summer :: take one.

Wow, where has the summer gone?? I'm so behind on blogging our summer fun ... I thought I'd try and squeeze the first half into one blog entry .... beware, there's LOTS of pictures.  We hope everyone's summertime adventures have been grand! We're loving every ounce of sunshine and soaking in as much of it as we can!

we've watched some baseball.
casey's team won the RBI tournament this year.

Nate, Casey and Camille

went to the Rockies v. Braves game.

Go Braves!!

beach party ::



ready to dig in the sand!

Grant & Kashton. 
5 weeks apart & bound to be buds!

a little time on the tramp.

I love to watch her catch air!

silly friends!  This was such a fun day!  We went out to Paul & Kathy's awesome back yard, played at the beach for a bit, had popsicles and a picnic under the tramp, swam and jumped on the tramp with the sprinkler underneath. Love these little girls! They're so fun right now!



went on pony rides ::

Cortney and Whitney are always so generous and willing to round up a few of their horses to let the kids have rides.  I know it's a lot of work for them, but the kids have so so much fun! We're so lucky to have such great friends! Jackobi loves to ride Roy ... he's her favorite by far!  What a fun day, Jackobi's becoming quite the cowgirl.

playing inside Maybree's play house between rides.  These girls seriously know how to ham it up!

we've got a little cowgirl on our hands! 

from what I hear, her daddy was quite

the little cowboy when he was little too :)

(crazy drivers!! I have a feeling we're in for it when Maybree gets her license!)

fed ducks at Bruce & Kari's ::

spent a day at the zoo ::

Lainey & Sara feeding the pelicans and ducks

Jackobi and Lainey

kashton was all smiles ♥

Jackobi was a fan of the lion water fountain

the zoo was a hit. we headed up to Idaho Falls for the weekend to see Chris & Sara and had such a fun few days away!  The guys golfed and we took the kiddo's to the zoo.  It was so much fun!  The girls were really into the animals this year, so that was nice.  We can't wait to go again!

 

headed to deer creek for a little family fun::

played in bounce houses & water slides ::
{happy birthday luke!!}

For Luke's birthday Mary rented a bounce house and huge water slide.  She was nice enough to have all the kids out to play.  SUCH a fun party and we had perfect weather for it!  Jackobi was a little scared of the slide at first, but once she tried it out, I could hardly get her off of it!!

a few of the kiddo's on the slide

love these crazy kids!

and swam, swam & swam!

Kashton's first time in the pool was a success!

We've also had our fair share of playing in the water ::

we're loving every ounce of summer

and hope you are too!  we can't wait

for more adventures in the sunshine!

☆ celebrating independence ☆

I'm convinced that no one does the 4th of July quite like Rupert. It's one thing that this small, quaint community does right.  A week long celebration, it was one of my favorite things growing up and still is.  I'm pretty sure it's a big reason why the 4th of July is my absolute favorite!

our little firecrackers

they're so so fun!

especially {together}

daily trips to the square are a must.
we loved the food .. friends .. family
and did we mention fireworks??

Jackobi, as always, loved the fireworks.  Pink and purple are her favorites.  Kashton's eyes were glued to the sky.  Nate had to work the night of the fireworks so we had a little fireworks show of our own. We had fun with sparklers and learned that among Jason's many talents, he can sommersault with sparkler in hand.  [picture below]  We roasted marshmellows and had a fun little celebration.

☆☆☆☆☆

[july 4th]

we started the morning off right
red, white and blue pancakes
yes, please!

then headed to the parade with mom, Sara and Emaiya.  It was so much fun and perfect weather.  The girls loved the parade and the half.dozen popsicles they shared between the two of them.  After the parade we headed to Ike & Roberta's for a picnic.

me & my girl ::

the crew! headed down to get our final firework fix before stands closed.

we love grandpa!

Jackobi & Syd trying out their "firework" cupcakes ... yum!

later we headed to Joann & Brad's for some family fun.

at the end of the day, it was home sweet home. we're lucky enough to have an awesome view to our neighbor's firework show. it was the perfect end to our day.  snuggled up with my two little kidlets (hopefully next year nate won't have to work!)  doesn't get much better.  happy independence day.  we're so thankful for the wonderful nation we live in and all those who have seved to keep us safe and free.