Summing up Summer

JUNE:
Rainy, windy, and cold.
I did a summer store with my kids where they could earn "money" (monopoly money) for reading, writing, spelling, math, and physical education. They could visit the "store" (a plastic tote full of cheap toys, sports cards, bubbles etc.) anytime they wanted. Items ranged from $2 to $25. Many rainy June mornings were spent this way trying to earn money to go to the store. As expected, by August I had to beg them to do more than their required reading every day.


We also spent a lot of time at the farm. We went at least once a week to play. Where else can a little girl drill holes into wood, a young kid demolish pop cans with a hammer and drive a tractor alone, a two year old drive a three wheeler?

Not to mention, the jelly beans, ice cream and fruit for lunch! They were all in heaven on Five Mile!

Carter got to participate in his first ever golf tournament. They played 5 holes and he had a great time. He was most excited about the fact that Garth was his caddy. Later in the summer the two of them won a Father/Son tournament!
JULY:

It finally warmed up. We spent every day possible on the boat.

Carter skied a ton! (I'll post on that later)

This boating beauty became a serious swimmer and loved to do cannon balls off the boat.
Derek was an awesome boater despite his OCD fits about the skis, ropes, and jackets being in their proper places at all times!
Even Olivia got in on the action with her first tube ride (the little red-head with us belongs to our friends the Shelbys but she sure looks like she could be mine with that hair!)

Garth teased that Olivia looked like a "fat bridesmaid" in her new swimsuit. It doesn't help that she is constantly eating!

July also included our one and only trip this year. We ventured down to Rexburg, Idaho for my Ricks College Cheer Reunion (which I will post as soon as I get the pictures from a friend).

AUGUST:

Can you say "football"? That has been the focus of our August. Carter has had as much as 8 hours of practice a week and had his first game on Saturday.
The beginning of football put a kink in my favorite day of the week. Thursdays, while Garth was doing this. . .
my mom and I would do this. . .

Her fitness club has a 75 minute spin class with my favorite instructor in Spokane. The neighbor girl would come watch my kids and we would spin, and spin, and spin.

Today it is raining.

Tomorrow school starts.
It's hard to believe the summer is gone.