Jupiter the Space Donkey: This Month's Adventures and Accomplishments

Catching up on the last month. It was action packed.

Here's a photo journal of the goings on:

Mike took the Teachers' Quorum up to the Snake River in Idaho for an EPIC high adventure camp. One of the leaders had a connection with a family up there that guides groups on the river and also opened their cabin for them to stay. Without charge. 15 boys, 6 leaders and dads. Mike says he's never met a more generous family. This scripture hung prominently in their cabin. A mantra which they live.

Some of the action shots from the river. They took a GoPro too. Hopefully we'll get to see some of that footage soon. There were some dicey moments, some people to pull out of the water. The boys were in heaven.

They also threw in a paint ball and Airsoft war, an afternoon in Jackson Hole, and a visit to Lava Hot Springs.

It was a trip that neither Mike nor Noble will ever forget. And it turns out it was Mike's last as their fearless leader. I was called into the Young Women's Presidency, and so they released him from the Young Men's Presidency so that someone will be home on Tuesday nights with the kids. It made us all sad.

When Mike got back from the river we celebrated our 17th Anniversary by going to see Wicked. A lovely night.

We worked on the sand box and playground area. I sweep a lot of sand in the house these days.

Abner catching some sleep whenever he can get it during a rare quiet moment in the Melton house.

Noble apprenticed with Grandpa Melton in the art of window washing. He's getting set to start his own little neighborhood enterprise. Grandpa gave him a set of professional window washing tools for his birthday and spent a day showing him the techniques he honed many years ago when he washed windows on the side as a young dad.

Construction time in the little boys' room.

Horses. It was a busy month for the horses and this team.

Shows and long practices....It's been a great year for both Jessie and Grace. Jessie brought her handful-of-a-horse Russel a long way this year. We are all impressed with the horsewoman she has become, how confident and competent she is. Grace, who had never really been on a horse before this season, did an amazing job with Pecos. She even placed first in her class in one show, and finished the season with a slew of ribbons at County Fair.

Grand Entry at County Fair

The Majestic Riders

Coaching from Grandpa

Grace on barrels

The most impressive performance of all though came when Mike took over flags during the County Fair show as a volunteer Arena Steward. Look at that form! ;)

With Grace after County Fair with her string of ribbons.

The Majestic Riders. Such great kids. We'll be back again next year.

We got lucky one day when I picked the kids up from the temple and we found the Waffle Love truck parked right outside the gates. The take-away for the kids: you never know what good things might come your way when you're living right. :)

I bottled 53 jars of apricot syrup.

We happened to have a free day together - so we went to the zoo.

We hadn't been up there for a few years. It's totally different! The exhibits were awesome! The kids had a blast, and everyone was cooperative and pleasant. It was one of those rare days when we climbed in the car after the outing and I said something to the kids like,"This has been awesome! You guys made this day so fun. We could do this again. I love you guys!"

The polar bear exhibit was amazing! We were so close!

Monsoon season arrived. None too soon. I love summer thunder storms! So do the dudes. Here's Sully out in one of the recent down pours. Oh, the joys of childhood!!

All aboard the Potty Train!!!

Abner is on board. Here is the totally Pinterest-able chart I made for him (kidding). He was all about the Potty Train. Check off one more phase of my life closed. NO MORE DIAPERS!!!!!!

(I won't miss that phase.)

We fought it out in the 2nd annual neighborhood epic summer water fight. Intense as ever. The teams took the battle all the way up and down Corinne Drive, a glorified game of capture the flag - but everyone was more focused on the water than the flags. When the dad's get involved, mercy goes out the window. They were dousing anyone who was dry including mom's in street clothes who came to watch and babies in strollers. I love this neighborhood!