Missing you...and you...and you, oh and you too!

As the kids grow older, we've had to adjust our summer plans slightly.  We have to stick around for camps and parties, and social events that kids just "can't" miss.  Sometimes we even have to do some of our "adventures" with one or even two of the kids missing...which I hate.  This past week ALL 3 of the big kids were gone!  

The girls were at Girls Camp.  Jordan had her 4th year hike (they have to carry all their food and gear in their backpack and camp for 3 days before they join the rest of the stake at Ensign Ranch).  It was Kya's 2nd year.  Both girls had their friends from Portland go with them, which made camp even more special and of course more fun!

And Tyson got to stay the week (actually TEN whole days) with his friend Dylan in Portland.  They had quite a few adventures including the 4T hike--trail, tram, trolley and train.  He wasn't homesick once and had the time of his life!!

The day before everyone came home, Mike left for his brother, Jeff's wedding up in Canada.  Which left Summer and I all alone--at least only for 1 day!  

Summer and I had to keep ourselves busy...so we didn't miss everyone more than we could handle.  )She was so sweet talking about missing her siblings.  When something exciting would happen, she would say "show Tyson" and then I'd have to remind her that he was gone.  She was so excited when we finally got to pick everyone up.)  We ended up going on lots of walks, to the park, to the zoo, and we also got to spend a day on Jetty Island with some friends.  

I'm not quite ready for this next stage of life that seems to be creeping up on me.  I love having the whole family together all the time, but I know that is looking less and less realistic as the years go by (since we only have 2 more summers before Jordan graduates).  I just need to soak it all in as long as I can.  Love this little family we have created.  

Kristie's Wedding

I was not expecting to go to California this summer.  I was not expecting to go on a weekend getaway with just my sister either, BUT...I was also not expecting to open up a wedding invitation from my college roommate, Kristie!!  Once, that invitation was opened, the rest was inevitable.

It was quick, it was hot, it was a little stressful, and it was probably too expensive, but it was still awesome.  So glad Tina was willing to go with me...and so glad Kristie gave us a reason to go!

Super early morning at the airport (I think wake up call was around 4:45am)...excited to be on our way!

We did a little shopping while we waited to check into the hotel...we found the hugest mall and wanted to spend all our money, but we didn't.  We did have a few needs though...like sunglasses and sunscreen...oh and nail polish!!!  Don't worry, Tina did not buy these glasses.  By this point of the trip we were laughing like we were drunk...or up way too late, or had way too much sugar...and the laughing continued...the entire weekend.

As soon as we checked in, we headed to the pool!  What else would two whities from the pacific northwest do in 100+ degree heat?!  Don't worry, we wore our sunscreen like the responsible adults that we are.

Then we met Kristie for dinner, where we got the scoop on her man and I accidentally ordered my 2nd plate of nachos of the day.  It was so good to catch up and laugh, and laugh and laugh some more.  We even got to meet Kristie's fiance Eric...at Dairy Queen where we ordered ice cream even though we weren't even hungry--ugh!

Saturday was pretty much all pool time...until I got seasick from my floatie and we worried we might get heat stroke or that Tina's hair would turn red, or that we would get burnt to a crisp.

Had to squeeze in a trip to In n Out since Tina had never been.  And our helpful hotel worker (who had long conversations with us every time we walked through the lobby...) recommended the "animal-style" fries, so we felt obligated to pay $4 and add them to our order just in case he asked us about it when we got back to the hotel (we had plans to tell him about the fries and sneak a quick picture of him but unfortunately/or fortunately we never saw him again)...they were pretty yummy at least.   

Then we were off to the weeding!!  Eek!  It had cooled down to a nice 90 degrees and with the wind and the shade it actually didn't feel too warm.

(By this point of our trip, we were expert selfie-takers; we'll have to remember the selfie-stick on our next adventure)

The wedding was small and simple...and pink which I love.  When the sun went down and the patio lights and candles were the only light, it was even more beautiful.

So by the end of the trip, we were tired, especially since we had to get up and 3:45am for our flight home.  Tina's tummy was a little unsteady and my left ear was completely plugged...we were in rough shape, which made us even more happy to be home.

