without the kiddos. It was a great day to go and not busy at all. We rode all the rides within three hours and a few of them twice. Since we grew up with a Six Flags so close to us we're use to much bigger roller coasters than Lagoon has but the ride Wicked did make us a little nervous...it goes straight up and straight down! It was awesome! By far, the best ride at the park. We had to ride it a couple of times:) We also laughed a lot while riding Rattlesnake Rapids because we were hoping we wouldn't get too wet. Nice try, we got soaked but it was pretty funny. I was so sad to see Dane leave early Tuesday morning:(

July 8th, 2012

This past week we celebrated the 4th of July! I love this holiday more and more each year.

• On Monday we went to a local park in Lehi with the Tongi family. They were offering free dinner, bounce houses for the kids and a fire works show. It ended up being a really great time and the kids had tons of fun. Here are the kids playing games while waiting for the fireworks to start. And may I add, the firework show was surprisingly good. I wasn't expecting much since it was sponsored by a local company we they did a good job.

• On Tuesday we went as a family to the outdoor Lehi pool because their two new slides opened that day! Bodee really loved going down the slides. They're great because you come out of the slide in a tub not a pool so it's safe for Brynn to go down by herself.
• This picture just makes me laugh because it is completely Addy...just being silly.

• Wednesday was the 4th of July! Yay! We got to Utah Lake in the late morning and played in the water and rode the jet skis around the lake. Brynn couldn't get enough of the jet ski with her dad. She loved Todd driving fast, taking crazy turns, throwing her off into the water to swim around and telling him she loved "the bucking bronco!"
• Bodee was a much more cautious at first and his first ride was me was very mellow. I took him off thinking he had enough but he wanted more! He liked going faster and even tried to drive the jet ski. It's so fun seeing him trying to discover more of the world.
• Brynn with her Aunt Amy and cousin Grant. Grandpa with Addy and cousin Jane. Dad and Bodee.

• Wednesday evening we attended Stadium of Fire in Provo. I hadn't attended Stadium of Fire since before I met Todd so I was very excited to go again. We had a total blast (except Brynn...)! I love this country and I am so grateful to live here. The patriotism at the Stadium of Fire seriously brings tears to my eyes. One of my favorite parts was while the entire stadium was singing The Star Spangled Banner, they had the "rockets red glare" and the "bombs bursting in air" go off and at the very end real fighter jets flew over the stadium. So very emotional for me!
• Anyway, the musical acts were Scotty McCreery and The Beach Boys! Todd and I loved every second if it! They did a fireworks/musical tribute to James Bond and then had the amazing fireworks show set to patriotic music. Loved it!
• Brynn was not having  it that night. And while she was naughty or anything she definitely did not want to pay attention. (Luckily, Elizabeth watched Boden for us.) These are the things Brynn told Amy during the show; "Stadium of Fire...never again." "It is too loud!" Amy:"Do you like the fireworks? Brynn: "I think they're burning my eyes."  She's a funny girl. At least Addy appreciated it.

• Dad and Addy rockin' out to The Beach Boys!

• Each one of these firecrackers has a very special place in my heart!

• Thursday the kids attended their cousin Grant's Birthday Party. Aunt Whitney did a great job creating a carnival party and they loved it! Brynn won a fish..which she named Fish. She loved it for oh about 52 hours until it died. Then she cried her eyes out, gave it a proper burial, and still talks about it reverently.
• Saturday, Todd and I got to go on a date. His mother kindly watched the kids for us for a few hours and while we planned on doing something crazy fun we ended up last minute driving to Magna to buy a third seat for our Tahoe. We found a killer deal so we had to run and pick it up. It hasn't been installed yet but finally I have three extra seats in my car!
• After picking up the seat we drove to the new City Creek Center across from Temple Square. It opened a few months ago and we hadn't been there yet. It was a beautiful summer evening and we really enjoyed walking around, browsing, and talking. I even picked up a slice of pineapple upside down cheesecake from The Cheesecake Factory...yummy! I love spending one on one time with Todd. He sure is my other half. I am so grateful I get to spend eternity with him and our children. This knowledge makes all the trials in my life seem really unimportant. Love him!

July 1st, 2012

• What a week! Busy, busy, busy.
• On Wednesday I took my 10 and 11 year old Activity Day girls up to Camp Jeremiah Johnson for our day camp. I wasn't sure what to expect but it was really fun! 21 girls ended up going, so it was a large group but I really enjoyed getting to know the girls better and the other women that helped drive up there. The girls got to use sling shots, shoot BB guns, take a mini trek, pan for gold, and practice archery among other things. I think they really had a great time.

• Thursday was Brynn's Birthday! FINALLY! She had been waiting for this day for a whole year:) She woke up to tons of balloons all over her room. Then Dad took her to get a doughnut. The we got ready for her birthday party. 10 little buddies came over and we had lunch, played pin the tail, balloon games, and the Grand Prize bucket game. Then we ate cake and ice cream, opened presents, and gave out treat bags. The whole party was Tangled themed and Brynn loved every second of it. Once I realized how many kids were coming I hired a few of my Activity Day girls to help out, and I'm so glad they were able to come.
• Attendee as the party were: Jane, Grant, Ellie, Dallin, Faith, 'Aisea, Matai, Eli, Sienna, Aliya, and of course Brynn, Addy, and Bodee.

