Happy 15th Carson!

Carson turned 15th on Wednesday, July 15th.  He was so excited for this day and he made a few plans to celebrate.  He wanted to Mountain Bike, get his Learner's Permit to drive and play golf.  And he did all three!  He started the day with his friend Tyler Tippets and did some biking at Jump Off Canyon.  Then we headed to Brigham City to get his Learner's permit.  We were a little worried he wouldn't be able to since he didn't have an appointment, but it worked out perfectly and he was able to pass the test and get his permit.  

That afternoon, we opened presents and got ready for his birthday dinner.  Grandma & Gpa Brower came and enjoyed some steak for dinner and my famous macaroni salad.  The boys had planned on going golfing after dinner, but poor Nick got some steak stuck in his throat and couldn't get it out.  So Gma & Gpa went ahead and picked up Tyler to go golfing, but at the last minute, Nick was able to get it unstuck so we didn't have to go to the ER.  So I dropped him off to play Golf and the girls had a girl's night while the boys were gone.  

After they golfed, we had cake to finish off Carson's Big Day!  I sure love this kid!  He can be your typical moody teenager, but he works hard, is loving and kind and not afraid of anything.  I am so proud of his work ethic and love that he never gives up.  This boy makes my heart sing!  Love you Carson! 

 

Summer Days

I took Preston to Smith & Edwards before Carson's birthday so he could pick out a birthday present for him.  We found some fun things, including a fun cane!  We had kept our eyes open for one since Grandma Joy was looking for one!  We decided Preston needed to model one so we could send a picture to Grandma.  

We enjoyed the food trucks at Barker Park.  It was HOT but the girls found some yummy korean ice cream to keep cool with.  We also enjoyed our favorite fried donuts and shaved ice.   Yum!!! 

Kaylee & Kamree started their summer classes at Davis County Ballroom on July 14th.  It ran for a month before they did a ballroom camp for a week in August.  They were so excited and so far they have really enjoyed Davis County Ballroom, who has changed its name to Premier Ballroom Academy.  I am so glad they have each other while they go on this new ballroom adventure.  

We also had a small little fire in the mountain by cold water canyon, but they had it under control pretty fast!  Whew!

Carson came across another free lawn mower and it works great!  This kid is just like his dad when it comes to getting some cool things for free or cheap.  Most of the time it is a really good thing, but sometimes we just collect a lot of junk! Haha!

We have been lucky enough during the summer to be invited over to do some swimming with friends, including the Forsbergs.  They played a huge part in keeping Preston entertained this summer and us  cooled off.   

And of course, we have had our fair share of movie nights, complete with popcorn.  

 

Some Pre-Birthday Celebrating!

The Sunday before Carson turned 15, he was able to interview with the Bishop of our ward and was also called to serve as 2nd counselor in the Teachers Quorum.  He is such a cute kid and I think he was pretty excited about it.  We also learned that day that the Bishop's dad was born in Holden, UT.  Small world! 

Later that afternoon, we headed up to my parent's house for dinner.  It was delicious and we had an early start of celebrating Carson's Birthday!  

I sure love my parents and everything they do for our family!  I have loved living closer to them!  What a blessing it has been!

 

Haircuts, Monster Trucks and Pool Parties!

Boy's hair grows so fast!  I take them to Sam every once in awhile to get a hair cut and then I keep it trimmed in between.  It was so funny last time since Preston asked for a mohawk, so that is what he got, just for the day though.

Nick and Carson headed to the Monster Truck Show on July 11th while the other kids and I went to the Pool Party for Tax Pack.  We won a pack of goggles from the drawing.  Alivia was able to bring her friend Hannah (Jan Forsberg's niece).  Pool parties are always so fun!!

 

Girl's Camp and a Debit Card

  

 Kaylee was so sad when they announced all summer camps were going to be cancelled for Young Women's.  So she was really excited when the ward put together an overnight camp at her leader's house, Kim Harrison.  It wasn't quite a full girl's camp, but it was so much fun and she was excited to participate!  They slept in the backyard in their own tent and went swimming in Bishop Capener's Pool (He used to be the bishop and is now in the stake presidency).

Carson was getting ready to take his learner's permit test and so I let him drive home after dropping Kaylee off and then we spent some time on the driving range so he could practice.  We then went and opened up a checking account for him and got him a debit card.  A lot of stores are not taking cash right now, so I figured it was time he have one!  I made him use it to make sure it worked by grabbing some cookies at twisted sugar.  Luckily for us it worked.  

 

Days of Summer....

I have no idea what to call this post...it is just a bunch of pictures from the week after we got back from our Yellowstone trip, which was just so much fun!!  Alivia got her buffalo lego put together!  Then we hit the lake one afternoon.  Kaylee's friend Kamree was able to come with us.  We ordered a big water mat from Sam's Club and hope it gets here before summer is over so we can use it!! 

I have been working non stop on Vocal Motion Show Choir stuff.  Lots of auditions are still coming in, and as of today we have 137 auditions!  So we are pleased with that!  And are thrilled that we are almost to our goal of 150!!!  And we still have all of August to take auditions!  

We have also been enjoying the late nights, since we are just a few weeks away from getting back to a school schedule.  As of now, we are supposed to go back to school 5 days a week, but 45 minutes shorter than normal.  I am so pleased that Weber School district is giving us parents a choice on how to send our children back to school.  We can send them or we can do online school.  I think kids will be just fine and I am thrilled to have them all back in school!  Alivia is still finishing up her summer cheer class and will continue tumbling and cheer in the fall.  She loves it!  So until School starts...we are just trying to enjoy the rest of our summer!