Happy Campers

Evan attended his first Cub Scout Day Camp this summer.  Our den is pretty small, but the two of them still had a great time. I got to go a few of the days and although it was pretty hot and humid, it didn't seem to bother the boys.   Here are just a few photos from their adventure.  

 Heading out on the first day: 

 Dee Hines - Fearless Den Leader

Patrick Hines - Den Chief

Nathan Billingsley and Evan Foulk - Happy Campers

Evan and Nathan playing tether ball

Making some cool snakes out of beads

Den 8    

Buddies

Can't wait until next year!!!

Up, Up and Away

There is an annual balloon festival held about 1 1/2 hours north of us.  We went up to it probably 15+ years ago with the older kids, and Steve REALLY wanted to take the younger ones up this year.  I will admit that since it was supposed to be hot and humid with a pretty good chance of thundershowers, I didn't really want to go.  But we did go and although it was definitely hot and humid, we had a great time and are so glad that daddy "made us" go.  Here are some of the great scenes we enjoyed.

There were tons of booths giving out free food and merchandise.  We snapped this photo in front of the yogurt booth.  

The inflation begins

Some of the first ones up

Check out Darth Vader.....pretty cool

Can you find the smiley face and the strawberry?

Such a beautiful sight

This one shows the fire heating up the air inside the balloon

Megan and Steve enjoying the view

Old Glory against an amazing sky

I guess it was T-Rex's birthday

Here is just a sampling of our free loot.  We had already eaten quite a bit of it...crazy!!!

Thanks for taking us, Dad!!!

When We're Helping We're Happy

Our team the first week

Nate, Steve, Megan, Evan, Bro. Monts, Bishop Feuz, Elders Flake and Fredrickson

 Our family has had the opportunity over the last few Saturdays to help in a clean-up effort in Southern New Jersey.  There was a major storm that came through the area about a month ago and took down many, many big trees.  Some areas were without power for about a week and some still are.  Mormon Helping Hands is the arm of the church that has partnered with VOAD to help elderly, disabled, or poor people who were not able to clean up their yards or pay for someone else to do it.  It has been hot, tiring work, but it has been very rewarding.   

Hooking the wheelbarrow on to the top of the car.  Yes, the wheelbarrow made it there with us....but were very glad that the Kelly's could bring it home inside their van.

Some Summer Fun with our Boston Kids

It was great to have Janelle, Scott and the boys come down for a short visit in early July.  Janelle, Alan, and James came down on the bus on Tuesday and then Scott drove down for the weekend so they could go back together on Sunday.  It was so fun to spend time almost every day in the pool with them.  We also found time to visit Aunt Tracey's farm.  GREAT FUN!!!

 Mommy and Alan working on his swimming stroke

Take that, Grandpa!!!

Aunt Meg with James.......

 ......and floating on the "boat"

There you go, Uncle Evan!!!

Driving the tractor at Aunt Tracey's farm

Alan going to get the horse with  Kaci 

(complete with frog boots and gear)

Evan riding with Nikki in the lead

James and Evan take a turn

Alan loved his ride with Aunt Tracey

James and Mommy clapping hands on Chopper

Nikki and Evan

Steve took a turn on Chopper, too

A photo of Megan that we took for her International ID card....can't believe she will be taking off for Idaho in about a month

Happy Summer!!!

 There are always plenty of planned places to go during every summer, but for some reason, the calendar seems particularly full this year.  So....I wanted to include a few shots from some of the "down times".

Happy Fourth of July!!!!!  The traditional red, white, and blue waffles

 Kaci at the pool

Nikki in the water

Cousins......Nikki, Evan, and Kaci