We Are Family….

Casey was in town visiting his dad and he had a few days at Meema's and Papa's before he had to go back to California. Ella had fun with him. We had a family BBQ that Sunday. I love the summer when it is warm and we can all be playing outside and hanging out.

Tag!

Nate and Amy's neighbors came over also. The boy is in Ella's class at school.

I also had Casey over one night to play.

When I looked up from the table this is what I saw walking by. Only Kaiya…….

Girls Camp

Kaiya was begging not go to to girls camp. Every day. Begging. Say she would do anything if she didn't have to go. I held strong though and made her go (pretty much kicking and screaming). I went every year and had so much fun! I was hoping she would have the same!

Ella was going to miss Kaiya. 

I got her to smile at least. She ended up calling me Day 2 (I think?), crying saying she wants to come home. I told her to wait it out. Maybe she would like it more. It really didn't help that the first night it was raining and lightening. One of the leaders over the 1st years is a friend of ours and thankfully she said she would text me with updates. Kaiya called again the next morning and said she still wanted to come home. She said that she was getting no sleep. She was so cold. I told her to wait and give it more of a try. It was funny…she said, "I miss Ella!". That is when I new she was homesick.  HA HA. She really hasn't been without me for that long and she wanted to come home. When she did come home I realized that the 2 zippers on her sleeping bag were together (as opposed to begin on other ends). She thought it was broken so she didn't even use her sleeping bag!! She slept on it and used her little ASU blanket she took. NO WONDER SHE WAS COLD! That girl has no survival skills! :) I told her she should have asked someone for help but she is too shy. Kkkkaaaiiiyyyyaaa!

I told her that she just needed to try this year to go. If she didn't like it she didn't have to go again. BUT I changed my mind. I am going to make her go until she actually likes it! :)

Primary Activites

Since I was the Secretary in the Primary Presidency I was asked to help with the stake primary activity. I took Ella and Jett with me and it turned out to be quite fun! Around the parking lot they set up carnival games. Jett was placed in a group with Ella and they went from game to game. I love seeing Jett do things without my help. Ella is a wonderful big sister…which helps.

The Beach

We had a much needed family day and went to Salt Water State Park in August. The kids enjoyed it….even Kaiya. Jett and Ella enjoyed finding little crabs and holding them. There was some workers from the Seattle Aquarium there to help people find sea life. We actually learned a lot and found some cool things.

Cannon wanted to stand in the freezing water and didn't want to get out. Thankfully Kaiya stayed out there with him because this mom would not have.

Oh, and he wanted to sit down. He didn't understand why I wouldn't let him.

We let the kids play in the sand for a bit.

Mr. Strong Man

We have family days like this and it makes me wonder…why don't we have more?! Oh yeah, between dance and soccer and swim and everything else there is never enough time. It is fun though and I love creating these special memories.