The Best Sisters Camping Trip EVER!

Beautiful location + fabulous weather + super cool sisters + crazy fun cousins + awesome grandpa = The BEST Sisters Camping Trip EVER!

 

 

We revived our tradition and went to Lake Cushman this year.  I hadn't been since I was pregnant with Ben.  Oh my goodness, what I have been missing!  Clear warm water with a great swimming area,  kayaking and hiking, we had a blast!

 

 

 

 

I'm a little worried we won't be able to top this one, but we sure will try!

4th of July

Happy 4th of July! This was Ben's patriotic breakfast. 

 

 

It was a pretty low-key holiday this year.  Jillian was at EFY and we missed her!  July 4th is one of her favorite holidays.  I wonder if it's because she was born two days later and somehow remembers the excitement on the July 4th right before she was born.  We were living in Palatine, IL and went to a friend's house to celebrate.  I was technically on bed-rest, and wasn't due for three more weeks, but got up to watch the fireworks and was nervous that I might go into labor, but kind of hoping I would, too! I didn't, and she was born two days later on her scheduled C-section day.  I'm sure she heard the fireworks, though, and was wondering what was going on out there!

 

We went to the parade and enjoyed sitting with several friends.

 

Afterwards we went to a BBQ at a friend's house, but we got rained out and went home early.  Later in the evening it cleared up and we got to see the fireworks over Eagle Harbor. 

 

 

 

Presenting the Class of 2014!

My second high school graduate!  I'm telling you, once they start high school, it's all over!  The time goes so fast you hardly know what day it is. 

 

I'm so proud of Kylie's accomplishments in high school.  She maintained a 3.9 GPA, was in the National Honors Society all four years,  took three AP classes and scored well on each test, rowed crew all four years and was team captain her senior year, graduated from Seminary, performed over 200 hours of community service her senior year.  And she's a kind, thoughtful, inspiring, hardworking, determined, loyal young woman. I'm not worried one bit about her being successful in college. 

 

Nat, Katie & Kylie, waiting for the ceremony to start.

We sat right by the entrance where the graduates filed in and Ben jumped up to give Kylie a hug when she walked by.

Kylie's cap decoration

After the ceremony, it's picture time! Kylie had lots of family there to support her!

Kylie and Grandpa Tom.  He's so proud of her!

Grandma Susan, Kylie and Grandpa Tom

Ashley, Caleb, Kylie, Jane, and Grandma Vikki

Jill, me, Kylie, Brad and Ben

Sisters!  These two have become best friends over the past year. 

I'm so glad they had a year together in high school. 

The whole family!

Brad's showing Kylie he's still stronger than she is!

Audrey & Claire Marcum, Kylie & Jillian.  It's fun to see the resemblance in siblings!

Nathan Oliver & Kylie

Kylie, Katie, Sallie and Nat

Abby Leigh, Justeen Komok, Kylie & Carly Millard

Happy Mother's Day!

Mother's Day was pretty special this year!  In Mexico, Mother's Day is always May 10, so Nate got to call on Saturday.  We were expecting just a phone call, like at Christmas, but when he called he said that some wonderful members of the Puerto Penasco Branch had offered to let him and his companion use their computer so they could Skype!  That was the best Mother's Day present, ever! It was so good to see his face! We got to talk for about an hour and it was so hard to say goodbye when the time was up.

 

On Sunday we got together with family and had a nice dinner.  I love these wonderful women!  I'm so glad I am their daughter, sister, or mother!