August was Crazy!

Need I say more, our August has been the busiest month of the entire summer! We started with swimming lessons. This was our only session of the summer, but it was a huge success. We usually do the 2 week class, but Rawley has struggled in the past so we went with private lessons for him. It was great he passed 2 levels and is actually way more confident in the water. Hopefully this will continue the more lessons he takes. The question now is whether or not to keep him in private lessons, or try again in a group class. The girls did awesome as well. Emmy finally got to start her own lessons. After a couple of classes full of tears she warmed up to her teacher and passed her level with flying colors! Hadley did awesome as well, she is a little fish in the water! This session she learned how to dive and tread water. She is still trying to figure out the treading water technique, but with a little more practice I think she will have it down.





We also took our one and only family vacation of the year. So far they have always consisted of heading to the condo in Montana. We had a beautiful week! We couldn't have asked for better weather. We hit the water slides of course, did a fair bit of shopping, spent a day at the lake, ate more food than we should have and got to spend it with Pat's sister and her family which was great! She has all of the pictures from the trip and as soon as I can get my hands on a few of them I will be able to show all of you just how much fun we had! I just have to wait until they get home from Mexico!

Next up is Birthday time! We had a small celebration with the Grandparents which was nice. It was also nice to have Pat's parents there! The got home from their mission just in time! We all went for dinner and then back to our house for cake and presents! This was Hadley's choice for her cake.



Not perfect per say, but I was trying to make it a little more substantial than the actual idea. It was originally just cupcakes on a wooden artist palette. I made the palette out of cake!

I have also chosen to allow my kids to have a friend party every other year starting at age 6. This means that we will be having 2 friend parties this year! The only trouble with friend parties and a summer birthday is that I can never figure out when the best time is to have it. Thankfully Hadley's birthday is at the end of the summer and I don't feel all bad making her wait a couple of weeks until school is back in to celebrate it! I mean she technically already had a party! I have decided to make it smaller this year with a maximum of 5 friends. Last time it was crazy! This choice of course is for my sanity alone! Now I have to figure out how to entertain 6 eight year olds for 2 hours! Any suggestions?

Hadley is also getting baptized tomorrow! Where has the time gone! I am not sure I am ready for this, but I know she is! We are very excited to be able to watch her make this choice, we know she is ready and has been anticipating this all year long. Let's just say we have been to quite a few baptisms this year so far! More on that hopefully tomorrow, but for now I am off to bed!