Say Goodbye to Summer

Sunday night was out last summer sabbath.  I made the kids pile up.  Poor Maisie is there, under Nick, but you can only see her legs and mouth.

 Monday was a bunch of swimming.  Ryan now goes off the diving board, and even likes to pencil dive and throw his body sideways.  Molly walks right into the water.

 Molly's two teeth -- that she cut on Andy's birthday -- have been impossible to capture, not for a lack of trying.

 More swimming, because we never get tired of it.

Andy watched Molly inside, then all the kids went in, to Ryan and I stayed out.  It was so relaxing.  Soaking in the pool solo -- a summer first.

 We have not nightly routine once we've read, prayed and the littles are in bed.  Mostly the kids play PS4 or watch a show.  Maisie came up and gave us a balloon animal tutorial.

 This is real and another first.  Austin and I got up at 5:30 to exercise in the pool.  It was divine!  Where have I been for four years?  He swam laps for 30 minutes.  I went for about 8, was drowning, and then did aerobics in the shallow end via Youtube tutorials.  I loved it.

 Grandma and Grandpa B. moved to our community! We could not be more thrilled. Here are the kids looking at their rental from the top of the hill.

 Meg is a junior at MUHS!  She looked darling, and she told me that this year is going to be so great.  I believe her.

 She's sure a beauty.

 Molly walks.  And walks.  And walks.

 Friday Austin and I spent a day in the valley and came home with a Jeep!

 Naturally Saturday we gathered the children and cleaned out the garage so that his Jeep has covered parking.

 Sunday mother's lounge selfies.

 Ryan conveniently cut off my head.  Thanks, buddy.

 After church we watched general conference until Austin came home.  He gave us priesthood blessings to start the school year, and we were gathered together basking in the spirit of unity and peace.

 These kids found the perfect spot to paint.

 Post family scripture study, I have three kids on me, and I love it.

Pioneer Week

Austin planned the ward schedule so that there is nothing major in July, so that families can actually be together.  Here we are playing Catan together.  Nick won!

 We made butter and I took fresh rolls into primary for Pioneer Day.

 Ryan brought shells home from Lake Powell.  He then cleaned them and organized them.  I think he is quite big.

 Molly walks to us!  We spent most nights this week gathered in a circle to help her practice.  It is sure sweet to hear the cheers and claps she receives.  She is tickled.

 Maisie sewed this lunch bag.  I helped a bit, but it was her idea, and she picked the fabric.

She also sewed this turtle.  I love that she is learning new talents.

 When Austin cleans the pool, these kids wade.  Here they are showing off their white thighs.

 I paused to swing with the littles.  I sing and do under dogs, and they giggle and can't get enough.

 I took everyone school shopping in Prescott. We found everything on our list!  I really felt like the whole event was a tender mercy.

 Grandpa B. came with a load.  The big boys and I helped him move it into storage.

 Because it is monsoon season, we often have beautiful rainbows.

 Meg pulled him in close.  I thought it was darling.

 Austin was at a seminar in the valley for three days.  Naturally I read a novel.  Naturally.  I highly recommend it to all you blogs readers.

 These kids play lots of play-doh.  How creative they've become.  Maddie has certainly taken her food play to a whole new level.

 Spaghetti and meatballs, anyone?

 I've been stretching more, in hopes that I'll hurt less.  I hope.

 Rebecca, my primary  helper and baby holder.  She's just so sweet.  I really love her.

Northwest Passage Ragnar

Meg, Molly and I traveled to Seattle to run on the Ragnar relay team, "Run for Ron."  We were met at the airport by two vans filled with all our people we love.  (I really need to add more pictures, but not tonight.)

 I had no idea how much Seattle was apart of me -- since Austin grew up there, I have visited several times and recognized all the major landmarks.

 I love this Mukilteo signage.

 The night before the race we all lined up at the exchange and took one photo juntos.

 I was runner #1, so I started the race clear up near the Canadian border.

 Mom was runner #2, and she was so great.

 Here we are waiting for Ash to run her leg, so we stretched.

 Once Cherie, Emily and Meg all ran, we met at the van exchange and handed off to the boys' van.

 Once they all ran (and we shopped at the outlets and ate at The Olive Garden), we ran for round two.

 Then, we went to bed for three hours and ran our final legs in the dark -- well I did.

Meg ran hers along the coast.  She ran the most miles of all the team members, and her hills were crazy!

 I missed Austin so badly the entire trip, mostly when I thought about 17 years ago when we were engaged and we hiked all over Deception Pass, kissed by the light of the moon on the Mukilteo ferry, and dreamed about our life together.  Him not being there with me made me so lonesome for his presence.

 Molly fell asleep during take off and awakened during landing both to and from.

Home again to all of these, I sure missed these other six.