Summer Ferry Rides

This was just after Phil's triathlon and we were heading over to play and hang out at the beach on Vashon before Phil's 20 year class reunion. I really can't believe we are that old, but it was a beautiful day and we had a ton of fun. It was the first class reunion we had ever gone to for Phil so I was meeting people for the first time. Most of the people from Phil's class didn't recognize him. One of his friends came up to me and kept asking me who I was and was blown away when I told her I was Phil's wife and he had been in her class. She was a little tipsy at this point so went on to tell me how "hot" he was and how "beautiful" I was. I didn't mind talking to her when she kept telling me about all my natural beauty and how "she should know because she was an artist". Phil and I were the only ones not drinking so of course there came the time that everyone was ready for us to leave so they could really get the party started. We were happy to oblige and went to pick up the kids from Phil's parents and head home for early morning church meetings the next day.
One of the guys I met at the reunion just wanted to talk to Phil and I. I guess he had stayed at Phil's house a few Saturday nights and the rule was if they wanted to stay on Saturday they had to get up and go to church with them on Sunday. This friend remembered so many things about church and wanted to talk about all of them. It was super cute. He talked about fasting (and how hungry he remembered being) he talked about Phil passing the Sacrament. It was a reminder that people are watching and interested in what we are doing and that I should be a better missionary.

Missing the Sun

It stinks to be six months behind on blogging because it forces me to look at all the great pictures from the warm summer and being outside in the sunshine. We had a lot of friends over to swim this summer, but we also had some super great days with just the four of us out in the water and playing on the beach. The kids learned to dive this summer, took up fishing, went through bottles of sunscreen and learned to be each others friends. It was super fun to watch them play and recognize that they really liked doing things together. There was still fighting, but not as much and some days I would put them happily to bed without any fighting that day. One low point of the past few months when Cannon did something (I don't even remember what) I said, "Cannon when you act like that who are you choosing to follow." He said, "Satan." I want him to think about the choices we make, but it was a little harsh in the way it all came out. He is a good boy and really tries to do what is right and loves reading the scriptures and asks a lot of questions so he can understand. Parenting is hard and I am sure Heavenly Father knew I would struggle because he sent me some of the best kids.

Date Night

A beautiful night in Tacoma after a trip to the temple and waiting for our table at a place on the water. I love how happy this guy makes me and I love getting to spend time with him. Plus I think we both have almost the same hair cut in this picture. Mine looks cooler from the side than it really was!

Phil's Triathlon

So Phil and I have done a short little triathlon a few times and I went to sign up for it again last summer, but they had doubled the length so it was now an Olympic one. I was signing up late and we only had a week to train and I was sure I couldn't swim a mile so Phil did it on his own. He did a great job and the kids loved seeing him at the finish line. He was hoping to be finished under 3 hours since he was about 90 minutes on the sprint ones and he killed it and came it at 2 hours 47 minutes. We had a good laugh that they guy who won finished in just over 1 hour 9 minutes. CRAZY! Later that afternoon we hopped on the ferry to go to Vashon for his 20 year class reunion.

Summer Days

I know I have mentioned how wonderful this summer was, but I just have to say it again...THIS SUMMER WAS WONDERFUL. My kids are at the perfect age to enjoy just about anything even an afternoon in the park throwing a football around and a little family ultimate Frisbee. This day was some time in the summer, I couldn't tell you the actual date because it could have been any number of days we spent outside enjoying each other. I remember a time when I was sitting on the couch with three little ones sitting around me and thinking it would always be just like that and now it is so different, but also so wonderful. I love my little family and all the time I get to spend with my kids. This month of January we are doing no "screen time" which means no tv, computer/games or movies for the kids. They had been so great about it and have found so many great things to do together. Plus we have had a ton less fighting which is wonderful!