Peace Arch Park

 When we were young, we lived in White Rock and had a cabin in WA.  When we drove down to our cabin, we would pass through the Peace Arch border.  When I was 7, we moved to Abbotsford.  Once we moved, we no longer crossed at Peace Arch because Sumas border was closer.  I've realized, in my adult life, every time I do cross at Peace Arch (to go to Vancouver or visit Ginny) it makes me nostalgic.

Since the Canada/USA border has been closed, I heard that people from both countries could meet up at Peace Arch.  I wasn't sure how it all worked, which is probably why it took us over a year before we tried it.  Once we did, I wondered why we had waited so long!!  Peace Arch will hold even more special memories for me now:)

So grateful to be able to see family and friend from Canada.  100% worth the 2 hour drive to get there!  Also, they announced last week that the Canadian border will open August 9th!!!!!!!!!!!

4 adults 2 kids

Kya is an adult!! 

We went to Crystal Creek Cafe for breakfast, then Kya had to work.  She requested homemade mac and cheese, poutine and BBQ steaks for dinner, oh and Cold Stone ice cream instead of a cake.  It was delicious (although, I would have liked a cake!!).  She finished the night off with paddle boarding at sunset.

I made Kya a picture collage (like I did for Jordan when she graduated), then I made a 18th birthday video (that was a lot more difficult than I expected).  Looking through all the pictures made me kind of sad.  It all goes by so fast.  But I am proud of the girl Kya has become.  She is bold and caring.  She is adventurous and kind.  She is friendly and funny.

 First order of business after turning 18...bungee jumping--eek!!

Walla Walla Walla

 During spring break it seemed like everyone was out of town.  It had been over a year since it was acceptable to travel because of Covid, and I still felt like we should wait to travel until we were all vaccinated.  So we didn't go anywhere.  But as I scrolled through social media and saw all the fun my friends were having, I thought I should book something! 

All I wanted was a house with a private pool, somewhere warm and not too far (because who am I kidding, I don't want to spend a bunch of money flying somewhere lame...I'm saving the big bucks for when international travel opens back up).  I seriously searched VRBO for anywhere in all of WA and OR with a private pool that wasn't crazy expensive or far or cold haha.  After HOURS of searching, I finally found something that worked.  I honestly couldn't believe how difficult it was to find something!!  

We ended up in Walla Walla, WA...and it was HOT (like, 115 degrees hot)!!  All we basically did was swim and eat...oh and Tyson threw up for a day and Phoebe had to go to the ER with a sliced hand.  Exciting times:/

The pool was heavenly!  As soon as we got there, everyone jumped right in...well, everyone but Mike (who hates sun and water haha)

Our first night we had a HUGE Mexican feast.  Too bad that's when Tyson started to feel sick 

(I think he got sick from the Wendy's we got on the car ride down)

The property we stayed at was beautiful.  Large green fields of grass, daisies, and lavender (that the owners were watering constantly).

The house was cozy...there wasn't one room that fit us all haha, but it worked.

Walla Walla was a pretty small town, but we managed to find an arcade and bowling ally (that only took cash...Jordan got hit on by some creepy guy when she went to the atm).  Tyson was still kind of sick, but somehow managed to win the jackpot in the arcade.  Unfortunately, there weren't many great prizes to choose from.  I think they got a glow in the dark frisbee, and about a hundred little plastic animals for Summer. 

We also found a cute little ice cream shop...you can tell by Tyson's expression he was still kind of sick when we went there too.

The trip ended with a trip to the ER when Phoebe was almost "taken out by an avocado"...a little bit of glue and tape, she was good to go...only 3 hours behind the rest of us.

Father's Day with No Father

 I was dreading Father's Day this year...the first one without my dad.  His birthday is a week later, then just a couple months and it will be a whole year without him.  I was feeling especially sad and overwhelmed with these milestones looming over me.  Then miraculously the day before Father's Day, I saw something posted on one of my friend's Facebook pages.  It resonated with me.

