We’ve been spending 90 percent of our time either outside or at the pool.  It’s the only way we stay cool – Sloan gets easily overheated just like I do – so it’s just our current routine.  Sloan is her happiest running around outside, especially on the grass.  Our neighbor’s cat, even though it occasionally breaches Sloan’s comfort zone, has become one of the highlights of her evenings.  I realllllly don’t like cats and need to get over my irrational distaste for them.  Cause it turns out my daughter has a soft spot for animals.  One day our pet store visits are just not going to cut it.

Our Fourth of July holiday started out with my Fotheringham side down in South Jordan.  We had a family lunch/swim party at my aunt’s brother’s house.  Lots of family showed up and it was fun to see everyone.  Sloan cruised around the pool and was happy as could be.  

Afterwards we drove back to North Salt Lake so Sloan could take an afternoon nap and then made our way up to Farmington.  Zach’s brother Tony was having a Fourth of July Party/Farewell Keaton [Keato] Celebration.  My nephew left on July 6th to the MTC and the Fourth was a great way for the family to send him off.  It’s weird to think we won’t have Keato at Lake Powell with us this year in a few short weeks.  He’ll be a fantastic missionary and will bless the people of Milan immensely.

After the party we drove back home, put Sloan to bed, and Zach and I set camp on our roof to watch the fireworks.  Our neighbors put in some serious work and we had quite the show!

Thursday is Zach and I’s new date night.  I had a family baby shower to attend, but afterwards Zach picked me up from the shower in Centerville and we made our way downtown.  We had a bite to eat and then walked around Temple Square.  It made me ache for the days when we lived a block away from this exact spot – in our 700 sq ft apartment.  It got dark quickly, but we enjoyed the views of the temple as the sun went down.

Zach and I have been really into grilling the last few weeks.  A few days ago, Zach requested grilled shrimp kabobs one night for dinner.  So I found a recipe where you marinate the shrimp in pineapple salsa.  It was BOMB.  I already have plans to make it again this week.  

I’ve kind of hit a lull in my fitness routine lately.  I run occasionally with some weights sprinkled here and there.  But since finishing BBG I have been a total slacker.  I just decided to switch it up.  So I tried swimming this week.  I only swam 30 laps with a few breaks (I used to be able to do 40+ laps without a single rest) but it kicked my trash.  Zach snapped this photo of me walking into the bathroom after my swim sesh.  I couldn’t raise my shoulders higher than pictured below (notice my left one goes a little higher than my right…)

I did get to try out my new fitness watch I purchased and I have to say, I am a Garmin convert!  I don’t know why I have never had one before this.

We went to dinner this week at Cubby’s, just the two of us, and to a movie at the Cinemark with the recliners.  We wore comfy clothes and even though the movie was sub par – just being together was enough of a success for me.

Sloan is killing nursery.  Honestly, it still kind of pains me to admit it.  She still doesn’t even give us a backward glance when we leave her in there every Sunday.  I couldn’t be more heartbroken and proud at the same time.  I feel like she has already grown leaps and bounds since starting her in there.Speaking of leaps and bounds – Sloan’s swimming skills have improved immensely – even this week alone.  She can float all by herself and can scoot off the edge of the pool, into the water, and onto her back in a floating position unassisted.  Nothing makes me more proud than watching her learn new skills.  My heart could burst every time she sticks that little tongue out of hers while concentrating really hard.

Sunday after church we played in the backyard until it was time for dinner at my parents’ house in Draper.  These two can look like the spitting image of each other if you catch them in the right moment.  It makes me laugh how alike they act sometimes.  

One of the highlights of our summer (ok, mine, I’ll be honest) is only a few weeks away!  I can’t wait for Sloan to experience Lake Powell for her first time.  I’m praying she loves it even a fraction as much as I did growing up.  I better keep praying…