BFFs

I'm so glad these sweet girls are such good friends! It's wonderful to see them growing up into such amazing young women. They're all going into High School in the fall and will be such a good support to each other.  Audrey's mom took them all to the temple to do baptisms together and took these pictures.

Keagan, Chloe, Audrey, Jillian and Kennedy

And a stop at IHOP afterwards! 

Seattle Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon

Is there a better way to celebrate a gorgeous day in Seattle than running a 1/2 marathon?  I think not!

 

This lovely group agrees with me!  We all got on the 5:20 a.m. ferry to Seattle, full of nerves, excitement and adrenaline. 

Leslie, Me, TJ, Rachael, Mary, and Jared...We're only 1/2 crazy!

Me, Mary and Rachael

I wore my red hat so Brad could find me more easily at the finish line!

 Leslie, me, and Mary

We were getting a little nervous, especially since Leslie forgot her number at home!  Fortunately there was a lost number booth, so she was able to get another one and we didn't have to try to sneak her on to the course!

 

Am I ready?  I'd better be! 

 

And we did it! 

We couldn't find Mary's kids for the picture, but they did it, too! 

We did find Bryce, who had stayed in Seattle the night before. 

 

The course was beautiful, difficult, hot, exhilirating!  I especially loved running down Rainier Avenue with Mt. Rainier towering in the distance, running along Lake Washington, up the I-90 express lanes in the tunnel (although the band at the end of the tunnel was terrible...it sound like we were descending into hell!), along the express lanes towards Quest and Safeco Fields, and along the viaduct with Elliot Bay and the ferries in the distance.  The last mile was the longest and the hardest!  At one point I thought I saw the finish line ahead only to be sorely disappointed that it was only a large blue construction crane!  Turning the last corner and realizing the finish line was at the end of a sizeable hill was a little disheartening, but seeing and hearing Brad, Jillian, and Ben cheering for me right before the finish line gave me the extra boost I needed!  My time was slower than my first 1/2 marathon last year, but I expected that and wasn't disappointed.  I met a woman who runs one 1/2 marathon a month...I'm not quite there yet, but I think I'll keep doing one a year at least! 

Nathan's going on a mission!

 

We invited family and friends to come over and watch him open his call. Thank goodness for Skype, even though it was a little surreal and hard for him to hear what was happening on our side. We also had my siblings calling in on all three of our phones...home phone, my cell and Brad's cell.

 

Nate set the opening time as 5:30, and we told everyone it would happen right at 5:30, no matter what. But at 5:25 my mom called and said they were stuck in traffic and would we PLEASE wait for them? Traffic on the highway was terrible, combine 5:00 traffic and rain and you get a mess! So poor Nate had to wait another ten minutes, but everyone finally got here and the opening commenced!

 

 

Mexico, Hermosillo Mission,

reporting October 30 to the Provo MTC!!!

 

I can't believe he's going on a mission! And to Mexico! Not that I didn't think, hope, and dream that someday Nathan would serve a mission, it's just hard to believe that he is already almost 20 years old and is a responsible, mature young man, not a goofy little kid or an annoying, angsty teenager!  I'm a little nervous, but very excited for him. We're all glad the waiting is over, at least the finding out where he's going part...now we just have to wait four more months until he gets to start this exciting new adventure!

 

 

 

Random Pictures from the past few months

Some of these pictures I could have put in their own post, but I'm feeling kind of lazy, so I'll put them all together.  Kind of like the Instagram Update that my friend Brooke does, but not.

Bainbridge Island Ward youth conference:

A beautiful day rowing on Eagle Harbor: (not sure who took this picture...I wish it was me!)

Jillian found this nest in our front yard.  She brought it inside and was upset that it had fallen out of a tree.  I asked her to show me where she found it and once we looked at the spot together, it was clear that the bird had constructed the nest right in the grass in the middle of the yard.  Crazy bird!  

Ben's 4th grade end of the year music presentation:  a night of Jazz.

My mother's day gift, a magnolia tree.  Ben named it George.

Heading out to "Outdoor School" for three days!  The 4th graders at Wilkes go to Islandwood.  Ben had a wonderful time. It was weird not having him home!

Jillian's final band concert, ever!  She's not playing in High School.  

Happy 43rd Birthday, Brad!  Or 4,111th?  

Ben and his best friend, Henry on the last day of school!  No more elementary school for these guys!  They're on to bigger and better things as 5th graders at Sakai next year. The best part is that they'll get to sleep in an extra hour!

Happy Father's Day!

Two of the best dads I know...my dad and my kids' dad.  Both wonderful men who work hard, serve others and God, love their families, and make life better for all of us!  

I posted this picture on Facebook and Nathan commented:

These two men have been the most influential men in my life. They've both taught me the value of hard work, setting goals and accomplishing them. I love both of them so much, its a little late but happy fathers day! and great picture mom!

He's growing up, and I'm sure one day he'll be a terrific dad just like his dad and grandpa!

Jillian's Night in Paris

Bainbridge has a wonderful tradition of holding an 8th grade banquet for the graduating 8th graders.  It's a huge deal; more time, energy, and loving care from parents are put into the 8th grade banquet than prom for the high school seniors.  The theme is a surprise, so when the kids walk into the school they are amazed at the transformation. This year, their gym and cafeteria were transformed into the streets of Paris. It was beautifully done.  I signed up to be a chaperone, so I was able to be there and see the kids' reactions as they walked in.  They were in awe! 

 

Before the banquet, Jillian went to her friend's house to get ready.  They spent hours doing their hair and make-up.  I had to get to the school early, so Brad went to take pictures after they finished their preparations.

 

I enjoyed chaperoning, even though I  mostly stood in one spot all night.  But I got to watch the kids dance and enjoy each other's company.  They had other activities besides dancing, like a lipstick fortune teller, a caricaturist, the casino, temporary tattoos, and the photo booth. Jillian said she had a wonderful evening and from what I could tell, most of the kids really enjoyed being there. I'm glad we have such a great community who works together to create these memorable events for our kids!

 

Jillian, Kennedy, Keagan, and Chloe

 

 

 

BFFs!

I LOVE this picture Kennedy's mom took!

At the school waiting to go in...Kennedy, Jillian, Andrew, Chloe, and Keagan

Surprise!  You're in Paris!

Dinner...it was hard to take a good picture since the lighting was dim.  The dining room was draped in white lights with beautiful table decorations.

Different areas of the cafeteria were transformed into a casino,

a bakery,

 

a flower market, (this was my post for chaperoning)

a boutique,

 

and an outdoor garden.

Patricia, me, and Michele.

Patricia was a server and Michele worked in the kitchen. 

So many people put in time to help make this a great event for the kids.

Jillian, Kalyn, Jarret, and Andrew in the casino

Chloe, Audrey, Keagan, Jillian, Kennedy and Sarah at the photo booth

I Moustache You a Question...

Don't we look maaahvalous?

Ben brought home a package of sticky moustaches and we had a great time playing with them during Family Home Evening!

The next day he wore one to school, along with his favorite t-shirt. 

His teacher made him take it off (the moustache, not the shirt) the minute he walked into the classroom. 

She's obviously not in tune with her hipster side!