Is it summer yet???

Our first couple weeks of summer break haven't felt much like summer. 

They were filled with doctor's appointments, orthodontist appointments, (Jacob now has braces again), more doctor's appointments, sick kids (Ashley for at least a week), pink eye, another trip to the doctors, me getting pink eye and visiting 3 different people in the hospital. Sad for all of our hospital family and friends though because their summer is much less fun than ours. 

One bright spot was a trip to the water park. It's still cool in Riverside but the Palm Springs waterpark is always nice and hot. Instead of buying passes we were only doing one trip this year but we went with friends and it was a great day. 

This is the only picture I got that day :(  

If you're wondering why most of my pictures just feature Ashley, it's because she is usually next to me and she doesn't fight me taking pictures of her :)

The end of the first week of summer I spent the day with my sister Angela at the hospital while her husband went into surgery. Her husband Robert had been having headaches and after doctors not being able to help him they finally did an MRI and found a brain tumor. 

This was shocking news. They have a one year old and just bought a home and moved in the weekend before. The up side was Angela's job was done for the summer 2 days before they found the tumor and she was able to be available during the beginning of the process of tests and hospital stays. 

The doctors are still trying to determine the type of tumor it is exactly and the best course of treatment. There are still more questions than answers it seems and more surgery is required. 

What amazes me is Robert and Angela have been calm, dignified and strong through this whole process. They are receiving lots of help, prayers and well wishes. 

Any extra prayers for Robert and his family would be much appreciated. 

The day after Robert's surgery Joel and Virginia decided to drive down from Utah for a visit so they could see Robert and hang out with him at the hospital. 

An unexpected visit from cousins is always fun!

Jacob and Scott are going to be roommates at EFY this year so they got to spend some pre-bonding time playing Monopoly on the I-pad (much less messy that way)

Ashley and Dean had fun together. 

Virginia says that Dean talks about Ashley a lot and every time he sees a blue Honda he calls it "Ashley's car". I guess every time Dean got impatient on his drive down Virginia was just have to remind Dean that they were going to be at Ashley's house soon. 

The next day was Sunday and Father's Day and the Oleson's were able to come to church with us to see Jeff be called into the bishopric! He was called to be the first counselor in our ward!

This will mean more opportunities to serve but he will still be able to work with the scouts and he will still get to work with Jacob's group. 

Part way through church Joel and family went on to the hospital to see Robert and after church we had everyone come back to the house for some food. 

Jenae holding Violet. 

Since Jeff had stuff to do at the church so the rest of the family was nice enough to step up and help finish getting dinner ready. These girls are heating up tortilla's right on the flames...I learned something new. 

Nice to have Josh and Ian back. 

JJ just found out the night before that he is going on his mission to Orlando Florida!

It's always fun to have Ryan and Cheri and their girls. 

Reuben was given some father's day love. 

With everything going on Jeff had to wait for the next day to get his. Sorry honey ;)

Trying to get a picture of all the grand kids...I think we were just missing Gage and Chase. 

Silly kids. 

My Monday was filled with girls camp meetings but Tuesday we drove out to Los Angeles to see Robert in the hospital and see Joel and Virginia again. Robert was very alert and patient with his hospital family reunion. It was nice to visit with him. We are looking forward to more visits with him along with other family that will be coming out their way.

Ian (Robert and Angela's baby) is happy and fun. Jeff likes to spoil him. 

After our visit we hit a restaurant for dinner. The boys playing more monopoly. 

The next morning it was time to say goodbye to Dean and his family. 

We'll see them in a couple of weeks when we head up their way. 

The next few days were filled a hair appointment for me, and the next day more hair appointments for the boys, a temple trip for Jeff and the boys, a late training night for Jeff and a Relief Society craft night. They did a great 4th of July themed event.

Sharla and her kids were down visiting from Oregon. Since I was going to be gone at girls camp most of the time she was going to be in Riverside we squeezed a visit in. 

Since it happened to be Everett's 15th birthday we decided to bring him to Hangar 18 where Taylor loves to rock climb.

Since I have to drive Taylor down there anyway I took a class to belay him. It's been fun to watch him climb and to be his rope to let him down when he falls. 

Amazing!

Everett likes the free climbing walls the best. 

The other day I brought Jacob and Taylor to the climbing gym and Jacob thought he wanted to try it. One look and he decided not to. I guess it was a little more intimidating than he thought :)

After feeding the kids lunch I met Sharla and her family at Orange Terrace park and the younger ones ran through the water feature. It was fun to catch up with Sharla even though it was brief. 

This last Sunday was Jeff's first Sunday on the stand. We moved to sit on the other side of the chapel so we could see him. I thought it would be easy sitting with the kids on my own since I didn't have young kids that I needed to take out. Hmmmm,  I had to referee, separate kids, referee more, confiscate a phone and one child's actions had to be corrected by looks from Jeff from the stand. 

On the up side I think Jeff will be suited to a lot of what will be asked from him. He is great with people, and counsels and supports them every day with his job, he isn't shy in front of a crowd and likes to be a part of making things happen. Along with the new things he will learn in his calling I am looking forward to this being a positive, growing experience for him and our family. 

The Relief Society president in our ward, Donna Culbertson was nice enough to plan a potluck to thank the old bishopric counselors and welcome the new ones. So she had tons of people at her house and lots of food. 

It was great to hang out with lots of church members and let the kids visit. 

Then it was home to pack for girls camp in the morning!