summer little things

The spatula after one of the kids forgot to turn off the burner one morning... I was gone and it's lucky the house didn't burn down!:

The front yard/ front porch:

I am pretty excited about that tropical-looking plant called a Canna Lily.  This was when it first started blooming.

Proof that there was a day when I was able to reach around  Pace's upper arm:

Also proof that my kids sometimes spoil me rotten! They are giving me foot massages while we talk:

Our Young Women that went to camp, minus Maddie and Ashley Bloom who went up a day earlier to be YCL's.  L-r: Julianne Jones, Megan Bloom, Adelaide Tesch, Isabelle, Abby Foust:

Shawn and I went up Thursday night for testimony meeting and they were all having a great time! It was fun to be there:

While the girls were gone, we only had three kids at home! It was fun spending time with my boys. At one point during the week, they decided we should rearrange their room.  They had one twin bed and a bunk bed and decided to take down the bunk bed.  Shawn says that their room reminds him of the seven dwarfs room now with wall to wall beds.  It's not as spacious-looking anymore, but they're happy!🤣

I always get a kick out of the way the boys play with their toys:

I guess you could say that we are the official neighborhood pet-sitters. There aren't many kids in the neighborhood, so complete strangers knock on the door asking if we can watch their pets while they are out of town.  This is our neighbor Cari's dog Zezou: 

The boys took care of him for four days.  It was pretty cute and a good experience for the boys.  This same week they watched a turtle and goldfish for the Munts, and watered pots and fed pets at the Wares.  Isabelle was supposed to take care of someone's cat when she got home from camp, but that was cancelled because of a family emergency for the cat's owner.

One of those sweet moments when you find your daughter tucking your youngest into bed by singing primary songs:)

And when you find another daughter giving "soccer lessons" in the basement.  This has been going on every day for a couple of weeks and it's so fun to watch!:

Ward party where Shawn requested "The Orange Blossom Special" to be played.  They gave him this block to blow through to be the train whistle:

The guy who adjusts my sprinklers looks so "GQ" 💓💓:

One of my best friends, Tara Reilley surprised me when she showed up in the Young Women's room at church last Sunday. She and her family were headed to the coast and she came a day ahead of them just so that we could catch up:

She is so amazing because she has a way of showing up or calling when I need it the most!  She is also incredibly inspiring and up-lifting and building and I love her so much!!

I had been feeling particularly negative about living in this area and she got me feeling positive again and even motivated to do more and be better.  Thank goodness for good friends:

When her husband and six kids arrived they stayed another day and we had a good time too... but I was having such a great time that I didn't get many pics:

l-r: Maddie, Nolan, Connor, Teegan, Ashtyn, Hunter:

Maddie, Sable, Ashtyn:

I wish that I could hear from Kami's mission as much as I hear from Caden's!  I sure love the fact that members text me notes and pictures throughout the week of Caden. I received this one this week and it made my day:

Sister Gee, I just wanted to let you know how impressed I am with Elder Gee. He came to our area from the MTC without a hitch. Both Elder Anderson and Elder Gee took on this place with such enthusiasm, excitement, fun and most of all, the spirit. My family had the privilege of seeing them in action. Having served a mission myself, I was grateful to be apart of Liz’s learning about the gospel of Christ. Elder Thueson was great too. Lol. But I was so impressed with Elder Gee and his testimony. I knew it was time for his transfer and I know he’ll have great success in Fort Worth. We will miss him. Three of my sons have served missions. All have come back with a great foundation for the rest of their lives. I am ever grateful for God’s tender mercies and wonderful elders like Elder Gee.  Shona Larsen

This was sent because Caden was just transferred.  Someone else sent me a picture of he and his new companion, which was awesome because I wouldn't have seen this until his next p-day.  Blessings of serving in the states!: