Summer isn't a time; It's a place as well....

  Vacation Spots, Deep Thoughts, The Days are Bright, and Stars Shine at Night....

Here is our Summer 2013 Recap:  My parents have a beautiful pool.  We spent more time there this summer over any other.  The girls really enjoyed swimming.  

It was a big summer for Sienna.  She potty trained, gave up bottles during the first part of June, and said goodbye to her favorite pacifiers.  She was really attached to her "Ginkies".   It is so nice that she is living the bottle, binky, and diaper FREE life.  Hooray.     

She is such a character.  In fact, I don't think that even touches on how silly Sienna is.  She makes us laugh all the time.  

This Summer was Filled with 4th of July Festivities and the Annual 1260 Street Party and Bike Parade.

Days of reporting for KUTV-2News in super hot weather.  

And my Birthday!!  Jody and I went out for a fantastic sushi dinner.  The girls stayed at the Steel Days Craft Fair with Michael and my parents.  

Here we are on the VERY TOP of the Ferris Wheel.  Gracie took my hand and said, "Mom, this whole carnival is for you."  Wow.  She knows how to make a girl feel special.  Gracie truly believes American Fork's Steel Days Celebration is in honor of my birthday, because it always falls on the week of my birthday.  We always attend the parade, spend the day at the carnival, and enjoy the outdoor concert and fireworks.  Pretty fun birthday! 

Gracie got a carnival fish during this summer's Steel Days Celebration.  She named him, Blueberry.  Blueberry is our pet.  He is orange and gold, which makes sense since he's a Goldfish.  It's now November, and Blueberry is still with us.  Despite, the girls tipping his bowl over and me running out of the shower to rescue him from off of the floor; he has survived.  I'm shocked!  The girls love to feed him and watch him swim.   

                 

We also spent time at the Outlet Mall by our home.  The girls always want to visit the Chocolate Factory and get a scoop of ice cream.  

And another part of our summer was Skinned Knees.  These girls played and played outside and we went through lots and lots of band aids.  

Most importantly, we spent lots of time together, as a family.

Bear Lake Family Reunion 2013

We headed up to beautiful Fish Haven, Idaho for the annual Tait Family Reunion during the first weekend in August.  We had the entire family together; something that usually only happens once a year.  

We went to a Play at Picklesville Playhouse.  The kids (and Kerry) :) wanted to snap a picture with the main character: Juanito Bandito, who was hilarious.  I was laughing really hard through the show.  

This year, the grand kids rode in Papa Tait's Dodge Power Wagon during the Raspberry Days Evening Parade.  They really had a good time, throwing candy and waving in the parade!

Gracie and Sienna LOVE to be on Papa Tait's Boat.  The water at Bear Lake is mystically blue and beautiful, and in August...not too chilly.  

Between the kayaks, beach toys, lots of sand and splashing - the kids always have a great time playing at Bear Lake. 

There is also a pool and splash pad at The Reserve Community Lodge.  Could they be having anymore fun?!?

Gracie and Lauren

 

The boys got creative this year and made their own golfing green, in the lawn, around a tree.  They had a chipping competition.  It was way fun for them!

Something the Tait Family Reunion is known for is LOTS of good food!  This year the cutest little bakers made and dipped donuts in cinnamon sugar.  Between the donuts and the smores we made around the campfire, we were stuffed with yummy treats!

We all enjoyed holding the littlest Taitor-Tot, Summer.  

Years ago, before there were eight grand kids, Grandma Tait bought the girls these colorful nightgowns.  It has grown into quite the tradition.  This year, the girls got to pick out brand new nightgowns.  They sure look sweet.  Sunday morning at the Cabin consisted of a yummy breakfast, The Spoken Word, Grandpa and Grandma sharing stories and the kids singing some of their favorite Primary Songs.  

It's the Little Things...Like Pockets

During a walk around Temple Square with Jody and Papa Tait, Sienna became acutely aware that she had pockets in her shorts.  

Glorious Pockets. 

And even better, Papa and Dad had pockets too.  So they were the same.  

She just kept saying, "I have pockets...like you Papa!!"  

It took her twice as long to make it around the Temple Grounds.  Because when you're two-years-old, walking and having both hands inside your pockets...is not easy.  But she had two understanding people who were willing to take it slow with her.  

This Trip to Temple Square was all part of a week of fun, enjoying time with our Family from Florida.  Kerry & Stacy and their three kids visited in August, and the cousins made LOTS of great memories.  Look at how sweet they are! 

We are missing three of the cousins in this picture.

Left to Right: Sienna, Lindsey, Gracie, Lauren and Gavin....or "The Boy" as Gracie calls him.  Apparently when you're the one boy cousin among seven girls...Gracie just calls you "The Boy."
 

They really do have a special bond.  Gracie and Sienna look forward to seeing their Florida Cousins every summer!!!

We also visited the LDS Church History Museum.  The museum has an entire area dedicated to children.  Here the kids, are getting a lesson in culture and dancing.  

We ate at the City Creek Center in the heart of downtown and then headed to the movie Turbo.  The kids thought it was funny; Gracie thought it was Laugh-Out Loud humor.  I got a kick out of her giggles.  

After the movie, it was time for more playing at Grandpa and Grandma Tait's house.  

Can you even see Lauren?!?!?!  It's never fun to be at the bottom of the haystack or cousin pile.    

Come back and visit real soon!

Step, Passé, Kick

Gracie had her Jazz n' Place Dance Recital on June 15, 2013.  She was in the Mini Stars Class.  It was sure fun to watch her perform!  She liked wearing real make-up and being on the stage.  She even handled wearing the tights pretty well.  Gracie isn't a big fan of tights - that's the nice way of putting it.  But her excitement to be under the big lights outweighed the anxiety over the tights...so all was well.  

Gracie's favorite part of her class was when they played "freeze dance" before letting out each week.  Gracie would come home after her dance class and practice in our living room. 

"Step, Passé, Kick....Step Passé, Kick..." 

She would say over and over and over. 

  My video camera cut out a quarter of the way into the performance and finally turned back on for the very end.  Figures.  So here is the condensed version of her dance!  :)

Grandpa and Grandma Wiscombe & Michael gave Gracie a rose after her performance.  She was thrilled!  She also really liked the bag of sweet treats from Grandma Wiscombe!  

 

Way to Go, Gracie!  You did great.