Summer Recap 2014

Time is always on the fast track, as if it's being chased. Sometimes I feel like I'm superman standing in front of the train, digging my heels in and pushing as hard as I can to make it slow down. Since I can't slow down time, I try to capture it in moments, pictures and words.

This summer kept me running at full sprint. I actually feel a lot of pressure with Utah's short summers. I feel it necessary to cram in as much as possible before the leaves change colors and once again we're covered in white. This summer was no exception. We began our adventures on the last day of school and headed to Maui.

Next stop? The Dansie Family Reunion. We promised our girls a summer camping trip and this was it. One night in a tent and I was ready to pack it up. I did not, however, want to leave the reunion... I just didn't want to sleep crammed in a tent on the hard ground any longer. I would have been the worst pioneer.

I am so proud of my Dansie heritage. They are hard working, honest, fair... and they know how to have fun. There's never a dull moment. Whether we're singing karaoke, playing marbles, shooting guns, playing bingo, sitting around the camp fire, playing softball, making jewelry, playing horseshoes, cheering on talent show performances, boating, fishing, talking, eating delicious food or whatever, we enjoy being with each other. We value every person in our family.

One of my favorite holidays is the Fourth of July. I love how it pulls families, communities and the nation together. I love to see all the red, white and blue... hair bows, hats, clothes, shoes, cars decorated, flags waving... I appreciate what those colors represent. I cry at every Riverton parade as the flag passes by and the motorcycle police meticulously perform their driving routine. My heart swells with gratitude for our freedom and those who have and continue to fight for those rights. I still imagine my Grandpa Merlyn playing the tuba in the Post Office Band and my Grandpa Mel carrying the flag or driving the military vehicle. I'm grateful we get to watch the parade from my Grandpa Mel's house while he serves us cold watermelon. I'm also grateful that after the parade we march straight over to my Grandma Dansie's for a delicious BBQ and more family time.

I'm also grateful for the Armstrong traditions. We start our morning with a delicious breakfast nestled in the mountains by Brighton Ski Resort followed by a walk around Silver Lake. We then enjoy the small town parade. It's full of decorated bikes, a firetruck and a few trucks with streamers. I miss the days when our girls would drive their Barbie Jeep around the Brighton loop waving at all the smiling strangers and trying not crash while tossing out candy.

This year we attended Stadium of Fire and watched Studio C and Carrie Underwood. We also had our own glow sticks and fireworks party.

Brett's 40th birthday included forty gifts and letters from family and friends, a homemade coconut cake and a golf trip to Homestead.

This summer we made a few late night trips to the snow shack for Hawaiian ice. I love the cream on top of my tiger's blood and pina colada deliciousness. One night our family had such a laughing fit... and it started by Brett and Bre winking at each other. So silly... and such great memories.

Deer Creek Reservoir was a blast! We rented a 3-person wave runner for four hours and we took turns zooming around the lake. The wind was blowing and the water was rough, which made for bigger jumps. Yay! One time while Brett was driving, he thought it would be fun to drive in circles... which threw all three of us from the wave runner. We gasped for air in the cold water and swam as fast as we could to get back on the bucking bronco. The best part? Laughing and trying to pull ourselves back on to the wave runner without tipping it over. It was hilarious! That evening we drove to Heber and ate at the Train Station.

EFY, Oakcrest and Girl's Camp. I can't think of a better way or time for teenage girls to begin the transition to independence than participating in these uplifting summer activities with other valiant youth. The adversary must tremble with fear when hundreds of youth gather together to learn, worship, sing and armor themselves to face their futures. What a glorious image! I love seeing my girl's return from these trips. They look exhausted, but they shine a little brighter.

Bre gifted me with a wise text message from EFY and Brook gifted me the sacred opportunity of reading her journal after Oakcrest. As I read both, my heart filled with gratitude for their goodness.

From attending stake YW camp, Bre earned the sisterhood award for taking care of Brook while she was sick and refusing to leave her side. Brook earned the slip-n-slide award because she fell several times and got hurt... but she always got back up.

Wicked! I have been waiting YEARS to introduce my girls to this terrific production. I wanted them to be old enough to understand the depth of the story, feel the music and be drawn in to another world. It happened! I kept glancing over at their beautiful faces to soak in their expressions and to see the excitement and wonder in their eyes. Priceless!

Cousin time! Grandma Donna created many great memories for the Armstrong cousins this summer. She took them to Hollywood Connection, Thanksgiving Point, the Aquarium, shopping, out to eat and much, much more. They had a couple sleepovers and loved spending time together. Thanks, Don!

Summer wouldn't be the same without fresh fruits and vegetables from Grandpa Mel's garden. Every year I sit side by side with my grandpa on an old metal crate in the middle of his garden, surrounded by sunflowers, and we pass a salt shaker back and forth as we each enjoy a large juicy red tomato. Another of my favorites are his blackberries and grapes. This year Cheri and Chase picked the blackberries, I made the pie and we all enjoyed eating it. Yum!

This summer included a couple trips to Ferron to visit Grandpa Randy and Grandma Lynette. We sang around the piano, worked in the yard, painted patio furniture, played in "the tank", caught salamanders, went paddle boating and canoeing, watch the Castle Valley Pageant, talked until 4 am, laughed, ate yummy food and just enjoyed being together.

Cub Country... a totally new experience for me. The day started with the leaders performing really nerdy skits and the boys thought they were hilarious. I wasn't laughing at the skits, I was laughing at the boys! No lie... we had been there 10 minutes and the boys were filthy. All we did was walk up a trail! Let's just say that by the end of the day, most of the boys were unrecognizable. The boys were so happy to play in the dirt, learn about space, scale the obstacle course, make rocket ships, eat outdoors, go to the Cub Country store and more. The leaders were great and definitely made it a memorable day for the boys.

This summer we played a lot of golf, of course! Bre and Brook both participated in golf camps at Fore Lakes and Glenmoore. We taught Special Olympics golf and enjoyed many twilight 9's. Brook earned the sportsmanship award and won the drive, chip, putt competition and Bre spent hours on the driving range preparing for the upcoming varsity season.

Brett and I were probably the most conservatively dressed KISS concert goers, but we had a great time!

This summer we also introduced our girls to Ruth's Diner. Yum!

Summer wouldn't be complete without a trip to Silver Lake. Thanks to the Fankhauser's,we enjoyed a beautiful Sunday picnic and walk around the lake.

So, of course I'd have a post about food. Yes, this is my new favorite summer salad. Who would have thought that watermelon, red wine vinegar, olive oil, feta cheese and mint leaves would be so delicious together? No joke, I made this salad once a week. I learned about this salad when Brett took me to a fabulous restaurant called Communal. Yum! He also surprised me with a date night to The Rest, an underground restaurant in Salt Lake City. I love trying new places to eat!

Finally, the summer wouldn't be complete without numerous trips to the pool, having friends over for dinner, playing board games, watching movies in our theater and much more. What's next? School's back in session and there are only 15 more Friday's until Christmas. This mom's got to start shopping!