Erika's birthday

It's hard to believe that this day has arrived!  Our oldest child just turned 12 years old.  Aaron and I have been excited for this time, but also dreading it, too.  Because now we have only 6 short years left with our sweet girl before she is all grown-up and headed to an unknown future.    

We have sure enjoyed our Erika.  She has been a delight for the past 12 years.  She is a great daughter and sister, such a great example to all of us.  I am excited for her to begin the Young Women's program and for all of the other great adventures she will have.  

Erika was born on pioneer day, July 24th.  I think she would've been a great pioneer.   And, she is a great pioneer now in a different way.  Her example makes us all want to be a little better.  

So excited to have her first temple recommend

During the week of Erika's birthday, Aaron was away on the Stake Pioneer Trek.  

Two days after her birthday, on July 26th,  Aaron and I had the opportunity of taking Erika to do baptisms for the dead for her first time at the Brigham City temple.  It was a beautiful day and so peaceful!  Going to the temple was one of the things she was most looking forward to about turning 12.   Aaron was able to baptize both Erika and I and it was such a great experience!  Afterward we took her out to dinner.

Our month of July was so busy, we had a hard time planning a birthday party for Erika.  Because it is her big #12, we wanted to have a party with some friends.  We finally made it work a month later- on August 26th.  We had planned to take them all boating at Willard bay and then, of course, it turned out being the only day that week it was rainy.  (The rest of the week was beautiful.)  We changed our plans and took them all to "Toad's" in Ogden, where they got to do miniature golf and go-carts.  Afterward, we had cake and ice cream.  It was a great time!

The Hogle Zoo

On July 23rd, the kids and I took a trip to the Hogle Zoo and met up with Oma and Candice and her kids.  Aaron was gone on Trek so I thought it would be nice to do something with the kids that week.

Jared loved the bird show

We had a great time riding the train, the carousel, and seeing all the animals.  They have a new "zoorasic park" exhibit with different dinosaurs throughout the park that move and make sounds.  Some even squirted the kids.  I thought they were cool, but don't really belong at the zoo if you ask me.  Oh well.  It was the day before Erika's big #12 birthday so she was still considered a "child" according to the pricing. 

I actually really enjoy the zoo and have so much fun watching my kids get excited about the
animals.

Look at these other animals we found in the zoo...

White Chocolate Blondies

A FAMLY FAVORITE AT OUR HOUSE!

Ingredients:

3/4 C butter
3 (1-oz) squares white chocolate, chopped (I usually substitute this with 3/4 C white chocolate chips but make sure they are good melting chips-not clumpy when they melt)  You can also use almond bark.
4 eggs
2 C white sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 C all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1 C white chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Grease a large 11X14 baking pan.   You could also use a 9X13 but I find it is too thick and won't bake through.  I have also tried using a larger jellyroll pan and baking a shorter amount of time.

Melt the butter and white chocolate together over low heat in a saucepan.  Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Meanwhile, beat eggs, sugar, and vanilla in a mixing bowl.  Mix in the butter mixture and stir in the flour and salt until thoroughly combined.  Scoop the batter into the prepared baking pan.  Sprinkle with the remaining 1 C white chocolate chips.

Bake in preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of the pan comes out clean and they are golden on the top- usually about 30-35 min if in a 9X13 pan or 20 min in a larger pan.  Allow to cool before cutting into bars.

Boating on July 4th

The weekend of July 4th, we got a really amazing surprise from my dad.  He gave us a boat.  All I can say is, "Wow."  A boat is something I never really planned on buying for my family.   I like boating and have many fond memories of going with my family as a child, I just never thought it would be something we could or would want to do.  I don't know why, really.    So, I am grateful that my dad did this for us so we can have experiences with our family that we probably never would have had.

The first day (July 3rd) we picked up the boat, was definitely an adventure.   We met dad in Orem and we took the boat to Utah Lake, where we took it out and he showed us how to drive it, launch and take care of it.  This is a whole new thing for us so it was a little bit overwhelming, but figured we'd get it eventually. That day we just had some hang-ups such as the boat not starting then when we got it out it was hard to figure out how to get the boat secured on the trailer.  Then, as we were leaving the lake,  our excursion broke down on the side of the road.   Thankfully, a kind man pulled over and took Aaron to a parts shop in Orem and then went back and helped him fix the alternator.  I will be forever grateful to that good samaritan.  My sister who lives in Orem came and picked me and the kids up and we hung out at her house until it was done.  

The next day (July 4th) we decided we needed to get right back on the saddle and conquer our fears.  We stopped and bought a tube on clearance to pull behind the boat.  Then, we headed to Willard Bay. Surprisingly, for a Saturday on the 4th of July, the lake was pretty empty with only a few other boats. Also, the water was really warm, like Lake Powell water, and smooth.  Yes, it was a perfect boating day.  And, things also went a lot smoother with taking the boat out, too.  Aaron and I are learning together and having fun doing it!   Our kids had a great time being pulled behind the boat and swimming in the lake.  

   Since the 4th, we have been boating several more times and had a great time.  We are so very blessed and grateful for the wonderful opportunities available to us!  

Of course, one of our family mottos is "We work hard and we play hard" and we definitely do both.   The following weekend Aaron spent half the day out back with the kids digging a hole to set our trampoline in.  They worked really hard while mom was in the house cleaning the carpets.  

  

Jared likes to "create toys" for Kaylee by attaching
a bunch of toys to things with bungee cords.

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Colonial Festival/ Patriot Camp

The kids were able to dress up in clothes from that time period.  

The following day after returning from Fish Lake, we had the opportunity of going to the Colonial Festival in Orem.  They do it every year and it is quite impressive!   It is like you are walking into a camp back in colonial times, during the revolutionary war.  They have tents all over the park where they display different trades relative to the time period, such as gunsmith, apothecary, or carpentry.  The kids really enjoyed learning at each station.   

Sorry, but you're just not a baby anymore, Jared!  

Such a strapping young lad!

Heidi learning how to card wool.  The lady gave her a bracelet made of wool. 

The following week,  Erika and Kyle had the opportunity of going down and staying with my mom for 4 days while they attended the Patriot Camp in Murray.  It was 2 1/2 hrs a day and then they spent some time at Oma's house with her.  They learned a lot there and especially enjoyed spending time with their cousins Lucy and Logan.  The last day they put on a program for the parents (It was my birthday).  We had a nice picnic at the park when we picked them up.  

The younger kids missed their big brother and sister!  

Fish Lake

For the Michel family reunion this year, we went camping at Fish Lake.  We went from June 28th-July 2nd.  It is down in southern Utah and it is a beautiful place!  The last time I went there was probably about 10 years ago or so so it's been a while.  

We had a great time together- going on bike rides, fishing and canoeing at the lake, and just hanging out at camp.   The fishing was really good, which was really nice!  The kids also had fun doing crafts and putting on a show together.  The kids enjoyed spending time with their cousins.  My favorite time is sitting around the campfire after the kids have all gone to bed.  

Opa and his boys showing off their catch