I took my game night group up to the cabin for a girls' weekend and it was a blast. We ate the most delicious food (turns out everyone puts out the stops for their friends when they're only responsible for one meal each), we played about a million games, and we hiked all the way around Lake Alpine, which was a beautiful adventure. We also ~barely~ hit a deer on the drive up, but miraculously, no one was hurt and it only added excited conversation to our weekend, instead of a trip to the hospital or the car repair shop.
We finished up the school year with a field day I got to help out at, fifth grade promotion for Jack, cute notes from Todd hanging from the ceiling, and a summer kickoff hangout with friends at our house.
Jack and Rex won the 5th grade robotics drag race, which was very exciting, since robotics was something Jack sincerely enjoyed in school all year long.
Hazel, Jack, and Gemma had their summer kickoff sleepover on the trampoline. We plastered everyone in bug spray and long sleevers, since Gemma got a funky mosquito bite puffy eye last time they slept in the backyard. Everybody slept well, although not long enough, but the cutest part is that Ginger spent the night cuddled up with them!
Todd and I left the kids with Aunt Erika for the weekend - she took them on a beach hike and everyone had an awesome time - while he and I flew to Boise to celebrate Amy and Jon Naseath's 20th anniversary party and a bit of a Dinner Group reunion, with Mandy and Tom Carmack, Jill and Mitch Dabo, and Courtni and Brian Muir. It was lots of fun to reunite with friends from our newlywed days and catch up on everyone's families. And it was a nice, albeit quick, getaway for me and Todd to have some good, uninterrupted conversation when we weren't worn out at the end of the day.
We flew home Sunday morning and got back in time to attend a later ward to receive the Sacrament, and to attend our meetings. I headed almost straight to ward council, and Todd hopped onto a Zoom stake leadership meeting - the kids loved that he had his comfy shorts on! Ha.
Katie invited us over to use her slip and slide. It was a total blast! Hazel missed it because she had a babysitting job, but I think Gemma made up for it and had enough fun for two people.
Gemma got her braces off! A year and a half of orthodontia - thumb guard, expander, braces, head gear! Gemma has been a serious trooper: quitting her thumb sucking, flossing daily with a water flosser, almost never complaining (despite Hazel's and Jack's regular reminders that this was all self-induced), and going 17 months without Todd's amazing stovetop popcorn. Her smile is radiant! She's wearing a retainer now, and has really impressed me with how responsibly she has kept track of it so far.
Once the braces were off, we headed straight back to the cabin, where Grammie, Poppa, and Luna met us for a visit. We showed off the Fifth Floor, went on several short hikes, oggled at the wildflowers that were everywhere to be seen, and played with the slime and beads that Grammie brought.
We had a hair-braiding session to reward ourselves after setting up the kids' beds.
The Kid Cave turned out so awesome! We are totally happy with it.
Back at the house, we celebrated Father's Day with a nice day at church (Jack played the piano for the primary while they sang in Sacrament Meeting!), a visit from Erika, a delicious stroganoff dinner, games, and a wild puppet show from the girls.
We left Todd at home for a few days and took a mid-week trip to Crestin, CA to visit the Turris at their ranch they moved to last summer. We were greeted with a friendly banner upon arrival. The next 48 hours were a non-stop party. There were a million animals: three horses, a turkey, several goats - including a baby - three bunnies, five ducklings, and five or six barn cats. Almost nonstop someone was on a horse, except for our fun trip to the pool our second afternoon. All the kids slept in their pop-up trailer. I could not get enough of Kalyn's garden. We even made a salad for lunch 100% from the garden: four different types of letttuce, carrots, mint, squash. It was so cool!
Gemma was in heaven. The Turri's property is basically Gemma's future dream.
Jack and Carson cornered Samson the Turkey and Jack picked him up, giving everyone the opportunity to touch a turkey. It was exciting!
The Turri's only picked up their five ducklings a few days before we arrived, so they named them after us! "The Bonners" - they could identify which duck was Hazel, Angie, whoever. It felt like such an honor!
Hazel spent a week at FSY - For the Strength of Youth camp - up at Sonoma State. It was the first time she's ever been away from the whole family for that long. We all missed her energy and her peacemaking skills. She enjoyed the classes and took lots of notes, recognized she felt the Spirit, had a blast at the dances, had an FSY crush, and made some new friends.
Our stake had a two day Primary Day Camp while Hazel was gone. It was lots of fun. I helped out the first day and then booked myself a massage the second day! Gemma and Jack enjoyed the lessons and activities based on Old Testament heroes. They both loved making Elijah cakes the most.
We invited the Haupts to come along with us to the Gardens at Lake Merritt. Jack wanted to go because they have bonsai, but we explored all the gardens and had a very enjoyable day. I found flowers with a scent that reminded me of my Grandma Bingham, and Jack, Stacie, and I could not stop petting the Mule's Ear and other soft leaves in the sensory garden. Gemma and Clara liked the water areas best, spending tons of time throwing leaves in the water and watching them go under a bridge.
