Three months come and gone...no excuses!

August:

Jordan and Avery were able to go with Grandma and Grandpa to Missouri this summer. It was an amazing experience for Jordan. He was excited about Harry Truman's house and the ice cream store but touched by Adam ondi aham and the monument to the three witnesses of the Book of Mormon. Thanks mom and dad for making this possible!

Found this amongst his pictures. Why am I not surprised?

Three months come and gone...no excuses!

July:

Washington has its beauty, but so does Utah. I often stare in awe at the beauty and majesty of these mountains that are right out my front door. Fall is coming quickly and the color change on the mountain will be breath-taking. I miss these mountains each time I leave and upon return they are a welcome sight and a reminder that I am "home."

Three months come and gone...no excuses!

June/July:

After several years of "talking" about it, my friends decided to come up to Washington with us and visit the "Great Northwest." They were not disappointed. 

Hike to Multnomah Falls....

 Ferry to Anderson Island...

(Is that Leonardo DiCaprio?)

 All day at the lake!

 Paddleboarding,

 row-boating,

 digging in the sand,

 and excellent FOOD!

(Still a "growing" boy?!?)

 Next stop, SEATTLE!

Odd-squad donning their "Space Needle" hats!

First time "Ride(ing) the Duck"! LOVED it.

Of course, we had to stop at Pikes Place Market!

Not sure of the thumbs? That's two pictures now...

Teresa was thrilled with the flower selection and prices!

The boys were thrilled with the "parked" cars!

 We spent the 4th of July with Mom and Dad and the Neeleys. My friends could not stop talking about what a fabulous family I have. I was inclined to agree!

We ended our trip with a stop at Ocean Shores. Despite the rain, we had a great time digging in the sand, walking on the beach, playing in the water, and watching the amazing waves hit the rock-wall jetty! I LOVE this place.

We had a fabulous trip. However, it was certainly apparent that we were not all there! 

Missed you Jordan and Meghan...

I am often heard talking about the value of good 

friends for my children.  There is also a lot to 

be said for good "adult" friends. I have been 

blessed with many great women who I am 

privileged to call friends!  

Three months come and gone...no excuses!

June:

Jordan graciously waited for me to get home from Girl's Camp to open his mission call. He was surrounded by many friends and family as he read the call to the Mexico Pachuca Mission. He was ecstatic, to say the least.

Three months come and gone... no excuses!

JUNE:

Girl's Camp was a highly anticipated event for me each summer. I gained great friendships and a budding testimony of the Savior and His gospel. I was thrilled to be asked to serve as the camp director for our ward. Going to camp again after many years...and WITH Kaylie is a dream-come-true. 

It was a testimony-building week for us and a memorable one, as well.

We had an awesome group who worked hard, played hard, and slept hard!

Kaylie makes me smile :)!