End of June

Since we got home from MB, life has been so busy! Shocking, right?
Alex left for Scout camp for a week, Leah had softball, and we just had to settle back into Summer.  It wasn't so bad...just a few minor issues, but after all was said and done, Alex returned and had had a wonderful time.  He earned 4 merit badges- archery was his hardest and to accomplish that badge at 12 is apparently not really common! So proud of him!
His baseball is nearly over, thank goodness! We have a tournament this weekend and then it is over.  I cannot say I won't be upset! It has been a long season- we have been playing since March!
I have not taken many pictures since we have been home, none, actually....we even went to the zoo and Dana was shocked that I didn't even bring it! I think after taking 900 in one week, I needed a break! So thankful I did take that many, though.  I blew this one up to a 20 X 24 and framed it for my bathroom. I also made a few other pieces for that space and when they are hung up, I will take a pic and show you then.  Or you could just come over!

I see this several times a day, and it takes me there- I am in love with the beach. When I was at the store last week, the girls had a sock fight- I found these pictures as I was about to reformat my SD card...good thing they didn't get deleted!
Would not want to lose these! ha!

And one day, it was "Hairstylist" day and here were Leah's creations:

So, it has been fun, right?! I will get my camera ready for tomorrow- July 4th! My brother will be 39, and I will take some shots of his party and fireworks.  I am looking forward to that!
On a side note- we were hit with one heck of a storm last Friday! It was something crazy! Out of literally no where, 90 mile an hour winds whipped through here and tore out trees and downed power lines to over 300K people! It was awful- many are still without today! We are so fortunate to not have been affected by this power outage- so thankful- it has been over 90 every single day! Even Target was out of power! Crazy!
So blessed, so blessed.

Heaven is Here

We just returned from vacation.  The beach was amazingly wonderful, again.  Never disappointing, ever.  It could not have been a better trip- every single minute I tried to savor.  It was blissful and I do believe it is a heavenly place. See for yourself:
Saturday day:

Saturday night:

Sunday:

Monday:

Tuesday:

Wednesday:

Thursday:

Friday night:

Friday day/Saturday morning:

Saturday afternoon:

If only we could have stayed longer...but getting back to normal life again is good- looking forward to the summer- great times!! Oh, and I would be remiss if I didn't thank my mom for her amazing devotion to our family- our vacation would not have been nearly as wonderful or possible without her.  I love you, Mom! 

Brown to Blonde

No, not me!! The boy wanted it done before the beach.  He watched a show where the guy had his hair bleached totally blonde, and thought that would be fun. Well, because I am a good mom, and he is such a good son, I thought, what the heck? We are headed to the beach soon, so why not? It will grow out- and he will see how not so fun that part is!!
So...here is the before:

 During the process:

 After a cut:

 This morning:

He LOVES it- that is what matters, right?!

Quack, Quack

Leah's first year of softball has started!! She is part of the Oregon Ducks team! She really does not like the color of the shirt or the name, and can you blame her?!!
Pictures were yesterday- 

We are looking forward to her "quacking" all the way around the bases!! Should be a fun season!

Piggies

Elaina's hair is finally long enough top put up in piggies! She doesn't even mess with them, or try to pull them out! So much better than clips that stay in for a fraction of a second. And just how cute are they?! For the record, we usually just do the top one, but it was so hot, Leah wanted to put one in the back, too.

Thankfully it is up off her face, looking more and more like Celeste everyday!