{Friday}

The day started with Sky High.

Maisey and Ellie using my camera while I drove. Good one girls!

 Next, it was onto the fair to watch Maisey (and Ellie) dance.

 Ryley had a GREAT time touring the campers, trailers, reptiles, and construction equipment!

 Chad enjoyed his enormous $9 corn dog- yuck. I won't lie, I tried it but I wouldn't dare order one.

Next, Maisey attended the Miranda Cosgrove (ICarly) concert with Lexie! Thanks to the Satters for inviting her!
Pics to come when I figure out what to do with this blog. I want to ask Blogger or Picasa a question but I cannot get a contact number no matter where I look!

{This Weekend}

Friday Chad took the kids to the Father/Child Camp out. I worked for several hours, and then Maisey's a friend and her daughter (Maisey's BF) came over to make hair clips. I wanted to make some for my new, all girl primary class. I was called to teach CTR 4 and I was elated when I found out I have 6 girls on my roster (although I just realized one stayed in the Quatama Ward during the switch). In the  morning I enjoyed finding some garage sales wit Lisa (I finally found an old window) and then lunch. My family called me home a couple hours early which gave us time to head to Sand in the City. We LOVE going each year and enjoyed it even more this time because it wasn't as crowded. I forgot my camera or else I would have more to show... If you haven't been, you should try for next year- it's really neat!

 

{Busy Bees}

This summer is flying by! We have enjoyed swimming, bike riding, trips to parks and fountains, school (okay, that isn't enjoyable for Chad and I in the summer), and many little jaunts (2 trips to Eugene and 1 coming, Hood River for the 4th of July, the coast for our anniversary, the father/child camp out-pics coming). We have Sunriver in a couple weeks, Maisey has dance camp the day after we get home, and all the daily things like work, dance, play dates, and weekly gymnastics (Ry). 

To get the girls ready for the school year and competitions, they dance in the community at many things. This was Maisey's first time with the new group at a concert in the village. Several girls were missing with summer plans and all, but the ones who were there enjoyed it. It is a nice primer for the real thing, fake eye lashes and all (Maisey is ecstatic about wearing the garb of make-up)!

 Ry and his dance buddy. He and this guy were friends before we changed companies because his big sister has danced competitively for 5 years.

Ry in front of the big dance bus.

{lately}

Ryley has been testing out some new ways to enter the pool.

 He LOVES the water! Really, he wouldn't be our kid if he wasn't obsessed with H2O!

Boating

Little Abbey was such a trooper all those hours on the boat!

The boys

 Sleeping- I Love his long lashes and peaceful look.
He wouldn't get in the water for some reason. He thought it smelled weird but it was the boat. After getting in one time, the rope to the raft touched him and he freaked like it was going to take him under.

Wilde rides- I got boat sick and wanted off so bad. At least I kept everything down.

 Double duty on the wake board- go Herb!

 Ci

Chad on the knee board.

A little baking going on...

I made these funny cupcakes- but didn't eat one. Hopefully people liked them because candy and cupcakes don't mix in my mind!

Peas and carrots, corn on the cob, and mashed potatoes and gravy (for those who aren't on FB).

Bliss cupcakes- Honestly, I think all my baking is better, but the kids wanted ice cream on a scorching day, it's located across the street from dance, and I had to have "itty bitty" small cupcake, just to make sure they aren't better than mine!

{Becky Time}

This past week I was head over heels for some Becky time!

I don't remember when I met Becky, because I have felt I've known her all my life. I am pretty sure I was 15 or so and it was probably at chruch camp.

Her family was the BIG family I didn't have. She had 3 brothers (who were all out of the home by the time I came along), and 5 fun sisters to share.

Her dear mother Lynn passed away a couple weeks ago and we attended her funeral while in Eugene for my great grandmothers.

She passed early and left behind 30 grandchildren.

I have such fond memories in their home and I thankful for the time I was able to spend with Lynn.

She taught me to sew and gave me countless hours of attention. She always spent so much time caring for others and she was a woman of service. 

And Becky, she is just as amazing.

 

 Probably the kindest, most accepting person I will ever meet. She is also very, very talented and if you are close to me you might have to join me at one of her shows. We spent the day shopping and shopping at vintage resale places. We made it to Montachello, an enormouse shabby chic vintage store I learned about in Idaho. If only the prices were as cheap their, my goodness!

