Busy July!

June was such a great month for us, but July got off to a rocky start.  I had to say goodbye to one of my very best friends, Susan.  We both moved to Denver at the same time (7 years ago) and ended up becoming really close.  Our kids are very close in age and do almost everything together.  They moved to Texas and we were so sad to see them go.  Here are some pictures of the kids saying goodbye.  I have a feeling we'll be taking a trip to Texas soon.

Off to Girls Camp!

I absolutely love working with the youth of our church and I've had this privilege for about 4 years now.  Every year our young women get to go to camp.  This year we went to Camp Firewalker.  I feel so blessed to get to work with such amazing women and girls!  

  

The girls always make up skits and they told us leaders that we had to do one as well.  Since we didn't plan anything, we just went with it.  Heather busted out a rap and the rest of us did whatever we could to get a laugh.  Wiggity, wiggity, wiggity, wack!

One night the kids and I decided to have a slumber party in the living room.  We popped popcorn and watched movies.  Good times.

Reservoir with friends

The horse that costs only a penny to ride at the store never gets old.

It's been a really hot summer with lots of days in the 90s.  We've tried to do some indoor activities to keep cool, this day we went to the museum.

Lily's Girl Scout troop spent the day at the reservoir.

We went to the Botanical Gardens with some friends and Lily got stung by a wasp.  Poor girl.  She was very brave!

Lily has become quite the photographer.  She loves to grab the camera and take pictures.  Here are a few.

More reservoir pictures.  I really tried hard this summer to make sure we got together with friends often.  I also wanted to make sure that we got out of the house.  I'm struggling that Lily is starting first grade and will be gone during the day.  I'm going to miss her so much. 

  Two of Lily's friends, Lane and George

 At the pool with Jackson

Chick Fil-A had a sports night.  If kids came in wearing a jersey, they ate for free. 

June - Summertime!

Kindergarten graduation kicked off the month of June.  I still can't believe that Lily is headed into the 1st grade.  How time flies.
Here are some pictures at graduation, along with her school picture taken at the beginning of the year. Cute girl.  I'm so proud of her.  She worked really hard and made good friends.  I love watching her grow and learn.  I'm a lucky mom to have such a great kid.

One of our thank you gifts to the teachers were these Chocolate Raspberry Trifles I made and put in mason jars.  I'm such a sucker for sweets.

We loved Lily's kindergarten teacher, she was fantastic!

Harrison and Tag went on the Father/ Son campout.  They did a little fishing.  

We got some crazy weather and had a tornado warning that sent us to the basement for awhile on June 6th.  To pass the time, Lily set up a zipline for Rapunzel.  Lucy slept soundly in Tag's office during the storm.  

Our church Primary took a trip to the temple and got a tour.  This is Lily and Harrison's group touching the temple wall.

We spent most of June in Southern California.  On the drive out we stopped at a hotel for the night and I couldn't resist a picture of Lucy and Pooh sleeping nose to nose.

We also managed to pull off the first ever Stemmer Family Reunion.  We went to Big Bear and stayed in a gorgeous 8 bedroom cabin near the lake.  I've never put on a family Reunion before, so I wasn't sure what to expect or what people expected from me.  I made a family cookbook and had welcome bags for everyone.  I got in touch with a woman who works for the Chamber of Commerce and she was able to get me some free promotional items (pencils and magnets) to add to the welcome bags.   Some activities included a pontoon boat on the lake, hanging out in the jacuzzi, and a very competitive game of minute to win it.  All in all, I think it was really successful!  I had such a blast with my family and I can't wait to see them again :)

After the family reunion, we stayed a few days at my dad's house.  The kids really enjoyed swimming in his pool, making smores, and playing with their aunts.  We also took a drive down to see my grandmother "Momo" for an afternoon.  Can you see where I get my fashion sense?

We love Belmont Shores because it has a swim beach in the marina.  The kids always have a good time.

Sand in the mouth!

We celebrated my mom's birthday at a friend's house in Pasadena.  They live in the coolest neighborhood.  One of my favorite movies is Father of the Bride and their house is one street over from where it was filmed.  That's how cute their neighborhood is.  Albert Einstein lived on their street and his house is still there.  Anyway, we ate incredible food, swam in the pool and played games.  Happy Birthday Mom!

Walking to breakfast in our pajamas to celebrate mom's birthday :)

Disneyland was our next order of business.  We spent a couple of days riding as many rides as we possibly could!

Tag and I went to dinner at the most incredible restaurant in Newport Beach, Mastro's Ocean Club.  It was so nice having an evening out to enjoy true fine dining.

Lily. Loves. Steak.  Tag saved his leftovers for her and she went to town.  

I did get to see some of my friends, but I kept forgetting to take my camera.  Tiffany, Ali, Heidi, and Mena, it was so great to see you guys!!

My cousin eloped to Las Vegas, and we got to help my aunt put together a little reception for the happy couple :)
Congrats Romi and Dusty!

Lily driving around the beach in a Barbie Jeep :)

Bye So Cal! See you next year!