7/9 we packed up Grandpa Dewey’s car and started driving north to Idaho for the Anderson family reunion. After a couple stops to fix loose flaps under the car, a stop for lunch at Oliver’s diner in Pocatello, and a scenic drive down a farm road because we missed the exit, we finally arrived in Heise just in time for our 10-line zip tour.

It was so hot outside (by Idaho standards) that we had to ride double on most of the lines in order for the kids to have enough weight to make it to the other side. Here is Carter and DJ zipping down.

Raine went solo on this one.

This was the only line that Carter could ride solo.

Video of a couple runs:

After zipping through the hills, we cooled off in the pool and rode the water slide.

Carter loved that the pool had a diving board. He learned how to dive while we were there.

We checked in at the cabins at Aspen Grove Inn just in time for dinner with the Anderson family.

July 6 we flew to Utah to spend a few days before driving to Idaho for the Anderson and McKay reunions. That evening we took Grandma Dewey down to meet Aunt Sarah and Uncle Dallin for dinner at Brio’s. Then we visited Uncle Geoff.

July 7, we drove up to Alta ski resort to hike to Cecret lake with the Jolley family.

The mountain meadows were blanketed with wildflowers.

We hiked a little over 3 miles and climbed 1200+ feet in elevation. The littles needed some extra help, but they made it.

The final ascent to the lake was very steep, on a narrow trail full of switch-backs.

The lake was rather desolate. Not something that you would want to wade into.

But there were salamanders — or mud puppies as Carter called them — to try to catch.

We hiked down to the chairlift and rode it back to the bottom. Along the way, Raine and I saw a juvenile moose while Daddy and Carter saw a deer.

On the way home we stopped at Waffle Love, because we always stop when we go to Utah.

That evening we went to the Brown’s house for dinner and fun. The kids broke Aunt Karin’s birthday pinata.

Daddy and Uncle Dallin took on Sydney and Parker in spikeball.

Sunday, July 8th, we ate dinner and then headed to the Jolley’s house before visiting Uncle Geoff again. Uncle Mike brought his skateboard and showed Carter some tricks. Carter thought that Uncle Mike’s swell-bow (permanent lump on his elbow) was pretty funny, but I think it also reinforced to him that becoming a good skateboarder takes a lot of crashes!

Tuesday evening, July 3, we watched the firework show in Southlake. It was cut short because of high winds as a weather front moved through part way into the show. It was perfect weather for playing Frisbee before the show though.

Wednesday morning we attended the Ward 4th of July breakfast.

Then we drove down to Midlothian, to the Walker’s new homestead, where we hung out with all of our old River Trails Ward friends.

Raine and Elyse

After dinner, the neighbors pulled out their giant slip-n-slide. It was awesome!

A brief rain shower passed through and wetted down all the dry grass just in time for fireworks. And left a beautiful rainbow.

First day of 2nd grade / last day of 2nd grade

Carter grew 2 inches and gained 4 pounds this school year—the poundage is thanks to the protein shakes that we’ve been feeding him everyday for the past 10 months.

First day of 4th grade / last day of 4th grade

Raine grew about 3/4 inch and gained 2 pounds—her vertical assent has finally slowed.

Start of summer party

Carter in the dunk tank

Erika, Hadley, and Raine

3/18 – Devin Grubbs’ Eagle Scout ceremony

3/26 Cesar Chavez day – I was off work but nobody else had the day off so I ate lunch with the kids at school.

After school we went to Raine’s happy place — the library.

5/11 – father-son campout

5/19 Royal Wedding – Raine woke up at 4:00 in the morning to watch the royal wedding because she is obsessed with all things fashion and this was the fashion event of the year. We went shopping later in the day and tried on these royal-wedding-style hats.

5/25 – we finally replaced the net and pads on our trampoline so the kids could safely jump on it again.

The kids and I went to Hurricane Harbor…

…while Daddy went to Austin for the CapTex triathlon.

May 24 was Fun Day at the elementary school and it was roasting hot. As I packed their lunches and backpacks, I kept adding water bottles, and ice!

Carter, ball races

Raine, capture the flag

Carter, tug-o-war

Raine had more fun playing hand games with her friends than playing the field-day games!

Carter’s class at the tug-o-war and Raine doing the tube tug. The point of the tube tug is to pull the tube close enough to your team’s cone that you can touch it. Raine’s group didn’t use much strategy and all just pulled, so they took FOREVER!

Back in April, Raine performed in the school talent show. She and Catherine Crandall played a piano duet that they composed themselves. I was in Austin at a conference the day of the talent show, but I was able to watch the dress rehearsal before I left town.

This month, both Raine and Carter performed for Talent Day in choir. Below is a video of their “talents,” as performed at home. Raine sang “A Million Dreams” and Carter solved his 2×2 Rubik’s cube. I was pretty impressed that Carter was willing to do something in front of his class for talent day, he is not a center-of-attention, performing kind of kid.

Raine’s U10 Peppermints team

Sophie, Bryn, Erika, Leighton, Claire, Raine, Hannah, Piper, Chloe, Eugenia

Raine’s team took 3rd place in the bracket this year (but the trophies haven’t come in yet).

Carter’s U8 Great White Sharks team

Carter, Alex, Owen, Blake, Branson, Luke, Conner, Jacob

5/15 – Carter’s last game of the season

5/8 – Raine’s 2nd to last game of the season

4/28 – By some miracle, I started recording just as Carter made a drive down the field and scored a perfect goal — it was beautiful!

4/21 – Carter played in the pouring rain, and scored a goal too!

4/17

3/31

3/24

After our games, we went to the FC Dallas game. The association offers tickets to coaches to show appreciation for the time we spend. When I picked the tickets for that game, I thought it was early enough in the spring to beat the heat — I was wrong!

We had great seats, it felt like we were part of the action.

3/17 – First games of the season.

After church, Daddy grilled some shish kabobs and we had dinner on the patio.

Then I opened all of my gifts.

Carter’s portrait is sitting in my office and I get lots of comments on it!

After presents, Daddy baked a chocolate cake from scratch.

These “all about my mom” forms are my absolute favorite part of Mother’s Day each year because they highlight what my kids actually think!

On Wednesday, Raine and I went to a mother-daughter tea party for Activity Day Girls. Each girl introduced their mom and this is what Raine said:
“Hi, my name is Raine and my mom’s name is Kimberly.
My mom is amazing, wonderful, fabulous and she’s the best mom in the world
because she doesn’t get too mad when my brother and I fight.
We are alike because we both have a sweet tooth.”