July 2016

A good chunk of July (a long with many, many months leading up to July) was spent researching residency programs, because applications opened up July 15! After doing tons of research on programs that also had good costs of living, were family-friendly, had good schools, etc... we came up with a list of places we applied to:

The List

Las Cruces, NM

Kennewick, WA

Weatherford, TX

Cottonwood, AZ

Fort Worth, TX

Lawrenceville, GA

Rome, GA

Bowling Green, KY

Somerset, KY

Sierra Vista, AZ

Searcy, AR

Jonesboro, AR (St Bernards) 

Mesa, AZ

Pueblo, CO

Palm Springs, CA

Tulsa, OK

Chillicothe, OH

Des Moines, IA

Mason City, IA

Fayetteville, NC

So that was the list. We applied, and waited for interviews to start coming in. 

In the mean time, we filled our July full of fun activities with the kids to keep us busy while Rick studied, studied, and studied some more for boards. Here are some pictures from July:

"Cow Appreciation Day" at Chick-fil-a.
Dress up like a cow and get free food!

Cousins! Brenna, Ava, Hadley.

Rick and Kimbri on a bike ride together :)

Wesley & Garrett (who zonked out and
was probably making Wesley's arm numb).

I took the kids to see Katie's ballet
performance at BYU. She was visiting
for a ballet camp and Kimbri really has been
into ballet lately and loved it!

Garrett earned a prize form the prize box
and was super excited about it.

Cosette & Brenna

Hiking the Grotto in Payson, UT
 with the Stone's.

Kimbri is a corn on the cob addict, haha.

4th of July sparklers and fireworks!

Garrett wasn't too sure about the fireworks
and kept hiding his face.

I think these must've come from
Olivia because I don't have
Snapchat... but the kids love
when Olivia lets them play with it!

This picture cracks me up!

My loves.

Brenna with Great Grandma & Grandpa Haycock

Uncle Matt, Great Grandma & Grandpa with Brenna

Rick surprised me with tickets to go to Stadium of Fire for my birthday. Tim McGraw was the entertainment for the night and it was awesome! It was so great. We picked up Zupas on our way there and then ate it in the parking lot before heading in to the stadium. 

Standing over the vents to make her gown
poof up. I totally used to do this as a kid too :)

Best buddies- Garrett & Luke

Brenna wen through an obsession of cats when
 they were always around my parents house.

Kimbri loves play doh and making
numerous creations with it.

A trip to the SF Library park with aunts/uncle!
Kimbri, Cody, Megan, Garrett, Nicole, Brenna

Had to cool down with some ice cream
after our park trip. 

Grandma has such fun dress ups... they
became obsessed with these and
wore them for several hours, haha.

Getting to lick the ladle with Grandpa Haycock

Walked around Sundance with Dana, my
mom and the kids.

Date night at the Payson temple!

Brenna is a total water baby! 

My girls :)

Brenna got splashed and squirted so much
but didn't mind one single bit. She loved it!

Evening walk in pjs...

And Luke came with us!

So worn out. Too tired for food.

Crazy hair. Don't care.

Auntie Olivia giving Kimbri a ride.

Dad met us at the park for his lunch break from studying
for boards and we all ate lunch together and let the kids
have some fun at the splash pad.

The kids got free lunch!

Bike ride with me and Kimbri. She loves
riding in the trailer!

Yes, I'm just a little obsessive when it comes to sunsets.

Extended Family Reunion - Midway, UT

I wish I had more pictures from this reunion! It was up at Carla and Craig's house in Midway, Ut. All the aunts and uncles and of course Grandma and Grandpa slept at Carla and Craig's and then most of the cousins and families camped out at Soldier Hollow, I think. We didn't camp out because Rick had school most of the time of the reunion and I didn't feel like camping with 3 kids by myself... sooooo, we drove up for the activities during the day and then drove back to Mapleton to sleep. 

It was so fun to see cousins and family members that I haven't seen in years. I love our family and always have such a great time with everyone. I loved seeing everyones kids and growing families. There was one afternoon that was set aside for free time. Some people went and floated the Provo river and some of us went to Deer Creek Reservoir. Dawson and Zach decided to rent a boat for the afternoon and invited me and the kids along (Rick was at school). My mom so graciously offered to watch Brenna so I could go and take Kimbri and Garrett on a little outing. It was SO fun! It reminded me of the times we used to go out on Uncle Matt's boat on that same lake. I think the kids had tons of fun being on the boat and being with cousins too :)

Garrett doing superhero poses.

Brenna & Hadley

Kimbri, Zach, Oaklee

Luke & Garrett

Zach, Garrett & Oaklee

One of the nights we gathered at the campground and there
was a slide show presentation. It was in honor of Gma &Gpa
Haycock for their 60 yr wedding anniversary.

Cousin pic! Maryella, me, Janelle.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

I love childrens museums. Does that make me a chid? Probably. They are seriously so awesome! And the kids literally spend hours here, and then I still have to pry them away. The Discovery Gateway Children's Museum did not disappoint! It was wonderful!

Garrett especially loved the construction zone.

Brenna will just sit there with a whole bunch of
balls around her. It is one of her favorite spots
in the museum!

Kimbri loves "Miss Geri's House" and everything
in it. How cute is this little mini piano?!

Garrett is obsessed with this yellow and blue submarine. If
someone else is playing with it, he sits there and waits and
waits for a turn with it. Like I said, obsessed. One time he played
with it for 45 minutes.... 

Baby Brenna playing in the baby area :)

Gathering all the carrots!

The helicopter is another huge hit! Such a fun place!

Bridal Veil Falls

Me and the kids took a trip up to Bridal Veil Falls with my mom, Donna and Maddye. It was so beautiful and green and the kids had a great time. They loved getting in the water and going on a little "hike". Rick and I used to park in the lower parking lot and walk up the path to the falls when Kimbri was just a baby. It is a fun little outing to do that's close by and great for all ages!

Brenna, Kimbri & Garrett.
They have my heart!

Kimbri wanted her picture taken right in that spot :)

Snacking and relaxing in the stroller.

Kimbri wanted to have a turn taking pictures
and really wanted me to make a silly face, ha.

Donna & Maddye