For the Kim Reunion, we went to the mountains! It was fun! Here daddy is taking cousins on a boat ride...

Ponka always has a theme with fun games...

Cowboy theme this year!

We also had an Ashton Family Reunion. Part of that was going to Richy and Tiffany's wedding reception!!! We are so happy for our awesome Richy. And look how beautiful Julie looked for the event:

Julie's baby blessing!!! The spirit was so strong as Julie received her beautiful baby blessing. We are so blessed to have such a sweet daughter of God sent to our family. We just love our Julie.

We have zuchinni coming out of our ears this year and tomatoes. Tommy sure is a good helper when it comes to baking with zuchinni :)

Carolyn, Angela and Emily all received assignments for primary. Angela constructed a microphone for the girls to practice their parts. I thought it was genius. Angela wrote an inspiring talk about how we should listen, look, and watch uplifting media.

Here is Angela's talk she wrote. I am so happy for her.

The spirit was amazing as the kids got their beginning of school blessing. It was so amazing. During the blessing and then afterwards we all sat and talked about our feelings and what stood out to us in all the amazing blessings.

Tommy was adorable and sat so reverently during the entire blessing of his. It made me cry.

Emily's blessing was amazing. She is such a sweet girl to be around and I loved it talking about how she can be such an amazing friend and example at school.

Angela was just giddy during her blessing. She was smiling so so big. She told me afterwards that she felt the spirit during her blessing. It was so neat.

Carolyn was overcome with the spirit as well. She said it was one of the strongest times she ever felt the spirit. Her prayer was answered!!

Here are blessings with Carolyn's thoughts at he end of her blessing:

Emily

·         You have a special place in Heavenly Father’s heart

·         Heavenly Father loves you

·         You will have lots of friends

·         Be a good influence to your friends

·         Help friends to be better

·         Help your friends use nice words

·         Be a good friend

·         Be a supportive sister

·         Even if the class is learning thing you already know, bless you to be engaged in learning

Tommy

·         God loves you

·         You will develop a special relationship with Julie while your older siblings are at school

Angela

·         Heavenly Father loves you

·         Self worth comes from obedience and love

·         Blessed to continue to be obedient

·         Blessed with hope and patience with academics this year

·         Heavenly Father loves you

·         The gospel and living the gospel are more important than school or gymnastics

·         Family relationships are important

·         You will have special one-on-one experiencers with mom – you will a special connection

Carolyn

·         You are an example to your family and everyone around you – blessed with an ability to live up to that this year

·         You will be faced with bad things. Worst things than ever before. Middle school will become hard and as it gets darker, and I see more bad things,  I’ll be a light.  People are drawn to your light

·         Build strong relationships with friends with the gospel and others. Blessed to find people without friends and be a friend to them.

·         You’ll be able to connect with both friends from church and friends at school

·         Your family loves you a lot

·         Heavenly Father loves you a lot.

·         Different challenges

·         Learn what I needed to

During the blessing, I was overcome by the spirit. Tears started streaming down my face. I know that that was the spirit telling me that god was giving me this blessing. Especially, I was worrying that I wouldn’t be able to play with school and church friends together, but Heavenly Father told me that I would be able to play with both.

Summer is flying by and I have been loving every minute of it!! Here are some things we've been up to (in addition to kissing, snuggling, and holding our Julie)

Fourth of July. Some of our good friends saved us a spot to watch fireworks in Littleton with them

Fourth of July, we had the Kim counsins over. Dinner BBQ and then watched Fireworks together.

One of my favorite things to do this summer is just watch my kids play. I am so blessed that they for the most part of so sweet and get along so well. I love watching them be creative and have time to be a kid and have fun together.

SUMMER OF SERVICE .This summer we have been focusing on service! I love it. Here we are babysitting..

Daddy and Tommy have a special relationship. Lately, TOmmy wakes up calling for "Daddy' in the mornings. I have to tell him he is working lots of times. He sure loves his dad.