Another trip to Big Al's

We try to get down to Portland with Phil a few times a year and play after he is done working for the day. We love going to Big Al's and bowling while we are there. They have the best bowling alley and arcade upstairs. We tried to set up a side game with the kids while we were bowling and if they didn't knock any pins down you had to dance back to your seat. They were so embarrassed when Phil and I would come dancing back to our seats. It is so fun to have the kids at the age when they realize their parents are not very cool. I just love getting to spend time with these guys and love how much they enjoy their time together.

Problems with getting behind

Miya and I were trying to remember where we were in these pictures and what was going on...we couldn't remember. I know we had just gone for a hike and I want to say we were going around Mt. St. Helens and then down to this little lake. Looks like we had a good time wherever we are.

Sunday Walk

Rachel and Nate live just a few blocks from this golf course on the water and it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon. So with full bellies we took off on a little walk with the kids. We live in such a wonderful place and soon Rachel and Nate will be moving back to Texas. We are currently enjoying every minute we can squeeze in with these guys before they leave in a few months. Cannon said the other day, "why do all our friends move?" I was wondering the same thing.

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.