Sweet Sixteen

On Friday July 12th, Josh & I celebrated our sixteen year wedding anniversary!
Josh was so sweet and took the day off from work so we could hang out. That night we went out to my very favorite sushi and walked around a quaint neighborhood. Of course, we ended up at a Barnes & Noble sipping our coffee and browsing the bookshelves. We bought a book for both of us called Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. We are looking forward to going through it together.

Crazy in love with each other 16 years later...

We decided to celebrate 2 days in a row and went to an outdoor concert in Deer Valley with the Utah Symphony and a special guest Arturo Sandoval. Josh said it was one of the best concerts he's ever been to.

So we were praying the weather would hold up for the concert, but about half way through the first part it started raining...and then pouring. We were staying pretty dry, huddled under our big umbrella and on our new, waterproof blanket Josh had just won at a golf tournament that day.

Then, we thought we better go for cover and we ran to the lodge. It was intermission and the rain stopped. Thankfully, the concert continued and we stayed until the very end.

Summer Fun

I love the freedom of summer.
Warm weather, relaxed days, & enjoying life. 

Here are some fun things that have been going on...

Cleaning the kitchen
(Ok maybe not fun, but it feels good when its done!)

Zack taught the boys how to play the board game RISK

Daddy helping Allie learn how to ride her bike without training wheels!

Marcus & Rob having a blast using their new air soft guns

Josh did a weekend revival for one of our baby churches

Being inside and watching the summer rainstorms from my kitchen table

Hearing Markell preach an amazing sermon on Sunday morning

Rob started another week of golf camp

Marcus playing hours of basketball with his buddies at the gym

Stopping and getting the kids Hawaiian shaved ice snow cones from a new, little stand

Allie's first friend to sleepover at our house

Eating lots of bbq for meals...enjoying Josh's awesome, new grill

Hanging out with friends from out of town

Babysitting Aliyah for the first time so Markell & Brandie could have a date night

Listening to how Rob invited his golf teacher to church...and gave him my phone number in case the guy had questions!

And of course, getting lots of new updates on sweet Paige

A Very Happy 4th!

Fourth of July...

basketball

shopping

walking in a parade for our baby church

going over to a friend's house

delicious bbq

playing on the rope swing

a walk in the park

glow in the dark bracelets & necklaces

great fellowship

awesome fireworks show with an incredible view

ice cream cones with red, white, & blue sprinkles

tired kiddos sleeping all the way home

What a wonderful day! 

Thank you Jesus for our freedom!

Good Things

On Monday we had a good report from Marcus' pediatrician that he his cheek is healing well. And more exciting for Marcus was that on Monday he got his braces off! He looks so handsome!!

Then we had people over for dinner and Josh decided to cook the whole meal-shopping and all! He did such a great job-it was amazing! He made this bruschetta appetizer that we've never had before, marinated steaks, homemade salad dressing and oven roasted asparagus. Very tasty!

And on Wednesday, July 3rd, we were blessed to hear about the arrival of our newest niece! What a gorgeous little baby!!


PAIGE CAMILLE SOMMER
5 lbs. 12 oz. and 19 inches long

She was born early at 35 weeks, so
please pray for her as she is in the NICU and on oxygen.
We want her to come home SOON!

Here she is today! So very precious!

Crazy Last Few Weeks

We went to Bible Conference and had a wonderful time, being refreshed by God's Word and some seriously powerful sermons. We are so thankful for conference. It refreshes us and renews our vision and calling.

At the end of Conference it was announced that Markell and Brandie are going to pioneer a new church here in the Salt Lake Valley! VERY exciting news and we are so proud of them!!

At the end of conference Marcus got run down, sun burned and broke out with a skin virus/blister. When we got home it was getting very bad and causing his eye to swell. Monday morning we went into the Pediatrician's office and he sent us to the children's hospital. Marcus stayed there until Thursday morning!!! 

He has had this virus before, but it was NEVER this bad. He was on IV meds the entire time. He had a lot of fun ordering whatever he wanted from the menu-at any time he wanted! We were all so thankful for everyone's prayers, even his cousin Josiah fasted and prayed for him on Wednesday. God moved! He looked so much better on Thursday morning that he was discharged from the hospital. Thank you everyone for your fasting and prayers! 

During this week we had revival at our church with the pastor in Africa that our church supports. Danny text me his awesome notes that he took and they spoke to me as I sat in the hospital with Marcus. 

Also, Rob had his first week of golf camp-which he absolutely loved! He learned some stuff that he didn't know before. He really enjoyed it and Josh can't wait to take him on a course to see how he plays now. Watch out Daddy!

Also, Allie was a trooper riding along in the car a lot. She got a few naps in the car. She also finished up gymnastics until August. 

Grandma Debbie came to town on Thursday. Perfect Timing! She arrived at the time Marcus was being released from the hospital! Very cool! We got Starbucks to celebrate :)

Had a lot of fun with Grandma while she was here for the weekend. Time went so fast. Starbucks, shopping, making meals, playing games...

And this morning at church Markell and Brandie had a baby dedication for Aliyah! She is so cute! She slept through the whole thing. What a little princess :)