Current reading

This is what I have read lately. I feel like I am forgetting one...am I?

"The Secret Life of Bees" is a re-read. I had to read it for my book club. I read it about 6 years ago, and I found that I liked it alot more this time around. Maybe I had too much going on then...I dunno.

"The Time Traveller's Wife" was...good...most of it. I really liked the beginning, the middle, and the last few pages. The rest was fairly depressing, and I just struggled through it. I am excited to go and see the movie. From the preview I've seen it does look like some changes were made. The first time I saw the preview I was about a third into it, and I almost shouted "I am reading this book!!". I wanted to go home and keep reading.

I am becoming slightly obsessed with Julia Child. I am reading "My life in France", and I really, really want "Mastering the Art of French Cooking", even though I don't want to Master the Art of French cooking. I went and saw the movie of "Julie and Julia" with my sister and really enjoyed it. The book...not so much. It is just about Julie Powell, and has some fictional things about Julia Child. I found Julie whiney, obnoxious, and not at all likeable.

This is another book club selection, that I read awhile ago. If you are looking for a quick-touchy-feely-read, then this one is just up your alley. It does have a few surprises, but it is quick and touchy-feely.

Sewing!!

Lately I have found that I like to sew!! Even though Home Ec was torture in Junior high. I was using my Grammy's old and very well loved Kenmore, and I loved to use it just because it was hers and it was something that she used a lot. But, sadly it was breaking down on me, and I had my Mom take a look at it, but she broke it even more (just kidding Mom), so I decided that it was time to get a new one. So, with my Birthday money that I got (I love getting money!!), I went and bought myself a new Brother computerized sewing machine. It is fairly basic and inexpensive, but it is exactly what I need. Eventually I will buy something fancy, but this will do for now. For my very first project I whipped up a very cute hooded towel for my very cute baby. I got the pattern from a Relief Society Enrichment Fab Friday, and I have used the pattern alot.

What we did ALL summer

This is what happens when Drew feeds Phoenix Cheerios. Actually, I have been known to entertain my kids during church by sticking Fruit Loops to their noses.

Drew played another exciting season of Ball Hockey.

We love being outside. Phoenix is stuck in his stroller alot.

Davis had swimming lessons everyday for two weeks, so to get Marcus to sit nicely we went to the spray park after. This was their favorite place to have a snack.

My cousin, Katie and I decided it would be fun to make fancy cupcakes, so for our first attempt we made these butterfly ones.

When Davis and I were out watering our pathetic garden, we saw that something was actually growing!! We were so excited!! Davis ate the peas as soon as I shelled them.

We have had a lot of rainy, miserable days that we had to spend inside instead of in the pool. Here is Davis cutting up paper to make a Pinata. We only got one coat on it, then luckily it turned nice out so we didn't finish it.

One year older and wiser too?

Another year has come and gone, and I am now in the last year of my twenties. I really had a great birthday this year. We started our day with a session at the temple, had lunch in the cafeteria, browsed through the books at the LDS Bookstore, and went to the wedding for Ryan and Courtney Clark (who are the cutest couple ever!!). After we pursuaded the boys to leave Grandma and Grandpa's house, we got home just in time to pick up our baby sitter. Then Drew and I went out for dinner to Ric's Grill, had dessert at our favorite restaruant, Streatside, and then we saw a movie. It was so nice to spend some time with Drew. The next day we invited my family over for dinner and a very delicious white chocolate raspberry cheesecake, with raspberries from our backyard. My Mom's birthday is the day after mine, so we had our usual joint celebration. I am so lucky to share my birthday with my Mom.

Echo Lake

We had a lot of fun down at Echo Lake this year.  We were there July 4-11 and stayed at Dahl and Sharon Quinton's cabin.  We spent our time out on the lake whenever it was sunny, eating lots and playing games (our favorite was Sorry Sliders).  What a great way to spend a week!! I absolutly love to be at Echo lake, and by Kalispell.  Since we spent so much time down there when I was a kid, it feels like a second home to me.  I can't wait to go again. 

My Dad bought this tube for the kids to ride this year.  Even Marcus was brave enough to ride it.  He always sat in the middle, and kept telling us over and over about the middle.  I am proud to say that I even rode it twice, considering that I am the biggest wimp ever!!

There's nothing like a relaxing bath in the sink, surrounded by dirty dishes.

Phoenix down at the beach.

Davis riding the "yellow board".  He didn't stand up on it, but it was cute to watch him do "tricks" on it. 

Here I am helping him get onto the board.  We had some rain when we first got there, so the water was quite cold.  When I first jumped in it took my breath away. 

Here is Drew on the tube.  My Dad and brother-in-law Dave, successfully dumped him numerous times.

Davis and his cousin Lexie hanging out on the dock.

The boys trying to get their cousin Patrick wet. 

We ate a ton of Auntie Lynn's famous pancakes. 

Logan Pass

One of my favorite things to do in the summer is to go to Kalispell and to drive over Logan Pass.  It is so incredibly beautiful.  I love to open the window and smell the wonderful mountain air.  The highlights on the drive always include, seeing the Mountain Goat at the Summit, trying not to get wet under The Weeping Wall, and honking the horn in the tunnels.  I am so blessed to be surrounded by one of Heavenly Father's greatest creations, just hours from my front door. 

On the way to Kalispell, Phoenix and I rode with my sister Jo, and her daughter Lexie.  As you can tell it was a beautiful sunny day. 

This is on the way home.  We had to make a few pit stops.  This picture is taken at The Loop. 

Our Life...

Here are some pictures from our daily life...

The boys raiding the pantry.  Luckily they are small enough that they can fit right in it.

Marcus helping Drew move dirt around our new fence. 

This year we attempted to plant a garden.  There were some unloved planter boxes in back, so Davis and I added new dirt, and we planted rubarb, tomatoes (actually Nives planted them), beans, peas, pumpkins, zucchini, onions, corn and carrots.  I am happy to report that most of what we planted is growing.  So are the weeds. 

Scotland or Bust 2011!!

Rub-a-dub-dub, 3 men in a (pink) tub.

Davis had Hawaiian day at school, so Marcus needed to dress up as well.  Marcus wore his outfit all day.  We even went to the doctor and the Grocery store. 

Davis played outdoor soccer this year with his cousin Jack.  He is getting to be a good little soccer player.  We are very proud of him, and I am proud that he inherited his Dad's athletic ability and not mine. 

What a handsome boy!!