• After the party finished Brynn asked to go swimming. Grandma Bassett was kind enough to sit at our house with Bodee so he could sleep so I took Brynn and Addy swimming at the Legacy Center. It was fun without Bodee, just us three girls to play around. On the way home I let them pick out a treat at the gas station.
• We met up with Dad after swimming and took Brynn to Build-A-Bear. Grandma and Grandpa Mosley sent Brynn a gift card for her birthday so she got to pick out whatever she wanted. She chose a dog she named "Doggie" and got him a leash and a house. She didn't want any clothes for him. She knew exactly what she wanted and we were not about to offer any suggestions.

• For her Birthday dinner Brynn chose to go to Noodles and Co. Here she is with season 4 of Full House. My girls love that show and it makes me giggle that they like it so much:)
• After dinner we met up with Grandma and Grandpa Bassett and Amy and Milo at Artic Circle for ice cream. Once we got there Brynn didn't even want anything but she loved opening the presents from Grandma and Grandpa.

• Friday we met up with cousins at Seven Peaks. It was a nice, hot day to spend at the water park. Later on, Jane came over to spend the night. The girls played so nicely and had a fun movie night and decorated cookies. The next morning all the grand kids were in the Lehi City Parade riding on one of Grandpa's trucks from Gene Harvey Chevrolet. They got to throw candy out to all the people on the street. They really loved it! After the parade we met up with all the Bassetts at McDonald's for oh, about 2 hours:) Lovin' summertime!

June 24th, 2012

• Summer is in full swing at the Bassett house and we are loving every second of it!
• Addy and her friend Emma went to a tennis camp this week. They went one hour a day for five days. The first day Addy was a little frustrated because she had never played tennis before but each day after that she liked it more and more. By the end, her hand-eye coordination had gotten much better. Cute girls!

• Monday night Todd and I were invited to go boating with our friends Shawn and Katie. Since it was adults only we really enjoyed ourselves. It was a beautiful night on the lake and we had a lot of good laughs.
• This week our cousins Cambree and Chrislyn were up from St. George. Addy and Brynn love these girls and we had a great day at Neptune Park playing and eating pizza. On Wednesday they spent the afternoon with them having lunch and going swimming at the Legacy Center with Grandma Bassett. I'm so glad my girls' best friends are their cousins.
• On Thursday some friends of our invited us to Manila Creek Park in Pleasant Grove to spend a few hours at the beach. We love going to the city swimming pools but it was really fun, and new to swim in the pond, play in the sand, and have a picnic. The girls loved floating around with their friends Clara and Madison. Bodee just waded in the water and walked up and down the beach looking for new discoveries. It was a lot of fun and I can't wait to take my kids there again. 

• Thursday night was our very favorite Pleasant Grove Strawberry Days Rodeo! We love going to the rodeo in the summertime. We ended up taking Bodee and we were a little nervous he would be really difficult but all the kids did super great! We sat in the front row so there would be some room for them to walk around but they all loved being so close to the arena. Bodee loved the horses, bulls, tractors, and especially loved the motorcycle show they put on half-way through. When the guys on the motorcycles did flips he just shouted "WOW"! It truly was a great family night. 
• The only sad part was because Todd and I have been eating really healthy...no rodeo burgers for us:( We did splurge on a strawberries and cream though!
• I forgot my camera so Todd took some pictures of Bodee with his phone but we never did get a good family photo. SAD! 

• On Thursday a fire started in the mountains between Saratoga Springs and Eagle Mountain. It wasn't too bad the first day but by Friday the wind kicked up and the sky was black! Luckily for us the wind was blowing the other way and so we weren't evacuated but it was definitely scary hear that the fire was out of control for a bit. I was grateful we had our 72 hour kit packed and ready to go if necessary. 

June 17th, 2012

• This week was spent getting into the routine of summer. The kids woke up every day, completed their chores, practiced reading, and worked a few minutes on either writing or math. 
• We played outside a lot and made gifts for Dad for Father's Day. The kids made a card with their traced hand pointing downward that said, "You're the best Dad, hands down!". They girls also filled out a questionnaire and answer questions about their Dad. It was fun to hear their answers. We also picked out a new week trimmer for Dad. It loves to work in the yard and he really needed one.
• On Friday we went up to Seven Peaks Salt Lake and met up with all of our friends from the U. Although I don't miss the living conditions at the U, I really miss the people. These ladies are AMAZING! It was good to spend time with them and be able to chit chat with the ladies.
• I am so grateful that Todd is such a wonderful husband and father. The kids eagerly wait every day for Dad to walk in the door. They yell and scream and come running when they hear come in. I think that says it all:)
• I can't believe I didn't get a picture with Todd and his kids for Father's Day but I did get pictures of Brynn because for our Father's Day dinner we also celebrated all the June birthdays the same day. Brynn is the only grandkid with a June birthday so it was all about her:) She just can't wait for her real Birthday!