Please don't leave me, summer!

Oh summer, we love you!  The weather, the lack of school and other organized events.  I like to blame my parents for birthing and "raising" me in Hawaii!  (I actually claim O-town but Hallo!)  It's not my fault!  Santa would come in on a surf board on Christmas day.  But then who doesn't love summer?  It equals summer work parties, summer family reunions, and for Scott and me, both our birthdays.  I also love flip flop tan lines and leisurely walks with the boys until Frank is spent, (usually doesn't take too much).  Summer also means quality time spent with family to me--Trafalga, Seven Peaks--just showing up at my parents' and sisters' houses and knowing they will be home with the kids totally game to do anything.  Summer holds my favorite holidays; July 4th (Independence Day),  July 24th (Pioneer Day), and 9/11 (Patriot Day).  I love the clothes of summer best--men's cargo shorts (I prefer 1 or 2 sizes too big that I either find on sale at target or get "handed up" from my little brother).  Comfortable t-shirts (that either come from the Goodwill (there's a great new one on 7th East) or Thrift town 2nd hand stores--gotta get a good deal--obsessed with getting a good deal!!!--ask Dro!).  And the cherry on top, flip flops.  But then, I wear flip flops year round!  I really don't like wearing shoes and don't get me started on socks!  OK, I rambled long enough...wow I didn't know I was this passionate about summer!

Summer Work Party!

 I am LOVING my job at University Hospital.  It is so rewarding and the people I work with I realllllly enjoy.  We had a big summer party at Sugarhouse park and it was awesome.  I RVSP'd for 2 adults and 2 furry kids.  The furry boys were a hit!  The doctors now know who I am.  If you count, "Wow you're the girl with the big, damn dog!"

 I found a 3XL scrub top at DI and Scott drew the University Hospital logo on the back!  So awesome!

 This is Dong Fang who did some serious Judo on the pinata!  It was hilarious!.

 Holly.  There are no words to describe Holly.  Love her.

 Jenny, whom I adore--and pretty much runs the place, spinning Dr. Eric Lindley.  He is the coolest fellow ever.  He acts like he's "one of us."

 The men in my life!!!:)

Summer Nielsen Extended Family Reunion!

 They had a ginormous candy cannon that was awesome!  All the kids went out into this open area of the park and the candy was shot out for them to grab and collect in their own little ziplocs.

 Scott pointed out that Archer was a genius and instead of running to get his candy, he let the cannon bring the candy to him and then ate it as he got it.  We both thought it was hilarious!

 My awesome cousin also has struggled with infertility.  There is nothing and I mean NOTHING like someone else who has experienced some of the same struggles.  No one else gets it, just like anything else in life, there is a huge difference between sympathy and empathy.  HOWEVER, these guys had THE most successful IVF ever...check out these TRIPLETS!!!  Meet Brock, Cade, and Zac.  Oh my goodness gracious--they were a circus unto themselves.  It was so much fun to watch and talk about!  They will be one  in October.

 Here we have the traditional cousin pictures that we just have to pose for to make everyone happy.

 LOVE these chicas!  Cherie, Leah, Sarah and me.  Honestly, nothing like instant love of family!  NO MATTER WHAT!

Summer Birthday Celebrations!

E-man turned 10!  WOW, I can't believe the man is 10 years old!  He is so adorable and wrote us the dearest thank you card for attending his party.  I love this kid!

I think Carter was a little envious of the great stuff Ethan made out with!  The dear part is, the next day Ethan told Melinda he wanted to use ALL his birthday money to purchase Carter a Wii game he had been wanting.  YES!  That is how sweet that Ethan is!

He got a new bike!!!

Re-enacting his initial expression.

He had requested birthday donuts, instead of a birthday cake.

Here's Rosie offering Archer a joint, oh, I mean, a Cheeto.

Me with my homies...I didn't get the memo that we were supposed to flash our family gang sign in this photo.

I love these girlies!  It makes me miss Inger, Lisa, and Mendy!

"What?  I'm just gettin' my donut!"

Ace knows one way to eat stuff...everything and all at once!  It is thoroughly entertaining and he can totally digest it just fine until someone draws attention to him and then he panics and...

...launches it out!  Scott got some great pictures here!  This reminds me of a time when Scott was holding his sister's kid, Kaiya, and she had eaten one too many bites and threw up all over herself and Scott.  Scott just picked her up and headed for the tub.

I sure love this little family and love how the boys all look like little stepping stones all in a row.

We celebrated Scott's birthday at the Red Iguana and then went to see the movie The Bourne Legacy.  We celebrated my birthday by attending our first coed flag football game. (I worked late and got there too late to play, so I just watched Scotty).  We came home after and Scott had picked up dinner in advance from my favorite Thai restaurant.  I think those are white biker shorts under my other shorts???

Summer Annual Sundance Ski Lift!

This little tradition has been so fun!  Every year is different.  This year I told Kristen that she was coming either by her own choice, or bound and gagged.  It was just the three of us and it was so enjoyable.  Great conversation!  We went to Midway after and just meandered.  I love days like this!

We timed it perfectly.  The leaves were absolutely perfect in color!  The reds, oranges, yellows, greens...ah man...all the while still being warm, warm summer!!!:)

So summer, don't leave us.  Don't tell us the dog days of summer are coming to an end.  And that the crisp, wonderful autumn will be followed by yet again, that white, lasts forever, cold, horrible to drive in, shiz we know as winter.  Don't do it, summer...lie to us if you must!