Use It Up, Wear It Out, Make Do, or Do Without

In the spirit of that quote, one of my favorites, I made Addi a new dress.

Using a T-shirt that was too short and fabric I've had for a few years.

I used this tutorial.

I think it turned out smashing.

It's twirly and everything!

Rare Sunny Day In Seattle

Ready for Action.
We picked up her bestie and hit 2 parks.

Ending the day with a roof-top picnic.

Graduation...and the days leading up

We had this weekend scheduled pretty tight.

Thursday morning we left with our friends for Birch Bay.

They have one of those fancy condo things and invited us along.

We took the scenic route on highway 101 that runs along the coast. The views were amazing. Addi said from the back seat, "I am appreciating this scenery."

We stopped at a look-out and because I left my other lens in Utah all you get are shots of people.

That night we ate, went swimming, ate some more and played games after the children were in bed. It was just the perfect relaxing get-away.

The next day Randall's parents came into town and we hit some sights.

We went to the Space Needle.

As you see I got a little carried away with the photo shop but I think it makes Seattle look gritty..and grit makes everything look a little cooler...don't you agree?

Then we went to Pikes Market to look around and to attend a law school function at an amazing little french restaurant there.

Sunday was graduation.

Addi got to go up with Randall and receive her own mini diploma.

Randall with Addi and Grandma & Grandpa

We're done with school hooray!

...now if only we had a job...

Seriously, if you know anyone who needs a tax attorney you send them our way.

Utah vol.2

We're kicking off the final chapter of our Utah trip with 4-wheeling baby! Kris took the girls out on his quiet little street in PG.
And then he let them control the throttle!
It was Addi's first time on a 4-wheeler and she loved it!

She is anxious to go back to Kris' for more.

I'm so bummed I didn't get a picture of Marni (Kris' wife) and Aaden my adorable nephew that loves my guts almost as much as I love his.

We just about snuggled ourselves to sleep on Kris' fancy massage chair.

Next up was our girl's afternoon out with my BFF from forever Megan and her little girl Lily. We got pedicures (the little girls got their fingernails painted too) and sugar cookies.

Awesome.

(I realize now that I must be photo-journal-ly impaired...tell me I didn't get a single picture of Megan or Lily. My only excuse is that I don't like to impose my camera in people's faces...but I know these people would understand. Sorry.)

Addi was loving it!

You can see a corner of Megan's leg there. This was her first pedicure ever because she has a little toe thats...well...little. But whatever! I would love a little, little toe I say she should flaunt that baby.

Addi, thus inspired, set up a mani/pedi shop for Uncle Ryan...he's so obliging.

What a beautiful springy shade of pink!

Actually, Ryan is color blind and he said the paint looked grey...that is if you can trust that he knows what grey looks like...he IS colorblind after all.

Looking back there were so many fun things and people I can't believe I didn't capture.

I guess it's just testimony of the fun and relaxing time I had.

More stuff I didn't get a picture of but must remember:

Amy giving Addi and the little girls rides on her horse.

Exploring Grandma Shelli's "new" farm house & farm

Going on a lunch date with Great Grandmother Gourley

Wii fencing tournament with Ryan and Rhi...Rhi is still the champion

Having a "picnic" of crackers, oranges and cheese being cut from the brick at Jacob's soccer game

Ben's amazing food

Gardening with Ashley

Casey practicing his massage skills on my shoulders...still slightly bruised

There's nothing better than family I tell you and it is so nice to go home.

(Thanks Ben and Ashley for having us, you're the best hotel ever)

Down to the Last

Today I noticed that we were down to the last few rolls of toilet paper in our huge Costco bag.

We're also down to the last of:

School

Money in the bank

Laundry detergent

Printer ink

Clothes that are not beyond repair

Towels without holes

Wash cloths

Socks with matches

...the list goes on

The only thing we're not down to the last of is FOOD!

We'd be happy to have you over

But if you plan on using the amenities...you better bring your own roll of TP!

Utah vol.1

It all started when my good friend Amy asked if I wanted a ride to Utah.

She was going down for a wedding and didn't want to drive alone.

I, of course, never turn down a road trip.

And so it was, 5 girls strapped in and hittin' the road...4 days ahead of schedule...we're spontaneous like that.

It was a long, crazy, fun, better than expected 14 hours later when we arrived.

My sister picked me up late that night (from Amy's in-laws) and that's when real party began.

First on the agenda was Gabi's Birthday.

We prepped everything, balloons, banners, 64 million cup cakes, gift bags...
And set it all up at Wine's Park in Lehi.

(Just around the corner from the Art's Center where my old Bridge's rehearsals were held)

We had a face painter.

(I already posted pictures of our painted faces.)

We also had a treasure hunt and a pinata

Here I am running the Treasure Hunt...I know it's not cute...I speak with enthusiasm. Sue me.

Ben and Ashley, my gracious hosts wanted to have this play set up in the back yard before we arrived, but because of our early arrival it wasn't ready.

They set it up (except for the extremities, swings, slide etc.) in the garage because it rained a lot that week.

Then, it was my privilege, along with Ben, Ashley and Justin (weighing less than 299 lbs combined) to move it from the garage to the back of the yard.

That thing is solid cedar, NOT LIGHT.

Our work was well worth it however. They were out there all day, everyday.

Later, we had a glorious day warm enough to run through the sprinklers...for a minute.

Then , sprint to the driveway to warm up.

For my money, the best part of running through the sprinklers.

Addi LOVES being with her cousins.

They love each other so much and don't spend nearly enough time together.

I also got reacquainted with my newest niece, Maeva.

I haven't seen here since she was 2 days old...now she's crawling!

This scraggly bunch make up half of my brothers.

They're awesome.

I love being with my sisters/SIL's they are such fun people and awesome Mom's.

I'm pretty lucky to have these girls.

To Be Continued...

Weekends

We've been having lots of fun these past couple weekends.

Over Memorial Day we took a little drive down to Vancouver to visit our dear friend and her family.

We relaxed, watched movies, ate Thai, did puzzles and were spoiled rotten!

Puzzles are serious buisness.

This weekend we went with our good friends to the Zoo.

More than the animals we were all enjoying the rare sunny day.

Ice Cream and African Drums...doesn't get better.

We've got big plans for next week and weekend as well, with another short 'staycation' and Randall's parents coming in for Graduation.