I need a new camera

While I wait here's a few links from my trip to Texas to visit my sister. And earlier this week Justin and I took the kids to visit our friends Ben & Jenna in San Diego. But for the sake of having at least one pic, here's one from Katelyn's wedding in between both those trips:

3 mormon boys, 3 ukulele's and a new churchy song I would love to add to my church playlist of songs.

(It takes a while to "buffer") Do you love it sisters? They're not professionals, but how sweet they sound!

The one picture that made me buy my first magazine while waiting in line at the grocery store.

You'll have to excuse the lame computer pics, but how fun is this wreath?!

What they did:

styrofoam wreath

black duct tape wrapped around the styrofoam

glued on candy corn

That's it! I can do that.

Okay and remember the blossoms on the sticks from my back yard?

I've totally got more sticks;) And I'm sure there's black spray paint somewhere.

Katelyn's wedding slideshow minus the Obama photoshops (although if I knew how to do it I would have LOVED to put something in the background!)

She asked me to come up with a slideshow for her reception and this is all I could come up with. (Thanks Rebecca for the Kindle commercial song.)

Spray painting those ugly (but useful) security screen doors!

Half way through painting these I wanted to yank them off! (who am I kidding I wanted to yank them off the minute we moved in, but it's so nice to leave the front door open all night long and let the cool breeze come through). But here's the thing... they don't come off!!! I killed myself getting one already loose screw off only to find the rest were entirely NOT loose. The one-way screws are sloped and ridiculous. I even got a fancy drill bit from Home Depot claiming to get them off. Didn't work.

I finished painting them. Notice the one screw missing- only to tease me. Now I can't get it back in. Also if you look closely the porch lamp is at a severe slant. Might have broken the blue box thing that holds it in the stucco. Opps. (You can fix that right, Justin?) And then I need a new handle and deadbolt. Whatever. I always do these jobs half way.

Best Wedding Slideshow Ever

Happy Anniversary Justin

It's been 7 years and the entire 7 years has been sprinkled with comments of, "Man I REALLY want to go deep sea fishing!" Justin has never been. Dang, I've even been deep sea fishing (a long time ago) and I don't like to fish. When I heard about this fishing trip from my old family friend Jay I called Justin and told him to hop online and sign up to go. Subsequently I became "the best wife ever", that's right.

Justin, Tad (Jay's brother-in-law and my cousin's husband and I've known him since I was born) and Jay. Is it just me or does the short guy have the biggest fish?

They sliced and diced those things right there on... plastic patio tables? That had to smell.

They saw killer whales! In the Sea of Cortez! Not common. Justin's guide said he's NEVER seen them there before.

I assume this is the guide, but Justin caught this eel. It was thrown back, but an exciting catch.

And he caught this sand shark! I think these animals are attracted to him.

This big huge thing is a totuava. It's endangered and he had to let it go. Bummer.

He was gone about a week and had a blast. He'll definitely go again.

The Barstow Mustache Growing Contest

Justin's office had a mustache growing contest in memory of the fallen officer. For a long while I thought Justin would definitely fall into the "nice try mustache" category. He proved me wrong.

Have I ever told you how much I dislike facial hair? I don't like it! Who is this man that keeps coming in our home? I don't know him.

Hair cuts

MacKenzie can't stop cutting her hair. I never actually catch her in the act, but she's no so smart about cleaning up the leftovers (which are usually ALL over the bathroom counter). A few weeks ago she had to get her self induced mullet fixed. Thanks Brenda!


Her reply to all this hair cutting business, "I just LOVE short hair mom!" Followed by a toothy smiley and a sparkle in her eyes. I mean what do you say to such charm.

And then someone mentioned that she looked like Julie Andrews. And who doesn't like the Sound of Music?!

Kennedy goes to kindergarten

I NEVER thought I'd be the mom secretly crying underneath her sunglasses, but I AM! What a nerd! Kennedy did so good though, no tears, but I could see the relief in her face when she saw her little primary friend in her class.

My nerves were kicking in for her. I've been hoping this day would come for so long (while also scheming on how to get MacKenzie in there too... she looks old enough) and it's here. And look how cute. She was SO embarrassed!

If we're not moving at least I can go on a trip!

Why not go on a little plane ride to the south? It'll be my first real visit to "the Lone Star" and I can't wait. I hope a tornado comes through!

I went to Target to get the amazing beverage cooler 90% off and came home with no beverage cooler

Apparently today I am the mother who gets her kids whatever (one thing) they want in the toy/makeup isle. What's with that? It must have something to do with being gone for a week. Good thing I don't work!

Grayson did want "the HUGE Buzz Lightyear!!!" But really $129? (Rebecca if you see the really huge Buzz on 90% off just buy it and I'll pay you back.)

Okay and I made this apron for Nedra's future daughter-in-law's bridal shower tomorrow. If I'm super ambitious I'll get over to Harbor Freight and get my favorite $3 hammer and spray paint it for the bride also. But who am I kidding, Harbor Freight is a 15 minute drive in 45 minute traffic. We'll see.

Khristie- no pockets in this one either and I've decided I officially HATE the patterns I bought. There were 3 different aprons in the same pattern and they are all RETARDED when it comes to sewing the waist ties on! But it's not so bad to look at though yeah? Just don't turn it around to inspect.

Swimming

The kids went to Fresno the week I was at camp. Here's what they learned with Mom and Manuel!

Girls Camp Mammoth Lakes, CA

The start of an 8 mile round trip hike with 2 of the girls who wanted a little something more than a stroll through the woods. Justin forgot to tell us the LAST mile was STRAIGHT UP!

Justin promised these 2 ice cream if they got in up to their shoulders in the freezing cold lake. (we were up at least 9,000 feet) Teenagers will do just about anything for ice cream apparently!

But the rock was warm.

I couldn't let the girls AND Justin show me up. (No never mind I had to get in like 3 TIMES to get a pic of it!)

Devil's Postpile.

Rainbow Falls.

All the girls. Such a great group. Not one complaint the whole trip. Except the part where I fixed my hair (blow dried it) the first day. There are only a few electrical outlets where we were tent camping. The girls didn't know where they were and I wouldn't tell them until we were getting ready for this outing into "town". The beauty of tent camping for girls camp... every girl was welcomed to bring their cell phone, but there was no reception or power, HA! And there was no "lights out", but they had to bring their own lights, ha HA!!! So entertaining.

Gondola ride up to the top of Mammoth Mountain.




Mammoth Lakes.

A few of our adventures.

Pics of me

Remember when I got my hair cut? First thing I did was call my friend Kiley to see if she'd take some pics and here are my favs! So maybe photoshop doesn't take off a few chins, but she made my eyes look amazing! LOVE it! Thanks Kiley!

Remember this? Was it always sage green?

I don't know, but I thought Grandma Barbara would LOVE a framed pic of her "cabin". It looks exactly the same however a little smaller. I might have grown a few feet since last being here.

I remember sliding down that little rock slide/waterfall. Good times, good times.

The beach the temple and the temple

It's summer! I've been waiting to go to the beach all week and today was perfect. Great weather and happy kids (and teenagers).

The Newport Beach Temple! SO pretty! Easy to find and I will definitely be going inside next time.

I couldn't handle empty seats in the car when we were going to the BEACH! 4 YW came with us and had a BLAST!

Last night we did baptisms for the dead at Redlands Temple. It's so fun to do AND a sister in the ward provided ALL the names. Even more special when they are family names getting dunked!