4th of July, Visitors and Ryan's 13th Birthday

Last week started out with our friends, the Severts, coming to see us!  Greg and Dustin grew up in the same ward, served in the same mission (although they never saw each other), and Greg and Amber lived in our apartment complex soon after we each got married.  Our kids are all the same ages (she beat me by one more) and it has been so fun to stay in touch over the years and watch our families grow up.  Their family was in town for a reunion, so they came by and spent the afternoon with us one of the days.  It was so fun to get reacquainted and laugh about old times. 

 The next day Arie, Isabel and Matthew came from California.  We BBQ'd, ate a lot of yummy food, hiked, played games, played rock band.  We packed a lot into those couple of days and it was fun to see them!

 We drove home that night from Orem (Briana's house) and found a spot to watch the fireworks all over the valley.  It was pretty amazing!

  Kids just entertaining themselves.

 Ryan had a birthday!  Cousins came over and somehow we were able to make dinner in my non-existent kitchen for everyone.  I had made the cake the day before, before my stove was removed, so all I had to do was decorate on his birthday.  He wanted a smore's cake.  I added the bikes because he is obsessed right now.

I can't believe Ryan is 13!  We now have 3 teenagers in the house!  Ryan loves all sports and right now is focused on mountain biking.  He and Grant have a lawn mowing business, MoBros, and he also helps with another lawn mowing business every week, so he is making and saving a lot of money in order to buy a new bike.  He is a hard worker and awesome at focusing on his goals!  He is a fun brother and a loving son.  Ryan makes us laugh a lot and is always looking for something fun to do.  He is Deacon's Quorum President right now, and is always good to think about and watch out for all of the boys in his quorum.  We love him!

 

Toasted marshmallow filling.  Yumm.

The kitchen was completely emptied out that night, just in time for the flooring people to come the next day.

  We also finally finished the shower in the downstairs bathroom. Yay for two showers in the house!

 And the flooring is done!  Although, there is a pretty big ridge in the middle of the floor that we noticed after they had left.  So, they will be coming back tomorrow to fix it.