Monday, August 31, 2009

Family Pictures

We had family pictures taken by Michael Rowley this month. It was a fun family outing and happened to fall on our 25th anniversary which I thought was pretty appropriate. We took the pictures at University of Puget Sound which is near our home, where the kids often go to EFY and where Mike works with the student athletes and at the student health center. It is such a beautiful campus! After the photo shoot, we went to dinner at Anthony's.
It has been 25 wonderful years....where has the time gone?




Saturday, August 29, 2009

Goodbye Summer 2009



Here's just a few more highlights from our summer....

JUNE: Katies first dance...She got ready with her friends, Madison, Sarah and Sara...beautiful girls!
Katie will attest to the fact that the summer was not all sun and fun and vacation--one of her jobs was to paint our backboard...it had been the same for 14 years, since she was born and since Ben and Rachels wedding. We thought it was time for a change and plan to use it some for tennis practice...we'll see. The kids were actually very sad to see the Grandma's painted houses go. :(
Soundview Ward Youth activity Luau! This happened to be the hottest day of the summer with temps topping at about 104! Eventually the Luau turned into a Luau/water fight--we fed about 60 youth and leaders. Yummy! The boys and girls learned traditional Polynesian dances.


We all enjoy a Mariners game---we were excited to catch a glimpse of Ken Griffey Jr. since he is back with the Mariners---and they won that night in extra innings!
At the Mariners game Bethany taught me and Hannah how to do "jumping pictures". Umm, I look pretty weird but I tried.
SUMMER SCHOOL: Grandma's and Grandpas Summer School...this was a huge success! At the end of the summer we had a graduation night complete with diplomas, caps and gowns. Preston and Hannah can recite the first 10 Presidents from memory and all of the states. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!


EPHRATA 2009! This is our 7th year camping in Ephrata and going to the water park in Moses Lake. This year we missed our oldest girls. Christian brought his friend Brady Morrison. We loved cooking biscuits over the grill and eating them with yummy raspberry jam.
The winning volleyball team: Christian, Mike, Brady, Mark and Lucy Lybbert and Preston!


More evidence that we don't just play and vacation all the time. It takes a lot of work and a lot of helpers to keep this household a float. Preston loves to help vacuum the outside carpet which constantly has leaves on it during the summer.
Preston and Hannah discovered a fun way to carry the recycles from the house to the recycle bin. Great job!
Bethany is home from a summer in the Holy Land! We were so happy to see her and here she is showing us her biggest purchase--a beautiful olive wood nativity set.



Monday, August 24, 2009

Last wonderful days of Summer....



Beautiful Lake Quinault.

Bethany and Emily returned for this last two weeks of summer! We have loved having them home safe and sound. Bethany had a wonderful time in Jerusalem for the summer. We have loved seeing her photos and hearing her stories. Emily had a great time living in Bethany's apartment at Victoria Place and attending Summer term at BYU. We took a quick 2 day vacation on the Olympic Peninsula and saw some beautiful northwest country...Lake Quinault, Kalaloch Beach, Forks (Twilight Zone), Port Angeles and Hurricane Ridge...then home again. We covered over 350 miles and did the Olympic Peninsula Loop--watching movies along the way and listening to music in the car. Here's a few pictures of our adventure--




We loved hanging out in the rustic lobby, playing the old piano, the huge chess set and sitting by the fire.

Yummy Chocolate Moose at the Roosevelt Dining room.

We took a short hike to this amazing tree

KALALOCH: We stopped here for just an hour or so and I wished we had more time at this pretty beach. Next time we do this trip I want to stay at the cabins overlooking the ocean! The kids had an adventure climbing over the logs in the water...


Katie's fall gave us all a good laugh..

They made it!!

On to FORKS, Washington: We entered the land of Vampires and the Twilight zone. It is amazing to see how Stephanie Meyer's books have turned this sleepy little town in the middle of nowhere into a bustling tourist spot. We visited the Dazzled by Twilight store and purchased some piano music for Katie.



FINAL STOP: HURRICANE RIDGE near Port Angeles. This is truly an amazing place! From the views of Puget Sound, the Olympic Mountains, Straight of Juan de Fuca, Canada, and the wild life. Here are a few pics and a retake of our favorite kids picture from 5 years ago.




These two pictures were taken in the same spot at Hurricane Ridge....2004
and 2009!

Monday, August 3, 2009

EFY!

What summer would be complete without EFY?!!! Katie and Christian both had a fantastic time during their weeks with other great youth at University of Puget Sound. Here's a few pictures from their time at Especially for Youth.