I'm Going There Some Day...

At least once a month we pack a small picnic

and take the whole family to the temple.

In good weather,

it's the best.

In bad,

we sit in the parking lot and cozy it up with hot chocolate.

Either way,

it's loads of fun.

And it makes me happy to know that one day,

our entire family won't just walk the grounds of the temple,

we'll all go inside the temple.

Together.

I can't wait.

We'll be back!

Church at 1 PM: Tea Parties, Robes, & Forts

 As much as we'd LOVE to meet
at an earlier timefor church on Sunday,

meeting at 1 PM does have some benefits.

For example...

Elegant Tea Parties

Where the dress code ranges from
semi-formal to very casual!

Cozy robes!

And monstrous forts!

It is a wonder to watch and listen as your children just...

play!

And play in peace, no less.

Now that's a blessing!

No Crafts!

This year I taught how to make a menu board

at our ward's Relief Society "Super Saturday" event. 

Needless to say,

the "simple" and "easy" portion 

escaped me and I wound up ruining my first attempt. 

Yes, I can DO crafts,

but I certainy don't have the patience for them!

Bless those who do!



Lake Clementine

My sister-in-law Rachel

coordinated a stolen day at Lake Clementine.

It's a beautiful stretch of water that is super family-friendly

and has a little bit of something for everyone!

Mr. Gabriel

Ava braving the shark!

It's a crazy inflatable toy that successfully flipped

just about everyone!

Ava's got it in the bag though!

Iris Luciana

So, so beautiful!

 Owen Joseph

He dug around the picnic basket and found

-what else?-

 chocolate!

Samuel,

trying to coax our little guy into the water.

He's not falling for it!

Owen & Meggers

Water Biologists/Recreational Enthusiasts



I borrowed the Greens scuba gear for a turn in the water.

Yes, I did finally go UNDER the water!

...

All in all,

it was a super-hot day at the lake,

not helped by the fact that we drove out of our way

to borrow my mother-in-law's shade canapy-

and then left it at home!

Luckily we spent most of our time in the water,

and when we needed a break we squeezed in with Rachel!

Isabella's not to be found in a single pic,

but she was there,

happily frolicking with Abby

to their hearts content!

Thanks for the invite, Rach!

We had a great, great time!

Love,

Us

2010 Swim Lessons: My Duck, Seal, & Marlin

Because our summer was packed with so many camping trips,

finding time for swim lessons was a trick!

We squeaked into one of the last summer sessions,

and as you can see by Iris's smile below,

the girls were happy to be back in th water again!

Iris Luciana, Duck

The cutest one in the pond, at that!

Ava Grace, Seal

Our natural born athlete. 

She takes to the water so easily,

and becomes this bronzed goddess

within minutes of being under the sun!

The Spectators

Me  & my little sis, Julia.

...

Samuel made it out a few times with the boys,

but they're at the age where all they want to do is

launch themselves into the pool at every turn,

so most often than not they stayed home!

Next year, boys.

Next year!

Isabella Rose, Marlin

She surprised us all by advancing from Seal to Marlin

only minutes into the first lesson! 

Where have you been secretly taking lessons, girl?

Way to go Bella-Boo!

The Diving Board

This was the first year Isabella & Ava

flopped off the diving board!

They did so great,

and I was happy to capture the fantastic splash

they made as they hit the water!

Samuel,

The King of the Tidal Wave, 

was proud!

Nice one, Bella!

Ava's turn!

I love her arm form!

Beautiful!

Graduation Day

These past two weeks flew by so quickly,

and this year the girls learned so much!

Everything just clicked!

Congratulations, on another great season, girls!

We can't wait to get you out on the water again!

...

Introducing...

Iris,

The Alligator

&

Ava Grace AND Isabella Rose,

The Dolphins

...

Way to go, skipping Marlin Ava!

I feel that way too!

One minute sober, quiet, watchful...

...the next:

Look-out!

Isabella's Big Day: Pierced Ears

My mom had my ears pierced

when I was a whole three months old,

and when I had my girls I knew I wanted to wait

and let them be apart of the decision.

For Isabella,

my timid one,

the decision was easy.

It was always:

"Maybe next year..."

So when she came to me and said,

"I'm ready."

I smiled.

Because I knew she was.

Calm, cool, and collected.

Well, there was a little bit of nervousness!

Thank goodness for crazy little brothers

who provide plenty of distraction!

Once she was seated,

it was all over in a matter of seconds!

Of course,

she did great!

No tears...just smiles!

Congratulations Isabella! 

It was an interesting family outing.

Ava and Iris are even more convinced

that they'll pierce their ears later...

many years later!

As for Gabriel and Owen,

we'll just try to keep them from jumping off

the second story of the mall!