Surprise Birthday for "Aunt Ashee"

A.'s boyfriend decided a surprise party was something he could pull off, and he did! He thought of everything. Decor, loot bags for the kiddos(which they loved!) cupcakes and delish BBQ food. 

Some of the Surprise rs. Nephew T., girlfriend J. and D. with his bolo hat, hanging in the kitchen. Check out the cool old brick wall. Their house was built in the end of 1800  and they have done a ton of work on it.

N. is excited to jump out and yell at his cousin(yes we call her aunt but really she is cousin)

It worked, she didnt know we were all in there waiting for her to get home from work.

Z., M. the hard working party planner, D. and T. enjoying themselves.

Outside playing with Lucy the super fetching dog. The kids totally want to trade Harley for her. "She Fetches!"

Thoroughly enjoying himself! Thanks so much M. for the invite!!!

more Summer stuffs...

A.F. canyon. Camping with the grandparents and hanging out and hiking with cousins. Now this is summer!

MOOSE!!!!  Yes, in camp, below. How exciting.

BRRR!

The girls frozen toes.

Enjoying the details of nature that adults start to miss.

I made it across and didnt even fall in. Ever, somehow. She must be growing out of the "falling in to every stream she comes across" stage.

Pretending to fish with cousins.

Watching others play poker must be really entertaining. I love the similar faces on these two.

S. finds a lap to sit on wherever she can.

Monkeys in these mountains?!

Watching out for the 3 moose in the trees.

Scout campers. Moab. Biking. Hiking. And they lived.

Last but not least, and not even in chronological order, Fathers Day. Who is this bearded guy? J/K We love you D./Daddy! You are our Favorite Guy. We are lucky to have you! Have some cake.

RIP Zipper

Add caption

Zipper was a lovely hamster but just didnt live long enough. We had a very sad little funeral for him.

Wrapped in his funeral fabric.

Z. made a stuffed Zipper look alike to keep the cage warm.

Paint before and after and puppydog eyes

S.'s room when we first moved in last year.

S.'s new paint. She loves the lavander! My sister had a ton left over from painting cousinS.'s room.  )

Z.'s room last year.

Z.'s new paint. Lavander like S. with Lime Green. Fun!

N.'s room when we first moved in. Horrible dark panel.

N.'s new grey paint. It looks blue in the pic. but its really grey.

T.'s old walls(with Z.'s stuff in the room, she was undecided at first about where she wanted to sleep),panel but at least they were a light color.

T.'s new paint. He chose it and calls it icecream mint. 

I get shivers even posting these picts of the downstairs bath. It is creepy.

Notice the wallpaper on the wall behind me (and my "I can do hard things " face).

And after a little paint! I can stand to go in there and dont get the creepy sensation quite as often. There is still a lot of painting (white) to be done on doors and trim but in the meantime it is feeling like home.

OK. here are the puppydog eyes. This kid seriously should get everything he asks for. Melt your heart.

Doesnt he totally resemble the stolen google image of this darling puppy?!

Summertime stuffs

Basket Ball at dusk, pretty much the only time the cement drive is cool enough to play on.

The mountains in the back ground are the perfect setting for a game with the boys.

It's after 10:00PM are your kiddos asleep? Not these ones. The Neighbors are still over and the popcicles are just breaking out(again).

When it's this hot 2 Otterpops are allowed at a time, as long as you keep an eye on both because Harley is an advantage taker. She loves popcicles.

Speaking of Harley, her favorite things include anything frozen but definitely not cold hose baths. Thanks to Z. for bathing her "for fun"!

D. just cant keep his hands off of other peoples clay, he is "helping" his mommy with a plate. He cant help it, there is clay in his veins.

Going on a ride in the west desert for a movie shoot. He is supposed to be part of a bike gang but I think his smile is too fatherly for a gang member.

This is what summer does to us. I love the kids faces when they are dead, I mean tired.

Even the dog is tired. I guess that is why we call it "dog tired".

You know it has been a really long day if T. has fallen asleep before dinner!

Picnic tables   can  be other colors than barn red. My sister A. painted hers and totally inspired this bright fun Willy Wonka table in our backyard.