our top TEN list for summer

This is in mostly chronological order because all of these were #1! Remember we are simple people, it doesn't take much to make us happy!

#1 Family trip to Boston-Ruth is a Boston Celtics fan, I know it is just wrong! But she got her Celtics jersey she has wanted. Jake and Anna saw Boston from the most wonderful double stroller ever. It was worth all the money that I paid for it!!!!! Em, Ruth and I walked the city over. It was such a family friendly place. A couple of people asked if they were my sisters, that made my day, not so much theirs. The 3 of us got so good at the T, but we did hall the big stroller up and down A LOT of stairs because I didn't listen to the 12 year old who really has hear head on right. We visited Harvard, the Aquarium (not so good), walked the Freedom Trail, watched street dancers, ate roasted almonds from a street vendor, visited the Cappachetti's (our dear friends), CELEBRATED ANNA'S 3rd BIRTHDAY!!!

#2 Fenway Park-You can't go to Boston with a bunch of sports fanatics and not see Fenway. Because we had Anna and Jake we didn't go to a game, but just on the history tour which was very cool. Em took about a thousand pictures of the Red Sox hall of fame. Truly it was one of the most beautiful fields I have ever seen.

#3 Bear Lake with the Petersen Family-If you can look beyond the beauty of the Princesses, you will see the view of Bear Lake that we had from this cabin. It was exquisite. I wish I could describe the happy feelings that were in that cabin. These girl cousins (not to many boy cousins and very large gaps in ages makes them feel a little girl trapped) love each other so much.

#4 Tiling the basement- I know this doesn't sound fun, but it is always neat to learn a new skill with your husband. Alan and I spent 3 Saturdays together (now with Alan's loose interpretation of what a date is I am sure he is counting all three as dates!) cutting and laying about 800 sq ft of tile. It actually has turned out very nice. Someday it will actually get grouted as well.

#5 Photo Shoots with Aunt Di-Di was kind enough to take my girls, and Jakes pictures. Anna wasn't all that interested, she mostly wanted to play with Bella. Jake just wanted to explore, Emily and Ruth just wanted to look perfect, I think they did a pretty good job of that.

#6 Back to Bear Lake to see Alan's brother Dave-Dave was kind enough to do some work for a gift for me so we took Alan's parents up and spent the day with him. It was peaceful, calm, and happy. Jake explored Camp Hunt finding his first stick. Who knew that boys come with sword abilities!

#7 Jake learned how to say "ba-baaaa" let me interpret 18 month old that would be football, taught to him by his football fanatic sisters. I am still shooting for a golfer where no one will tackle my son and hurt him. If that doesn't work then maybe a punter then he will have to be fast and just get out of the way,but at least his blows would be limited!

#8 Best year ever for Summer Fun! Em and Ruth with two of their friends have run a fun camp for kids between the ages of 4 and 9. This year went so smoothly and the girls enjoyed it so much more than they ever had. Most of the days were planned well and with precision. There were a few gliches, but we call those learning experiences.

#9 Ruth got braces and her ears pierced-even though she doesn't want me to say so, she was sooooo excited to get braces! She kept begging me to make the appointment. I don't know if it is the transformation from 6th to 7th grade or the braces,but she is looking more mature.

A few years ago Emily wanted her ears pierce and I said I thought she was too young but if she read the Book of Mormon I would take her the day she finished and have them pierced. Well for the next two weeks she read day and night. So when Ruth wanted her ears pierced I had to follow the same pattern, again she read all day (not at night) till she too had finished the Book of Mormon. Moral of the story is be careful what you say because you have to follow through when you are the mom.

#10 Having one last summer with Anne. Sometimes we need to look at all the little miracles around us. We have blessing upon us all the time. And even when situations are difficult we will see the tender mercies of our Father in Heaven if we will focus on them instead of the pain and heartache that may be surrounding us. We spent a lot of time with Anne and are grateful for every memory.