Eureka

Our Eureka visit so far has been wonderful. We made it out here on a one day drive and by the time we made it to the redwoods, it was dark. As we weaved through Richardsens Grove and the trees flashed past in the darkness, Brennan, wide-eyed in the passenger seat exclaimed, “whoa…. Oh man!.... dang! Did you see that!?!” The big beautiful trees are always an amazing sight, even if you grew up in their shade.

The ocean water beneath my feet is so comforting. It will always be here for me, no matter how long I am away. The sand will always sneak between my toes, into my pockets and into the car. We are watching too many movies. Too much ice cream. I dont regret any of it. I love being home.

I sat in my room getting ready for bed when I heard Isaac singing Blackbird for Mom. He played in on the electric guitar he made at school last year. The guitar was not very loud but Isaacs voice was clear even as he is still learning what his range is. Isaac can play and sing Blackbird. That’s a landmark. I showed Isaac how to play the first part last time I was here in April. He didn’t catch on too fast and I thought it was a little over his head. When I asked Isaac yesterday how he learned it he said he learned the first part from me and figured out the rest by watching dad play it and listening. I learned how to play Blackbird by watching Rachel teach Miriam how to play it and sneaking in afterwards and remembering what I saw and heard. Isaac did the same thing. Love it.

A few peeps

The Borealis String Quartet came earlier in the semester and coached us. This is us! The awesome girls with scarves quartet... Playing Borodin was so much fun. I had fun getting to know these girls this semester.

Three of my closest friends.

And my total closest forever bestest friend. I love you.

Spencer. I cant wait to hear what great things this guy does in his life. He is going to be really successful. I hope we stay friends for a long long time. I know my husband would love for you to come over in the future to talk about Mexico again. Good luck. PS I wore that shirt just for you that last day of school.

Another Semester Ends

This semester has been so much fun. I have made new friends and grown closer to old friends. We had an end of the semester cookout with a few friends.

The weather was perfect.

The hot dogs were perfect.

The otter pops were perfect.

The friends were perfect.

Next semester will come all too soon and before I know it I will be done with my recital and graduating. I am excited for what the future holds.

HP!!

Yes. We went to the midnight showing of the last Harry Potter on a school night. It was AWESOME. It broke the all time box office record for a midnight movie. Epic conclusion. Truly Epic.

I tried to get a better picture but Colin would only take this one. So I'm posting it.

Talent

I play the cello.

There is something about playing an string instrument. You fall into a trance as you pull the hair across the strings. Your own movements is what make it sing. This is the ability the Lord has blessed me with. I strive to put it to good use.

I am doing my senior recital next semester and my friend Ryan did some pictures for me. I absolutely loved all of them. He is very good at what he does. Thanks Ryan.

I will treasure these pictures for the rest of my life.

List

Sometimes I will be sitting in bed really late at night and I will have the urge to write something down that is on my mind so I can blog about it. I usually dont and I usually forget the awesome words that were going through my head. My mind goes a mile a minute. I am sure most could guess that from my posts.

But this one I remember. Colin was dozing off next to me the other night when I looked up the Medley Blog post about Mom because it her birthday was last week! (Happy birthday again mom!) As I read all the words from my siblings about her, I couldn't help but get a few tears on my pillow. My Mom really is a special lady. My family is exceptional. How on earth did I get so lucky as to have an awesome family, marry an awesome guy, AND have awesome in-laws? Like is that normal??

Count your blessings often. You will find the list gets longer every time.

Mom

My mother is the best person in the world. She taught me everything. She taught me to love, to teach, to work, and to smile. She laughs with me, she cries with me and she talks with me about anything. She calls me often and I LOVE it. When something exciting happens, she is one of ther first people I want to call and tell.

I remember Moms weight loss. She started and she has stuck with it. She has done so well and looks like one hott mamma!!! I am so so proud of everything she has accomplished.

I miss her wonderful cooking. I try but nothing compares to mommy's kitchen.

Thank you for everything:

for doing puzzles with us,

For giving me these two,

For being interested in everything we do,

even sheets,

For letting me leave the house in outfits like this,

For going on adventures in the wilderness with us,

For letting us be ourselves,

For giving me these wonderful sisters,

And for loving me. You are the best!

I love you!

Happy birthday Mom.

Saturday Bike Ride

This morning we went and saw Transformers 3 which, by the way, was friggin' awesome. I know a lot of people havent liked it BUT stuff blew up, there were huge bad guys, crazy betrayals you dont see coming, big robots fighting each other, Patrick Dempsey is a crazed bad guy, the chick is better than the one in the last movies, the music was epic and Shi Le Bouf screamed like a girl multiple times. Come'on. We are suckers for that kind of stuff.

After the movie, we rented "HP the Deathly Hallows part 1" and watched it because the LAST HP MOVIE IS COMING OUT IN TWO WEEKS. Two weeks people. Prepare yourselves. It is going to be epic and flippin mind blowing!!! I cannot WAIT.

We live in a basement and it is very cool down here. Like 65 most of the time. I looked at my phone and it was 85 outside. It was calling my name. So we went out and had an awesome bike ride! We went on some backroads and the fields were gorgeous and there was a cool breeze coming off of them. The Tetons came over a hill to great us. They were majestic in the distance. I am so happy we have a three day weekend. Love love love it.

blurred but so clear

I found this picture on Colins phone from April and fell in love with it a little.

I love this guy. He is everything to me. I dont know what I would do without him. He is so hardworking and dedicated. Bob and Becky- thank you so much for raising such an awesome guy. I feel like you did it just for me!