In Summerrrrrr!

Summer in in full swing!  I read to these cuties most afternoons.

 Andy found a high place to read.

 Maisie prepared a lovely FHE for us about  faith.

 For our activity with played "Cootie" with cake balls and candy.  It was really fun.

 Molly stays up late with the rest of us, so we crash into bed.  Austin moves her when he comes in.

 Grandpa B. has employed my kids to help with some home renovation.  We've spent a few mornings over there working and getting paid.  I've watched my children faithfully pay their tithing.

 He the brawns behind in all.

 Maisie, Maddie and Molly play with their Build-a-Bears.  Those bears "go" to school, the pool and to primary.

 Eddie lost his first tooth!  He is so big.

 Night swimming is always a special treat.  Eddie swims without his floatie.

 Our friends showed us a hidden hiking and swimming destination.  We packed a lunch and hiked in.  Ryan walked the entire way.  Molly cried the entire way.  Andy whined the entire time.  Eddie hiked like a champ.  Maisie, Maddie and Nick were very pleasant.  I'll just take them next time.

 I found this delicious popsicle.  Molly comeondeared quickly.

 Ok.  This summer has simply been the best.  We swim 2-3 hours every afternoon in 105* sunny skies, 87* pool water, and no friends.  I haven't invited a soul, so I just get in and swim and swim and play with the kids.  They are teaching me how to dive.  I love it.

 Our garden was eaten alive by many uninvited guests while we were in Italy.  But, we are harvesting squash and a few tomatoes.

 Meg went to Cross Country camp at BYU.  We missed her.  I picked up my twin from the airport.

 More brilliant swimming.

Summer is so lovely.

Father's Day

I miss my daddy.  I know that he sees all the good and bad.  And yet, just like our my Heavenly Father, he still loves me. So this is where I keep trying even if my progression is hardly forward.

 These two fathers keep us all moving in that forward motion.  They work and teach and love.

 Grandma B. made us all Sunday dinner and we spent the evening eating and loving together.  Grandma is showing them her Africa mission power point.

 Austin is showing her his Italy pictures.

 While our father took care of the ward family, they asked for a tea party.  We sat together and smugly supped.

 I'm sure this next statement is way too generalized:  Men that provide and protect, love and sustain their wives and children are unconquerable. This occurs in history over and over again.  Men that fulfill their familial responsibilities -- whether or not they believe in God -- are protected by Him.  So to have been raised by and married to righteous men in history that fulfill their familial responsibilities AND believe in God is just remarkable.  I am eternally blessed.

Maddie is 9!

My little Maddie is becoming quite big -- she's 9!  We celebrated in Utah with all the cousins, because we drove back to Arizona on her birthday.  Maddie is sure lucky that all these people love her!

 Grandma Kim even bought her a special crown and badge to wear in the car.

 Birthday nap.

 Home again and a few candles in an ice cream sandwich made her so happy.

 Squeaky clean and ready for church!

Top Nine Reasons We Love Maddie

1.  She writes lovely notes to her daddy.

2.  She sings loudly for her mommy in primary.

3.  She helps Meg clean her room.

4.  She lets Andy brutally tease her.

5.  She reads in quiet nooks beside Maisie.

6.  She plays crazy ball games with Nick.

7.  She let's Eddie beat her to the bus stop.

8.  She scratches Ryan's back in church.

9.  She packs Molly around on her hip and then plays dollhouse with her.

Maddie is a special kind of wonderful, and we love her!

I Heart Roma

 We made it to Rome.  We found the Vatican from afar.

 Here is our group following Austin to our next destination.  He spent much of his time mapping.

 Piazza Navona

 Pantheon

We're looking up.

 Bernini sculpture -- look how she nurtures.

 Trevi Fountain -- I threw a coin in my right hand over my left shoulder -- we'll be back

 The Spanish Steps -- we sat and people watched -- and maybe stole a kiss or two.

 The same city, a very different view.

 Villa Borghese

 Detail of Daphne turning into a tree.

 Bernini's David

 Lunch!  My favorite pizza the entire time.

 Vatican Museums

 Raphael's "School of Athens"

 Another beautiful family.

 A climbed to the top of the Vatican.  Here is the view.

 Outside again

 Dinner

 Colluseum

Austin knew this quaint little spot where looking through a keyhole, the Vatican was framed.  My awesome camera totally captured it.  But, even better, these two came with us, and we sat in this little park while a violinist played the most beautiful music.

Our final night we meandered around the city streets drinking in the atmosphere, the sunset, each other.

Trevi at night.

On our way home again, and our seats were so close this time.  Finally.  I watched nine hours of movies -- so did he.  All the while I had to stay awake.  I mostly did. 

Seeing these flags in Chicago made me happy to live in the promised land, no matter how lovely our Italy tour was.

Summing up.  I decided that just being with Austin is vacation.  He can take me any where, but with him is where I am complete.  (Oh, we were in the business lounge and they had Italian -- Tuscan -- water.  It all felt like a dream at that point.)