Ben took a lifeguarding class this week! It was 1 to 6 for five days. We were nervous about him passing the prerequisite skills tests, and so he and I went to the pool on Monday morning. He did decently on the swimming so we spent a lot of time on treading water without hands for two minutes. We worked and worked on it and after he was able to do it once, he felt much more confident. (It turns out that I can tread water for two minutes without hands fairly easily, but boy, did my back hurt the rest of the day! I was definitely using muscles I don't usually use!) I also had him touch the bottom of the pool and come back up since I knew he'd have to retrieve a brick for the other test. It's a good thing I had him do that too because he only made it about half way down the first couple of times. He felt much more prepared for class that afternoon and he did pass those pretests! Way to go, Ben! He went to the rest of the classes that week with the two other boys in his class and has learned how to do CPR and lots of different saves and other great stuff. I'm so pleased he wanted to take the class and spend his time that way.

Bethany went to work twice this week. Yay jobs! She also went to the reservoir with her friends one afternoon and to her friend's house Saturday night to watch a movie. Yay friends! Oh! And she had a sleepover at Sarah's house on Friday night just for fun. Yay sisters!

Calianne worked her custodial job at BYU all week except for Pioneer Day which is a state holiday! Because she and I were both home, we took the opportunity to get her a new phone! Afterwards, we watched Damsel with Bethany and had a great time. That night, all the married kids and Grandma Gazdik came over for burgers and watermelon. Yay Pioneer Day!

Cheyenne has been gone all week in Mexico. We miss her!

Savannah worked this week and took a dresser to IKEA for Sarah. Her health was probably a 6/10. She is applying for more full-time jobs!

Kevin had an intensive on Thursday and Friday. On Sarurday, he recorded a podcast, helped a neighbor move, mowed the lawn, took a shed over to Sarah's, bought food for his ward's munch and mingle tomorrow, and a hundred other things. He sat down to watch a movie with Savannah and I that night but he only made it halfway through. He was tired!

I worked and did homework this week. I talked to my kids and kept updated on their lives. I held and cared for my grandchildren. I looked at the mountains and thought about how beautiful they are. I cleaned things. I sorted the games we want to keep from the ones we don't. I watched movies and played games and listened to music. It's a good, good life.

This is how Evelyn plays with her tongue!

This is the face she makes right before she cries!

On Sunday, Kevin, Savannah, Chey, Cali, Beth, Ben, and I got in the van and drove to Idaho. Kevin's mom's sister, Nell, passed away, and we went up for her funeral on Monday. Kevin's mom was already there and she was so glad to have us come and join with her extended family for this. It was good to see Kevin's cousins who we hadn't seen for a very long time. Naoma comes from a large family but they all know each other's children and grandchildren and they all know us. They are just very loving. It's neat to be a part of something so big. The funeral was lovely, the day was lovely. We stayed at Kevin's dad's house and had a good visit with him, too. We came back Monday evening, so it was a short trip, but we're all so glad that we went!

Here we are with Kevin's dad.

Naoma and her sister, Lu.

Some of Nell's family.

Our kids with Naoma by her mom and dad's grave.

Kevin with his cousins Ryan and Rodney.

25 of 50 of the grandchildren of Warren and Rozella.

Enjoying the luncheon.

Naoma with her surviving siblings and their spouses.

I worked on Tuesday and Wednesday. Wednesday morning, Ben left for YM camp and he was gone until Saturday evening. This year they decided on a high adventure and hiked King's Peak! That is the highest peak in Utah at 13,500 feet. On Wednesday they hiked about 8 miles to Dollar Lake and stayed the night (did I mention they were backpacking?), on Thursday they rested and did some fishing in nearby lakes, on Friday they hiked to the summit and then back to base camp at Dollar Lake (about 10 miles), that night it poured rain for almost the entire night and they all arose in the morning with wet clothes and sleeping bags--but alive! They hiked back to the cars and got home that evening. Ben loved it! He loved pushing himself so hard. He loved being with the great guys in his ward. He loved the views. I'm so happy he had this experience!

