Saying Goodbye

So Ashlee and Michael were here last week and now they are gone back to California. They stayed with us for Tuesday night before heading on their way. It wasn't a sunny day, but the kids got in the water for a short little swim before dinner and sleepover. Being the wonderful person that I am I had to be mad at Ashlee for moving so I wouldn't be too sad when she left. It wasn't until Sunday driving home from a meeting after church and after the Combs' family reunion that I cried really hard for the 15 minute ride home. I am not a person that likes change. I tried to act like things don't bother me, but it is always a little hard for me to adjust to things.
On a happier note we have had fantastic weather and Phil's sisters brought their kids over yesterday to swim and hang out. It was a wonderful time and I am sadly counting down the days until the kids start school again. I can't believe how quickly the summer has flown by.

Lyla is getting so good at putting her head in the water without plugging her nose.

Emery and her amazing hair.

Olivia, I love this little girl and all her spunk.

I had to brush Lyla's hair and this is what she thought about it.

Lyla's hair gets so bad from the life jacket after swimming.

These pictures are old, maybe even from Miya's baptism? Cannon and Carson were out riding bikes in the rain and got so muddy.

Lately

The sun has been out that last few weeks and we have loved being outside. We eat lunch outside, have friends over and swim most of the day. I can't believe that we are into August and how quickly the summer is flying by, sigh. My kids are at such a great age to really enjoy summer. They are super happy about just hanging out and playing. Plus this summer is the first without naps and we have been out later playing volleyball in the evenings and the kids sleep in later. Yes we are lazily enjoying this summer and yet trying to enjoy all the activities as well. We had cousins over for an afternoon last week.

Lyla the safety child with her life jacket and tube. She is getting much better at putting her face in the water without plugging her nose.

Titus in the background, he could stay in the water all day and never get cold. My kids have to get out about every 15 minutes to warm up in the sun.

We have also met up with friends at Sunnyside Beach a few times this summer. We also got to go to music in the park and listen to Elvis and have snow cones.

Oh, and Ashlee is moving back to California. I am not excited about that next week, but it was so great to have her here for a year and hopefully they will be back in a few years.

Cool Summer

I guess you could say cold summer. Everywhere else in the United States they are having a heatwave, but here in the PNW the summer has been cold. We have therefore been busy painting the girls room and finishing projects in the cabin.

I still need to paint the dresser and I put up the red curtains the other day.

We are doing swimming lessons with the kids and a few other families on Monday nights. Lyla is not so sure about Ryan telling her to put her face in...like I said it has been a COLD summer.

Phil trying to get the older kids to swim. They lasted about 20 minutes and had to get out they were freezing.

Robbi cut my bangs while I was in Driggs. I know self portraits are always amazing. Phil laughs because he is pretty sure I have a picture from elementary where my hair looks exactly the same.

Kerrie

I have the most talented friends. Kerrie took these pictures of Phil and I over Memorial Day on our trip to Oregon. I love them almost as much as I love the man in the pictures. It was a great weekend with amazing people.

Driggs 2011

So we just got back from our trip to Driggs and we're happy to see sunshine in the Pacific Northwest for the 4th of July. We enjoyed events at the park in Dupont and boating with neighbors in the afternoon. I tried getting the kids to bed before the fireworks started, but we noticed little heads peaking out the window late into the night.
We had the kids in swimming lessons with cousins, celebrated Cannon's 7th birthday, took turns making dinners and trying to out do each other with the good food, date nights while the older girls watched all the kids, golfed, ran, took the kids to the drive-in, played games way too late, trip to Jackson, 14 hour drive at night to get there and a much better 14 hour drive back Sunday. I look forward to these trips and love all the time I get to spend with my family. It is crazy to see all of these kids growing up with a year in between visits. Driggs continues to change, but I ran into people at the grocery store and church and it was fun to see them. The kids gathering candy from the birthday pinata.

Smash and Olivia out on the swings.

Cannon opening presents from cousins. He loves having his birthday in Driggs and celebrating with all of his cousins. I can't believe next year we could be doing his baptism in Driggs.

Will launching a water balloon at Uncle Michael on the trampoline.

Michael and Cannon getting ready for someone to shoot them with water balloons.

Cannon starting off the birthday celebration beating his pinata.

Lyla's turn. She wanted to wear cousins clothes the entire time we were there and at this point she was wearing Olivia's shorts (who is about to turn two) and Emery's shirt (who is about a foot shorter).

Lance, John, Mom and Sylvia watching the kids break the pinata.

Cannon, Lyla, Will and Caleb getting ready for the party.

I love this little boy. We celebrated his birthday on the 1st of July and he was so sick the next day on his birthday so we were glad he was able to party.

My beautiful sisters.

We took the older girls out to lunch to pay them back for babysitting many of the nights we were in Driggs.

Miya was excited to be included with the older girls for the lunch out.