June

Whoever coined the term "Lazy Days of Summer" lived a completely different life than we have! It doesn't help that our kids are still in school for the first part of June so we still have a bunch of year end things happening. But it was all good.

Spencer had the honor of receiving an American Legion Award which is only given out to a certain number of 4th and 5th graders each year. Both Taylor and Lynnsey got them too (poor Kendall was totally passed over) but this seemed like an even bigger deal for Spencer to get it. He has seriously come SO FAR in the past year. Not only did he have zero behavioral issues at school, but he was recognized for his amazing behavior and for being a leader in his class. He received this award as well as several awards at the end of year honors program, including being recognized as one of two outstanding students in his 4th grade class. We are so thankful for his great year and that he was given an amazing teacher (who also taught Kendall and Lynnsey) and also that the occupational therapy program we put him in seemed to help him so much. He is like a different kid! 

Kaya and Lynnsey also received outstanding student awards at the program too, so it was a happy day all around. And Kendall received some awards at the Marshall High School awards ceremony as well. I'm just proud of all of my kids!

As usual, my babysitting schedule didn't permit me to go on any of the kid's end of the year field trips and this time Kalen had SOAR at the college all that week so he missed them too. I did have a kind parent send me a few pictures of Spencer's fun field trip to a science museum in Lansing where Spencer had a great time.

Once school was out, we were ready for summer and spent lots of time outside working on the yard and garden. I wound up trying to get some of the flower beds in shape but it was a much bigger project than I had anticipated so I still have another huge section of the flower garden to deal with next year. By the time I got to that part though, the flowers were all too thick and overgrown for me to deal with. I need to start earlier next spring and just dig it all up and replant what we want in there before any of it has sprouted too much. 

We celebrated Kaya's 7th birthday on the 22nd! My BABY is seven! I can't even believe how fast it has flown by. I'm glad at least that even though she's growing up so fast, Kaya still loves to be a cuddlebug and is so affectionate. Trying to get my other kids to even hug me once in awhile is like torture for them. At least I still have someone to give me lots of hugs and kisses and who likes to snuggle up next to me on the couch. She is a joy to have in our family and it has been an amazing seven years!

Spencer spent lots of time with his good friend Mick. They loved going swimming at the college as often as they could. And it was great for our family too, because we finally started going over a couple of days a week as a family to play and get some exercise together.

The hardest part of the summer for me was that right after school got out, Kendall headed out to Utah to spend over 5 weeks visiting family. I missed him (and I missed his help). He spent a couple of days in Duchesne but the majority of his time was spent with Todd and Nikki in Mendon with a couple of days in Garland with Sherrie and Kevin who also took him to Las Vegas for a few days to visit Grandpa Oswald who has moved back there again. While he was with Todd and Nikki, he had fun getting to know Brecken better and also was able to work for Shonee at her shave ice shack. 

Aggie Ice Cream with Jessie, Shonee and Brecken

He was able to go on a great pioneer trek that took them on the same trail as the Willie and Martin handcart companies.

Brecken and Kendall look like they could be brothers!

In fact, Kendall said people kept mistaking him for one of Todd and Nikki's kids.

Kendall also got to go on a varsity scouts high adventure backpacking trip to the Uintah mountains. (I'm thankful to Todd for sending so many beautiful pictures to document the trip!)

In the meantime, Taylor had been transferred to Enoch. As difficult as those initial weeks were with his new companion, he came to love the area quickly--especially on p-day when he and his companion and the other elder's in the neighboring area were able to go hiking up to a place called Kanarra Falls, which was really beautiful. The beauty and the friendships he made with the other elders really seemed to pull him through the hard times he had with his new companion.