If my blog were a child...

...it would be in a foster home and I would be in prison.

Summer vacation is over and I'm sitting at my computer on the eve of the first day of school in total and utter shock. Where did the summer go? If you've been reading my blog this summer you probably think I've been sitting on my butt eating bonbons. Otherwise I would have written something, anything. The truth is that I'm not a multi-tasker and with all the kids home 24/7 my blog has suffered. I'm sorry, blog. I feel horrible for the way I've treated you. I'll be better. I promise. Let me make it up to you with a Beeson Summer in review.

1. It all started with leaving for Girls camp 2 days after school let out. Way to start things off with a bang. I've always loved girls camp and this year was no exception. The girls in my ward are amazing and I will never regret putting my life on hold so that I could spend a week with them at beautiful Camp Lomia.

2. The day after I returned home from camp Brigham began his first leg of the summer man-cation series. This involved flying east accompanied by two of my brothers (David and Brian) with plans to rendezvous with my older brother Eric for an extended weekend of golf, North Carolina style. This trip included a total of 63 holes of golf, movies and southern BBQ. Thanks to Eric and Marsa for letting him crash your crib.

3. Next we had two weeks to squeeze in Ruby and Bing's birthday, swim lessons, a couple of early morning movies and Brigham's softball tournament. All was accomplished.

Ruby's 4th birthday was spent swimming at Grandma Beeson's. One of her favorite things to do. Bauer's 1st birthday was a laid back night of pizza and cookies. I'm not a big fan of cake so ofttimes we find ourselves singing Happy Birthday To You over a pile of cookies, brownies, rice crispy treats, anything but cake. I'm sure my kids will grow up scarred having never fully experienced a true birthday cake. Toughen up, kids; it's a rough world out there and I'm just trying to prepare you for the shock.

As for the softball tournament Brigham's team kicked butt, coming in first place. In their climb to the top they dominated the tournament bracket, including an opposing team that weeks before had vocally voiced their dislike for Brigham's team. During this vocal outburst all self respecting parents had their hands over their childrens' ears. Softball guy can be pretty intense.

4. After the two weeks of chaos Brigham left for the second leg of his man-cation. He spent a week with his brothers and dad in Jackson Hole golfing, mountain biking and fishing. At the same time I set off with my mom and the kids to visit various grandparents, aunts and cousins. This trip deserves a post all to its self, so stay tuned for details. It was a trip I will never forget.

5. In July both Eric and his family and David and his family came to visit. We had lots of good food, golfing, swimming, sleepovers, date nights, movies and shopping. I especially loved seeing 10 month old Bianca and 1 month old Graham both of which I had never laid eyes on before. The girls did not like saying goodbye to there cousins when it came time for them to go. You'll be missed, Robinsons.


6. While my family was visiting we celebrated Havanas 7th Birthday. It was quite the extravaganza. We kick things off with dinner and games at Peter Pipper Pizza. Lots of token = lots of tickets = lots of stupid cheap little toys that most of time don't even make it home. The kids wouldn't have it any other way. This birthday was extra special because it was the first time since Havana was born that Grandma Robinson wasn't in Utah during her birthday. Next we moved the party to our place for a sleepover and then a movie the next morning. Havana was feeling pretty special by the end of it all.

Here I am now back at the beginning. Sitting at my computer after an early dinner and putting the kids to bed before the sun was even down (yet another thing they will hold against me someday). I'm looking forward to the order that school will bring to our home but summer will be missed even if it caused me to mistreat you, blog.