Joyful July, well for the most part!

There were a few unjoyful things that happened in July like our cars kept breaking down and our air conditioner went out but at least we had a place to stay. My mom and dad were so helpful in letting us stay at there place until we solved the problem, and of course my loving dad helped us out with our cars. One of the many fun things we did while we were at their place was have a costume parade. Paula had bought a ton of cute costumes online after halloween last year and the kids decided to try them all on and parade around. They had a blast. So here are the pictures, some of they are really cute!

Bryant the turtle, he is getting way to old to do things like this but you have to admit he makes a good turtle!

Sara and her lion costume. Love the face of I can't believe you are making me do this. Believe it or not she brought me the costumes on her own people.

Kaelyn the chicken, she looks like she is either going to lay an egg or fly away!

Kaelyn and Grandpa, maybe we will have her be a pumpkin for halloween she is soooo adorable!Uh oh! Kaelyn has been eaten by a shark, she was definately a little small for this animal costume but we thought we would try it anyways.

Alyssa as an Elephant, she wanted to be realistic and get on all fours for the picture, good thing she is a kid and can do that so easily.

Another one of the great joyful things that happened in July was that my mom, and sisters Karen and Emily and I were lucky enough to go to ASU Gammage and see WICKED! I was excited about this because I love the arts and haven't been able to go to a musical or performance for a long time. I had been told some of the plot of the musical and heard some of the music before but did not expect it to be so wonderful. My dad dropped us off so we didnt' have to worry about parking and we really enjoyed the show. Thanks mom and dad! It was a great evening, now I need the soundtrack!








In the middle of July we were lucky enough to have a couple of the Wilhelm cousins come and stay with us for a few days. It was so nice because they were a big help with all the kids, we did a few fun activities, and they all played together so nicely. One of the days they were here was Family Home Evening night and so everyone got to help make the treat. We tried a new recipie which turned out yummy! I was a brownie recipie with mini m&m's in it and then coconut frosting like on german chocolate cake topped with more mini m&m's. Oh, it was divine!

Everyone got a turn to add a few ingredients and to mix it, the process seemed to take forever but the kids loved helping out with the cooking.

All of the kids with the finished product. I should have taken just a picture of the dessert, but then everyone would want some, including myself. We had a great lesson about prayer and of course enjoyed our treats!

After dinner we decided to start Kaelyn on Oatmeal, She had been looking at our dinner plates with longing eyes for a few weeks now. I as the mother was just being lazy, and wanted to wait as long as possible to add one more thing to do in my busy schedule.
We had quite a crew there for the rite of passage to human food, other than breast milk. Lori, Bryant, Alyssa, Sara, Emma and Tara were all there to cheer Kaelyn on as she ate "baby food because she was a baby" as Tara would say!

She was a little hesitant to open her mouth at first, and seemed a little concerned about the whole process. Probably because every person was watching her and talking to her at the same time. Oh such are the woes of being the fifth child and having two cousins, and two parents present.

Kaelyn's messy oatmeal face after enjoying her first taste of solids. Doesn't she just look so proud of herself!

Of course we had to go swimming while our cousins were here in Uncle Wayne's pool. As
usual we all had a great time and the kids got all nice and worn out. As the summer has worn on all of my kids have gotten more comfortable with the water, especially Sara and Alyssa who both swim with floaties on now. Sara still likes to be held but she is doing great for only being two.

Sara having a relaxing time on the raft. Ahh, to just float around in the water and not have to watch five kids while swimming. Sounds great to me, well is will happen someday.

Lori, Emma and Tara, the three fish that swam all over the pool, jumped in off the diving board and had races across the pool.

My brave little Alyssa fish even jumped off the diving board a few times.
Wow talk about no fear!

Sweet Kaelyn! What a small baby on a huge raft, she was so adorable just chillin' and blowing bubbles with her constant waterfall of drool.

We feel so lucky to be able to spend so much time in the water. Thanks Uncle Wayne and Aunt Maren!