Our Clan: July 2014

We are staying busy this summer, like always. We had a good school year. Everyone finished the work I had planned for them. Josiah has it easy in school. He hears the twins learn a concept. Then when he gets to that concept he is already familiar with it from just over hearing them learn it.

Last month my parents came for a visit. I love when they come. We usually do some project around the house. This year's project was to replace the carpet with laminate flooring. The kids all helped. My aunt also came over to help with it. Grandma's job was to hold and entertain Nathan so I could do some of the work too. My knees really hurt after a day of work. The rooms look so much better with out the carpet and the kids love to slide on it with their socks.

A before shot of the very stained carpet

Removing carpet and staples from the floor

Some of the dirt we found under the carpet. I never want carpet again!

The boys really helped with putting the laminate together

Grandma and Nathan

The finished floor looks beautiful

After we finished the floor we took a day to go hiking in the La Plata Mountains. My aunt joined us. It was a steep trail that my dad picked. We went up a ways before turning back with the kids, but my dad continued to the very top and found an old mine. He was very happy with his hike to the top of the mountain.

We stopped to look at a chipmunk

View from near the top

Also while my parents were here, Abby got to play the piano for church during the offering. She has been practicing hymns on her own out of the Complete Church Piano Course book one which I wrote about in another post. She is doing very well at learning the piano.

After my parents left we went camping at Dead Horse Ranch State Park in AZ. This year we had a cabin which made packing nicer. We didn't have to squeeze a tent, air mattresses, etc. in an already crowded van. The kids were so busy playing with friends that they were only at our cabin to eat and sleep. The first morning they were up way too early and found that their friends were up too. It was a blessing to see them playing with other young people and making new friends. I enjoyed the fellowship with other ladies, too.

Our cabin

Nathan enjoying the cabin porch

We went to Phoenix after camp to visit Faithful Word Baptist Church and see friends there who did not get to go on the camping trip.

Tried to get everyone to smile and look at the camera, but we didn't have time or patience for 50+ pictures

My garden has suffered greatly this year. It has more weeds than vegetables. Nathan is the center of attention around here this summer. All his older siblings love to hold and entertain him.