Pergola

So Grandma Wendy and Papa Z and Johnny came for Clara’s baptism. The arrived earlier in the week and I talked my dad into building a small pergola or patio cover over our patio. We worked on it all day with some help from Johnny, and when Jeremy got home from work it was all built and he painted it. My mom and I found the chandelier at the thrift store for $10 and it was brand new. Mom and I hung curtains a few days later. It was really windy when we did this. It was a group effort with Grandma entertaining the kids all day. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa Z!

   

4th of July Parade

Here’s some pics of the parade on our street. Jeremy and I won the Casey cup award this year. (For outstanding patriotism and patriotic achievement above and beyond our patriotic duty.)

           

More Camping

(click to enlarge)

When I think of the Pacific Northwest I think of pine tree covered mountains and pristine lakes. That’s what it was like in Faragut State Park in Idaho. It was just gorgeous! We braved an afternoon and night of constant rain and woke up the next morning to sun! The next two days were beautiful and we had lots of fun together as a family with no distractions.

The water was really clear. We fished a lot but again came up short. No one else seemed to catch anything either. It was fun just to be by the water. There was a small bay for swimming but the water was too cold. We are already planning our next trip back- probably in August.

Here’s Jeremy and Laurel- married 14 years this week. One of the most fun things that we did was play “Sock Wars” in the trailer during the rain and Laurel and Clara going fishing at sunset.

News

Summer on the Palouse

So a lot has happened this past week. Hayley graduated from elementary school and is now officially a jr. high student. Jeremy was released from the bishopbric when our ward got a new bishop, and Zack is officially potty trained. The first two events were bittersweet. The later was not. :) We are looking forward to summer and lots of camping and exploring the Pacific Northwest.

Hayley and her teacher

Clara got her ears pierced…smiles and tears

The girls have been making fairy houses in the yard. Ahh, summer.

Matar

Jeremy recently started playing the guitar. (Zack refers to it as the matar.) After many failed attempts to make a hidden video of him while he was practicing, he finally agreed to me recording him and posting it on the blog. Stacy and Daniel this is for you.

Hayley's dance

Hayley had a dance recital this week. She did a really cool dance and won for "best fake smile." The recital was at the same time as the talent show, so the video was taken on a friend's phone.

Frog Blog

So Clara is turning 8 this week. And she LOVES frogs! For her birthday, she got a red eyed tree frog. It came early so she got it a little early. She is doing a report at school on them and was so excited that she was able to put in her "about the author" part of the report that she owned a red eyed tree frog. She named it Blossom.