July is always a fun month for our family as we are able to take full advantage of Summer Break and the beautiful weather. As you can see we were really busy but now we have lots of fun memories to enjoy and get us excited about next year!
Jaymi finished up 1st grade the first week of July and had a blast at water day the last day of school.
Best friends forever
Bryn also finished up her first year of Preschool. She has absolutely enjoyed every minute of it and I couldn't help but tear up when I drove away from dropping her off that last day. Its hard to see my baby girl growing up so fast. I'm so used to the slower pace of aging her sisters have spoiled us with so I just wish I could slow down time for her too.
Her favorite teacher Miss Debbie and her little friends.
We enjoyed a wonderfully fun Fourth of July. This year we stayed home this year and packed the day full of all sorts of fun. We prepped the day before by doing our annual Independence Day finger nails.
Silly girls.
Bryn, Jaymi and I woke up early to hit up a local parade with our friends the Cox Family. Jaymi with her buddies Bree and Mia Cox.
Bryn and her buddies Claire and Livy
Bryn loves all of Jaymi's friends and always points out that they are her friends too.
These are two special little girls that couldn't be prouder to be Americans!!
You better believe Jaymi got hugs from the princesses. They just can't resist her and she is not one bit shy.
Bryn getting in on the hugging action.
We were up in our friend Dari's neighborhood for the parade so we stopped by to visit with her and the girls loved her big doggy.
After an afternoon nap we headed over to our cousins house for a fabulous firework show.
Worn out little girl = snuggles for Grandpa
We had some serious fireworks, thankfully now one was injured. Yikes!
The aftermath
One morning while Jaymi was up at Day K, the other girls and I went to watch Daddy use his Birthday/Fathers Day gift of doing a training session a the Olympic Park. It did awesome and surprised us all by finishing out the day with a double back flip. Seriously coolest dad ever.
These two were so cute playing with each other. Kaelyn wants to be in the middle everything these days and its so fun watching her interact with her sisters.
Yep, K spent the morning waltzing around in a diaper because she had her 3 ever blowout right when we got there. Nice.
Sleepy Daddy and his girl.
Uncle Travis and Aunt Lisa got married. They had selfie sticks on all the tables for everyone to use. This was one of Wayne's contributions...
The happy couple, Mr & Mrs Bonner
The kids playing duck duck goose during picture time.
Bryn carting Kaelyn around the church during the luncheon. It actually comes in quite handy for me these days that Bryn can carry her and that Kaelyn allows her to.
Little mischief doing her thing.
Jaymi and Bryn were able to go to a little Ball at the aquarium with their very own Prince Charming, Daddy.
We got free tickets to the Deer Valley Concert through one of the great organizations we are involved in, the girls had a blast enjoying the beautiful weather and music.
We were also able to attend our annual evening at our friends property up Parley's Canyon. We love this little tradition and look forward to many more years of fun with our friends the Andersons.
Best Buddies Kaelyn and Blake.
This year we instituted a new tradition of taking a picture of the kiddos on this bridge. When we started we only had Kaelyn and Sarah and Jeff were childless. We have made some progress since then.
The evening ended with a beautiful sunset, sadly this picture doesn't do it justice.
Jaymi surfing with Uncle Michael on Grandpas boat.
Our works' summer party this year was at Lagoon. I hadn't been there since high school so it was fun to see our girls enjoy it.
One July 11 Jaymi as baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day saints. She was so excited for her special day and to be a good example to her friends and family. Whenever she hears the word baptism she always says, "Jesus Baptized, Jaymi Baptized" She is one of the most Christlike people I have ever met and teaches me daily how to be more like our Savior.
She was able to wear the same dress she wore to the temple when she was sealed to us over 2 years ago.
My friend took baptism pictures of Jaymi at the Temple right by our house. She did a beautiful job.
Jaymi showing off her favorite page in her scriptures, a picture of Jesus of course
Jaymi and Mia were able to attend 2 weeks at a local Day Camp for children with special needs. They had so much fun and came home completely exhausted at the end of every day.
Our annual picture of Oakley and Kaelyn. Who knew six years old could look so different. These two are off the charts!
Our friend Chelsey and her cute girls were able to join us too.
Bryn and I killing time before picking Jaymi up from camp.
Silly Selfies!
The girls got to do horse riding again this year with their speech therapist. Kaelyn was more willing to touch and get on the horse this year, but didn't last too long. Thankfully she has Bryn to finish out her sessions.
Its not summer without a few trips to our favorite park.
We went to the parade preview at the convention center to check out all the Pioneer Day Parade floats. We were able to vote for our favorites and all the ones we voted for won.
Then the 23rd we went downtown to visit with our neighbors that sleep over on the parade route every year and stay in a hotel with Grandma LaJean so we could watch the parade. Pioneer Day is a day we celebrate the early settlers and members of the church that came to Utah to escape religious persecution. I'm so thankful for my pioneer ancestors that sacrificed everything they had so I can enjoy the blessings of the gospel and live in this beautiful valley.
Grandma and I took the girls swimming at 10 pm and they were in Heaven. Bryn said she wanted to live in the hotel for ever and ever.
Such a yummy Little America breakfast buffet to start the day off with.
The Rasmussen cousins met us and we all sat together to watch the parade. Our cute friends saved us a spot at their awesome place right at the beginning of the parade.
This was Jaymi's favorite float
The whale one is the one Bryn voted for and it won the Childrens Choice award.
After the parade the girls and I walked over to check out Temple Square
Then that everning Grandma took us all to the Days of 47 Rodeo. The only stipulation was that we all had to wear cowboy hats. I had to borrow one and it clearly didn't fit...
Thankfully I talked Jaymi into trading with me, at least hers wasn't giving me a headache from being so tight.
Cute little Cowgirls
See it looks much cuter on her
On the way home from the Rodeo we stopped by our friend Dawn's house to watch the fireworks across the valley. Her little girl Briella was being so cute with Kaelyn.
Zoo day with Grandma Amy and cousins
Dad and Kaelyn kicking back during one of our family pool parties
Bryn helping me round up the Buntjer twins at a neighborhood camp fire/smore cookoff/family home evening. She is going to be a good little babysitter, she loves babies and little kiddos so much. Whenever I take her to the gym daycare I just tell her to play with the babies and make sure they are happy and she does just that.
