Summer Happenings, including #5

Anybody else wondering where the heck June went? How did the first month of summer go by so fast?! This means I've got only 1 1/2 months left to make the summer break Awesome to the Max. Before we get to that, however, some catch up on the events of the past few weeks of Summer Magic.

Last week I hit up the water park with my sisters and two of the little one's--Lyric and Spencer (pictured here in all his summertime glee and glory). It was a madcap day of water, tubes, lazy rivering, slides, fried chicken, and lots and lots of sun. And it was a total blast! I definitely got sunburned, despite reapplying my SPF 50 sunblock on numerous occasions, but its all good now. Look at that picture again! Can you doubt how much fun we had?! AWESOME!

Father's Day weekend took the family to our timeshare condo at East Canyon Resort. We played at the pool, read books, watched a bunch of mostly mediocre movies (Boo on you Leap Year and Dear John), and had a ton of fun fishing at the reservoir. I re-learned how to gut a fish (that just sounds gross...), and practiced tying on my own hook and swivel. Woohoo!

In case you've been living under a rock for the past few days and hadn't heard, the newest Twilight film, Eclipse, opened in theaters on Wednesday. My amazing friend, Charisse, got free tickets and we hit up the 12:10 showing Wednesday morning at Jordan Commons. We tried to blend in with all the "Twi-hards" by dressing appropriately (I sported my homemade "Team Taylor Lautner" shirt (because I am)) and cheering at perfectly sculpted abs whenever they appeared. It was a serious good time, and I really did enjoy the movie.

These are happy smiles brought to you by the Salt Lake Real and Rio Tinto Stadium. I went to the game on Friday with my sister and parents--part of our Father's Day gift to Dad. The game was fun, even if it ended at 0 - 0. At least we didn't lose! I love soccer!! After the game we headed to Leatherby's and feasted on Toasted Almond Ice Cream, hot fudge and cheese fries. YUM!

Surely one of the highlights of my summer occurred last night--110 in the Shade at Hale Center Theater Orem, starring Audra McDonald. I got a ticket thanks to that amazing friend I mentioned before--Charisse. Isn't she the best!!? I don't think I'm a gifted enough writer to capture in words how extraordinary the performance proved to be. I was goosebumpy and enthralled and feel all sorts of lucky to have seen it. Really the entire cast was awesome, but Audra was phenomenal. I chalk this one up to "Best Theater Experience EVER in the State of Utah." Standing O, all the way.

And that finally brings us to a MAJOR accomplishment of the summer! I can check #5 Finish the quilt I started last year off the 27 in 27 list, because I finished it! Pictured above is the quilt I started sewing last summer--now, all done. It has been quilted and bound and it is lovely. Its currently the highlighted piece in my barely-decorated living room. Now I'm just waiting for an invite to an outdoor venue so I have reason to show it off!

Keep up the good work, folks, and happy summering!