Bethany worked Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday. She also finished the last of the Harry Potter books and accomplished a goal that has been on her bucket list for awhile! She's been listening to them while she makes masterpieces out of coloring book pages using her fancy markers. We also went for a follow-up MRI and we are pleased to report that she's still clear!

Savannah tried to work more hours this week. She is looking for a new full-time job. She and Chey went to dinner with a Chinese family on Saturday and got to speak Mandarin and eat way too much!

Cali worked lots of hours this week. She also went out with some friends from her mission, served twice in the temple, went out with Richmond, and had a party with the Flamingos.

Chey worked lots of hours this week. She went on a couple of dates playing tennis and running. Today she left for a trip to Mexico with sisters from her mission. She was excited!

This week we went to Paulisades!!! We sure do love that place. This year, we had even more come with us from our old Brookside ward. We were joined by the Griggs, Francoms, Mohlmans, Spackmans, and the Wrights! At one point, there were 45 of us! What a party! We stayed Monday through Wednesday. This year, my household went early on Monday and got lots of lake time before we even checked in to the campground. I loved it! We shared the group campsite and the meals. Our kids played together and had a ball. We talked and visited. There was lots of rafting and paddle boarding, jumping from the swim dock, playing of nine square, 4 wheeling, and sharing of baby-watching duties. We left sun-burned, exhausted, and already looking forward to next year!

 We were back at home Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Bethany did really well at Palisades and was able to come home and work on Thursday and Saturday.

Cali and Chey came home a little early because they had a bachelorette party Wednesday night. They went to the wedding of that friend on Saturday morning. Cali went to the reception that evening while Chey went to another bachelorette party in Bear Lake. They are busy kids!!

Ben rejoined his friends on some video games and worked a little bit on Friday and has been helping around the house.

On Saturday, Savannah, Beth, and I went to a "Baby Sprinkle" (as opposed to a Baby Shower) for Sarah! Megan planned it and decorated so cute! We played fun games and Sarah got some sweet presents for her little guy who is due August 6th! It won't be long now!

On Sunday of last week, Bethany turned 17! Happy Birthday, Beth! We love that girl so much. Her sisters came over early to play games and we had hamburgers for dinner. We sang Happy Birthday over strawberry shortcake and opened some presents. Then we played her favorite game, Betrayal in the House on the Hill. I think she enjoyed the day very much. We sure enjoy being with her!

Beth also continued to work this week. On Saturday she even worked 10 to 5! It drained her, but she made it! Way to soldier on, our fighter! 

Ben worked this week and did pretty good at practicing guitar. I asked him to spend some time not on screens and he cleaned his room! It looks great!

A lightbulb exploded in Savannah's room this week and though she wasn't hurt (so grateful!) her comforter had holes burned through it and glass melted to it. She also had to cut some melted glass out of the carpet. It was scary!

Cali is still working for BYU custodial and is trying to get in as many hours as she can. But she also got to go to Stadium of Fire with Richmond on Friday and to a play at the Hale Theatre on Saturday with that same guy. Fun times!

Chey worked all night at the hospital Thursday night. On Friday night she worked all night again and then did a morning shift at assisted living. She worked 17 hours! Holy cow! That girl is getting initiated into healthcare in a major way. So, that exhausted girl came home and slept for some hours. Then she went to the temple on a date. Still not done, though because they're training for a marathon, remember? So Saturday they got their run in at 10pm running 10 miles. !!!

Friday night was 4th of July! Grandma invited us over for hamburgers and jello salad and all the fixins. Afterwards, we went over to the Koger's to watch fireworks all over the valley from their back deck. It was beautiful!

This morning (Sunday), Mariah and Kolby blessed their sweet baby Evelyn Brook Carter. We all went to be a part and took up two big rows. What a gift that little girl is. We love her!