What I Did On My Summer Vacation Part 1

This has to be a series of posts because they are what I should have been posting all along. (Shame on me)

So, 

We did more beaching, and more swimming at the pool

Elle went to girls camp 

As a family we went stargazing at Vasquez Rock

And hiking at the bear divide (which is totally burned now!)

We saw this totally weird movie prop? or something. A big metal dog dinosaur maybe. They were obviously filming a movie of some kind, but we don't know what yet. 

More to come!

Proof

I just want to have proof that we've had a good summer so far!
(and that I'm an awesome mom)

We went to the beach with friends and friends of friends

The weather was perfect! So beautiful! A "three wave" day.

(I learned from my friend to test the water by how many waves it takes for your feet to get used to the water)

(the obligatory hole, of course) 

Then Elle went on trek and had an amazingly fun time. She misses her siblings though :(

BEFORE: 

This is what Chris and I did DURING:

(homemade pizookies) 

AFTER:

Still smiling! She loved it! What a trooper! She said she would gladly do it again given the chance.

Then the pool with friends again

There was NO ONE except us! It was great!

Then another beach with friends

Through wine country, so pretty!

It was not ideal weather. . .

They were determined to HAVE FUN!

(the hole)

Coincidently Elle is wearing a Seattle shirt! I didn't even think about that until I saw the picture again! haha!

Freezing cold boogie boarding

There were great waves.  Too bad about the weather.  It was like a "ten wave" day! At least.  Elle said she never did really warm up.

This is what I did the whole time. (Elle only did this when she was done swimming in the ocean Wha?)

Then the science museum

Next is girl's camp! Whew! What a summer! Fun! Fun! Fun! Go! Go! Go!

Sunday Dress and Hair

This is a whole week late, but oh well!

Last week I went to my sweet niece's wedding! 

She was so beautiful and happy! The ceremony was inspiring and the reception/luncheon was amazing.  

My favorite part was when we sent the happy couple off by throwing flower petals at them. I wanted to get a picture of all the petals swirling around them as they ran, but it was more fun to be in the moment than to capture it. 

Everyone always said she's my mini me

I'm so happy for her! 

I also got to enjoy breakfast in the canyon with my parents, some of my siblings, and their kids. 

Sunday Dress Up and Scare

Welcome aboard the Evening Endeavor!

I thought it'd be fun to write another murder mystery party so I convinced Elle to invite some friends over to act it out. 

It was on a yacht (which Elle named the Evening Endeavor). I had so much fun decorating and planning and writing. 

Chris made this fantastic palm tree for the centerpiece. We had soup, salad, and sandwiches like last time. 

For dessert I made brownie bites. Elle and I made chocolate seashells for the tops. 

I also made mini cheesecakes using the cutest mini cheesecake pan. It was like a mini muffin tin except all the bottoms were removable. So cute!

I also had mini pb cookies that Elle and I made using a half tsp of dough per cookie. I love tiny things!

The guests:

Dining hall:

Pool:

Upper deck:

Shuffleboard 

Engineer room (she was the murderer):

Passports so they could take notes on the other guests 

Everyone said they had a great time!

Sunday Dresser and Hair

So. . .

remember my little dresser that Chris was fixing up all nice for Elle?   

Well. . .

We decided to buy her one from IKEA instead.

It was a family effort to put the thing together.

And I must say, it looks lovely!

"What about the little refurbished dresser project?" you ask.

Chris still finished it! 

And now I use it again!

Now on to the "hair" portion. . .

 

Isn't my mom's hair amazing in this picture?!  I love it!

What I love even more about this picture is her smile and the happy brightness in her eyes.  Isn't she beautiful?!  

Beauty isn't only skin deep for her though.  She is beautiful from the inside out.  She is my biggest cheerleader and constant support.  She is a great example to me and to everyone who knows her.  I love her humility, kindness, and strong testimony.

She was there every dark step of the way when I had my health problems during my teenage years.  I couldn't have done it without her.  She has prayed and fasted and cried countless hours for me. I am so blessed to have such a wonderful woman as my mother.

Happy Mother's Day, Mom! I love you!

And here's to the cute girl who made me a mother!

Another great smile, same happy light in those eyes.  She was also my little cheerleader during her first few months on earth and my second round of health problems. She was and is there to smile at me, warm my heart, and keep me going.

I love being her mom!

May the 4th Be With You!

Since it is Star Wars Day I thought I'd share a bunch of memes I found--just for fun...

Sunday Dress and Hair

Elle is famous! Check out your Ensign on p. 105 :)  Incidentally, she's under Elder Hales' talk!

And Friday Elle went on the 4th year overnight hike and loved it! They hiked two miles in, made dinner, ate s'mores, played card games and slept under the stars! No tents! She had a blast!  What a trooper.

She's very excited to do it again (only WAY more hardcore) in Washington with her old friends.