The Bits: June 1st Through June 24

Bits between all the big stuff we did in June and before Washington!

No lazy days of summer here!  To start the summer off, Ben and Josh attended a week-long soccer camp put on by Ben's old United coach, Glen.  It's the first of many soccer camps for the three older boys this summer.  Good thing they love it!

Zac has recently been working so hard to do just what he's asked, when he's asked.  The first day of break, he was tasked with cleaning and organizing, and when I came home from dropping off the brothers at soccer camp, he was already on it--shelves looking good and even being dusted.  He is looking for the freedom that being trusted and dependable brings, and he's sure earning it!  I especially loved how he kept commenting on how much he loved having his room organized and neat.  I hope it lasts...for a few days at least!

It was such a productive day of start-of-summer de-cluttering!  Under beds: clean.  Shelves: organized.  Trash and recycling: trashed and recycled.  Unwanted items: donated.  So much builds up over the busy school year, it's nice to have some time to get everything back in order.  I am assistant organizer for all the boys, so I was completely exhausted by the end of the day.  Tommy kindly said he would read to me from "The Puppy Place: Goldie" instead of having me read to him. 

This isn't really a Bit...it's HUGE!  On June 2nd, my sister delivered this beauty to the world.  Our niece, the sweet and lovely Isla Colleen Lewis was born at 11:36am, weighing 6 pounds, 1 ounce and measuring a tiny 18 inches long.  Luke is over the moon about having a birthday-twin cousin.  I am blessed by the most precious honor of being her namesake.  The boys are all doting over her pictures.  We love her so much already!  Congratulations Leah, Jason and Kai!

At the end of the month, before we left for the Dunes, it was time to return Andi to her family, who finally moved into their house.  We won't miss the extra fur shed, nor will we miss the way she likes to scratch things up with her claws (screen door, basement lintel, bath towel), but we will miss her sweet spunkiness and Ruby will definitely miss having a doggy pal around!

Zac left the Dunes early with Adam to spend a week at Rampart's summer soccer camp, and since then has been going to the Rampart soccer summer conditioning and team scrimmages to get ready for high school soccer tryouts in August.  He's having a great time, getting stronger and has really enjoyed getting to know the guys on the team.

Zac and I took a Trek prep hike up The Incline with the kids from our ward.  It was super tough, majorly sweaty, but fun!

The wildflowers along Barr Trail sure are abundant and beautiful right now.  Thank you, rain!

A stormy summer sunset.

We have finally had some hot days, perfect for water fights!

Zac, Ben and Josh have all found some summer lawn mowing work to fund their summer adventures and stock up their savings.  So nice!  Grateful for nice neighbors who let these boys work hard to earn big!

My little cowboy riding his trusty steed into the sunset.

The grass in the open space is so tall right now!  It's been fun to run the trails and have it tickle my hands instead of stab my ankles.

Zac participated in the stake Trek prep hike along the Santa Fe Trail.  Ten miles, no problem!

Ben arrived home safe and sound from Scout Camp!  Hooray!  He showered, unpacked and then missed camp life so much that he took some time to chill in his very own hammock, purchased with some of the money he's earned mowing lawns.

Surprise date day with my boys!  Twelve thumbs up!

Unfortunately, the only place to hang the hammocks is the front lawn, since we have no big, strong trees in the backyard.  Although we live in a safe place, without the fence around him on a residential street, I was nervous to have him out there alone.  Dad had to be out there with him.  Adam didn't take much convincing!  Such a good dad!  Ben is currently lobbying to mount his hammock in his room.  Hmmmm....

So excited!  This is our family Trek flag, waiting for our 'kids' to add their colorful hands!  We don't know who they are yet, but I am looking forward to meeting them.

One little, two little, three little hammocks all full of my adorable boys!  It's their new favorite thing, but it makes it hard for me to sleep knowing they're out in the front yard and not safely tucked in their beds.

Discovered in our hanging planter.  So pretty!  Best be careful when watering now....