Exciting July

This month started off slow. My Independence Day was spent really quietly at home with my grandma. The rest of my family that lives here had left for Seattle two days earlier. So I really didn't do anything. But I did enjoy getting fun pictures of my nephews and niece. Here are a couple:

Then the following week I took a plane ride up to Seattle to spend the weekend with my older brother's family. My oldest nephew had turned eight years old and was getting baptized into the church. I wasn't gonna miss that. It was an awesome weekend. I arrived mid-day on Thursday and was picked up by my Dad, my sister-in-law Debbie and my little niece. This was what met me when I got into the car:

So cute. When we got back to the house, I helped Debbie clean up the back yard. Dad made sure the trampoline was all cleaned off.

He had been camping out in the back yard with my two oldest nephews for the whole week. One big fun camp out. Later that evening we took a trip to Costco to pick up some last minute food. My niece was finally up and happy to see me. She looks so much like I used to at her age. She's my mini-me for sure.

The funny girl likes me when there isn't anyone else around, but get my Mom in the room and I'm the scary aunt she won't come near...only Grandma will do. Hope she grows out of that. She is sure a cutie-pie.

On Friday, my Dad and older brother Tony, went fly fishing. They had all the gear and everything. Here is Dad all dressed up ready to go:

While they were gone. The rest of us hung out, I read to the little guys and showed them some movie trailers on my phone:

When Tony and Dad got home. The two littlest had fun playing with their daddy:

Then we all piled into to a couple cars and took a day trip up to Sequim, WA. We took a ferry across the sound and had lunch on the beach looking at clam shells. We also stopped at a lavender farm. It was very pretty to see all the purple flowers in bloom. As we walked through them we heard the loud hum of honey bees. My brother Doug got nervous because he had had a bad experiance with bees when he was little, so I walked back with him to the gift shop and we spent the rest of the time looking for four leaf clovers. He found two of them and one five leaf clover....I'm not sure how he does it. Here are few pictures of the trip:

On the Ferry leaving Seattle,WA

In coming ferry

Lunchtime at the beach in Sequim, WA

Lavender Farm, Ryan smelling the flowers

 

Looking for four leaf clovers

 On the way back we stopped in Tacoma, WA and had dinner at Panda Express. Then we all went home and relaxed for the big day.

On Saturday, Max got baptized. Tony got to baptize him and it was pretty cool to get to be there for it.

All the kiddos dressed up ready to go.

The happy duo.

Awesome family photo. Max and Tony both wearing new suits.

Tony and Debbie put together a nice luncheon afterwards at their home. My cousins Ben and Beth both came out for the day with their families. It was fun seeing them again. We chatted and got caught up with everyone's lives. That evening Beth and I tried to take all the older kids to the movies to see "Minions" but when we got to the theater the movie was sold out. The kids were so sad, so we went and got them ice cream. I think we were forgiven:

 

On Sunday we went to church and then everyone started leaving. Mom had to catch a flight back home. Beth and her family had to get back to Yakima, WA and I was going to spend the rest of my time with my friend Jen in Tacoma, WA. So I said good-bye to everyone and headed down to Jen's place. She's getting married next month so we got to spend some last girly time together. I got to meet her Fiance and play with my kitty.

 

We went shopping on Monday for some jewelry to go with her wedding dress. It was fun to be able to help her with at least one element of her wedding. We watched one of my favorite shows and then she drove me up to the airport. It was such a great trip. I can't wait to see everyone again next month when I come up for Jen's wedding. 

Times are changing....

I just saw on Facebook that we lost another great man today. President Boyd K Packer of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles passed away this afternoon. He was first in line to be the next prophet. Growing up he was one of my favorite apostles. I loved his gravelly voice and his no nonsense way of teaching the Law of Chastity. I will miss his talks during General Conference. A few weeks back we lost Elder L Tom Perry, who was second in line to be the next prophet. I heard his speak in the MTC on my mission....to loose two great men so close together is so sad.

During this time of uncertainty, where the tides of the world are turning their focus on changing the family organization and challenge the religious beliefs of Christians....I'm not sure what is going to happen next. I try not to judge anyone...and I hope no one will judge me. But I am comforted in knowing Heavenly Father is leading our Prophet Thomas S Monson and the twelve apostles of the church. I know the two new apostles that will be chosen in October will be men called by God to lead us. We will see what the next months will bring....

Uh...where did June go???

I just realized it is now July....I can't believe how fast June flew by. Not much exciting happened....I haven't even been painting at all. So sad.

We had Father's Day a few weeks back. The missionaries joined us for dinner and it was fun talking with them. Dad got himself some food storage bins as a gift. And Doug and I gave him a card. No pictures, I've been slacking on that level.

My little brother Mike flew into town last week to scope out the area. He and his family are planning on moving to Vegas after he graduates from Chiropractic school. He just texted today that he's got a contract to open an office here in January. It's pretty exciting. It was such a short visit. We didn't have much time to really hang out with him. But Dad, Doug and him took a trip up the mountain for a father, son camp out with the ward.

I think they had fun. Mom and I had a girls night while they were gone. So we all had a good weekend.

July will be a busy month. I head up to Seattle next week to see my little nephew Max get baptized. I'm so excited. Can't wait. So I'll get pictures for my next blog, for sure.