Summer Sun

We were feeling hot and happy in July!  Like all summers before, we are packing in the fun and adventures, probably especially Katelee.  She's living it up with her friends as the 'last summer' together kind of vibe.  Fourth of July was a winner with Dave and the 2 youngest running the Riverton 5k again.  

Really, we can't imagine a better place to celebrate our country than in our own town.  We love being there with our community and family and watching fabulous fireworks!

  

Grant and his friends met up with us later, Katelee as well and it was fun to be together.  The next day, Brenna and Dave flew out to Arizona for her to compete with her studio team at Nationals.  The first few days were classes and not their competition, so he worked from the ADP office while she had workshops and fun with friends.  

One night they had animal print outfits and games, and another night was their Alice in Wonderland party.  Brenna and her bud Hadley were Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. 

They won something for best costume and had to do a little dance down the catwalk.  It was funny.  I flew in the night before they performed but came down with pneumonia so sorry to all the greater Queen Creek area for bringing that to your sweltering state.  The dances were great and Brenna had a momentous time.  Katelee and Harrison flew down a day or two after to get some time with cousins and support their sis.  It was the first time Katelee had to fly not as a minor and did she forget that she would need her ID?  Yes, yes, she did.  So, in true McArthur flying fashion, she phoned a friend to save the day, break into our house and find her driver's license in time to run it to the airport so she and Harrison could head south to the 115-degree sun.  Seriously Arizona, why so brutal? 

When everyone was back, Katelee and I did a little over nighter in Logan to attend USU orientation.  College and moving out is getting real!  We met up with Grant and his friends the night before and they took Katelee hiking.  Afterwards we all went to ice cream where Katelee kept saying it felt like some dirt got in her eye when they were exploring up in the canyon.  We start looking and legit there was a large sliver of wood in her eyeball.  She is ready to go though!  She was feeling confident and even met nice people as we toured the campus.  

The girl and her adventures always bring excitement!  She and her great gal pal, Ellie decided to embark on a road trip months ago and had the greatest time anticipating and planning the vacation.  Embracing their new 'adulthood' and independence the girls set off for California to explore Disneyland, the Channel Islands, 

and Yosemite.  It was all they could have hoped for and an epic first road trip for the wanderlust duo.  

They originally came to us with their plans that included sleeping in their car somewhere along the california highway.  We nixed that idea in the bud and gifted them a hotel stay and allowed them to camp the other nights.  There's only so much worry we could take.  

We love how outdoorsy Katelee is.  They had the coolest adventures in Channel Islands, exploring a kelp forest and surrounded by dolphins as they boated out.  They loved hiking Yosemite and thought they would be swift driving straight home, but alas, they needed a pass to drive the route that would get them home in time for our flight to Idaho and had to flip and lose a couple hours.  So, we were a bit on edge as to whether Katelee would get to accompany us on our Coeur d'Alene getaway, but she pulled in the driveway just in time to switch suitcases and replenish the undergarment supply.  

We love getting away to northern Idaho when we can so these two brousins can bond and we can visit Blake.  Really, he lives in a most glorious place.  Dave had to catch up on work since he did the whole Arizona trip with Brenna, so it was me and Katelee, Brenna and Harrison.  

Caleb and Adri took us around on the jet ski's they used to work the summer before on the river.  There was no flipping this time, so that was a win.  

We hiked 

and disagreed on the pace- leisurely seemed to suit some (me) and breakneck speed like a race for others, but we all loved the views. 

We were dripping sweat and found a dock to jump into the lake right off the trail where Katelee assured everyone she would be good because she used to dive.  

We went to a movie we all anticipated that turned out to be ridiculous and Harrison and I burst out laughing at an intended serious scene.  It probably ruined the moment for anyone else in that theater but we just couldn't contain it.  We hit up some great breakfast joints, where Brenna kept the bacon orders going and when I restricted her one morning there was a mild meltdown.  When someone asked her what Jesus would do or reminded her to be kind like Jesus, she said she would worry about him later and just wanted bacon now!  

This dancer can be a diva and we adore her!  The kids stayed at Blake and Lindsey's remote house off the grid right near this lake where Brenna practiced her strokes and imagined herself to be on the show The Summer I Turned Pretty that is all the rage at the moment.  

The last night I intended for the three kiddos to sleep at the hotel with me but Blake assured me they could stay with him another night and Caleb offered to drive them to Spokane.  They had to squish in Blake's car with Caleb in the hatchback trunk, but all is well and the police officer in the parking lot didn't notice despite our greatest fears.   Good times for all, per Idaho's usual.  

Of course, Utah offers it's own amazing fun.  There are trails and festivals galore.  Brenna spent many nights going to the city days events- the carnivals, the fireworks, etc for each city.  We especially love the Kamas ones and the Demolition Derby there! 

We grabbed burgers and headed out with our friends the Sanchez's for a night of car busting. and it was awesome.  

I took Harrison and his friend Cameron to the Days of 47 float preview.  

But the turkeys thought they were too old for the face paint and balloon animals.  What is my life coming to? I would have stood in line for my own benefit...but it was way too long.  At least they would still go with me, so I got another year of that! 

The final adventure of July was an overwhelming event-painting our house.  We, of course, did not do the said painting, we hired it out, but it was all consuming none the less.  The main floor, up the stairs, down the stairs, all the ceilings in the basement, etc. It was a big ol mess.  But the golden walls are gone now updated with Greek Villa cream.  If only the painter had primed, we wouldn't have stripes of various shades we tried out still visible, but for now it is good enough! 

It is so fun to have a fresh update.  Dave took the brunt of it, helping the painter, being there as needed.  I entertained the kids and took them out of the house.  We journeyed down to Cove Fort one day, which, much to Harrison's dismay was not a real military fort.  While disappointing, it got us out for the day.  

The finishing touches for the paint were all done while the kids and I were in Idaho, so we got to come back to a fully painted home!  Not only that, Dave had carpets cleaned, wiped everything down, returned furniture and solicited our Vietnamese neighbor Hong to re hang everything on our walls.  Google Translate came in handy, but mostly Hong's genius.  Dave tried to pay him or offer lunch, but Hong to Dave out to burgers after instead.  We are so lucky.  Me especially.