Beach days & Birthdays

Last Sunday, the girls & I decided to try out a new beach on the island.  We got there as the tide was still pretty far out.

Emma spent the afternoon reading.   But she was wishing she'd worn her swim suit so that she could go play in the surf with her sisters.

There was an endless supply of seaweed for making all sorts of great sloppy witches brews!

Emma & I spent this past weekend in Salt Lake City.  It is such a beautiful city!

We met up with Jared to celebrate his 18th birthday!  We ate dinner at The Roof.  When the pianist played Happy Birthday, a cute little old man with a thick German accent at the table behind us walked over to our table & sang along.  It was adorable!

Emma & I were able to attend the General Women's Broadcast.  It POURED rain all that day, but that couldn't dampen our spirits!

Still Feels Like Summer!

Torah basking in the soft grass & warm sun during Adana's soccer game.  

These two spent hours deciding which was stronger - a snow leopard or an orca whale.  The orca won!

First week of swimming lessons.  She LOVES it!

We have made a commitment to eating Real Foods.  It has been fun to find new recipes and try new things.  This night, I roasted bok choy and yellow beets (and a handful of mini onions from my garden).  Delicious!

Micah has been working every Saturday 7:30-1:30pm for the BI Football Club.  He referees and assists the director of coaching.  After a full week of seminary, school, Scouts & soccer, he is pretty wiped out.

It is still warm enough to enjoy the "pool."  I sure wish we didn't have to start back to school until October.  September is our best month.

Instagram Update

Now I know why all those little 12-year old boys are running around in scout shirts that would fit their dads.

Happiness is ... a Triple Chocolate Parfait.
#screwmydiet

These three ... off to Senior Prom.

Senior prom group.  (Jared near far right, date wearing white dress.)

Jared & Julia

Those Mormon kids.

Eagle Court of Honor.  Congrats @jaredrussell14!
#proudmama

Today, in complete seriousness, Adana asked:  "If you were a banana with legs, what would you use them for?"  Then she chattered on for 10 minutes about all the truly useful ways that a banana might use legs.  Clearly, this had been weighing heavily on her mind lately.
#raisingAdana

Church nap.
#tiepillow #Mormonskillz

Seminary graduation.  I love these kids so much!  They're goofballs & turds, and they often act like siblings (#smalltownlife), but they have supported each other for the past 4 years and I'm going to miss them.  KUDOS to @jaredrussell14 for earning the President's award, plus ALL FOUR YEARS of 100% attendance!!

Preschool End of the Year Celebration.  I'm going to miss all of my sweet Bumblebees!!

Pajama/Crazy Hair Day.
#watermelonstyle
Props to @emmarussell8721 for doing the hair.

Official graduate of BHS Class of 2014.

I am so proud of this boy.

Today wasn't just BHS graduation.  It was also the 8th birthday of our FAVORITE place on the island.  Happy birthday @moraicecream!!!
#moltenchocolatecake
Can you name my flavors, @annabt8?

Joy.  Sheer joy.

Freshman.
#EnterToLearn  #GoForthToServe

Let's be honest - the real reason for going to Utah is the food.
#CostaVida #InNOut #CafeRio

My trek family spent most of the time at the back of the pack.  Dust is the devil.
#trek2014  #ericmorgensenphotography

My handcart, just after we "crossed the Sweetwater."
#impatientMa #trek2014 

My FABULOUS trek family!!  (plus a coupla stake leaders).
I LOVE these kids so much!!

Happy Independence Day!
#PatrioticBandanaGirls

Huckleberry soda in a glass bottle.
#Americana  #happychildhood

First ferris wheel ride.
#sheLOVEDit #toothlesscarnies  #ricketyrides  #somethingsneverchange

The BEST babysitter while mom is busy painting.
#alldaylong  #sheisgonnabeaprune

Torah's first Tipsy Cow shake.
#shelovedit

First day of VBS.
#weartheiremotionsoftheirsleeves

Missed their ferry to make sure they got some Mora!
#priorities  #AuntsUncleCousins

Just spent a week as a cabin mom at Girls Camp.
#fullyexhausted!  #Fireflycabin  #dirtysmellygross  #polardip  #SOMUCHSINGING  #awesomegirls

Gotta give a HUGE shout-out to the coolest priesthood leaders ever at Girls Camp!  The guy in the middle is our stake patriarch, and he did the polar dip every single morning with the girls!

Sounders vs Tottenham Hotspurs game!
#sounderstillidie

The annual Riding of the Horses (aka Pioneer Day celebration).  My kids will forever feel like they are true cow girls because they rode horses for 5 minutes every year.

Just spent 3 days camping in paradise.
#didntwanttoleave

Sister bonding time.

Gettin' ready to jump.  (Can you spot Micah?)
#crazyhighcliff  #givesmomaheartattack

Micah decided to "help" me with some name tags that I needed to make for Primary.
#notveryhelpful  #goodwaytogetmyselfreleased

Just got to hug this guy!
#misshimsomuch

Stumbled into the Park City Marathon on my run this morning.  Next year?  It's on a Saturday!  (And they have a Half.)
#thataltitudetho

Forehead selfie on the Alpine Coaster.

Fantastic devotional by Elder Bednar!
#meetthemormons

In-N-Out selfie with my dad.
#favoritechild

Great time at the first annual Girlsinger weekend!

Happy Birthday Nathan!

Licensed & legal!
#HappyBirthdayMicah

River Front Park, Spokane
Feed the garbage goat
Ride the carousel
Grab some rings
Toss one in the target (missed)
Slide down the big Radio Flyer
Admire the waterfalls

Every little girl needs a big brother!  Micah spent his whole day with Torah.
#sweetfriends  #lazyriver  #kiddierides  #heevenboughtherDippinDots

11th, 7th & 3rd
#BainbridgeHighSchool
#WoodwardMIddleSchool
#OrdwayElementary