Our Summer Days│Part IV

This summer flew by.  It was a fun, relaxing one.  I promised Brielle and Braden that they could do one summer camp each this summer.  Brielle chose a hip hop camp and Braden did a camp at Wheeler Farm. 

Brielle LOVED her hip hop class and they had a recital at the end of the week with all the parents.  Dance always built some sort of confidence in me, I think it does the same for Brielle.  She loves to shine and it is good for her to experience something different.  

I didn't get any pictures of Braden during his camp, but he said he enjoyed riding the horses, riding the wagon, making crafts and milking the cows.  

I have been struggling so much lately with these two kids, I'm trying to foster confidence and self-worth in each of them; and making them realize that they are their own person with their individual talents and strengths.  There is no need to compete or compare.  They are both so competitive with each other, it often results in a lot of fighting! It has been driving me crazy.  I must confess, that I have been feeling so inept, not knowing how to handle this sibling rivalry.  All of these different stages, leave me feeling so inadequate sometimes.  

I hope this incessant fighting stage ends soon, otherwise I may just go crazy! :)

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We went to Silver Lake with the Clarkes on a Saturday morning.  It was such a nice morning to go up to the mountains.  Silver Lake is one of my favorite hikes here and it was the first time the Clarkes had gone.  

Brielle loves Ada and Penny.  They are such good little friends.  I'm grateful when my kids find kind friends and that is how these girls are.  

Kyle and Heidi are so fun to be around and it's always fun to spend time with them. 

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Lanie and Grandpa Clay came for a few days last month.  Brielle was missing Lanie and since Brielle has learned to text on my phone, she is in constant communication with Lanie.  (Thank goodness Lanie is such a good sport about all the texting!) One day, Brielle invited Lanie to come for a few days.  I, of course, was thrilled to have them stay with us.  

Lanie brought some early birthday presents for Brooke.  She made that cute Elmo quilt for Brooke and got her a talking Elmo! Brooke was in heaven.  That little girl is obsessed with Elmo.  For the first almost two years of her life, she has had no interest in watching any television...but one morning I was in desperate need of a shower and she wasn't letting me.  So, I said, "how about you watch Elmo?" I put it on and she actually sat down and watched it for 15 minutes.  I was able to shower in peace! But I started this obsession and now all she thinks about, is Elmo!

Thank you Lanie, for your thoughtful gifts.  She LOVES her blankie and talking Elmo! 

We spent some fun days with Clay and Lanie here.  

It was so nice to see Clay doing so well after his back surgery. 

Scott had an easy rotation while they were here, he actually had the weekend off! so he was able to join us in our activities. 

I gave Lanie a few options and she chose to go to Temple Square.  

It is so beautiful there and it had been a while since we had all gone there, so it was the perfect outing, except it was kind of a hot day.  

We were able to listen to an organ recital played by Clay Christiansen, the Tabernacle Choir organist. 

It was amazing!!! He is one talented organist.  We just happen to be there at the right time for his presentation.  I guess, these organ recitals happen everyday in the Tabernacle.  It was perfect timing.  

Then, we headed to see the Christus at the Visitor Center.  There is a Christus in the Washington D.C Temple Visitor Center but the kids hadn't seen the one here in Salt Lake, so I was glad that we were all there together. 

Love these kids! 

Clay treated us all to lunch at Brio Tuscan Grill, which is one of our favorite restaurants.  

It was so yummy! 

We were so glad to have spent such a fun few days with Lanie and Clay.

It is always nice to see family, our kids sure LOVED having you here and Scott and I did too! 

We LOVE visitors! Thanks for coming to see us!