Our Traditional Summer Fun

Every year as summertime approaches, we all look forward to our annual summer fun in the states.  For the past six years that we have lived abroad, we have spent our entire summer with family and friends, and since then, we have loved establishing some yearly traditions that have made our summers definitely something to look forward to.  This year we managed to experience ALL of our traditions, and even a few "first times."  Here is our summary......

A week before we began our "stateside" preparations---packing lists were made, refrigerator cleaned out, dogs transferred to Hua Li's house, fish fed (oops forgot about that one!)  suitcases packed, carry on's loaded with enough entertaining toys and snacks for the extremely long plane ride, and patriotic manicures applied (very important).  We were ready to go!! 

These frequent flyers deserved a medal for the world's best travelers---ask any flight attendant, and I'm sure they would agree.  Soooo long, sooo tiring, but sooo patient-----every year mom is soooo grateful how well these boys travel!

After the longest 24-30 hours of our lives, we made it.....let the traditions begin!

 Traditions, traditions......one our favorites is catching up on all the summer blockbusters.  We have them already available in China on the streets, but there is nothing like the big screen with refillable popcorn and drinks!  We definitely frequented the theaters this summer, but Toy Story 3 was our fave!

We love spending a few weeks each summer visiting Grandma and Papa Copeland in Jacksonville.  They always have a million plans for each of us to insure we are busy and happy while we are at their house.  

The boys love heading to the dock to do some shrimping (or anything else that happens to get caught in the net!!)  Uncle Jeff did a superior job with casting the net--the boys could hardly wait to see what was caught each time.  The boys could have done this for days if it weren't for the fact that Jeff's arm was likely to fall off after the 100th cast, and finally we had to call it quits.  We didn't catch enough shrimp for a hearty shrimp fest, so Papa talked the boys into "donating" them to the shrimpers at the end of the dock who were thrilled to add to their stash.

We love our traditional 4th of July weekend trip to Orlando where we can never get enough of swimming, shopping at the outlets, Disney Village, and just being together.  Papa always finds us the greatest condo where the boys look forward to Grandma's homemade pancakes every morning, and Papa's ice cream creations every night!

As always, a fabulous week together in Orlando.  One last stop before heading back to Grandma and Papa's house in Jacksonville, was a quick stop at the hospital Parker was born almost 14 years ago.   Apparently the sight of his birthplace was so exciting to him, he hopped out of the car without even taking time to put on shoes for a quick photo (:

A traditional day trip to the Jacksonville zoo is always a must, but even better with Grandma who frequents this place when any grandchild comes to visit. Even though she has seen the animals, and walked the paths a million times, she always makes each time the best.

The Asian Pavillion--the newest addition to the zoo was a must see for us!

The splash park--a welcomed sight to all of us who were beyond boiling in this heat!

The highlight of the zoo---the train!

Even though it was probably the hottest day of the entire year, we stuck it out and saw almost every animal at the zoo!  The boys loved them all, but their favorite animal was actually this bird who was a guest at the zoo himself, and who had just flown in to give us 20 minutes of the most exciting entertainment of the day.  This determined little friend must have pecked a million times on Preston's sippy cup straw and lid for a bit of diet coke (with this type of diet coke obsession, we knew he must be related to our family!!)  Funny that after a long day of making sure we saw it ALL, this was the boys favorite memory (:

Maybe Amy didn't like her "summer birthday" when she was little, and still suffers from "no cupcakes at school syndrome",  but now.....our visit each summer has become a traditional PARTY on her big day!  This year we had to celebrate right....Hello Kitty style!!  It was a favorite growing up and what's not to love about Hello Kitty?

While in Florida, Bracken and his best friend Brandon Rust whom Bracken knew from Virginia, attended EFY in St. Petersburg for the 2nd year in a row, and a basketball camp in Green Cove together.  We were thrilled to hear Brandon's family decided to move to Jacksonville so close to Grandma and Papa, making it easier to see each other every summer.

Tyson loved his first year tennis camp he was able to attend near Grandma and Papa's house.  He was the youngest player at the camp, but not a problem for Tyson....he enjoyed impressing his teenage brothers with the many  teenage girls he had met at tennis camp!

Our three week stay in Florida was fabulous!  Thanks to Grandma and Papa for all the fun times we shared.  We were sad to leave, and we are already looking forward to reliving our old and new traditions next summer!

Immediately after our return to Salt Lake, our summer schedule continued to keep us busy daily.  Parker attended his first basketball camp at BYU with his second cousin Nathan Critchfield.  It was fun to see them form a realtionship, and hear all about their week together at camp.

Tyson had a first time golf camp, and immediately loved the sport just like his older brothers and Dad.  A few more practices, and he will be on the greens with the rest of them!

Preston, maybe a little too young for camp, but not to be out done......

Another first time for the boys this summer.....fishing with Uncle KC.  Bracken and Parker had hopes to fulfill their fishing merit badge with this outing (you must catch two different types of fish).  Even though KC taught them great fishing skills, TWO fishing trips was the charm for Bracken's merit badge to be fulfilled.  Parker is still working on catching that second fish.....better luck next year Parker--this might be a yearly  tradition in the making (:

Grandma Copeland made a "bonus summer trip" to Utah shortly after we had returned from Florida.  We were excited to spend time with she and our Copeland cousins at Wheeler Farm one afternoon.  Lots of fun things to see and do.....Tyson's favorite, his first time cow milking experience.

One of our MOST FAVORITE summer traditions is the weekend at Uncle Tyler and Aunt Carrie's cabin near Park City.  This is a weekend that is planned immediately when we arrive in the states.  Lots of four wheeling, card games, and fun with our Wilde family.

Our newest friend Charlie we met this year at the cabin.  We made sure he was fed daily, and gave him enough peanuts to last him until our visit next year!

Camps, camps and more camps for Tyson this summer!  Another camp "first".....All Sport Camp at BYU with his cousins Ethan and Jaxon!  He loved every day focusing on a different sport, and having his athletic cousins with him was a bonus.

Our summer is definitely not complete without our yearly 24th of July BBQ at Aunt Annette and Uncle Troy's.  The cost of the flight from Shanghai to SLC is worth it just to experience Troy's secret BBQ bean recipe--not to mention all the fun and games that follow.  This year Aunt Annette introduced us to "hot rocks"---an art decorating rocks using coloring crayon wax.  Preston was a definite fan with Lizzie right by his side. 

Our only unfortunate summer drama, that we hope to NOT call a tradition, was the day Preston landed himself in the hospital with a mouth full of teeth issues.  Unfortunately, Preston liked apple juice a bit too much---his teeth suffered the consequences.  Thanks to wonderful doctors and dentists, Preston was back to great in no time (with a mouth full of silver to proove it!) 

Before Surgery

After Surgery

Every year we are excited to welcome new cousins into our family.  This year, we had three new boy cousins.  We loved finally meeting Baby Gavin, and Baby Cannon....unfortunately we missed seeing Baby Riley.  These little guys could not get any cuter!!!

And how exciting it was to be part of our oldest cousin Taylor's mission call.  Here he is reading his assignment to serve as a missionary in the Philidelphia, Pennsylvania mission--spanish speaking.  What a great example he is for his younger cousins....we hope this becomes a tradition for all of them!

And a "can you believe this" FIRST---Bracken earns his first driving priviledges after passing the driver's test and given his permit this summer!!

 

With all these traditions, our summer was definitely full, and full of fun!  We are so grateful for our family and friends who make these traditions and memories with us each year.  Family......it's what it's all about!!!