Summer Week #3

Austin's garden vegetables grew very happily this year.  The beets and onions were HUGE.

Nick and Austin harvested them.  Austin then called Grandma Goodell to ask questions about the drying phase.  She answered all of his questions (she's still an avid gardener at one month shy of 96).

This is the bird game where I crashed out and lost.  No one told me a thing, yet they were all playing strategy.  Molly was my teammate, but every bit was a joke.

My lovely summer lunch.

More friends and more swimming.

I made lazy doughnuts for lunch.  Molly was a very happy helper.

Friday afternoon we simply swam as a family.  We all cheated in "Sharks and Minnows."  Somehow we were all fine with that. 

I'm practicing a craft for girl's camp.  I have HUGE preparations still to make.  Yipes.

Austin and I spent most of Saturday with Nick buying the rest of his mission garb.  (These trunks are for Andy.). What a fine young man he is.  I'm certain he'll be an extraordinary missionary.  We chatted and had a wonderful adventure one-on-one.    

We watch Ryan Trahan on Youtube.  Eddie reminded me of his challenge, and we happened to be in Target during the world record attempt.  The children made me do this.

Maisie's p-day hike looked like this!  She said the climb was pretty tame.  She's halfway done!!!

Andy looks half asleep at church.  I know how he feels.  He's still sprinting to heal his heart and serving to calm his soul.  Heart him.

These cute babes enjoyed a picnic, but now have a new house!  They have their own room and an extra room for baby sibling arriving in November.  What a family our Armstrongs are!





 

Summer Week #2

My friend commissioned a birthday cake for her family.

I used up the last bit of my birthday experience from my darling children.  Pedi-time is always the best time.

Austin removed Nick's wisdom teeth.  He was swollen for three and basically slept for three whole days.

Trader Joe's Find: Lemon flavored pasta with a jar of lemon pesto and marinated lemon chicken.  Dinner was so delicious and simple.

IT RAINED!

Lots of pool time and lots for friends over -- almost everyday.

Four swimmers means lots of heats at the first Clippers Swim Meet.  Molly placed third in her heat.

Eddie placed third in his heat.  Ryan was dead last.  "It was fun," he told me.

Post-race strategy.

Maddie placed third as well.

She really looks so smooth in the water.

Finishers.

I cleaned out the linen closet.

I cleaned up the library.

Eddie's cotton candy machine is for all the friends who come over and all his pupils.  His swimming lessons are mighty fine.

A few photos from Austin's office party.  New games this year and lots of prizes. (I won three giftcards by default.  YES.)

 

Summer Week #1

Summer is here!  I made a fine list of our schedule and goals -- no one really cared.

Austin took us  and some of his offie ladies rapelling.  

I quite enjoyed it.

Swimming everyday is happening again.  

It's wonderful.

A spot of tea.

There was a horrible hiccup in Molly's costume this year.  She had to borrow this one for the day -- she's half naked.

Trying to establish some sense of modesty.

Luckily, her costume arrived and she was able to performed properly clad.  I spent six months taking her to classes and making all of it happen.  She has fun and has been invited to move up next year.

Molly's Acro Dance

We cheered for this girl -- Maddie and Nick left after her dance.

She's quite proud of her flowers.

Grandpa B. turned 80 this week!  We took over cookies bars and ice cream to celebrate.  We then watched a birthday movie.  We really like him.

You took these boys to McDonald's for lunch?  Yes, yes I did.

We found Nick's doppelganger in the list of graduates this week. AHHHAHAHA!

Nick and Eddie went to YM High Adventure came together.  They met up with Austin and spent two days hiking, biking and climbing through trees.

Jelly.

I spent the two days letting Maddie drive us to her friends' houses and home again.  Molly, Ryan and I crocheted and watched movies.

Eddie bought a cotton-candy machine.

$140 bucks later.  He plans to start a business.

Grandma and Grandpa pulled Nick in to share their mission experiences via powerpoint.