a birthday girl.

I know I've already mentioned that we are loving summertime.
Today, though, my kids are testing my patience a bit more.
At least the boys.
I think it's because Carson was getting too antsy to leave for his scout camp.

But I'm loving having people around to help with the chores.
They, of course, think I'm a slave driver.
So I guess I'm doing my job just fine.

And no one can feel sorry for them with all the fun we pack into our summertime days.
It's been jam-packed and so great.

But I'm so glad that I've got such voracious readers.
It brings at least a few moments of peace and downtime to our days.
We have already been to the library a few times and they have been through stacks of books.
I'm working on one that Carlie very, very strongly recommended.
But I've learned not to pick up any books for them where we don't know the author or have a recommendation for them.
Unfortunately, we chose one the other day that was part of the book club at the library for Carlie to read and it turned out to have subject matter WAY beyond her fragile years.
Yikes!

********
A few weeks ago, on the very first day of summer vacation, the kids and I left town for a few days to see my parents.
It was my mom's birthday.



My sister and her daughter went with us. (Sorry about the crazy driving, Kari ;)
My kids could not get enough of little Fiona.



I love this picture of Carlie watching her two little cousins.
It seems to be her favorite pastime lately.



We had fun taking mom shopping & out to lunch, seeing Mike and Jen's new house & eating dinner with them, seeing Joe and Em's family in the middle of moving to Washington, playing croquet, and visiting.

And we made a visit to the Shoshone Falls.
It was gorgeous with the water levels still so high.
Couldn't resist lots of photos.