Kicking off summer break

We started summer break with a nice hike up Sabino Canyon on Memorial Day. We have always hiked out to the dam, but figured there wouldn't be any water, so we decided to branch out and hike up the other road a while.

 We made it a mile in, had an injury, had some otter pops, and turned around to get back before it got too much hotter. Rachel was a party pooper, avoiding the camera (like she often tries to do).

 It made me want to go hiking more. Then the heat of the summer kicked in and we haven't made it out for a hike since then. Maybe once more this week, or maybe we'll wait until fall when the temperatures are more conducive to hiking.

Much of our summer has been spent with Legos spread all over the floor.

 We're getting to the point that there is hardly anything left in the box to build with, so we're going to have to have a massive dismantling party soon and make them break apart their creations.

Jacob's work had their annual family picnic at Golf 'n Stuff this year. In June.

 We got out early to try and beat the heat. Megan gave up on mini golfing pretty quick, so I took her on the bumper boats, which she enjoyed. When we were done we went back to the golf course and grabbed the rest of the family who were ready to call it quits at the half-way point to go get splashed by some cool water in the hopes of cooling down.

 The water, though pretty dirty looking, did cool us down at least.

We tried out the go carts, then headed inside to the arcade until lunch was served.

 We enjoyed some lunch and Eegees, played some more arcade games, then headed out. Definitely a winner of a work family picnic.

The other major happening to kick off summer was Grandma and Grandpa Knight moving out of the house they've lived in for the last 30ish years.

 It was quite the undertaking, but we managed to pack up the truck in pretty good time, then sat around impatiently waiting for the loan to record so they could get the keys to their new house so we could unload. When it finally recorded, they got the keys and I texted a bunch of young men in our ward who had volunteered to help and they came to help unload the truck. We were done in just a little over an hour.
We're so glad to have them so close to us now. Literally less than a minute away driving. The kids are happy to have Grandma and Grandpa so close. If any one else wants to move close to us, let us know and we'll keep a look out for houses nearby. We do happen to live in one of the best wards in all the church.

The day after Grandma and Grandpa moved in, I headed up to Girls Camp on Mt. Lemmon. Cari flew in for a few days, as well. She and Grandma and Grandpa shuttled the kids around and kept them entertained and fed while I was at camp and Jacob was at work. Apparently they were having so much fun that they forgot to take pictures.

But of course, I was at Girls Camp surrounded by teenagers who like lots of photo ops. I got lots of pictures.

I got to be with the 4th years that didn't go on the 4th year adventure. We were a small group, but had a fun time on our own adventure up to Inspiration Point bouldering around, and going up to the Cookie Cabin and the top of the Mt. Lemmon highway.

We also had some good ward-bonding time. Our ward did a lip sync to I've Got a Dream from Tangled. Sariah did up Ceara real good with facial hair to look like one of the thugs.

Ours was one of the best lip syncs, for sure, but the stake leaders' lip sync was pretty darn good, too. And they definitely won best costumes.

They danced to Super Trooper. It was awesome.

Here's our ward:

I got back from Girls Camp on Friday, Todd and Eloise got into town that day for McKenzie's baptism the next day, and Cari headed home the following morning. All the kids were sad to see Cari go, but Rachel especially had a hard time and would tear up at random times throughout the next few days. "I miss Cari!"