Yard Work and MORE Yard Work
Most of the early spring and summer was spent re-landscaping our entire backyard. We ripped up grass, put in a french drain, built a rock wall, dug trenches, installed sprinklers, built garden boxes, brought in topsoil and a garden mixture, laid rock, planted and then gratefully enjoyed our yard for the rest of the summer.
BEFORE...
Before this summer, every time it rained, the back of our lot looked like this. In some places the water would be several inches deep on our lawn and although we thought our landscaping was done, we knew we had a problem that had to be fixed, so we went to work.
AFTER...
Madi striking her "pretty" pose.
We may lose a kid in that amazon flower pot. One of Andrea's many summer creations.
JULY 4th
Every year our family wakes up early to see the hot air balloon races for part of the Freedom Festival.
My kids were so excited to run into our friends (who we consider family) the Lomenicks.
Madi and Stephanie Lomenick not having any fun.
After watching the hot-air balloons take off, I talked PJ into going to the parade (which by the way was a major accomplishment on my part). Even though it gets a little long (incredibly long according to PJ), my kids LOVED it and I have to admit that I loved it too and felt so grateful for my cute husband being a good sport about it.
Riding Motorcycles with the Asays
Paige Asay and Madi
Our good friends have a little motorcycle that Mckay has been dying to ride. The Asay's were kind enough to invite us over for a family night so Mckay could try it out. He absolutely loved riding the motorcycle, but had one little fender bender into the neighbors fence. I guess we should have taught Mckay where the brake was instead of just the throttle. Luckily the bike, Mckay, and the fence were all okay.
Mckay and Bryton Asay sporting their riding gear.
Mutton Bustin
Last year on the local Spanish Fork TV station, Mckay watch some little kids ride sheep in the Spanish Fork Rodeo. After watching the young cowboys and cowgirls, Mckay was convinced that he wanted to try Mutton Bustin for himself. Early in the summer we applied and Mckay was selected to ride in the pre-show. He was so excited without any nervousness at all (which made is terrified), but he did awesome and it turned out to be such a fun night for our whole family.
Waiting for his turn...
Mckay's big ride
Madison loved being able to sit with Grandma and Grandpa Cutler and especially loved the cotton candy!
This was our family's first time to the rodeo and we loved it! We were so proud of Mckay and grateful to have my mom and dad come to support. Hopefully we will be able to go next year and who knows maybe Madison will be our little cowgirl.
Fiesta Days
I just want to declare that I have the best hubby in the whole world (don't ever forget that Andrea), although he hates (and I mean hates) parades, he put up with one more for Spanish Forks Fiesta Days. The kids loved seeing the tank (your welcome), the pretty princesses, and of course the candy.
Madi's Sweet Moves
Madi just can't help but dance every time she hears music and the parade was no exception. Check out her skills.
After the parade we went up to my parents house to go swimming and have a BBQ and then we met the Coltons at the Owls game for a fun night at the ball park with fireworks.
Fishing and Camping
It wouldn't be a Peery summer without a little fishing and camping and luckily we were able to do both-well if sleeping in your backyard and roasting marshmallows in the the fire pit counts. Yes, we braved the Spanish Fork wind twice this year. Once was in our tent in the backyard and the other time we camped with PJ's family at the Reservoir which is only 5 minutes away. It was great! My feet got dirty while we were up there and I just zipped back home and washed them in my own hot bath and zipped back up. Now that's my kind of camping!
Mckay and PJ also made it up to Scofield with Grandpa Jerry in his new canoe. They had a fantastic day! Of course Mckay out fished both of them.
August-Family Month
August always ends up being the busiest month of the summer, but also one of our favorites. During the month of August our Ward does not hold any extra meetings and encourages us to spend that time with our family. I also take this month off from teaching piano and just try to thoroughly enjoy my family. This August we celebrated PJ's birthday, our 9 year anniversary, Preston's birthday, and Mckay's Birthday. We then filled in the rest of our time with trips to the cabin, fishing, popcorn hair cutting parties (Madi's suggestion), the demolition derby, bike rides, movie nights, archery hunting trips and much more.
Madi and Me at the cabin
Mckay target shooting with the BB gun. He even shot an empty 9mm shell from about 5 yards away.
Demolition Derby with the Lomenicks. Madi loved the pink car.
Can you tell from their faces that they kinda, sorta, liked it?
Such a fun night! I am already picking out my redneck clothes for next year. PJ wants to start working on his mullet. Hey, we need to fit in somehow.
When our summer was all said and done I think we all felt a little like our little Madi Girl. We had such a great summer, but it's good to be back in a routine again and start a whole new kind of busyness. Lots of fun memories!
