Summer living

For the past couple of summers I like to sit down with my boys and write a summer bucket list.  It has items as small as "get snow cones" to larger things like "go to California and visit the beach." I like to make each summer fun and exciting, but its also important for me that my boys have a good balance of fun AND boredom.  I want them to use their imagination and play outside. I want them to learn how important it is to help with chores.  I want them to have fun playing with each other.  I'm happy to say that they have all been doing a great job at all of those things. However, the weather has been HOT (yes, I know its summer - but when we just dealt with a long, cold winter the heat feels even hotter than usual). We have all been in, shall we say - lazier moods.  When I want to do something, no one else does. OR, when one boy really wants to do something, I don't want to do it (even though I usually will).  However, I have managed to drag the boys out of the house for some fun activities.  Here are a few local adventures we have recently experienced --->


Summer = boys home all day = HUGE messes.  I have been feeling overwhelmed with all our clutter so I told the boys if they each fill a bag to take to the thrift store, I will buy them one item at the store. The boys did great, and we ended up taking a huge amount of toys, clothing, shoes and other items to the thrift store. Its funny seeing how different their personalities are when choosing an item.  Wesley picked a dragon beanie baby, Chase picked a Battleship game, and Blake picked an umbrella (that he broke within 10 minutes, and we had to throw away).

Chase takes out our hamster every day, and plays with him for about five to ten minutes.  He LOVES this hamster, and I love what a good little pet owner Chase is. 

I spotted a Mommy deer and her two babies on my street -- this is a sight that makes me SO happy 

A Utah tradition - Snow cones!!  We love stopping at these cute snow cone trucks that are all over Utah during the summer.

One day I told the boys to get dressed, and they came out of their rooms with matching outfits - not even planned! 

Utah has amazing sunsets! 

Deer sighting from our back yard! 

Sweet Blake loves to sleep with all his stuffed animals 

I'm not the best chef, but every once in a while I make a dish I'm pretty proud of.  These taco bowls with a navajo taco twist are sooo good.  Perfect Summer dinner.

One of the big items on our bucket list was Cowabunga Bay.  This is something all three love and have been wanting to do.  Unfortunately, we decided to go on one of the busiest and hottest days.  It was unbelievably crowded - nothing a California native can't handle, but still - the large amount of people kind of sucked the fun away (for me at least).  I think they boys had a fun time though, and that is really all that matters!

Wolf activity to Wheeler Farm

Another gorgeous Utah sunset 

I have some family that recently moved to Utah.  I'm a bit introverted, but now that my boys have cousins their age up here I will have to plan more activities together.  I took my aunt and cousins  up the mountain to my favorite hike - Silver Lake.  We even spotted a moose which is something that made my heart so very happy!

We have been getting in lots of bunny cuddles!

Now that we have county recreation passes, we can go swimming at any Salt Lake County pool.  We recently tried a new indoor pool, and I think this one will be a big favorite in the Winter.