A Busy Summer!

Well it is already August and I just realized I haven't posted anything since May...what can I say, it has been a super fun and busy summer.

In June, Jacob and Kathryn held a kid's camp for 10 preschool age children to earn money for kayak classes in Canada.  Each day they had a letter of the day and a theme.  It was a great experience for them and the kids are already asking when camp will be next summer.  At the end of the month Jacob and James attended High Adventure which included canoeing 50 miles and adventures in living the scriptures.  James was in charge and did a super job!  One of the many tasks they had was to keep their gold plates (sand filled ammo cans painted gold) with them at all times.  This was a challenge since boys will be boys and they had a great time trying to steal them from each other.  They came home exhausted and happy.  James and Jacob attended youth conference the next week with 5 other stakes.  They both had a wonderful time.   The girls and I missed having them around for the month of June and I think they missed us a little bit too.

Jacob and Kathryn taught swimming lessons the entire month of July to earn money for kayak classes in Canada. Do you see a theme?  They also worked washing cars, babysitting, doing odd jobs around the house and Kathryn even earned money reading books - thank you Liberty!  

Kathryn attended sewing camp and made a skirt and a dress, they look great.  Her sewing skills have really improved and she already has 3 more projects to work on. 

In July we spent every weekend at the river.  It was great.  Jacob learned to surf in bigger holes and James and Jacob played on the Ocoee River (where they held the 1996 olympics - bigger water) for the first time.  Sarah and Emily reached new milestones in their kayaking, going down the Nantahala River for the first time.  They both did really well and are definitely hooked on kayaking.  Emily said the best part is getting splashed in the face.  Emily flipped her second time on the river and lost her paddle.  She did not cry about flipping, but shed several tears over the paddle.  Dad shed a few tears over the paddle too.  Kathryn is a super star at kayaking.  She went down The Falls (class III rapid) at the Natahala for the first time.  She is amazing!  Samantha and I had a great time being shuttle bunnies (following the kayakers in the car) and I can now quote the entire movie of Tangled.  :)