S is for Summer, Sage, and Special...

This summer marked a special one in the Roddy home! Being that the boys turned twelve back in Feb. and Sage turned eight in May we had a couple important ordinances that needed to be performed and in order to share these special events with our extended family we decided to hold off until this summer when we'd be out in Utah so all our family and friends could be a part of it. We have so many great memories from the boys' baptism out in UT and we wanted the same for Sage. It was also so nice for the boys to be surrounded in the circle by all our dear friends and family.

It's funny flying into SLC from OH rather than WA. After living in Ohio for a couple years now where the landscape isn't something to write home about it's amazing how beautiful Utah feels again. When we use to travel from WA to UT I never remembered thinking how beautiful UT was because we were leaving beauty to come to beauty so it was a wash but leaving from OH to come to UT is a whole other thing. Boy, how beautiful it is.

We spent our first weekend making our traditional trip to the BYU bookstore for Jack to pick up heaven knows what...another football helmet, shirts, shorts, you name it. The boys also got in a round of golf and then on Sunday my parents wanted us to attend the 'Spoken Word' in Salt Lake with them since it was a special patriotic service for the upcoming 4th of July holiday which was quite nice and a first for us. We also took advantage of being up there to tour around the beautiful temple grounds!







During the two weeks we were there the boys attended a lacrosse camp with their friend Wyatt and a climbing camp that Teagen and Sage joined in on! It was a great way for them to spend their mornings. In the afternoons we usually would meet up with the Moes for some pool, something that has become a bit of tradition each year for us! We just pick up from where we left off the previous summer!





Of course one of our favorite things to do after the pool was to pick up a shave ice!!! I could eat one of these every day!!!



One of the highlights of coming to Utah in the summer is getting to celebrate my dad's birthday with him which happens to be on the 4th of July. This has been a stressful year for him health wise so how wonderful it was for the whole Knudsen clan to fly into town. We even arranged to have family portraits taken as we never know the next time everyone will be together again. The day began with Kan Jam tournaments and ended with a boom! Jack's mom and sister also arrived into town on this day in time for Sage's baptism the next day!



Of course the highlight of the trip was Sage's baptism and the boys receiving the Aaronic Priesthood! We were so fortunate to not only have all our family in town with the exception of Jack's brother and his family but to have so many friends come celebrate with us. From a mission companion to friends from NY to our old bishop in WA that Jack served with and his beautiful family to some surprise visitors to longtime family friends, we were touched by the outpouring of love and support for Sage and the boys especially considering what a busy weekend it is for most families! After a wonderful service we invited anyone who could join us to come by for food and fun! It was truly a great day!




This was the first time that our kids had met some of the Bawden cousins so one afternoon we headed up the Canyon to share our special place with them and to let the kids run loose and play. There isn't a summer trip to UT that goes by without us spending a few afternoons up the Provo Canyon! So here are Melissa's kids. As you can see Sage and Ellie hit it off real well!



We also had another birthday to celebrate! Look who turned nine!!! Our sweet Teagen...



Another trip up the canyon with my family...




Our final Saturday in town we spent up at Park City! It was a perfect way to end our vacay!





Look whose paths crossed!!! We haven't seen Marcus and Edie since we left WA but they happened to be up from Vegas for a mission farewell. Little did we know earlier that day that they'd be crashing with us for the night. I played tour guide taking them up the canyon and we had a lovely brunch up at Sundance before they had to head to their farewell that afternoon! Great times.



How wonderful it was to be with my family in UT. My parents are truly the best hosts ever, always cooking, cleaning and doing everything they can to make our visit enjoyable. Thank you mom and dad for all you do for us. It was also such a treat to meet up with some of our other friends during the time we were there. Unfortunately we never seem to have enough time to see everyone we'd like to see but for those we were able to meet up with it was great. Those lunches, brunches, dinners and desserts sure make our visits even that more special! Thanks for making time for us.

Baseball Season...in full SWING!

Who would have thought that these two rusty players would do so well after missing a season last year?!? They did amazing! Ty hit his first real home run and did fantastic at catcher, a position he had never played until this year. He also enjoyed playing third when he wasn't catching. Connor played center field which back just a couple years ago would have been a bit boring but at this age he found himself in the middle of the action. I was thrilled when we learned they were drafted by the Giants who had a couple great coaches one of whom we go to church with. Unfortunately we weren't in town for the all star game as Ty would have liked to have played in that but for now he's happy progressing into fall ball and seeing where baseball takes him!

Scout Camp!

Ok, it's no secret that Jack and I aren't big fans of scouting. But the tide is turning and now that the boys are in Young Men at church and scouting is a big part of their mutual activities, we are having to adapt. In the end we always said it would be up to the boys and although I can count on one hand how many times they went to scouts during the past couple years due to sporting activities, they do seem excited to give it a try and see where it takes them. So this summer marked their first scout camp they'd be attending which also marked the first time they'd be away for a full week without us, with the exception of when my parents have watched them when we've gone away. After tearing up at the departure and lingering around longer than any parent I finally came to the conclusion that they are growing up and before I know it they'll be heading off to college or on missions. Someday I'll be wishing they were only going away for a week...



Of course they came home with huge smiles, big kisses and a few added smells but when I asked them if they'd want to go again next year, you can guess the answer! Yes!

Happy Father's Day!

Could we be any more blessed to have this man in the center of our lives? Happy Father's Day to Jack... and my father... along with all the other wonderful men out there, fathers or not who have served as a role model to my children. Whether you're a teacher, neighbor, relative, or friend, if you've served as an example to my child, we celebrate you on this day.