Teton Valley

When I tell people that I grew up in Idaho they always look at me with a little pity so I quickly tell them I grew up in the beautiful part of Idaho. I love the little valley I grew up in. In fact I think if everyone had my childhood the world would be a happier place. I love the mountains there and thought as a kid that we had a ton of trees. Then I moved to Seattle and the first time I went back I was amazed that someone had been cutting down all the trees while I was away...I love being from a small town. I love that I know something about 4-H and have been to a rodeo or two. I love that we have a town that came to all the high school sporting events because that was the thing to do on a Friday or Saturday night. Plus what a beautiful place to golf when we get to visit in the summer.

Cannon's baptism

Cannon was baptized while we were at my parents in Driggs this summer. He loves that we celebrate his birthday while we are visiting family each year. This year Phil's sister, Tamara was in charge of the Combs' family reunion so we had it as her house in Jackson. So half of Phil's family were still there and got to come over to his baptism and all the cousins from my side were there. Grandpa and Grandma Rammell came and it was such a special day. My sisters sang with me and I was doing such a great job controlling the tears until I looked at Amber who was crying. Then all the cousins sang I am a child of God  and it was just so amazing to see them all up there and loving them all so much. It was a super great day. Cannon was excited to get baptized and to have everyone there to celebrate. Everyone wrote on little cards things about Cannon or about their own baptism and Cannon loves to read through them and smiles when hearing how much he is loved by all his family. I still can't believe he is 8 and we have now entered the world of scouting. As a girl with no brothers I feel I am now venturing off to a new and unexplored planet. Good thing for great leaders.

Another One

These are just a few of the pictures we took of Cannon for his baptism announcement. We loved so many of them it was hard to pick just one to print. I love this boy!

Lyla Loads Dishwasher

Lyla wanted more chores to do while we were hanging out each day the last month of school and really wanted to load the dishwasher...play in the sink water. Let's be honest I have a hard time letting Phil load the dishwasher because I am pretty sure I can get more things to fit so I knew this chore wasn't going to last long. She did a great job that day and then we moved her on to helping Cannon with the garbage and helping put laundry away. Now my little buddy is at kindergarten all day and I miss her. One the first day of dropping her off I got up super early so I could shower and get ready after my run before school started. When we pulled up to the school she hopped out and started to walk away. I yelled out the window "don't you want me to take you in?" (with a little tear in my eye) She politely let me know, "they don't like mommies in school" she walked to the door and turned to wave just to make sure I was okay. I must say that I wasn't and we are 5 days into it and it is still hard taking all the kids and leaving them there to come home alone.

Day 2

 We started off the month of June with cousins over for the weekend while Katrina and Ethan were in town for the summer. They stayed for two months during summer break from law school and we only got to see them a few times. Sometimes Vashon Island seems so far away. The water balloon launcher had to make an appearance for Cannon.

 We played more kickball with people from church. The kids did a great job cheering everyone on when they were waiting for their turn to kick the ball.

We love the Hendrix's and always have a great time hanging out. JaNae is the kindest, nicest and sweetest friend ever. They have great kids and the best babysitters ever. It was a super cold evening they came over for a swim, but all the kids got in the water and tried to last as long as they could. It was windy and all the adults stayed safe on the beach.