Aunt Michelle's Extended Visit

Aunt Michelle stayed a few extra days to help out with Grandpa Ron. We celebrated his birthday from April and Aunt Shell's upcoming May birthday with some yummy bundt cakes. On Aunt Shell's last day, she and I went to The Original Pancake House on the way to the airport. We love getting Dutch Babies here. Our mom used to make them, and they're so yummy. We love went Aunt Shell, Uncle Shane and Gavin come to visit!

Jenna's First Dance

Jenna hasn't been able to go to a single youth dance yet, and she's been eligible since February! She has either been sick, had volleyball all morning and afternoon or has been out of town. Tonight was the night! She and Heather went together. They looked so pretty! I love that they got to have this experience together. Heather doesn't really like the dances, but she was an amazing sport to accompany Jenna.

Spring Break Beach and Dogs

Last day of Spring Break, and we headed to the beach. A little volleyball, some jetty exploration and lots of relaxing. We don't want to go back to school! The pups are having fun. They compete for Kelly's attention. We'll miss Boca when she goes home this weekend.

Happy Birthday Sister!

Happy Birthday Michelle!  

I love you and am so happy to have you in my life!

Sisters

We grabbed Subway for lunch on Thursday and while standing in line, I took some photos of my girls together.  I realize I never do this because they are either not together or they're not in the mood.  They were in a good mood because I'd given them a snack in the car to quell their immediate starvation from waiting past their lunch period for the early-day time of release.  Whatever the reason for their
good and playful mood, I was greatful because they were quite cute together.  I think they've been beginning to appreciate each other more.

Building for Real

Our daughters LOVE MineCraft.  It is all the rage, and I have to say that the concept is great.  The kids can uses resources available to build houses and farms, and raise farm animals and crops.  They can mine for minerals and gems as well, and the whole thing is very creative.  We laughed when we first saw it because the graphics are so 80's pixel style.  But they love it.  The downside is that they can spend hours, and hours, and hours on this computer game.  On Friday, a non-school day for us, Heather and Jenna had spent a few hours playing on MineCraft when suddenly Jenna came and asked for the Lincoln Logs and blocks.  She and Heather got them out and started building.  Building for real is right up Kelly's inner-boy alley, and he joined in.  The fun continued later in the evening when Sarah came to spend the night.  She and Jenna built a log cabin and block tower together, and then had fun destroying the tower.  Even when the computer games are educational and have a great concept, I still get a much better feeling when the girls are engaged in play away from the computer.  I have to attribute that good feeling to the Spirit helping me discern between what is good and what is better/best.  I'm so glad my girls were the initiators today.  I hope they have the same feelings and continue to choose this kind of creative play on their own, or at least balance it with the computer play.

Balloons

Saturday, Sunday and Monday were stay at home sick days for Heather.  We took her to the doctor this morning and a sinus infection was confirmed.  After three days of very little activity, it was good to see some life back in the living room.  Balloons can bring the pep out in any kid, especially ours.

Instagram - Snapshot of Life This Week

 The girls on the way home from our Yosemite hike - And they're still playing together...

 The weather has been very strange for July.

 No one ever complains about homemade taco dinner.

 Needed to clear out a side of my closet to make room for some indoor book storage.  What a mess!

Ended up with two full bags of trash and two giveaway bags.

Sorted the books and labeled them so I can find what I need when I need it.

The newly reorganized side of my closet

Lots of cleaning for party and company

 Teaching Sunday School is keeping me in my scriptures

 How the girls spend many summer mornings

 Still wondering what to do with an old friend...Kelly's aunts hand quilted this king-size quilt for our wedding 25 years ago.  It's falling apart, but hard to part with.

 Just finished this book.  It was a good one!  Clean and Austenesque if you like that time period.

 Kelly found out Heather never built her Hagrid's Hut Lego.  He promptly took care of that problem with her.  She was grateful for the help.

The girls jumped in the pool at 8:45PM the other night.  It wasn't even warm; they just wanted to swim together.  I'm so glad they're having fun with each other.

Pictures With Judy

They speak for themselves...

Heather

Jenna

Sisters