Washington in July

Last month we took a trip to swim at grandma's and then visit Ty's family.  The weather had finally heated up and it was lovely!  The first day's agenda was one thing: chill in the pool.  We killed it.

I didn't get a picture of them, but it was so much fun to see and catch up with some family that came.  My cousins Jessica, Izzy, and Katie and their kids came to swim that afternoon.  Everybody keeps growing up!

Lake Como

 We may not be near the Coast, but we have amazing lake beaches!  Montana summers are really amazing.  We enjoyed a day at Lake Como with some dear friends last month.  Did I mention this place is amazing?!

 Avery and Soel

 Amazing views!

 Finley and Baby Henry

 Ralphie and Cinna, couldn't get a good shot of these two busy toddlers.

 Trip to McD's on the way home!

Henry and Jude

Alligator

 If Finley asks for "alligator" she's referring to Gatorade. Takes me a second to figure out what she's talking about every time.  She was my date tonight to the live action Lion King, which was beautiful.  Here she is en route to swim lessons.  Another moment where I feel like a rock star mom-I actually have signed my children up for not one, but TWO sessions of swim lessons!  This is a big deal because we drive across town and I miss my good workout.  What a sacrificing mom.

Here's Avery with a couple of her summer buddies.  They were crafting here, but they usually spend HOURS deep in imaginative Barbie play with elaborate story lines.

Seeley Lake

This has been a summer of adventure!  We've traveled to grandma's to swim and Portland for family.  We're doing swim lessons and hiked with activity days girls.  I had a girls weekend with whitewater rafting the Alberton Gorge and biking the Hiawatha.  Tate made it home from his high adventure in western Montana.  It was hard and he had a good time.  Yesterday, Avery and I and friends went to the Seeley Lake Triathlon.  I'll give more details later.  It has been so fun to try new things this summer!

Patience

 Mom and dad were in town last week.  Mom took some 4 year old pictures of fancy Finley since she has a birthday in a couple weeks.  I snapped these of the process. 

It's so hard to wait for mom to finish edits and send me the final product!

Shorts

 This hulk wears the same size bottoms as Finley and Henry.  Technically, Henry (6) wears size 6-8 shorts, but he keeps accidentally wearing Ralphie's, which are small, and when I point that out Henry doesn't bother to change. Everyone is sitting pretty at 3T.   Ralphie is so busy!  He walks the kitchen reaching his hand above his head to feel what he can reach and pull down.  Today he ripped the full sized mirror from my wall, anchor and all! 

Henry made a headpiece of underwear and pajama pants with the sunglasses for some added class.  Anything for a laugh, that boy!

The Beginning of the End of Summer- Noooooo!

 Henry's been spending a lot of time this summer with Jude and William.  I felt like super mom today because I helped them make sugar cookies, something Henry has been asking to do for weeks.  I usually love to bake, but not sugar cookies.  They don't taste good enough to justify the mess and effort.  Anyway, these boys are adorable.

 Tate went on a high adventure with 9 other young men and 4 leaders to somewhere far away for a tough hike.  It's day 4 of 6 and I'm wishing the adventure were only half as long.  I was complaining to Kristen and she reminded me that Kyle Larsen, one of the leaders, will take care of Tate.  A few minutes later Kyle called!  They were at a point that got cell phone reception so he called.  Bart sent a picture of Tate talking to me.  He's having fun and caught 5 fish so far.  The kids have been praying for him every night and I can't wait for his return and to hear all about the adventure!

Finley and Baby Henry got married several times yesterday.  I had to overhear the news and wasn't even invited.  I just saw Finley tackle him to kiss him so I explained that married people hug, too, so they should just stick to hugs.  These kids are hilarious.