Lazy Days of Summer

I'd try to make a good excuse for not posting for awhile, but I got nothin'. It's summer, my creativity is being sapped by a bunch of wonderfully busy kids around the house all day, and we are just enjoying life this summer. So, what has been happening here?

Shaina with her friend Andy

Cassie and Shaina both went to EFY (Especially for Youth) last month. Shaina just went down the road a piece to College of Idaho in Caldwell where she stayed on campus in the dorms with a friend. She went to some great religion classes, played a lot of volleyball, met some really "hot" guys (one in particular), danced all the dances, and came home really tired. She had a great time, though, and can't wait until next year to do it again. Cassie's EFY was in Sandy, Utah, but it wasn't a stay-on-campus event, meaning she had to be transported to and from every day. She went to some great classes, played outside a little, met one "hot" guy, danced all the dances, and didn't get as tired as Shaina because she was sleeping with me at night. We traveled down with my friend Laurie and her son Ben and stayed at Laur's brother's home (Mark and Andi, you rock!). Jensen went along, so my days were spent mostly trying to keep her entertained. We went to see Kung Fu Panda (loved it), went to BYU, and wandered through the Hogle Zoo. I read a lot, and Laur and I worked on a bunch of projects for girls camp. It was a super fun week.

Cassie and her friend Tucker

We have spent any free weekends we have had dragging the boat and our white Idaho bodies to the lake. Unfortunately, we are still pretty white. When I was a teenager, we had hardly even heard of sunscreen. Remember the days of baby oil and tin foil?? Now, if we don't slather ourselves and our children with 50 or higher SPF when we even see the sun, we beat ourselves with the guilty stick and spend the whole time checking for skin cancer. We have had a great summer on the boat so far, and now measure every day by whether or not the skiing would be good. It has been terrific spending time with family and friends, so maybe we'll see you on the lake this summer!


If you want to see the Hill's and Gunnell's in skiing action, check out our two youtube videos (courtesy of my brother Jared who is sooooo cool)!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFvnkeqmusk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtFscu9OZwI


Speaking of the lake, all of the kids have gotten up on skis this summer, and the girls have managed to stay up for awhile on two. Since we don't have two skis big enough for Dalin, he has had to try to learn to ski on a slolom, which is tough, but he got up. Now it's just practice. Cassie got up on the wakeboard and claims she likes it better than the skis. Garumph! The Hill Family skis, not wakeboards! Oh well, I guess we'll add something new to the water repertoire. Once Dalin's injured shoulder is better, he is planning on mastering the wakeboard. Jensen has been out on the tubes a couple of times, but she really loved riding the Nelson's wave runner. I really wish I were a good mom and took more pictures. I'll try to do it next time and get some pics up on a post.

I was able to go up to my old stake's girls camp last month and direct a presentation about Joseph Smith that I wrote three years ago. My Joseph, Hyrum, Lucy Mack, and Emma actors were great, and I think the girls really felt the spirit of the presentation. What an awesome experience. Thanks, Joel, Jared, Susan, and Megan!


Jay and Lauralee and family are here now, and we are loving life! Jensen is in heaven having Lacey here, and the rest of us are just plain giddy. We miss them so much, and it is such a blast having them visit. We took the boat out last week, and I actually have pictures! Wahoo!