Our Garden

I've probably said this before, but growing up I hated our garden. It was too big, too much to harvest, and too much to tend to.  But now... I'm so grateful for one.  Whenever an abundance of harvest comes along I think of the Lord.  He blesses us with so much.  So, with all our produce I've been trying to make the best use of it and sharing when on overload!  

10 months

The words can't even describe the joy this little girl has brought into our home.  She can make EVERYONE smile.  Audrey is officially 10 months old now.  Still happy, (except when cutting teeth), pushing things and taking a few steps.  Her hair is even getting long enough to clip barretts in!  I could just eat her up ;)

Priest Lake

For my mom's birthday weekend, she booked a stay at a lodge in Northern Idaho at Priest Lake.  It felt like a piece of heaven.  The weather was beautiful, the water was perfect, the company was wonderful.  And I think I found my new love... paddle boarding.

SAND BABIES - Audrey and Lydia

On a short walk, the cousins arranged a gorgeous bouquet in Brooke's hair. It looked like Rapunzel off of the movie Tangled!

My dad loves his boat and he takes extra measures to make sure it's taken care of.  And extra measures to make sure everyone has a chance of having some fun behind the boat.  I think this is how I will always remember him.  Loving to be on the water.

Tyler, Crystal and Lydia

The Diving Post (The water is so clear at the lake you could see them and their trail of bubbles perfectly as they glided into and under the water)

I seriously love Paddle Boarding

Thank you mom and dad, it was such a lovely weekend

BEAUTY

The other day I was having a bad day.  I was being snarly with the kids and getting frustrated right and left.  Some of it was legit and some of it was because I think I woke up on the wrong side of the bed.  There was a moment where I chose to go into my room, shut the door, and lay on the floor for a personal 'time out'.  An overview of the day ran through my mind and my behavior embarrassed me. And instantly this thought came to me.

I had to write it down.

I thought of how I must have looked towards my children.  Upset, and frankly just ugly.  My heart sank at how I had been acting and chose to be beautiful for the rest of the day.  Because true beauty lies within. 

Service Projects

So I just have to say, I love the people here in Prosser.  They are so good hearted and I just love them to pieces.  My sweet friend Dedre has been orchestrating multiple service projects for many to get involved in and we have loved being a part of it.  This activity involved whole families as we picked up, dug out, and tossed TONS of rock away for a new family/friends that came into our ward.  A couple good hours of work, a giant section accomplished, lots of ice cream devoured, and some darn good memories :)

July Begins

Our garden is full at bloom and I love it.  Every year we get sunflowers, (never planted those either), and this year, they have grown SO tall!  I have found I quite enjoy sunflowers.  I love how they look to the light.

Audrey is finding herself around the house too, getting into everything.  I have to watch her closely these days... all though, sometimes I loose track of where she is ;)

We've been helping take care of some friends' animals recently.  A siberian husky for 2 weeks, (Cami LOVED that!), a bunny for 10 days, and then my sister's dog in a few days.  Cami is such an animal lover, so is Jeremy, and babysitting gives her the extra animal fix she needs. 

The kids had a couple friends over and made one slippery trampoline!!  

On the Fourth the kids enjoyed some good fireworks.  That's what Alex was looking most forward too.  It was like Christmas in July when Jeremy brought the works home :)

And with those apricots I got from my mom, I canned 76 quarts!! I was SO glad to be done with that.  TIS THE SEASON!!