Less than a week in Canada

Since moving closer to home, our 6 weeks in Canada has turned into a weekend here and there or a quick trip up for a birthday party.  Even the summer time has become so busy that it's hard to find a full week that we can spend in Canada!!  This past week we spent 4 great days doing what we love...spending time with family and exploring Canada.

First stop:  Grandma and Grandpa's House

Where else can you find two toddlers playing the organ next to porcelain dolls and an angel statue?

Or a super-wild, giant, white kitty cat who stays out all night?!

Or 3 boys climbing a giant tree?

Or endless blueberries?

Next Stop, Lynn Canyon:

We drove out to North Vancouver to explore Lynn Canyon.  But first we had to stop for lunch...we took over the majority of McDonald's with our huge group of kids!

 Lynn Canyon was so beautiful, but once the sun came out, the kids were dying to go swimming!!  So we headed out to Stanley Park to try out Second Beach Pool that Sheri told us about.  There is something magical about a pool overlooking the ocean.  It was a little chilly, but such a great pool and so much fun!

Next Stop, Second Beach Pool:

 

Finally, A Day at Sheri's House:

We don't get to see Sheri as much as we'd like because of her busy schedule!  This time, we were lucky enough to spend a day at her place, swimming in her pool and playing with her kitty cats!

We also managed to squeeze in...

Birchwood Dairy (and Dragon Fort):

And plenty of trampoline time:

And just like that, our Canada trip is over...for a few weeks at least.

Independence Day

I have now lived in the USA more than half my life!  I've lived in 4 different states, had 4 babies here, visited the nation's capital, memorized the words to the national anthem, taught my kids the pledge of allegiance, celebrated the 4th of July with fireworks and BBQs, and even got teary eyed during the song "Proud to be an American."  

This year we hiked down to Meadowdale Beach...somehow I came up with the grand idea of Mike wearing Summer on the way down and me wearing her on the way up...not sure what I was thinking.

 Then we headed to Kenmore for fireworks.  

Summer had a blast...until the fireworks started, then she cried until it was over--poor girl.

I am very grateful for this wonderful land we live in and all the amazing blessings it has given me. But I still cringe just a little when people call it the "greatest" nation and I'm pretty sure a little more than half my heart will always be more Canadian than American.

Ensign Ranch 2016

Everything didn't go as planned...

1.  Mike's car needed the breaks repaired and he had a 3pm meeting so we got off to a late start.

2.  Summer got tons slivers in each foot that I didn't notice until we were on our way (we had to stop for tweezers--ugh).

3.  There was a fire ban, so our dinner was eaten at a burger joint on the way to camp (instead of roasted on the fire).

Love this eating picture...especially Mike:)

4.  We locked ourselves out of our cabin at 10 o'clock at night (we had to call and wake up the people who worked at the ranch to give us a key).

5.  Summer woke up 4 times during the night.

6.  We ate way too many chips and sour patch kids!!!

But we still had SO MUCH FUN...

1.  We got to meet some new people and play games with the adults (not "adult games"--haha)

2.  The sun came out Saturday for slip and sliding.

3.  Summer played with the shower the entire time the other kids played on the slip and slide (I was worried she'd be upset she couldn't do the slide too)

4.  The kids all got to ride horses for only $15 each!!

4.  The Lake didn't have leaches, so the kids got to go swimming.

5.  The kids met some kids from the stake too!!

  

6.  We made some great memories!

 

Birthday for days

How is it that my kids seem to get two or sometimes three "birthdays" when my birthday can come and go and I'm lucky if I get someone to say "Happy Birthday?!"  Such is the life of a mom, I guess.

This birthday was a special one for Kya...she became a TEENAGER!!  We surprised her with a trip to Family Fun Center on her actually birthday, then she requested The Cheesecake Factory for dinner, and the actual "party" came a week later.

Family Fun Center:  Bumper Cars, Go Carts, Tight Rope, Bumper Boats, Trampoline...

Cheesecake Factory for the first time EVER!!  

Then the FRIENDS party at the lake!  Kya had planned this party for months, and when her birthday came and the weather wasn't great, she did it anyways.  Those kids had so much fun!!

Finished the night off with more cheesecake, smores and a bon fire in the backyard.