The Mendenhalls: Summer 2016

We had a fun and busy summer. Rusty taught summer school, which ended in the middle of July. Then he got to be home with us everyday! The girls loved it. These praying pictures were taken back in June. It was really cute because Lily started to kneel down and fold her arms so reverently when it was time for family prayer. She's just so small that it was so cute. She isn't quite as reverent now, but she's still learning.

On June 23 and 24 we went to Taylorville Dayzz. The first night was the symphony playing Patriotic songs. We took my Grandma Hurst with us who seemed to enjoy the music. The next night the Surf City All Stars performed. It was a great time listening to them play the Beach Boys' songs.

We stopped and went to Burger King before we went to Taylorsville Dayzz. Lily was being very hyper and crazy and wore her swim diaper on her head.

We went on a hike up to Red Pine Lake on June 24th. It was steeper and harder than I remember. The lake was lovely and worth all the hard work.

On July 1st we hiked to Bridal Veil Falls. Well, I don't know if you can quite call it a hike, but we walked down the path to the waterfall. Claire really liked the bridge that we passed on the way.

After we went to the waterfall we went to a nearby playground that is up Provo Canyon. Lily loved the slide.

We played by the river for a little bit.

My mom got Claire and Lily these cute yellow dresses for Easter. One day Rusty pumped up the air mattress because it has a leak and we were trying to figure out where it is. The girls had a great time jumping on it before church one Sunday.

On the 4th of July we had a Hurst family party up at Patty and Mike's house. We always love going there because they have a pool!

We celebrated that night at Jon and Crystal's house with all the Mendenhalls. They live in a cul de sac, and all the neighbors bought fireworks together so there was quite the show!

Dan, Rusty's mom Kay, Claire, Jenn, Malia, Crystal, and Lyncoln on the 4th.

The Wilson Whoopee was July 14-17. We had it up is Ashton, ID at Janette and Curt's house. Unfortunately I got the flu while we were there and just laid around for one of the days. I missed the river running, and Rusty did too since he stayed back to take care of me. But I was feeling better by the next day when the water slide came. Claire got sick a little bit too. It didn't last as long for her, but she did throw up a bit and during one night had the drive heaves. Rusty was a great nurse. Lily got diarrhea so we were grateful one person in our family didn't get sick. It was still a great Whoopee!

Claire was riding in this blue car and Lily wanted to ride too. Claire surprised me by kindly offering Lily to ride with her. It was so great to see them get along.

Lily really liked riding the horse.

Some of the great grandkids playing together.

Rusty and Lily sleeping after a long night of sickness.

Claire finally got some sleep after dry heaving a lot during the night.

The kids loved the blow up toys that Janette rented.

The water slide was so much fun!

Lily didn't love the water slide.

Kayla, Kristen, Christina, me, and Cara

In July we bought Claire a new car seat and Lily got Claire's old car seat. We were all excited that Lily wouldn't have to ride backwards anymore.

Claire and Lily playing in their sleeping bags that my parents got them.

Claire really liked playing in the car seat box.

This orange shirt is Claire's, but Lily loved to sneak it out of Claire's drawer and wear it.

The Garden Hat Club.

We went bowling for my dad's birthday. It is our usual activity that we do to celebrate. Claire really liked waiting for the balls to come back. It might have been more exciting to her than the actual bowling.

My dad got 5 strikes in a row! It was amazing.

Lily's hair was long enough for cute little big tails.

One day we pumped up our giraffe pool for the girls. They were loving life. They really liked the water that squirted out of the giraffes's mouth.

In August we decided to redo our night stands. They are quite old, and we got them for free at our very first apartment. Rusty sanded them down, and then we painted them and got new handles. Now I'm wondering why it took us seven years to do this. They look so much better.

On August 12th we hiked up to Stewart Falls. The trail head is between Provo Canyon and American Fork Canyon. Claire was a really good hiker and walked the whole time except for the very end when Kristen was nice and carried her.

Rusty, Lily, me, Cara, Makenna, Claire, my dad, and Kristen

Claire and Makenna thought it was so great when my dad took them by the waterfall.

The day after our hike we decided to use our American Fork Canyon pass again since we had already paid for it and the pass was good for two days. We went to Cascade Springs. It was a lot of fun for Claire and Lily because they were able to walk around on the boardwalk and sidewalk the entire time.

Lily and Claire in their matching dresses.

Claire and Lily like to play the keyboard. This day they wanted to wear hats and scarfs while they played.

On August 19th I took Claire and Lily to the Salt Lake County Fair with my parents and Kristen. They best part was the petting zoo. There were so many fun, cute animals. My mom bought a cup of food and gave it to my dad to hold. The animals wouldn't leave him alone!

We went to the Bear Show at the fair. We got to have our picture taken with the bear.

Lily isn't potty training. I wish she was, but we aren't even trying yet. But one day she said she wanted to sit on the toilet and go to the bathroom. Unfortunately nothing came out, and she didn't sit there for very long.

After bath time Lily immediately lays down instead of getting dressed and says that she is cold and sleeping.

Lily and Claire in their matching yellow dresses.

Every time we go outside Lily runs for the shed and yells, "scooter!" She loves to ride it and is actually pretty good at it.

One night we were driving home from my parents' house after Sunday dinner. When we got home I opened the back door and the light turned on, and this is what I saw. Lily hadn't even cried, and amazingly it didn't get on her nightgown or car seat.