Summer Sun

A few weeks ago we went to Idaho for a visit with family.  The weather was hot and sunny, just the thing needed for our sun-deprived spirits!

The kids loved spending time with their cousins....

 And some time in the pool....

Erica spent the majority of her time harassing Grandma's new grey kitty.  Erica chased her all over the house, and when she finally caught up with her, treating her like a baby doll, carrying her around and cradling her.  The cat looks enthused, doesn't she?

Grandma and Grandpa with the kids.

Eric and his parents.

Even though I don't have any pictures to prove it, we also visited in Boise with my family.  We went to the movies, worked on some fun projects, and just hung out together.  It was a great week!

Sugar for my ears.....

Love this song and LOVE this video by Sugarland!!!  Hilarious!!!

A Word About Harry....

On Thursday night, after much anticipation and excitement, Heidi and I went to see the opening midnight showing of the final installment of Harry Potter.  I had been both looking forward to and dreading this moment for the last ten years.  I remember pouring over the last book of the series, after having read for two straight days, unable to get anything else done.  I finished late into the night, but then reread several parts because I had to prolong the ending of it just a little longer.  It was unbearable to finally close the cover on Harry Potter.

I realize that not everyone can understand this prolonged affection (dare I call it obsession?) which I have with Harry and the Wizarding World.  It probably seems strange to those who have not been there since the beginning.  The day of the movie, I was trying to explain the wonderful depth and meaning of the story and characters to a friend of mine who has only read the first few books, and I almost started tearing up.  The themes of good conquering evil, overcoming trials which seem insurmountable through courage and hard work, making difficult decisions to always do what is right, even when it is not popular, the idea that there is always a chance for redemption, yet it is a choice to be made, and finally realizing that love truly does conquor all are all beautifully interwoven into the fabric of Harry's world.  And then J.K. Rowling's masterful story-telling, with her plot-twists, fully developed characters, and complete fabrication of an entire new world, is what I call real "magic."  It still blows my mind that she didn't leave a single string unconnected through seven books.  In fact, every detail was important in every book, because you never knew when a small piece of information in book two would return in book six, with great significance!

So on Thursday night I got to go along with Harry, Ron, and Hermione on their final adventure.  It was intense, dramatic, thrilling, and touching all at the same time.  I don't know anyone who could escape a few tears as Harry entered the Forbidden Forest for the last time, with the intention of dying to save the world from Voldemort's evil.  Especially as he spoke to the vision of his parents, asking them to stay with him, and his mother's reply was, "Always!"  And then the final culmination of the story, when time is sped up and we see a glimpse into Harry's future life, was truly precious and I was so glad they included it in the movie.

Now here's to hoping that we will get to hear more about James, Albus, and Lilly Potter's adventures at Hogwarts.  They are the children of a Potter and a Weasley, after all, so trouble and adventure are bound to follow!

I found a link to this blog on MSN the day of the movie's release and I really enjoyed it: The ten things we will miss most about Harry Potter.  Check it out if you haven't already.

Summertime

We are all running in different directions which can mean only one thing.....it must be SUMMERTIME!!!

Eric took Elise and Ethan with him down to visit his family in Menan, Idaho this weekend.  They had a wonderful time visiting with everyone, soaking up the sun, and enjoying Menan's famous Fourth of July celebrations.  Grandma and Grandpa sure enjoyed seeing Elise walking back and forth across the room, expecting huge hugs and cheering each time.

Heidi, Erica and I layed low at home, since Heidi would need to be at an Especially For Youth Conference (EFY) before Eric and the others would be back home.  We had fun shopping, eating out, and watching movies together.  I always enjoy spending more one-on-one time with Heidi.  She is growing into such an amazing young lady, and I am truly blessed to be her Mom.

Early on the Fourth of July, I dropped Heidi off at her friend's house, who was going to transport her down to Tacoma to go to her conference.  When I left her there and drove off with just Erica, I started crying, knowing that she would have such an amazing experience there but also realizing how much I will miss her all week.

So on Monday and Tuesday it was just me and Erica.  Let me tell you, she is as entertaining as they come, but I certainly missed some adult conversation in that time, ha ha!!!

