Summer Fun!

There are still two weeks of summer vacation left here in NYC. I am counting down! But, most of our fun is over, so I thought I'd get going on the blogging. Erik and I spent a little over 2 weeks exploring Scandinavia and the Baltics with Erik's family, so I don't have pictures of the two and a half weeks our kids spent at my parents house. (Lots of Europe pictures--that will come in the next post.)

The kids had a fantastic time in Utah! And I am so incredibly thankful to my mom and dad for taking them, because they would have HATED the traveling. We visited quite a few countries, and the car/train/bus/airplane time would have killed them. (Or me. Probably both.)

So, while Erik and I were enjoying Europe, our kids were enjoying their Grandma and Grandpa Call, and their many aunts, uncles, and cousins. When we got back, I returned to Utah for another fun two weeks, and these are the pictures I have from that. I've become very lazy about photographing my kids lately. I guess the novelty is wearing off. . . :)

This is the one picture I have that actually took place while I was gone. Ginny got to go to primary with her cousin, and she obviously had a memorable lesson!

One of the great things about having a summer birthday, is that Ginny usually gets to celebrate with all of our family around. We are so grateful to everyone for coming and making her 7th birthday so much fun!

They are all getting so grown-up!

About to catch her hair on fire. . . (Thankfully that didn't happen. I had one second of panic when she leaned over!)

While we were visiting, my brother Eric graduated from the police academy, and joined the Utah Highway Patrol. We got to attend his graduation where he received awards for Highest Achievement in Physical Fitness, and Highest Overall Achievement. We know he is going to do a great job!

My mom signed all three kids up for Tae Kwon Doe. It was such a great experience for them! I could only find this one picture, but they all had a fabulous time, and I was so impressed by Kim's Academy. I wish they could continue on there, because the whole program was so good, and the teachers were fantastic. Hopefully we can find a similar program in New York, but I don't think I will find one I like better.

My mom read to us every night before bed, and of course she read to my kids every night before bed. They are still talking about "The Not Just Anybody Family" and wanting Erik to read it, too!

Once Erik got his police car, the kids were dying to see it! He was kind enough to give them the "tour." Ezra was very intrigued by the cage, and even got Eric to lock him in! Ezra is still begging me to buy him some handcuffs, and loves to tell people how Uncle Eric handcuffed him to the door!

And these are just some cute random pictures of my niece that I found on my phone. I'm not actually sure who took them, but they were too cute not to share! 

Bun Basket with Aunt Andrea!

And the Hogle Zoo with cousins! My mom bought these shirts for the boys, but this wasn't planned. They were so excited when they realized they all wore the same shirt!

Two cuties! Can you believe they are only 3 months apart?  I love the size difference. :)

And this is a cousin tradition--piling into the nest for a picture! I can't even tell you how great my nieces and nephew are! It is always so much fun to spend time with them, and make memories, and create relationships. I was best friends with my cousins growing up, and I still count them as close friends. I hope my kids will be best friends with theirs and that their friendships will last into adulthood, even if we don't live close by.

The kids also had a great time having "dates" and sleepovers with Grandma and Grandpa Lindstrom, making cookies with Aunt Mari (so good!), going to the Surf 'n'Swim party with the Lindstroms' ward, getting rainbows at Pace's Dairy Ann, eating lunch at Arctic Circle, taking swimming lessons (Isaac actually got in the pool!), and so many other fun activities. We got to see Uncle Brad and Aunt Rachel and Lizzie return from Arizona, and I got to enjoy two girls' nights out with my sisters, sisters-in-law, and my mom. (I'm grateful to my dad and brothers for making that possible!) 

We had such a great summer, and I am already looking forward to next summer!