Not the best way to start the summer...

Robbie was having a great spring—here he is...

at the JV water polo tournament, May 4th...

and playing softball on May 9th...

Until Thursday, May 10th, when he was delivering letters for the annual Boy Scout flag fundraiser. The boys were getting in and out of the car frequently, to deliver letters, and Robbie got a little impatient—he got out of the car before it had come to a complete stop. He fell, and caught himself with his left arm, but broke his wrist in the process. So...

Here he is getting a sling on May 11th.

And a cast on May 14th.

Red for the Utes, of course.

Luckily it's waterproof, so he didn't even have to miss the 1st day of swim team.

Man it's a hot one...

Like seven inches from the midday sun...

In spite of that, Melissa and I had planned a visit to Tracy Aviary on Friday, since we couldn't fit it in before school started, and we needed to go before our groupons expired. When the temperature reached near a hundred degrees we reconsidered, but some of the kids had their hearts set on it, so we went. Joey opted out, arguing that it was way too hot, and he was right.

It was okay, I guess, although too hot, and birds are really not my thing. I don't think we ever need to go back.

The kids wore their swimsuits so we could go to the fountains at Liberty Park afterward, but we were all so hot we ended up going to the club to swim instead. It is the only time this entire year we made it over for open plunge, and they all took advantage of the chance to go off the diving boards.

I never loved the high-dive, but I've always encouraged the kids to go for it.

It's not too bad watching Robbie, Joey or Ellie take the plunge...

But my baby?

She thinks she's just as big as the rest of them.

I get a little bit of vertigo just looking at the photos.

I hope my grandma isn't having a heart attack looking at these.

Turns out, she loves it.

It couldn't have been worse than sitting by the pool in my hot clothes, that's for sure. :)

End-of-Summer Clean-up

We pretty much missed any sort of Spring clean-up, so our yard was totally overgrown. We came home from Bear Lake on Thursday afternoon so that we could go to SEP conferences that night, and Rob (who had to leave Bear Lake on Monday to go to San Francisco for a conference) took Friday off. So we spent half the day trimming bushes, weeding, and mowing & trimming the lawn. I wish I'd thought to take before and after photos, but I did get a few of everyone in action.

Then on Saturday we got up and did the same thing, but in the backyard. So nice to have it all cleaned up. Hopefully next year we'll do it earlier, in lower temperatures!

Another Favorite

Melissa already blogged about our outing here, so this seems a little redundant, but of course I want to include it in my blog book for this year, so here goes.

This is the Place Heritage Park is a "living history" pioneer village. We added it to our summer bucket list after buying groupons, and we were able to squeeze it in after swimming and tennis ended and before leaving for Bear Lake and the start of the school year. I'm so glad we did, it was really fun!

This photo seems especially appropriate during rivalry week. (I'm really posting this on 9/16/11—the day before the Utah/BYU game.) Go Utes!

We saw some pioneer cabins, and the kids got to help with the chores. Of course they thought it was fun to scrub the laundry on washboards and beat the rugs, but ask them them to take their clothes to the laundry room and vacuum? Yeah, you guessed it.

Our cute friend Natalie and her cute sister were volunteering up there with their kids, so it was fun to see them. The kids were all lined up on the boardwalk listening to the fiddlers play when the bank was robbed. Fun.

They made crafts at Social Hall, and played pioneer games in one of the nicer houses.

The girls both wore their "pioneer" hats.

They all loved being shaved at the barber. Apparently it tickled.

Panning for gold was a big hit too. They were able to turn it in for some salt water taffy.

At the Indian village they each made an arrowhead necklace and explored the wigwam and mud hut.

We went back "downtown" to the Z.C.M.I. candy store and told the kids they could choose a candy or get an ice-cream at the parlor next door.

Ainsley was the only one of my kids who opted for candy. I think she might still have this sucker.

The school was a highlight. They wrote their names on the slates and learned about discipline during pioneer days. They all loved the dunce cap.

Hmm, might have to try this at home. ;)

Last, we went to the stables and rode the horses. We probably should have hit this earlier, they all wanted to keep riding, but I had to get to back-to-school night.

This will definitely be on our list for next year. In fact, if the kids have their way, we'll be back up there for Halloween and Christmas...

Hoping for another groupon!

The end of swim season

Although I was really happy to be back at the pool in June, after two months of daily practice and seemingly countless meets, I am equally happy to be done. Here are some photos from our last meet.

Ainsley actually dived off the blocks (well, sort of :). None of my other kids did that at age five, and even Tommy (the head coach) said, "Who was that?!"

Ainsley, with her coach, Claire, and her teacher, Nick. They were both awesome, and Ainsley made a lot of progress this year.

Ellie, with her teacher, Sarah, and her coach, Angela. Again, awesome.