heros

 We chaperoned youth conference this morning.  We got the easiest day.  We helped with breakfast, sat with groups while they did readings and attended testimony meeting.

picture from youth conference at Apollo Park.  They had several special reenacts sharing stories.
taken from FB, thanx poster:)

Ethan didn't want to go but he ended up having a really good time.  They played a lot of fun games and also did a couple service projects, had a dance, went to the park and had many devotionals and lessons.  They played that cool bubble soccer game that E has been wanting to try.  I think it was a great mix of active crazy activities and good spiritual lessons.

After we went to the temple, which was very nice.  It was a long day gone from the house.

Ethan and Brody helped a family move it.  It was right as we were driving home that we saw Bro. Ryder helping the Dunn's move in just around the corner from us.  The boys came home and changed and headed right over to help.  I am sure it was very appreciated and I was very proud of them.

Camp prep is in full swing.  I am excited to go...and excited to be done with it too.  It's always SO.MUCH.FUN and an equal amount of so much work :)

home again

 I picked up Hannah from the airport this afternoon.  Grace didn't want to come and she lucked out and was able to go to Makayla's house for the afternoon.  Ethan has been at youth conference.  Yesterday, today and tomorrow.

The traffic was typically awful.  What is up with that? I hate the traffic.  Finally I got to her and we decided to let it die down so we went browsing some fancy store in Marina Del Rey then went to Santa Monica to find a place to eat.  We had yummy ramen, the roasted brussel sprouts were delicious!  Then we walked to Hollister beach and hung out until traffic was better.

It was gorgeous and a nice evening.

random

 They left :(  So sad.  We had a really fun time.  The house was very full for awhile.  I miss the baby days.  I know I am remembering them with some rosey glasses on because I also remember that it was tiring and I was happy when they went to bed, but I enjoyed my little ones a lot, and I love the grands!

It was really fun having D and S here too.  Adult children are the best.  It's so great to see how they have turned out to be wonderful women.

Anyway....

 We had an anniversary.  19 years. It's been good.  We've lived in 3 states, had 3 babies together, raised 3 more, had 3 grand babies and 2 sons-in-law, been on some awesome trips, buried 2 dogs and a cat ( and more fish, gerbils, birds than we can remember), paid for 5 sets of braces, countless formal gowns, and lots of soccer camps, lost four babies and lots of tempers and more sets of keys than I care to count.  We've visited 15+ temples, seen 5-6 Broadway shows, watched a lot of NCIS and Star Trek, been to some baseball games, some soccer games, some swim meets, a little volleyball, a few dance recitals, 4 high school graduations, 1 BYU graduation, band concerts, school plays, choir performances.  We've driven to early morning seminary for 14 years (and counting), girls camp, EFY, soccer practice, dances, movies, parks and playgrounds.  We've been to Disneyland and DisneyWorld, Harry Potter land, NYC, Hawaii, Canada, the Carolina's, Michigan, Florida and lots of other great places. We've been on 3 cruises (one more coming up), spent too much on Christmas 19 times, built a swimming pool, a deck, a house, and a fancy dinning room light. We've paid taxes, and HOA dues, and tithing, and parking tickets, and school supply fees and vet bills.  We've disagreed and gone to bed mad.  We've had a lot of fun, learned a lot, helped a lot, tried a lot.  We've been to the beach on both coasts, eaten poutine (yuck), escargot (okay) and banana foster (yumm).  All of that has been sweeter because we've been together.    So it'll be fun to see what the next year brings.

 Today was the last day of school  SUMMER SUMMER SUMMER!!! Grace had a swim party to celebrate.

Brynn, Patty, Mia, Makayla, Rylin, Aubree and Grace swam.  Kaitlin, who is 3, walked around the pool blowing bubbles and watching the big girls.  Laura and I sat and visited and life guarded.

 Tonight we tie-dyed shirts for camp and chose secret sisters.

Kathryn posted this gem on fb today.  I remember sporting that lovely blue headgear helmet. 

me, Kathryn, Alec

Michael and Chrissy

"well, shoot, dang"

A frequently used Hannah expression that applies nicely today.  Today was our last day of company.  

 It goes by so fast.  We love having the Brandts visit.  We really enjoyed having all the family but the grandkids are the favs :)

To end on a high note we spent a lot of time in the pool.  We went to Aloha Shave Ice.  We played games and read books and baked things. 

 Becky and her kids happen to be out here visiting Grandma Joyce.  We saw a picture on instagram and Dani quickly called and invited them over for a swim so that was really fun too.

 So it was a great visit.

On the flip side, awful Ziva news.  She has totally blown out her ACL.  I took her back to the vet today and after a long and dramatic wait, with dogs throwing up, one being put down that came in with a crying family and some other chaos, we got xrays and the bad news.  It won't get better on it's own.  Surgery is estimated to be over $3000 plus other recovery expenses.
I don't know what we are going to decide but I do know we are not spending that much..even though I love her and feel sick and sad over it. She's been the best little companion.  We'll see, nothing is decided yet.

saturday and friday

 Every day we've been swimming.  The kids love it.  Yesterday we went and did a lot of shopping for college, which was awesome.  We also went to see Wonder Woman, which we all enjoyed.

 Today we had a soccer tournament.  Dani and Hannah and the kids came and then left after the first game to go to San Diego and spend some time with Anna.
Abba, Nana and UB also came for the first game then left to the airport.  They fly home tomorrow.  Quick but nice visit.

The boys played two games.  Lost one, tied one. After we went out for Indian food...which we all (Dad, me, Noah and Ethan) enjoyed very much.

Skirball Museum, Snow Monster and Quarter

 We had a super fun day. We went to the Skirball museum and cultural center.  It was really neat.  They had an awesome Noah's Ark exhibit that the kids LOVED!  All the animals were made of recycled parts: tires, rope, purses, keys, anything you could think of and they were neat!

 The rest of the museum was really nice too.  It is a Jewish cultural center and so I enjoyed all the displays and history.

 The grounds were so peaceful.

 The best part was on Thursdays it's free!  Whoo hoo!! Everyone enjoyed it a lot.  Penny even asked if we could go back tomorrow :)

 Meanwhile some of our group went to the Getty and Mom and Dad drove home.  We had a really nice visit with them. It was great to have them here for a week and to enjoy graduation with them.

After the museums we met up at Snow Monster for boba treats.  They were good and everyone had fun.  Marshall built with jenga blocks.

Sierra ended up catching an uber from there to the airport because it took a lot longer than we thought...and then her flight was delayed by 2 hours so that was a bummer.

After the treats we decided to let the traffic die down and go to dinner.  We went to a Korean BBQ called Quarter that was really fun and really yummy.  They cooked right at the table . Many of us had never tried kimchi. (Some of us still haven't).  Everything was very tasty and it was a culinary adventure.  The kids all loved it too.

We are lucky ducks!

also

 It's been busy with lots of people, lots of activity.  Just to remember:  Dad took people jeeping.

 Dani wore this cute skirt that she shopped for in Grace's closet... that came from Hannah's closet.  Neither of those girls liked it so D lucked out!

 Hannah had senior sunset, they salsa danced and had an assembly and listened to music!

 Rob took lots of people to see the airship.  Nana, Abba, UB, Papa, Grandma, Sierra, Hannah, Grace and Dani went.  They all reported that it was really cool and they had a fun time.  Sierra got sick, heat issues but otherwise it went well.

pictures from the tour, everyone got a badge to wear.

Love this picture of our little graduate!!