It was an enjoyable day I was so glad we were able to take the time out to make it happen!

Portland is so fun and I had my own tour guide!

This awesome shabby store was enormous but pricey as I mentioned. I was looking for some furniture to flip but didn't find anything.

{The 4th of July}

We did the typical Independance day activity, only we went back to "our old stomping ground" as Chad would say it, and enjoed the Hood River parade and festivities.

  My Father in-law Lynn, or Opa. I love how enthusiastic he is in this picture and that pretty much captures who he is in life! He is SO supportive of the community (he was City Manager so that's a good thing), but after being a POW in the Vietnam was for 1- 1/2 years, he knows what the true feeling of patriotism is. If you want to read a quick bio you can read here. Amazing.

 Mother in-law Sue, or Oma. She held Ry throughout the parade and provided the sunscreen since I left mine a long walk away.

Gotta love poppers, and the paper mess they leave behind...

If my camera hadn't died you see more concert in the park picnic pictures, playing on the beach of the Hood River soaking up rays, dinner with the family, and fireworks. We just went up for the day, 8AM to 12:30 AM, and we were thankful it wasn't a Satuday night with church the next day!

We hope your holiday was great too! The weather certainly was!

{10}

On June 29th Chad and I celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary.

We went to Seaside while Uncle Adam and Aunt Carey kept the kids.

The only other time we have been away together overnight occurred just a couple months back; they also had the kids then. We greatly appreciate it too!

We haven't left our kids in the past for several reasons, one being the eldest was a terrible sleeper until recently when the night terrors stopped.

As much as we have assured people they sleep well, and that Ryley is a fine sleeper (in hopes to farm them out), he proved us wrong last night. We left the coast earlier than expected to come home because he was VOMITING! Apparently, he wouldn't eat, he wouldn't go to sleep, and once he did, it didn't last long because he got sick. Fortunately, he is on the mend now!

In the meantime, Chad and I had a great time. We went antiqueing, swimming, ate, walked it off on the beach, and just relaxed.

Taken from the 8th floor where we stayed.

Our studio.

My favorite part of Seaside- the swings on the beach.

We forgot our kites, darn it. I have loved kites since I was a small child and I want to take my family to the kite festival someday when we have a little more time, if that ever happens!

Ok, I said no sleeping in and I meant it. But, we should have slept past 7 because we have tired eyes in this picture!

It's funny how time passes when you aren't running around with kids. Although we didn't have an agenda, when I would check the time it seemed it was moving slower than ever. 1  hour honestly felt like 3! We had a great time without a dull momment, and don't get me wrong, I was thankful for the slower pace, it was just unusual.

Do you know the feeling?

Us

 We celebrated with the kids at The Cheesecake Factory before leaving.

Recently I realized what a good team Chad and I are. With a lot of sacrifice we are able to make a things work around here. I look forward to all the growth we will make together in the future.

My friend was talking about this quote the other day and how self-serving it is. Thinking like this may very well be why I will always have a job as a Marriage and Family Therapist! Despite the fact it might make me successful, I would rather that not be the case.

When I read this quote it made me think about marriage. In the past there have been times when I've actually asked myself how my relationship "serves" me. I have also thought about moments when my growth has been stunted rather than developed. During those times I came to realize I was prideful. In order for me to be happy I needed to humble myself and look at things differently, because really, I was the only one who could change my outlook.

Marriage can be a real struggle. I don't think it is being married on it's own that makes it hard, but being committed to work on things rather than walk away. And parenting, oh, that is where our differences once surfaced. But, we work on it, EVERDAY. We are happy, supportive, we are growing, and it is still hard. Recently at church a speaker said, "It's all worth it and someday we will see." A kind but desperate woman next to me chuckled and under her breath and slightly in my ear she said, "Is it? I really don't think it is." I said to her, "I have to believe it is or there are times I wouldn't be able to go on."

 Fortunately, I am married to a very kind, patient, and forgiving man. He constantly reminds me to be meek and humble, probably more frequently than I even realize. He is a wonderful father. He does so much for me, for the children, and for the house... I should be ashamed to ever ask for more. Oh, the things he teaches me and the love I have for him!

I look forward to eternity with him and the rest of our family!