Adventuring through Summer

Last minute we decided to run to Worlds of Fun for a few hours before dinner. Our friends joined in too and the boys got to go on rollercoasters while I took the girls on the rides that are their size. It was hot, but we still had a fun time. 

For Christmas we got POGO passes that have activities we can enjoy around Kansas City. We went to this place that sells swing sets and got to try them all out. 

Next we had lunch and played outside at this beautiful park. 

Friday evening we went to our first Royals' Game - once again using tickets from our Pogo pass. The Royals WON! It was extremely hot, but it turned out to be an exciting game!

Saturday we slept in, attended a friend's baptism and then cleaned. Eleanor made this sweet drawing on our bathroom mirror for Aaron a few months ago. Before cleaning off the mirror, I attempted to take a picture of it. 

And Sunday today! We rushed to church and sat down minutes before it started. Usually we get there early, but we were rushed this morning. Sacrament meeting was spirit filled as a lady that is deaf gave a talk. There were a few times it was hard to understand her, but overall, I could feel the spirit and cried as she testified of God's miracles in her life. She recited the words from the hymn, "There is Sunshine in my soul today." 

I played the piano in primary today and each time I hear the primary children sing, I feel the spirit as they sing their testimonies. They sang the second verse of "I am a Child of God" and I could feel of their eagerness to learn as they sang, "I am a Child of God, And so my needs are great; Help me to understand his words, before it grows too late." The days are flying by and I pray that I am teaching my children all that they must know before it grows too late. 

Colorado Family Reunion

We traded in our Honda Pilot for a minivan! We love our van so much already, but we were sad to say goodbye to our pilot. It's been a great car for us for the past 5 years. 

We took one more picture inside before we said goodbye. 

Yay for more room in our new (to us!) van!

Eli and Austin finished up their swim season by competing at conference. They did great! We were so proud of their efforts in practicing each day. 

After wrapping up the swim season, we packed up our new van and headed to Denver. We loved spending a few day with Alex and her family. It feels like our second home when we're with them!

We went to the Nature and Science Museum. I had flashbacks to taking Eli and Austin to the museum when they were little toddlers. I even took Eleanor a few times before we moved. I cried thinking back to those days with my young toddlers by my side. My kids are growing up! 

After enjoying a few days in Denver, we headed to Southern Colorado. Aaron had quite the adventure flying in to Denver, but we were glad he was able to join us after all. We visited Grandma Pav and it was nice that Uncle Tom was visiting from AZ so we could visit with him too. 

I loved seeing this "Choose to be happy" sign in my Grandma's bathroom. She's definitely one of the happiest people I know and she's been through lot in her life. 

We loved swimming at the hotel and enjoying cousin time. 

Everyone wondered if these two are twins. They were inseparable. 

We had a Thomas Family Reunion and my cousin brought my Grandma Thomas' cookie jar full of sugar cookies my grandma use to bake! There were 168 of us in attendance and that's not even everyone! It was a wonderful time being together. I'm so grateful my kids can see that so many family members love them. 

These two cuties had matching shirts! 

Aaron looks good driving a mini-van. We sure enjoyed our drive to and from Colorado so much better in our van!