Monday was the first day of Ben's new club! I talked to the moms of the friends who he used to play with at recess (there are four of them who stick together) and asked if they might 1) feel comfortable with getting the boys together to play as long as it was outside and 2) be willing to bring their boys up here twice a week throughout the summer. There are a couple of boys around Ben's age who live up here but they have not worked out as reliable, day-to-day buddies. Ben's friends from school, on the other hand, were thrilled with the idea! They came up on Monday and Wednesday as per the plan, and then when Ben asked me to invite them on Friday and Saturday, too, they agreed and came those days too! The result is that Ben has the chance to be creative and social and outdoors for hours at a time. I love it! I'm so happy and Ben is, too!

On Tuesday, Grandma Gazdik invited us over for some fun times! Bethany went over early in the day to help Grandma get ready. We had pizza and watched Savannah Smiles. Kevin and I headed home after that (as did Megan and Ammon) but the rest of the kids stayed for a sleep over--just like old times! Poor Mariah wasn't feeling well, so she came home, too. She was sad to miss it! It was a really fun event and I'm so glad Grandma planned it for us all. We love that gal!

On Wednesday, Ben's friends came over again, Cali and Chey continued with their online driver's ed homework (which seems to require work from dawn to dusk every day!) and practiced tennis, Mariah worked as usual for most of the day with Sarah in the warehouse, Beth did a little work and texted friends and entertained herself, Savannah helped me out by taking the van in for a new windshield.

On Thursday, Kevin had to work, but the rest of us (and I mean ALL of us, including our two married couples and their spouses,) piled into the van and drove to Cedar City! My sister's daughter, Liz, was graduating from high school and a barbecue was planned! What a great reason to get together with family we hadn't seen in awhile! In addition to my sister Maggie's family, my mom came and brought my sister, Amy's, oldest three daughters. My brother, Pete's, son, Scott, who graduated this year, too, drove up, as well! Aw, fun times! We all brought something for the barbecue and we ate pulled-pork sandwiches while watching Liz's graduation on YouTube. Then we went to a nearby park and the kids played "keep the soccer ball in the air" and spike ball and ultimate frisbee. Us older people sat in camp chairs and talked. It was really fun to be together and it was a beautiful day!

Friday would have been the last official day of school and Bethany's last official day in elementary school for her whole life! She is a sixth-grade graduate! We are proud of her and all her hard work, and the sweet, kind girl that she is. She is ready for junior high!

Saturday saw the twins finishing up this week's work for driver's ed, which included going over car-care with their dad. Cheyenne also braved the interstate for the first time. Calianne braved it last week. That evening, we got together at the high school for some family softball! Boy was it fun! Even our new sons-in-law play great softball--and you know our kids can. When we got home, we had ice cream and watched a movie together. We're getting kind of good at these family activities. ;)