Last Summer Weekend

DeA wanted to show off her new jeans, but asked me not to share the pics anywhere. I never promised anything, so here it is.

Luca is starting to rub his eyes when he's embarrassed, like when I asked him what he was about to throw from the catwalk. 

We were supposed to take a family trip to Seattle to watch the M's game, but right on schedule DeA got sick and had to miss another trip over there. The kids and I had a great time, Rock drove us all the way to Northgate without any real hiccups. The next morning we parked at the train station. One of the kids asked if Seattle was really as dirty as I joked it was, right as someone almost stepped in human feces.

The Sounder train is pretty slick, and we were able to walk through Pioneer Square to show the kids what used to be a cool part of town. It is not cool anymore and I will never walk through there with my kids again. We were the first ones in line to get into the ballpark!

The kids were great and loved everything about the game

They especially loved the food. 

This dude was rocking an awesome Paul Skansi jersey straight from the '80s. Baller

Turns out that the Colemans were two sections over and enjoying the game, too.

The M's hit seven homes and scored 15 runs, the kids definitely loved that.

We spent too much money at a hockey store and then crushed Chick Fil-A before making it home.

A Sunday evening fire at dusk is always a great way to end the day.

 

Summer Full of the Temple

Watching DeA and Ryker pit cherries in late summer sure reminded me of times as a kid with Gma Helen

Jen went down sick and was throwing up. It's probably Rissa's fault, but I want to blame myself for sharing a meme mentioning how all summer no kid has had a tummy ache or sniffles, and that had better not change when school starts in two weeks.

She was pretty beat.

Rock was working on picking short-hops and one caught him in the forehead. I guess that makes us even for when he drilled me with the ball in BP.

We run a tight ship around here in the summer.

There was a little excitement with a brushfire around the corner from our house. Thankfully it was put down pretty quickly.

I was able to serve two shifts in the open house as an usher, it was a wonderful experience.

The very last tour was Poutine and his family and I was able to catch up and finish it with them.

We went to Shari's for dessert and stayed until almost closing. It has been quite a few years since I shut down a Shari's, I think I was still in high school. It was awesome to catch before they head back to Canada, eh.

DeA wasn't happy that I had a picture in front of the temple with Joey but not with her, and we needed one for our anniversary. They kind of turned out like "hey, 18 years of marriage is easy, just look at us..."

I think this is the best one...

Or maybe this one.

Basic white girls, all dressing the same.

Temple Open House and Evening Walks

The kids all had the opportunity to spend a morning at the temple. Jens snuck along as a youth and had a great time.

They helped by putting foot coverings on guests.

Rock asked to go golfing after work and we had perfect weather.

We have had some great walks in the evenings with the kids.

Well, some of us like walking with the kids...

Some nights Leo and DeA seem to take their own walks.

The apples are coming in nicely. Uncle Dustin wanted a pic, so here it is.

I also had the chance to serve at the open house as an usher. I had to walk up around 5:40, drove two hours excited that I arrive early, only to find out that they moved my shift up to 7:30 and I was already way late. It was a wonderful experience and I'm already looking forward to going next week for my other shift.

The sunsets have been great on our walks.

Ryker took a picture of DeA and I, it looks like I'm trying to keep her from escaping and running away to freedom.

 

Late Summer Fun

I love August days, it's still hot but not oppressive like July and the lake water is perfect.

Ryker and Jens average more than one trip to the lake a day. 

That's summer summed up in one picture for these kids

I was throwing BP to Rock when he drilled me right in the shoulder. My arm immediately went numb and I couldn't feel the baseballs. Thankfully it only left a bruise.

Teaching my daughter to kill annoying and useless things, so the future boys in her life better understand that up front.

Rock was gone for a day and a half hunting with Ryan LaTurner and Carter, Leo was pretty fond of the smells that he brought back with him.