Summer, in a nutshell

Hardly!  We have packed this summer full we could definitely NOT fit it all in a nutshell:

So here are our recommendations for "must-do's" in a summer:

Mom's  #1 - why haven't I ever realized this before - Run 'em ragged!
     We got out of school in May and took the first week to hang out and just play and then we hit a month of non-stop going from classes, to sports, to scout camp.  It was magic.  It kept us happy to have each others company when we were together and kept these guys from being bored and looking for meaningless ways to fill their time.

Boys #1 - have a pool if you live in Arizona
      We feel so thankful to have been able to have a pool in our yard.  Since its been triple digits since May, it is a welcome relief for the heat and boy energy, and we LOVE to share.  We have convinced a few neighbors to use the pool as their own.  Even my favorite time of day is when I have a pool full of teenage boys or neighbors.

Here are the rest. Some work in AZ, some only in Utah, some in Both.
Try them all !!!!

1. See as much of family and friends as you can.

2. Have some family come and see you!!!!!!!
Two of my sisters, Amy and Rebecca, and families, came in June.  It was like the celestial kingdom, minus the crabby kids, who weren't crabby all the time.

Mesa AZ temple

Dave's sister Jenny and family right now.  August.  Another taste of Heaven.  The only sad part is not getting enough time together.  I wonder how many hours straight we could talk? 
Thank you all so much for coming to see us. 

3. Visit with your parents and grandparents.  Just talk and listen. 

4. Priesthood Encampment - AZ:
but I'm sure they have great scout camps everywhere.
Dave was involved with the planning and carrying out of this Stake event.  Besides merit badge opportunities, the boys went to spiritual classes everyday.  It was a tremendous event.

5. Go to a Temple Wedding or Two - UT:
Although it made me feel old to see my nephew who I met as a 2-year-old, get married, it was also sweet and spiritual.

6. Albion Basin, past Snowbird, Utah:

Albion Basin

If you don't know why, then you need to go.  Just drive to it, or get out and hike to Cecret Lake. 

7. Bahama Bucks - AZ:
This is a taste of Hawaii come state-side.  And I have had real Hawaiian Shave Ice.
Seriously you should visit us just to try this.  It is genuine shave ice, served over ice-cream and topped
with "tropic creme" .

8.  Lagoon -UT:
It's hot, it's classic fun, and the Wicked still is "wicked awesome" .  "Bouncing back" about did us
in, but its a don't miss on our list.

The actual car the kids were in 

9.  4th of July Breakfast: AZ for us this year

This year was a spontaneous one where you invite 3 families the night before.  Complete with patriotic songs and a devotional.  We missed fireworks this year and deeply regret it!






10. Give away a Book of Mormon- AZ:  Dave gave away one in Swahili

11. Sleep over at the 24th of July parade - UT:
Do it once.  The boys say they will do it again, but we aren't sure if we would be willing to.  It is an all night party and exhausting but you get a great spot.  We have been going to this parade since the boys were babies.  Favorite entry, - the highway patrol on their motorcycles, complete with fake mustaches, and of course a member of the 1st presidency.  This year president Uchdorf.


12. Hill Air-force Base Museum -UT - boys can't get enough. 

13.  Watch Chick Flicks- any where:
Do this non-stop for 3 days for your sister-in-laws 40th birthday. Or at your own house (which was miraculously clean enough) , spontaneously, with a couple of friends in AZ to prevent a mommy breakdown. 

14. Neilsens Frozen Custard- UT and AZ.:  Oh man, yum. 

15. Summer Flicks - any where:
Don't miss "42",  "Man of Steel", "Pacific Rim", and "Star Trek" (but cover your eyes for a few seconds),  and Dave highly recommends "World War Z" but yes, its Zombies, but sophisticated Zombies.  Oh and Despicable Me II and Monsters University, of course.  We are not to old for those. 

16. Shop at Savers - any where:
80% of our clothing comes from consignment shops.  Back to school didn't break the bank.  Its taken me years to admit this secret side of me but not only does is save TONS of money, but it is an addicting little hobby of mine.  The hunt, the thrill of the catch, the bargain.   

17. Grill stuff - anywhere:
Hands down my families' favorite dinner; Hamburgers.  Why is this?

18.  Audio Books - anywhere:
I cannot travel without these.  Or do house work.  I'm happy to recommend.

19. Staying on a decent schedule -  anywhere:
I know not everyone will subscribe to this philosophy but this is the first summer we didn't kill ourselves off with extreme late nights.  We had some great late nights, but not too many.  I hope we try this approach again

20. QT (our 7-11 and much classier), ping-pong, early morning dog walks, after-dark dog walks, STARWARS-a-thon (took 3 days ), passing Summer School (after one certain boy didn't pass Biology during regular school, oops), "So You Think You Can Dance", $2 movie theaters, finding very few crickets IN our house, seeing our first scorpion (not in our house), acclimating better to the heat, good watermelon, and many more . . .

Lest you think our life is all roses the thorns would be:
*Eating like your on vacation, all summer vacation,
*Not being sure Mom can ever travel again with teenage boys without Dad
*As mentioned above, having to make up failed highschool credits
*Being short when you really, really, really, want to play basketball
*Helping kids overcome temptations
*Having to prove yourself to your new boss
*Having your teenage boys basically ignore your birthday
*Doing yard work when the weather is always hotter than 90 degrees
*More moments of teenagers losing their minds and parents losing their patience, than we can count
*Black Widows abundant in our yard

Underneath that rough exterior . . .

Underneath that rough exterior, of a full-on, hormonal and insane teenage alien, lies my sweet son.

He held my hand today.
At the MALL!!!!
My sweet Seth, who can make more angry than I knew a person could,
Spontaneously grabbed my hand.
And held it most of our shopping trip.

And this wasn't the first time.
He grabbed my hand when were were at Lagoon in July
I was so thrilled then I sneakily had someone take a picture as he held it.  
Then he held it last week while we were shopping.
And again today.
Sigh . . . . . . . .
I love that little, soon to big very big, boy.
And I guess he still loves me too.

(ps. I just threatened he couldn't go to soccer practice if he didn't get his piano done, NOW! so we are back to normal, but I'm so glad I took the time to relive that precious moment today.)