Hyrum is 22!

Hyrum is 22 years old today. Sadly, he is away from us, far far away in California. Instead of taking him to lunch virtually (via video chat and venmo) we are going to go out to eat after he gets back around Sept 5, so stay tuned for that. 

This morning, Lily said she had to be at school at 8. Abi went to take her, cause she was going to go work for my mom afterwards. I decided to hurry out and have them drop me off somewhere on Wasatch and I'd walk home. As we went, Lily found out she actually didn't need to be at school, so instead Abi took her to Momentum on Ft Union, which is close to my mom. Corey was at the temple with the other car. I told Lily I'd get her after Corey got back. I enjoyed a 4.75 mile walk and explored the river rocks just a little bit.

Long enough for me to think I wanted to bring the kids here. Corey was longer at the temple than I thought, so I ended up walking all the way back home (thought I might have him swing by for me) and instead I had him go get Lily on his way home. Then I took his car and the kids, minus Lily who already exercised at Momentum, and we went back to the dry river. They didnt' like exporing much at first, but they got into it after a bit.

We were only able to stay for a little bit though, cause Natalie had to babysit at noon. 

It worked out just right though ~ kids that didn't want to be there at all had their patience tested for 30 mintues, and kids who had a good attitude enjoyed it for 30 minutes. Next time I'll have K wear shoes instead of flip flops, cause I carried her most of the time. 

Back on the paved trail, Katharine kept her little Ariel doll safe from spiders (aka any insect on the trail).

Owen and Peter got on top of a bit boulder! 

Daniel, who was one of the reluctant participants in this outing, came over and got on top too. 

Cute picture! I think I'll get this one printed for their wall. We got back home and then it was legos and playing for the boys. It is the last day of summer break for the girls, and so I took advantage of that by having them mow the lawn. I actually would have done all of it, but Corey requested a teenager girl do it, so I had them each do a part. Abi in the front northwest corner ~

Lily doing the back. 

Sophi did the back east side, and I did Natalie's part cause she was babysitting. I was going to go bouldering around 1 before the evening got away from me from 4 o'clock on, but Corey said he'd like to go with me, so I waited and we said we'd try to go around 8pm. Next on the calendar was Peter's first soccer practice at 4. He's the one running in this pic below.

Peter was a bit nervous so I said I'd stay and watch. Katharine saw me leaving and wanted to come, but the slide was too hot so we just sat in the shade of the tree. She colored on my phone until she met a new friend. After that, PK came with me to return library books (didn't read most of them) and then it was time for a neighbor's birthday party. Daniel & Peter were invited, I gave a very small lego set, it was all I had on hand. Natalie told Katharine about the party at Becca's house, then K wanted to go so then I was stuck cause ASN all took off to go shopping. They dropped Owen off at soccer practice which was from 6:30-8. I put Katharine off for an hour and then we went over at 6. She got in the pool for one minute and then was done. She had some pizza and soda pop and enjoyed being there even if swimming and the bouncy house are beyond her level of comfort at the moment.

Such an amazing view from their backyard on the ridge!! A view of the mountains and of the valley. Daniel going down the slide, Peter just getting out at the bottom.

The party was from 5-7, and my kids lingered a little bit, but I got home in time to go get Owen from soccer. They were voting on a team name, so it went past 8 and I was worried it would mess up climbing, but Corey came home and so we were able to go as soon as I was back, from 8:30 - 10. That was good therapy and I feel better now (less frazzled after such a full day.) Back to school tomorrow!