Ended Summer

Many events in this past week or so have proven that summer 2016 indeed gone.

Meg registered at Mingus as a Sophmore.

She and I often outlasted the others in the pool.  We discovered that reading without splashing is best.

 Maddie painted Ryan's fingers and toes; I thought they were brushing their teeth.

 30 minutes of daily reading was mandatory.

 We invited friends for an adult night swim -- the water was 89* and lovely.  We splashed and laughed and didn't worry about drowning children.

 These boys watched a bit of Pablo.

 Maisie got a darling new haircut.

 We really did swim everyday.

 Austin helped Nick build with metal parts and screw drivers.

 Ryan knows when the mixer is moving to come and eat the beater.

 Maisie sang in the school district opening meeting.

Our last swim was a bit cloudy and stormy.  After an hour we ended up inside trimming hair, painting nails and ironing clothing.

 Our final dinner was cafeteria themed -- Austin's idea.  The menu consisted of corn dogs, chicken nuggets, canned peaches, celery, honeydew, and chocolate milk.  No one complained.

I will miss my babies.

Anniversary #16

Spending our anniversary in Phoenix was extra fun.  We got up at 5 am to attend the temple.  Then we headed for a couples' massage and lunch at a Brazilian steak house (I stayed close to the salad bar).  Mostly we did what we do best -- simply bask in each others' presence and take in the eternal nature of our relationship.  I love Austin (even if he ruined all our wedding photos squinting and continues to do so.)

Eddie the Photographer

Eddie took all these pictures today. 

I'm 27 weeks.

This morning Maisie and Andy played, "War" with their legos.  Andy had real combat materials, but Maisie had to get creative.  One of her soldiers was a pretty girl with a faucet coming out of her head.  Another soldier planned on sword fighting with a carrot.  And the most deadly soldier had a cupcake on her head that could shoot lasers at the speed of light.  

Eddie the Photographer

Eddie took all these pictures today. 

I'm 27 weeks.

This morning Maisie and Andy played, "War" with their legos.  Andy had real combat materials, but Maisie had to get creative.  One of her soldiers was a pretty girl with a faucet coming out of her head.  Another soldier planned on sword fighting with a carrot.  And the most deadly soldier had a cupcake on her head that could shoot lasers at the speed of light.  

Lazy Summer Days

Maisie learned to sew this week.  She made these alphabet letters.

 I think this is the first time we have all been in Walmart juntos.  Good times.

 And, monsoon season is here.  Each afternoon a terrific rain storm rolls in just in time for a summer soaking.  The kids giggle and giggle about their raining-day adventures.

 Ryan and I love to watch them.

Ryan is still Meg's baby.

Sundays mornings Austin plays games with us.  Home really is our heaven.

Sunday evenings we sit and play again.  Andy just loves our new game.

Cousins' Camp 2016

The Cleverlys, Parkers and Coons came for the most delightful week at cousins' camp.

We ate over 100 otterpops.

 Lyndsey helped us shoot rockets.

 We headed to Sedona for time in the river.

 During quiet moments we played devices.

 FHE

 And, we swam and swam and swam.

 We ate simple meals.

It was rare that we even heard from the kids.  They were so happy playing and loving each other.  I feel so blessed that we are united eternally, and that we make an effort to be together.  Every moment was soul fillling and nourishing.  My husband sure has great sisters that are now mine.

Andy is 13!

Andy is now a teeanager!

 Summer mornings are always the best, especially birthday mornings.  Andy opened new shoes and socks.  Austin took him on the river for five hours, but they didn't take one picture.  

We ate ice cream roll cake and sang our hearts out.  Because, he has our hearts.  Andy is our nice boy that still kisses his younger brothers, is now my "heavy lifter", takes care of all the trash and cheers us all on.  His dives are coming along nicely, and he is running in the mornings with Austin.  We sure love this very big boy.

Evening came and we sat to watch a movie together.  We were so cozy and so happy.

A Mid-Summer's Day Dream

I really do make lovely summer dinners -- mostly brightly colored vegetables.  My little boys go hungry.

 Ryan loves a good shower after his daily swim.

 Eddie jumps and swims all around the shallow end.

 Balancing acts.

 Night swims make us everyone happy.

 The baby pool acts as the hot tub when the pool water dips below 87*.

Oh, I also make delicious breakfasts.

 I took the ladies I visiting teach to the temple.

Summer time and our neighbors brought us honeycomb to melt and turn into honey.  The honey is so sweet and a pale, pale yellow.  The whole experience was sticky.