Boy Scout Camp on the Beach

Ben just before we dropped him off for his first scout camp. He got to drive for 5 hours in his spiffy class A uniform. 

 He spent an entire week at Camp Fiesta Island in San Diego. Poor kid got to do lots and lots of swimming, kayaking, boogie boarding and just messing around on the beach. 

 

 He did complete some merit badges. The troop also went to the Mormon Battalion, helped pass sacrament in a San Diego Ward and toured the USS Midway. (One of Ben's favorite things)

I missed this guy while he was away and was happy when he came home safe and sound, covered in sand. 

His duffle was 90% sand, and 100% boy scout camp-ified. 

Watching it Live

We have been Ninja Warrior fans for years. My Google search timing was really good, because I was able to get us free tickets to go watch American Ninja Warrior film in Las Vegas. They were filming the weekend we were in Colorado so I had to get our tickets for 1 am. We drove home from Colorado, changed clothes, dropped Zack off at Emily's and went to witness ninja warriors in action. 

It was awesome. It was also windy, really windy and cold for Vegas in June (it might have been 75 degrees!). 

It was interesting to be part of a television audience. They handed out posters and flags to hold and wave. I wish they would have announced the ninjas when they started because all of a sudden they were on the course and we had no idea. There is also a lot of waiting around, but it was super fun. I am not allowed to say much because of the waiver I signed, but we did get to see them actually go to the Mt. Midoriyama. This was the first time anyone has ever made it there so we had to wait FOREVER for them to set up the shots. The audience was pretty much over it and the sun was rising by the time they finally finished up. 

Arches National Park

We took a slight detour on our way home from Grand Junction so that we could see Arches National Park. 

We made a few stops and didn't do any major hikes but it was definitely worth seeing. We also made a stop in Moab so the kids could experience Eddie McStiff's which we remember for having the most delicious root beer and pizza. Ummm, not any more. 

Grand Junction-

We've been wanting to visit the Ricks family for so long. Finally we did it! A few things first: The drive along I-70 to Colorado is one of the prettiest drives ever! There really is a stretch of road (120 miles) where there are ZERO services. It's a little nerve wracking to drive down the windy mountain roads late at night when cell coverage is spotty too. Finally, the Grand Junction Railroad station is not in Grand Junction Colorado like we thought. We'll have to go to Boston. One thing Grand Junction does have is a really great main street. There are lots of fun statues all along the street like this frog prince. 

 There were even a few cool music stores that these older guys checked out while we took the youngers to the candy store. 

 More statues:

 By the end of our little walking tour, the kids were just stopping to pose by every statue even when we didn't ask them too. 

 There is also a fun Lego outlet store. 

 We took a drive along the Colorado Monument. It was spectacular. 

 This is echo canyon. It works!

 Kids in a cave. 

 Sister Selfie.

 We packed a picnic lunch but missed all the picnic spots so we just pulled off the road. 

 When we were deciding whether or not to do the drive, we read a few reviews. One comment extensively details how scary the road was to drive on. We laughed at it, but she wasn't too far off base. I drove and didn't get to see much scenery because I didn't want to drive off a cliff. 

 This trampoline place, called the Silo, was actually in an old grain silo. It was cool, but the downside was that is really really smelled like an old silo. 

 None of us knew about Zack's secret dodge ball skills. He won several matches, even against the cheater. 

Summer Fun Begins

It gets brutally hot here!

The Lifetime pool is one of our favorite places to cool off. The kids swim...

...and I kick back and watch (or read or nap). 

We wouldn't miss the opening week of the new Hershey World store.  

 It didn't disappoint, they gave out free Hershey's kisses and had every kind of Hershey product you could ever want...even the non chocolate-y ones (Jolly Ranchers, Twizzlers). 

This Statue of Liberty is all chocolate. Yum! 

While we were at the New York New York casino, Matt was actually in New York. 

June- Zack Loves School

Zack was asked by his teacher to make signs for some of the books in the classroom. He did lots of illustrations for various series books. I didn't get pictures of all of them, but his was the last one he drew. 

 He had a great 4th grade year with Mrs. Francis for a teacher. She was lots of fun and helped Zack come out of his shell a little bit.  

 Zack received an award for straight A honor roll. I hope he has a good year again next year. It's fun to have a kid who actually wants to go to school.l