Summer in full Swing

Summer is in Full Swing!  

We've been on a few camping trips.  But on the days we're just home, I am trying to come up with fun things to keep the girls busy.  I don't want them watching T.V. all summer!

We've made multiple trips to the Library, for new books to read.

Had movie nights.  

And so much more.....  Here are a few things we've been up to lately :)

One day Chris came home from work and took us girls to the Splash Pad and Park.  

There's a really awesome new Pad and Park in Kaysville, not far from our house.  Last summer when we went, the park wasn't built yet.  We had a really fun time.  We have to go back again soon.

The other day, we got out our Bouncy Castle.  We've had it for a really long time.  

The girls bounced for a couple of days, and then the bottom popped.  Ah well, it was fun while it lasted.  I think we got it when Bree was five.  It gave us a couple days of fun anyway.

Each day, I try and challenge my girls in some way.  To read something, or make me an art project, etc... One day, I had them go to their Art Easels and clean them up, organize everything, and then make me a picture of their favorite thing this summer.  One side has a white board, that is also magnetic, and the other side is a chalk board.  They have magnetic letters and numbers that came with it also.  Markers and Crayons for the whiteboard too.  They can be all kinds of creative!    

Hopscotch anyone?

Every once in a while, we put some toys away, and get new ones out.  

This way, all of the toys aren't out at once, and by the time they get back to something, it feels like new again.  And indoor Hopscotch is great exercise inside when it's so HOT outside.

There is a fantastic Park right by our Library.  

There's a duck pond, and multiple parks.  

One day, when we had to return our books and check out new ones, we took some bread, and stopped to play at the park and then feed the ducks.  

Who doesn't love Play Dough?  

I love the things my girls can create!  

They surprise me all the time :)

We've had the girls pool out in the backyard a lot lately.  

It's been so HOT outside, that it's one of the only ways I can get them to play outside for a longer period of time.  We even had some cousins over one day for lunch and some swimming fun!

I can't even put into words how much I LOVE my backyard!!

We have all kinds of fruit trees.  At one time, there was a huge garden also, but when we moved in, it had been reduced to 4 grow boxes.  Which I don't mind.  It's so manageable.  But someday, you never know, I just might have to expand.  I just love being able to grow and bottle or can food from the backyard!  It makes me feel so good.  

My tomatoes have really taken off!  I planted 8 plants.  They are almost as tall as I am, and there are so many tomatoes, that I can't even count them anymore!  I can't wait until they're ready!!!!  

Green Grapes

Purple Grapes!  

I'm all about making grape juice, and grape jelly :)

Who ever I have for Christmas this year, just might get some!

The Apple Tree

The Pear Tree

The Plum Tree is just full this year!

Peaches!

 And of course, the Cherry Tree! 

Cherries are always ready by the 4th of July.  So I've already picked Cherries, Pitted, and frozen them for smoothies etc...  My Freezer door is completely full of Cherries.  

And of course, they were super yummy fresh too.

 

This past weekend, we celebrated my Dad's 72nd Birthday!  

We had a yummy BBQ at my parents house.  Dad took the kids for Ranger rides, we had a Campfire, and then there was the most amazing Moon!  It's a special moon.  Amazing.

I can't believe how much fun I am having with my girls this summer.  Challenging them to keep themselves busy doing fun and active things.  We have a few more Camping trips coming up, and hopefully, some trips to the Zoo, and the Aquarium.  

The Summer will be over before we know it.  So we've got to enjoy every second of it!

Ruby in the backyard Climber :)

She's getting so big!  She has gone to the Nursery at Church for the past two weeks on her own. 

Yeah, I cried the first week.  My baby is growing up way too fast!