Summer Stuff

Summer time has brought a few moments to experience/learn new things in our family. The kids are growing up quick and shouldering new responsibilities every day. And they think its fun! We'll roll with that thought and let Makenzie mow the lawn all she wants! Loading the dishwasher is a new, exciting job too! Life is good! What else did we hand those lucky kids? Washing the windows, weeding their own gardens, weed wacking, wiping down floor boards, etc. If they want to earn money, we give them the less desirable jobs like weeding for a few dollars. Its their newfound joy to earn money and save for something they want. Trevor just earned and bought his own bank. Makenzie recently saved for some books for book club and Kit Kittredge movie! Ah, the pleasures of growing up! Now if they are in trouble, they have to do it for free and we save a few dollars. Both are a great deals for us!

I remember growing up and my dad spending hours trying to catch a pesky mole in our backyard. One day the kids asked if they could set the trap that was collecting dust in our shed. Sure! Why not?! Two days later they actually caught the biggest mole we've seen! They were so proud of themselves! And I must say, grandpa would be impressed too!
We were lucky enough to have my Uncle Dave and his two boys, Tanner and Taylor, come stay with us for a few days. They were doing a history tour of the East Coast. They took a day of "rest" from the sites to wrestle on the trampoline with my kids, play the Wii, have a nerf war, go swimming at a lake, play at the park and stay up late playing cards. It was a blast having them - we loved it! Here's Trevor and Jared playing with Tanner.
Here's Uncle Dave and Taylor climbing on the space net with Karinn!