June 2018

June was a great month.  School finished and we were so excited to start school.  Tyler had a big recital for the Piano Place.  He tried out for the Honor Recital and only 20 of the best kids made it.  It was fun to be under the stars and under the trees as kids sang, played and strummed.  

Abby and I still spend a lot of time together.  She loves Ellas friends when she can be with them but she loves her mom the most!  I love her freckles, her hair is thick and nice and she gives great hugs and smiles.  She is a natural athlete.  She loves to climb and is very brave.  

Ella and Grace got to go to Millhollow Summer camp.  3 days with no parents is pretty big stuff.  They loved having it together and its so good for Ella to have to go be independent.  

Tyler climbed The Phifferhorn while Darren and I were in Phili.  Great scout leaders.  Again... so great for Tyler to do hard things without his dad or I there.  They planned for good weather so didn't take tents but some rain snuck in.  They got to learn how to make a tent with a tarp.

Abby gets tired.  She is amazing that she can come tell me shes tired and tells me she needs a nap.  In this instance, the house got really quiet and I started looking for her.  She was sleeping in her bed in the room she had just cleaned up.  Abby also graduated from her online preschool. Waterford Rusty and Rosie.  Best preschool ever and its free.  She and I got to stop at the church history museum downtown while we were waiting for graduation.  

We had the Rivers over for dinner one night.  Silly kids all got on their phones . until I called them out on it.  So they pretended to go to sleep instead.  We took a fun summer hike with the Larrabees, Allens and some Rupp kids.  Lisa Falls and the old Mill on the LCC trail.  McKay found a tunnel under the old mill that lots of kids crawled into.

Fathers day was good.  We cleaned the house for Darren so he knew we loved it.  The girls did a cute card in primary.  Some of the answers made me smile!  Ella said... When my dad comes home from work he ...cleans even more.  And our magnolia tree bloomed.  It was a beautiful flower.

Darren did some running and biking up in the mountains.  Along with painting the garage.  I was his side kick but he did most of the work.  Its beautiful.  Now we just need the lockers and the shelves to make it look finished.

Ely's baptism

Rachel came down from Seattle so Grandpa could baptize Ely.  Rachel did a great job coordinating so everyone participated.  Tyler and Isaac played music.  I lead the music.  We had a great feast afterwards.  I got to kidnap Seth and get him a good looking haircut.  

That night Grandpa too us to Cubbies for dinner.  Then icecream and brownies afterwards at Jennys.  I tried to take some photos but realized I needed to have some of the boys take classes about how to smile for a camera.  I tried the class out with them next day and it wasn't very sucessful.  

We went to a splash pad one day.  The kids are getting older but it still works!  Its easy for us moms to watch them and they wont drowned!

Tyler and Darren had to get in a training ride.  They did the Wasatch Crest trail which is epic and not easy!  I love the time they get to spend together.  Tyler has been placed in the highest group for 7th graders on his team so I am super proud of his hard work!

San Juan Island, Washington

We threw every thing in the car due to the pouring rain and drove out of town... I mean we left Canada.  Pretty crazy to drive over the boarder and we had lovely weather in San Juan Island.  Washington.  We got a hotel with breakfast and a pool.  We woke up early...again... (no sleeping in on this trip) and headed to the ferry.  We got to drive our car on and head to the island.  I love Washington.  I love it a lot.  The ferry ride was chilly.  but beautiful.  We got to explore the island for hours.  

We saw low tide, crabs, cool rocks and logs to climb on.  A light house ...or two!

I loved this tree that was on the island.  The red bark was beautiful.  Pacific Madrone.

We sat and watched in a famous spot for whales.  But we didn't see any jumping. and we weren't very patient.

We drove to a lovely old town with tons of old buildings.  Bocce ball was played. ice cream was eatin'. And then time to head back across the ferry.  The sun setting.  We drove to Rachels.  Slept a few hours and then woke up early to drive the 11 hours home.