Since reading that quote, I am trying really hard to live in the present.  To do the things that make me happy and to enjoy the time I have.  It doesn't mean I don't think about my dad every single day, and that I am not still sad...a lot, but I am trying to choose life rather than longing for a past that is gone.  I could spend the rest of my life reliving that awful day, or trying to find answers to why it happened, and where my dad is now.  But nothing would change...nothing, except I would miss out on my life.  I would miss out on the joy and happiness I could have.  I am grateful for this new perspective and hope it helps me let go...at least a little.

I found this picture of my dad that I just love... he's smiling and enjoying life:)  Picking berries will always make me think of him.    

We spent the day celebrating Mike and the wonderful father he is...and I was present.  

Graduation Day

We are so proud of our Kya...and so happy she doesn't have to suffer through anymore virtual/remote/hybrid senior year.  It was rough.  But thankfully we were able to celebrate with a beautiful graduation ceremony.  It was a wonderful day filled with happiness...and sunshine!

I thought the balloons were such a good idea, but I could barely get one picture before the wind took them out!

I loved the outdoor ceremony! 

Thanks Mike, for the bunny ears on an otherwise beautiful picture:/

Strange that I now have two kids out of high school!  Crazy how fast it all goes...

There's something about graduation day that makes me very emotional.  Both times I dropped my girls off in their caps and gowns at the school to meet them at the ceremony, I teared up.  I just can't believe they are done being kids.  I know they still need me and will still be around, but it's not the same.  It's very bitter/sweet (or as Summer calls it sweet/bitter) and it pulls at my mama heart strings.  

We are so proud of you Kya and excited to see where life takes you! 

Build your own Prom 2021

 Kya did her own prom (since the school was not able to do a traditional dinner and dance due to covid).  It turned out to be; getting dressed up for pictures, then into their swimsuits for boating and a BBQ.  Kya had a great time...and I got my pictures, so I guess it was a success, even if it was unconventional.  

This year has been a lot about trying to find new ways to do things without feeling too disappointed.  I think they did a great job...and possibly had more fun than if they had gone to the traditional prom!  Kya looked stunning.

The church also held a Mormon Prom...no dancing, but they did have dinner and games!  It was the first time in over a year that many of these youth were able to get together.  Mormon Prom is for all youth 16 and older...but as soon as they mentioned bringing a date, Tyson was out.  He did agree to pose for a couple pictures before the girls left though:)

Summer is Seven!

All Summer wanted to do for her birthday was swim...for someone who is too scared to put her head in the water, she sure does LOVE to swim!  We had a perfect afternoon at the lake and Summer was in heaven.

She requested crepes for breakfast:)

The cake was my idea.  I had seen pictures of cakes like this and have been wanting to try it, so I thought this was the perfect chance.  I think it was just chocolatey enough for our chocolate lover:)

We went to Idylwood Park on Lake Sammamish.

Summer at 7 years old

-loves swimming (in her life jacket)

-loves animals...even snakes and lizards!

-has a major sweet tooth

-super picky eater...but when she loves something, she'll eat a ton of it

-loves Minecraft...and watching youtubers playing Minecraft

-getting better at reading & loves Pinkalicious books

-learning to ride her bike without training wheels, but is still pretty scared 

-favorite foods are mashed potatoes, popcorn, hamburgers, smores

-loves playing with the kids' friends (Max and Jake are her favorites...oh and Phoebe!)

We love our big 7 year old!  I am so excited for the year ahead...hopefully it'll be full of lots of new friends, learning, fun adventures, and be MASK FREE!!  

Peonies always seem to bloom on Summer's birthday.  I remember when she turned 1, a house on our street had a huge peony bush. I wanted to knock on the door and ask if I could take pictures with it, haha.  Now we have our own!  Hopefully one day it'll be just as big as the one I remember.