The Last Bit of Summer

Monday morning Maise and Nick headed to MUHS to register and begin their new school year.  Just moments before, Maisie had her arm around Nick and was explaining all the things.

After training for cross country four days a week, they have so much in common and so much love for one another.

Maisie was late to work, so she drove me all the way to Sedons.  She's quite the pro.

Morning swimmers.

Wednesday morning was the first day of the summer that the entire day was all mine -- not one obligation. I read books and napped, naturally.  All my little darlings did the same.

"Mom, I finished my school work."  She came to me with my scripture notebook which contained two hearts with the words, "toot and poop."  I'm so proud of her.

Blonde-boy Ryan.

Yes! Our 21st wedding anniversary came and went with lots of work.  I did make dinner and decorated the table.  

Friday, though, we celebrated with a temple session and lunch in Phoenix.  Our day together was not rushed, nor is our eternity.  We have all the minutes to only increase our love and improve our understanding.  May we both continue to be committed to our covenants and constantly care for each other.

Saturday we all happened to be home and swim for an hour.  I took this picture before the rest of the crowd came out.  Andy put Nick on his shoulders and jumped off the diving board.  Maisie led games of sharks and minnows.  Ryan can surf the width of the pool.  Eddie sits at the top of the slide and waits for an obscure gaming advantage.  Molly decided, "I can't go in the tube -- it's a danger zone."  Austin swims with his googles that leave an impression on his bald head.  Maddie gracefully dives and flips and flies through the air.

 

Monsoons

Missionay Monday is a fun tradition: We read the letters from our current missionaries, whereupon I tear up and cry with delight as their testimonies increase and their work ethic soars.  I want my children to know what a mission really looks, feels and sounds.

Our neighbor brought over a few limbs from his peach tree.  We picked the peaches and ate all of them.  Oh, wow, these peaches were perfect.  Peaches are forever my favorite fruit.

We are enjoying the monsoon rains and cooler weather.  Molly was a wee bit chilly, so she donned her winter parka.

Lots of shade and cooler temps mean lots of summer reading.

I thought my ponytail look especially nice, but it was ruined when I jumped in the pool minutes later.  Worth it.  

Andy came home with these calluses, "I've upgraded my sledge."

Molly kissed his hands.

I'm still baking bread.

Lots of painting and coloring on these rainy days.

Friday night Maisie used her Youtube lessons and gave her siblings slender noses and sleek cheek bones, via highlights.

Saturday morning we prepared for the office party.  Naturally the natural guests showed up.

Party.

That night was the storm of all storms.  Our basement flooded, the rocked landscaping was destroyed, and the culvert filled to the top.  Sheets of rain anwered our prayers, and all things living took a deep breath.

Sunday more storms were due, so the ward came and helped us rebuild a broken retaining wall, cleared the pipes and scraped the driveway.  It always feels so good to be loved through service.  Our bishop ended our meetings after the first hour to prepare for the upcoming storms.

 No Maisie this week.  She's driving Austin to work everyday and home every night.  She sings and finishes the kitchen.  She is happy and nice.

Puerto Penasco 2021

Trek was canceled this year for our youth, so we dipped and went to Mexico resulting the the most relaxing trip, ever.

Criminals. (This is the worst picture of Austin, but I had to document the road trip in which he got pulled over in Mexico for speeding and was totally scammed.  We were at the policia's mercy -- a scary place to be.)

Lunchers.  (Brissa Tacos for lunch.)

Kitchen staff. (Not really, Austin and I did most of the cafeteria tasks._

Beach bums. (It took about 10 minutes and these guys were ready for the waves.)

Wave runners. ( Lots of huge waves this year -- the kind that make you smash into shore and fill your pants with sand.)

Body surfer. (Andy would push him into the waves, and Ryan would ride them in.) 

Tubers.  (Tube rides were epic with those waves.  Nick ate sand so often, but laughed the entire time.)

Reader. (It takes a lot of energy to get thrashed by the water, so hours of reading followed hours of water.)

Foosers.  (The foosball table was well used.  Austin pulled out all his dental school tricks.  He snapped into a crazy competitor and made me laugh so hard.)

"I did this on purpose.  I got myself wet and rolled in the sand."

Ballers. (We played kick ball on the sand bar every afternoon.  We didn't keep score, but once Austin ran with the ball and threw it as hard as he could at Ryan, which sent Ryan flying in the air.  Dummy, Daddy.)

Salon goers. (Maria came and braided hair for an hour.)

Pretty ladies.

More sand and surf.

Merch models.  (The vendors walked the beach because we stayed so close to town -- these two chose shark necklaces.)

Literates. (I think we all read at least two thicky novels, each.)  

Digger.

Players.  (Sun set games.)

Lapper.  (He always finds me lap; I never complain.)

Sun damage.  Skin cancer.

Cutie pie.

Seesters.

Brothers.

Napper.

"I will remember all the sleep I got," Andy.  He did sleep for hours on the balcony.

Night owls. (We stayed up late always ending CFM with movies and popcorn.)

Little Sister.  (She ate several otter pops each day.)

Bookworm.

Followers.

Laugher.

Siblings.  (Ryan's giving Molly bunny ears.  Nutter.)

Flexer.

Baby flexer.

Golden hour.

Balcony balancers.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/aJ3bFuntfBAe9iko9

Jumpers.

Fire lovers.

Morning Switch players.

Mother.

Rescuers. (Ryan was stung by a sting ray.)

Best pals.

Relaxed, rested and romanced.

Tannest.

Final picture on the final night.

Church goers.

Car riders.

Non-stresser.