SUMMERTIME

We've been really busy and I've been really tired, so I haven't been posting - sorry!! So, once again, here are a bunch of pictures from the last little while.

Our deck is still in the process of being rebuilt, so we have to play in the front yard. Jameson got this fun toy from Grandma Turpin a while ago, but we hadn't put water in it until now. Like a whole new toy - AWESOME!!!

Jameson and his cousin had fun climbing on Uncle Dirk and using him as a horse. They stayed on pretty well for a while.

Mike went on a backpacking trip with his friends in the Wind Rivers in Wyoming. He debated taking Stout because he wasn't sure if she would make it or not, but he took her anyway. She finally used the backpack Brad bought her a long time ago and was able to carry in her own food. She was really tired and a little sick when she got back, but I'm sure if she could talk, she would say it was all worth it!!! Way to go "old lady"!!

Jameson and I went to the Aquarium to get out of the heat, and found out when we got there that it is shark week and everyone else was there as well. Although it was a bit crowded, it was fun to get out of the heat and visit our old friends the fish. They were doing face painting and Jameson was very excited to get a red shark painted on his cheek.

To celebrate the 24th (it's a holiday here in utah - celebrating the day the state was founded), we went to our friends' house for a bbq and walked through their backyard to a carnival at a neighborhood park. Jameson had fun on the blow-up toys, and finally (after MANY tries) he actually went down one of the big slides all by himself (of course I didn't get a picture of that). We stayed until the fireworks started, but left soon after they started because Jameson said their were scary. Oh well, it was a fun evening anyway.

Jameson has finally decided he isn't too scarred to ride his big boy bike anymore and gave it a try last weekend. He did a really good job, and has ridden it a few more times since then. Way to go little man!!

CAMPING

We had a fun camping trip up in the Uintah Mountains with some friends last weekend. Jameson had a BLAST!!! He made a new friend, and they were inseperable (as you can see by the pictures). Stout loved the fact that our campsite was near a stream, and she would disappear every once in a while and come back soaking wet. Poor Mike forgot to pack one of the sleeping bags, so he gave me one and he slept just under a blanket. He said it was one of the longest nights of his life because it was REALLY cold. Poor guy. Overall, though, we had a great time!!

RANDOM STUFF

We've been busy this past week with all of the holiday stuff, so I haven't posted. So, I am just going to throw in some pictures from the past week to catch up on our lives.Most of you are already aware we are rebuilding our deck, so I thought I would throw in a few pictures of the progress. They have been working all day today, so these are already outdated, but at least you can get an idea.

The builder's trailer has been sitting in our driveway while they have been working on the deck, which has been awesome in Jameson's eyes.We went to our friends' house last week to hang out, and Jameson was very excited to have Jason show him how to ride his tractor. Jason was so nice and pushed Jameson all around the driveway and sidewalks. Jameson tried to return the favor, but found it a little too difficult to push around a "big kid".

4th of July morning, I took Jameson and Stout for a walk. Jameson was very excited to see all of the flags out in front of the church down the street.
For the 4th, we went to our friend Jer's house for a bbq and fireworks. Before the real fireworks started, we set off a few little one's in front of Jer's house. Jameson had fun watching with dad.
Then he got to light one of his own (or actually watch dad light one for him)
Finally the neighbors started lighting some real fireworks, and Jameson really got into the spirit of things. I was really excited that he wasn't scared. He had a great time!!!

PICNIC WEATHER

Once again it is hot, so Mike decided this morning it would be a good idea for us to head up the canyon for lunch and have a picnic. Jameson and I willingly agreed!!! Poor Stout had to stay home because of water shed rules, but I think she'll survive. We took along our new camping table that Mike got as his award for being with his work for 5 years, and it worked out perfectly. After lunch, Jameson had fun throwing rocks into the river. (Yes mom, we watched him very closely and made sure he stayed far away from the edge!!)

I had to run to the car for something, and when I came back, Jameson came running up to me with a beautiful wildflower he had picked. He very lovingly said, "mommy, this flower is pretty just like you." What a sweetheart!!! You can't see the flower very well, but you get the picture.

On a funny side note, this morning Jameson and I were eating our breakfast on the front porch (we are still waiting for our deck to be finished), and the sprinklers came on. Jameson was so excited, he started clapping and saying "YAY, good job watering the grass!!" That wasn't enough, though, he told me I needed to stand up and clap too. This continued every 2 or 3 minutes for the entire duration of the watering. It was cute, but my legs were still a little tired from this weekends' ride, so standing up every few minutes got old QUICK!!! Not a great picture, but cute nonetheless!!