Bear Lake Stucki Family History ... July 10, 2012

During this family reunion Joe spent a little time each night talking to us all about our Stucki ancestors.  We read stories about their lives and talked about the great and brave things that they accomplished.  We spent one morning driving to 2 different cemeteries where many of them are buried.  

Before we left the cemetery we took advantage of having an open field and competed in a little tug of war.  Family vs family, boys vs girls, adults vs children.... it was great fun!!

I saw this marker while out on my run one morning about this marking the spot of the first Oregon Trail.  They history teacher in me stopped and read it and found it very interesting.  To go back in time and see it then.... hmmm.... 

Bear Lake, Utah ... July 9, 2012

We spent 3 days up in Bear Lake at a beautiful cabin with Aaron's whole family!  It was a wonderful reunion!  The kids had a FABULOUS time running around and playing with each other.  It was relaxing and just generally a great time!

  

This was the view from our cabin.

We spent one morning in Minnetonka Cave.  The kids
 loved the exploring we did, but we were all a bit chilly!

First Day in Utah!!! ... July 6, 2012

We are soooo excited to be in Utah for 5 1/2 weeks this summer!!  We haven't been here in 7 years, since Kym and Mark's wedding.  We started out our stay at my Uncle Robert and Aunt Susan's house in Bountiful.  This was so fun for me because I used to spend summers at their house and loved getting to know my cousins.... all NINE of them!  One of my favorite spots in Bountiful is the Rainbow Snow snow cones in the Dicks parking lot, just down from Robert and Susan's house.  My cousins and I used to collect our pocket change money and walk down there.  I always used to get the french vanilla or the pina colada.  I couldn't wait to go there with my kids, so our first stop was Rainbow Snow!!!  They quickly became fans while a million memories came flooding back to me!  Our second stop was Costco, which was amazing!!!  Unfortunately Ryan and Sophie's enthusiasm for our favorite store wore out before we were done, and they made themselves as comfortable as they could in the cart.  We put them to bed as soon as we got back, and they were up at 2 AM... dang jet lag!  After some melatonin they were asleep again by 3 AM... and slept til noon the next day!!!  It only took a couple of days for us all to adjust to the time zone change.  We were all very happy to be in Utah.

4th of July

Our first 4th of July in China
July 2012

We spent a SUPER hot and humid day in the backyard with some friends.  Most of the time the time the kids were on the slip and slide or on the trampoline with the hose.  The Haddocks and the Munozes came over, except for the dads, because they were all at work.  The 4th of July is not a holiday in China!  We tried to get a little festive with our cupcakes.  We were looking forward to being in the USA in 2 days!!!!

Slip-n-Slide ... July 1, 2012

For Ryan's 3rd birthday he got this slip-n-slide from our neighbor, Stephanie.  It has been well used!  Hours of fun have been had in our back yard with our neighbors.  Here are the kids with our backyard neighbors, Aoife and Ciara and their friend Aoife from Ireland.  

Ryan's Last Few Days of Peacocks ... June 27, 2012

Ryan had a fabulous first year of school in the Peacocks class at Dulwich.  He wasn't exactly thrilled about going initially, but he warmed up after a couple of weeks.  The class was full day, but I picked him up at 12:30 every day.  After a while he started going for a full day on Fridays.  He's not a super social kid, but Miss Megan thought he was progressing well and she said he was always so well behaved and good mannered.

At an end of the year class party.

Singing his little heart out!

Receiving his certificate of completion.

At a play day with a bubble theme... the children got to run all over rolls and rolls of bubble wrap!

With a very sad Miss Megan, who was about to return home to start a new job in Australia.  She was such a good fit for Ryan this year.  

Ashley's Awards Ceremony and Last Day of School ... June 27, 2012

Ashley received her certificate of completion of Year 2.  And her choir, Mulan Choir, performed a couple of beautiful numbers. 

Ashley and Mr. Hughes on the last day of school.

Katie's Awards Ceremony and Last Day of School ... June 27, 2012

The Junior School sang a gorgeous and actually tear jerking song at their awards ceremony.  Katie had SUCH a phenomenal year FULL of amazing experiences.  She slid right into this school and has fabulous friends.  I am so happy for her.

Katie and Mr. Smale