On Monday we went to Mukilteo Beach, where Erica had a lot of fun throwing rocks in the water.  I think she was trying to single-handedly return all the rocks and pebbles from the beach back into the Sound!  It was a very windy day, so the water was pretty rough.  It kept crashing onto the beach, making her nervous, so she would hide behind a big log, throwing the rocks.  Everytime a rock would make it to the water she would squeal with delight, "I DID it!!!"  After that we walked to the little beach shop that sells ice cream cones and indulged in a Fourth of July treat.  Erica was pretty much on a sugar-high after that, so we wrapped things up pretty quickly after that.

Today we went to a park and played for quite a while.  I enjoyed watching my social little girl play with other kids that were there, pretending they were serving food at a fast-food drive-up window, then climbing all over the jungle gym.  She kept calling for me to see her "friends."  Then when we left, she said, "See you later, guys."  It was adorable!

Eric and the others got home tonight, after a very long drive across two states.  Erica wouldn't let him out of her site, and insisted on going with him to drop off the rental car.  She really missed her Daddy.

So did I.  I'm sure glad they're back.

Birthdays

We had a couple birthdays this month.

Mine happened to fall on Mother's Day this year.  It was a great weekend!  Eric and the kids all spoiled me.  I picked out a new couch and comfy chair, which we are now all enjoying.



Eric decorated my cake.  Silly man, doesn't he know I'm 29, not 36!!!



Erica enjoyed her special day the week after mine.  I can't believe my baby is 3 years old!  The time has certainly flown!!  We celebrated her birthday at McDonald's with a huge Costco cake.  She selected what kind.....chocolate, of course!!  That's my girl!!! 

What a poser! :)  My beautiful new couch is shown here as well.

The hit of the party was her new bike!  It even came complete with a basket so she could give her new kitty a ride as well!!

I've Been a Little Busy.....

Last October my Relief Society President asked me to head up a musical production she wanted performed for our Relief Society sisters.  It was brilliantly written by her son-in-law, and was based loosely on the story of the Broadway show "Wicked" and the "Wizard of Oz," but with a twist on visiting teaching.  The story is very cute, with both humorous and touching moments.

At first I was completely overwhelmed.  Well, let's be serious.  I was completely overwhelmed the entire time we were in production!  Not only did she want me to head up the production of this play, she also wanted me to be a principal performer in it!  It was something I have always dreamed of doing, but never thought I would have the opportunity to do it!

We started asking people to be involved with this project, and had our first meeting at the end of February, then started meeting seriously in March.  Most of March was spent in prep-work.  All of April was spent in rehearsals.  And I mean ALL of April!!  I hardly saw my family at all!!  I was gone until 11:30 or 12:00 at night at least 3-4 times a week, in addition to my regular work schedule.



"Linda North" and "Deborah West"



Our amazing cast!



The entire cast and crew!



We had two performances.  Our first was on Tuesday, May 3rd, for our entire Ward.  We got a great response from everyone, and the evening was exhilerating!  Our final performance was on Friday, May 6.  The entire Stake Relief Society and Young Women were invited to attend.  Audrey (who played the lead opposite me) and I both decided for our final night we were going to go all out, with nothing holding us back!!!  Everything we did was completely over the top and so much fun!  We felt really great about our performance!

Of course, just like I have found in other areas of my life, even when things feel like they are never going to possibly come together, an amazing miracle happens, and everything finally falls into place.  Yes, we had some flub-ups on both nights of our performance, but nothing we couldn't manage to move on with.  I can't even tell you how much I have learned from this experience.  It has made me grow in so many ways, and I will always be grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I had to shine!!

Easter is......

Easter egg hunts....

 Wearing new Easter outfits to church.....

Letting our artistic flair shine by decorating eggs.....

Don't you LOVE this time of year?????

Birthday Girl Elise

 We celebrated Elise's 7th birthday all weekend long.  Here, the girls are playing at the park.

Since Elise's birthday was so close to Easter this year, she got an Easter-themed cake.  It was a funfetti cake, surrounded in marshmallow Peeps, adorned with Cadbury Eggs, and topped with the Easter Bunny himself! You can't get much more Easter-ish than that!

Elise's favorite present was this DORA the EXPLORER microphone, which played Dora songs.  She is having to fight off her little sister for rights to this one......Good thing Erica's birthday is coming up soon too!