ROAD TRIP...

DuVall and I have calculated that in the month of July we have driven nearly 4,ooo miles! (I think we'll be staying home and out of the vehicles for a while.) Here are just a few pictures from our trip up the coast to Washington where we had our LAWS family reunion. (More to come on that later.)

San Francisco, The Redwood Forest, Silver Creek Falls, and a few car pictures!

Backyard Paradise

Over the 4th holiday we went to a family BBQ at a friend of the family's backyard. It was amazing, every kids dream! (Well, and adults like me.) The kids had such a great time they wore themselves completely out. Our ride home after the party was completely silent. That never happens!!!

Abbi thinks she can swim by herself. Makes it very fun for whoever is watching her.

Olivia about to jump off the 12 foot waterfall into the deep end of the pool. She must have done it 2 dozen times that day.

We also spent some time with my brother, "Uncle Paulie" while we were in Utah. On July 3rd he celebrated his 30th birthday. (Or "29B" as he calls it.) He took Olivia for her first horsey ride. (That we know of, thank you Jodi and Juli.) Like a dream come true for our little horse lover!

What an amazing Uncle! My girls are so lucky!

Squishy Bear

This was DuVall's doing.

Going Home

I've posted this picture before but never explained anything about it. This is my mom standing with some of the church members in Brazil. The tiny little lady, smaller than my own tiny 4'11'' mother, was 117 years old when this picture was taken. A few weeks ago my mom wrote this in one of her emails home:

"Our sweet little 118 year old sister member died last week. We believe she was the oldest living woman in Brazil but she couldn't prove it for lack of a birth certificate. All of our missionaries who have returned home and knew her well would be very sad to hear of her passing. They loved going to her house and many of them had opportunities to give her blessings. She was so tiny and frail. How wonderful for her to be released of all her physical pains."

Talk about enduring til' the end!

(The date on the picture is wrong)

Baby Steps

My life just got a whole lot busier.
Way to go, my little tornado!

Actually, I think it's so fun to watch your kids hit milestones. Even if it's before you are ready for them. What a blessing to have happy, healthy kids!

FYI: We call her our little tornado because everywhere she's been it looks like a little tornado passed through. She can tear apart a room faster than you can brush your teeth...really!

(Yes, that is the Ammon, The Missionary cartoon you hear in the background.)

Schools Out!

I think its kind of funny how even in preschool they make a big deal about "graduating" and summer vacation. Today was Olivia's last day of preschool, until September. We were very fortunate to get into a great preschool with amazing teachers. (Actually, it's the same preschool I attended 24 years ago.) Olivia loved her time this year in preschool and I sure enjoyed it as well!

81 years young...

This last week in June is always a special one for us because we get to celebrate Olivia's birthday and my Grandma Thatcher's birthday. On Thursday we went to the Cheesecake Factory for Grams' 81st birthday. It was cute because she was telling everyone she was turning 18. Grams also brought a very special gift for Olivia. I remember the quilt my grandma made for me when I turned six. It was pink, with a little bit of blue. A log cabin pattern. I still use it today. Now she is making quilts for my girls. All the love she puts into these beautiful pieces of art make them priceless treasures. Here are some pictures from both birthday girls' special day!

This is what Olivia picked out to wear, on her birthday, to go to preschool. Notice the brown gauchos underneath the dress. And we can't forget the backwards socks, with the heal sticking out, over the top of her shoes. Must be her mom's amazing fashion sense rubbing off on her.

We asked Livi," if you could have anything you want for your birthday dinner what would it be?" Mac N Cheese.
I love this girl.

Her new bike! She was very excited.

At the Cheesecake Factory!

New beautiful quilt made by Grams T!