here we go...

Summer is officially here!

Before we could truly settle into our summer routine of doing whatever we wanted we needed to do one more thing.

 Emilie's first dance recital.

It was fantastic! She was so brave.

Seeing her on that big stage made me so proud.

Lots of tears and cheers were shed that night.

The perfect way to welcome summer

 A night with friends roasting s'mores.

{love}

Our first trip to Montana this summer

Just me and the kids in a very packed truck.

I love how Duke {my sisters dog, Max's brother} enjoys the lake. He sits, sometimes lays in the water and watches. Never swims, just sits.

Molly is loving the cabin this year!

I love that I captured a picture of her running. She is all knocked-kneed and elbows out.

Emilie is also loving the cabin. Except for the mosquitoes. They are stressing her out.

A trip to the cabin is not complete without at least one boat ride turtle cove.

Now we are off to go do what ever we want!

Have a great Thursday!

Whats the deal?

I just cant get it together. 

I'm sure it's because we (me, the kids and the dog) leave for Montana on Monday and I'm totally procrastinating packing for the trip by doing nothing in the clean up category.

I always sabotage myself when we leave for a trip.

Instead of packing days in advance I always wait until the night before..

Instead of picking up the house a little bit at a time before we leave I let the house go to total sh*t.

I will never change.

And that's OK because we always get out of the house with more then we need and only 30 minutes late.

This is how my counter has looked for two days. The items have changed but the look hasn't changed.

 

a little closer

 moving right

 more right

and done.

Until you turn around.

Now we are done.

Have a great weekend!

First day of summer and beyond...

The first day of summer here in the Pacific Northwest was perfect. Sunny, warm and relaxing!

We spent the morning cheering for Emilie at her dress rehearsal for her dance class.

Once we got home the kiddos spent hours on the swings. Hours.

Emilie taught herself how to pump on the swings this spring and she hasn't stopped swing.

Friends came over and spent the beautiful evening with us.

Molly would have gone home with this family if I would have let her. The two youngest of our families were two peas in a pod.

She was even able to win R over into giving her a push.

And R's amazing mama gave all of my kiddos a push.

Even Max got to play

The first day of summer was warm, sunny, spent with friends. Perfect.

After a very rainy, lazy second day of summer we headed north to my sisters to get some errands done and to pick up Max's bro duke. 

About 15 minutes into the car ride this little home girl was out.

Once we made the 45 minute journey north she was ready to rock n roll.

Plus, when she woke up she got some new  kicks from the amazing See Kai Run shoe company. They are also the same style that Emilie modeled for them last year. 

So cute seeing them on Molly.

The main motivation for the running

Emilie let Colin have a turn on her scoot bike since I forgot his bike.

That is one very strong little bike.

We had a really great day.

just another day

I woke up this morning to a very sick little home girl. She is needy, not so nice, cranky and did I mention needy?

Off we went to the doctor to find out that she has a sinus, ear infection thing going on. 

Poor girl...

After the doctor I picked up my future first grader from his last day of school as a kindergartner and drove off to meet his best bud Sam for some ice cream. Then to our surprise an extra special treat the amazing Benjamin family showed up too! What a great way to spend the day.

I'm not sure why I love this picture so much.

Maybe because I'm not having to push anyone

Maybe because Emilie can swing ALL BY HERSELF!

Maybe because Colin is pushing Molly without me asking.

Or maybe its just because they are all in the picture together.

Finally something yummy from my little garden.

That special tree in the distance is what finally gives our little backyard shade in the evening. Every night in the summer I am so thankful for that perfect fir tree.

And this perfect little nugget that only hangs on my lap when she is sick.

that talks on my cell phone all. day. long.

I sure do love her.

{Peace out everyone}

 Tomorrow is the summer solstice. 

What are you going to do with the longest day of the year?

I sucked it up.

Today I decided not to go running.

 Instead I took two of my kiddos on a bike ride on my new favorite trail.

Guess what? They loved it too.

Emilie wanted so badly to ride her scoot bike on the trail and I really didn't think she could do it.

But she proved me wrong over and over.

This little miss is amazing! She hung in there the whole ride. {they were on bikes and I was walking}

Little break with some water and we were off again.

She was smiles the whole way.

This was Colin's favorite part.

 

And this.

And this.

Once we got home little home girl was awake and the big kiddos did some minor maintenance on their bikes and told Molly all about their amazing adventures.

It was a really, really good day.