Princess party

Princess Emma

turned 4 and Queen Kristy threw quite the party to celebrate! I was delighted to help with some of the details. And this Queen knows how to throw a party...pink carpet, face painting, nail polish, a surprise visit from the Fairy Godmother, crowns and pink cupcakes! Here is a look at this fun, fun party...

Happy birthday, pretty princess!

for the foodies

www.tastespotting.com

www.foodgawker.com

Hey foodie friends (you know who you are ;) ...have you all seen these two websites?

If not, you must.

Boise with the Seamons

We had a blast in Boise with the Tanners and the Seamons. And I even managed to take some photos this time.

That's a really big deal.

Hollie, thanks for hosting us. Seamons, thanks for being such fabulous traveling companions. I already can't wait for our next Boise adventure.

And it is always an adventure. ;)

little fish

We've stayed plenty busy this summer...thankfully, we've also enjoyed many lazy days in the pool too.

sisters

It makes me so happy to see them love each other. Melts my heart, really. Today is one of those days...swimming, playing "princesses", snacking, dressing up...and no one is annoyed with anyone else.

Just a little slice of heaven on Earth.

My parents used to tell me that my sisters would be my best friends some day and that I better treat them nicely.

Turns out they were right.

I am so glad Krissy and Kendall have each other.

I am even more grateful I have them.

welcome home!

We are so excited for our friends tonight, who welcomed-home their daddy after a year of service to our country. What a sacrifice these military families make for the rest of us. We have learned so much watching them this past year.

Thank you Pattersons.

We love you.

garnish.

Just think of the parties we can plan using this fun website! Loads of fun ideas...and they sell you all the darling stuff to pull it all together.

Brilliant.

heavy heart

My heart is aching for this family today. Patrick, Ashley & Preslee Sullenger.

Complete strangers.

This little girl is a niece of one of my sister Hollie's friends. She is being laid to rest today after a tragic drowning accident. I have been following her story for a little over a week now. I have shed many tears on behalf of this family I don't even know and they have reminded me of many important things.

Time is not for wasting.

I need to be better.

Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us.

He is in control.

There is a bigger picture.

I keep thinking about this quote from Ashley's blog,

"One thing we have learned….that in the end all we have to really give is our will.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell rightly said: “The submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give’ … are actually the things He has already given or loaned to us.”

a million memories

6 hours to get there.

1 car, 1 van, 4 bikes.

1 night in Meridian with 5 uncles, 1 aunt, 1 grandpa and 4 cousins.

see-ya-later and good luck guys.

play time with the Tanners for girls.

chasing-the-dream-time for the guys.

1 trip to Eagle Island...the beach down street. go figure.

too. much. good. food.

trips to Walmart and Target with 6 kids ages (7,6,5,3,3,1) and 2 mommies. glutton for punishment.

at least 50 otter pops.

40 pages of Pinkalicious.

2 dozen Pinkalicious cupcakes made and eaten.

1 trip to Wahooz. too-many-to-count tokens provided by Mikey the ATM. (thanks again!)

1200 tickets to spend on junk. 6 kids in heaven.

9 tickets to Despicable Me. 18 thumbs up.

3 exhausted parents.

1 trip to the Boise Farmer's Market. 1 dozen hot donuts. freshly squeezed lemonade.

La Cafe de Paris. 1 croissant. 1 eclair de chocolat.

1 promise to return soon.

1 hour on the sewing machine. 3 darling headbands.

206 miles Seattle to Portland, 11.5 hours of cycling time

4 incredible guys. 1 supportive dad. 4 proud wives.

1 amazing weekend.

and not one picture in my camera to show for it.

just a million happy memories.

Adams Family Photos

We took advantage of having everyone in town and took some family photos. Not an easy task...but we recruited Missy to help us and Dani and I both snapped a bunch too. Here are a few of my favorites that came out of my camera and Melissa's camera...I can't wait to see what Dani has too! The big group photo will require a little work, but here is a little taste...

What an amazing family. I feel blessed to be part of it. We are both blessed with strong, happy families...we feel so lucky to be related to our very best friends.

XOXO.