Time Flies

Geoff just took Alayna to see our old Seattle house. Here is the proof that it once was uglier than it is now. We bought the fixer upper before HGTV but it didn't take an expert to point out the obvious. This is the only photo I have of the unfortunate decor. (Also proof that toilet papering the bishop's house over the rainy weekend we were out of town was not that humorous.) And yes, Justin is wearing cowboy boots. I took good care of that lawn, tore out the overgrown bushes, replaced the roof and gutters and painted the house blue and cream.

Maybe it was a waste of time. We sold this house the day after we put it up for sale in 1991. The buyer had lived in this very house when he was a child. They waited a couple of days and then painted the house gray and purple. Alayna's blog has the sad to me 2010 update.

And here is Jenny's first day of kindergarten. Last week was her daughter's first day.

Back to School

Emily has been in school for a week now. She was happy as a clam to go back to school on August 12th. Which makes me wonder about clams but that is a story for another day. She did say when she came home after the first day that it was like she had only been gone for a weekend not the whole summer. And oh yeah, this picture is 10 years old. It was Emily's first day of preschool. She was not thrilled then, unlike now. When I can get her to stand still I am going to take a current picture.

Emily has many of the same teachers as Geoff and Eric. There are some 900 8th graders at her school so with all those possibilities, it does seem odd to me that they have had the same team. Emily, Eric and Geoff all had Mr. Abshire for algebra 1 in 7th grade. Mr. Abshire was the national runner-up for teacher of the year several years ago. Hardly a day went by last year that Emily didn't mention something that had made her laugh in Mr. Abshire's class. He called Emily ET which is also what he called Eric. I don't remember math being that funny, but sadly after all these years he has left Jenks Middle School. We wish him well at OSU I think.

Here's Emily's home away from home.

Now this is funny, after all Jenks Middle School is not exactly youth conference. This is the cover of the school planner. Be honest and thank President Hinckley.

Summertime

School starts this week. I could use some relief from summer vacation. What time zone is this anyway?

We spent two weeks in WA with these Texans.

Trekked to the top of Mt. Erie to get some questions answered like why do I love WA?

Here's a good answer.

Lonny grew up in this navy town and never wanted our girls to wear sailor dresses. I have to say I enjoyed celebrating this fourth of July with the military. Who doesn't love a parade with flags, tanks and jets flying overhead?

Lonny, Eric, Emily and I took a kayaking tour around Burrows Island. And a ferry ride to Port Townsend.

The dock at Whidbey Island.

It's odd to see your name everywhere.

And then we climbed trees

and then we came home

so Eric could go on a mission.

Eric had two things he was thinking about. One he was nervous and the other he wanted to see his BYU roommates at the MTC. All six of his roommates would have been their at the same time except Elder Elder (really, not joking) left the morning Eric arrived. Eric was randomly met at the drop off by Elder Avila and Elder Self. Two of his BYU roommates. I think it was awesome.

And then Emily and I went back to WA

so we could play at the park

(big kids

and little kids.)

and play with Camryn

and go to the beach

and watch Bryce throw rocks

until his arm fell off.

It never ends. The throwing of rocks.

And then we came home to see if we could roast marshmallows on the sidewalk. Alas, it was too hot to try.