Five things for Friday - trying something new

Today we are packing and getting ready for a 10+ day trip.  This photo pretty much sums up why it is so hard to get stuff like packing and cleaning done:)  It seems when there is a lot to do and a little bit of time to do it in there is always someone melting down!

This is from the 4th of July.  I can't remember right now if I blogged about it or not yet and I'm too lazy to go look:)  If I did already then too bad for you to have to look at another photo of my cute/ crazy kids.  If I didn't then I will when I return from my trip.

 

I still need to blog about Ainsley's baptism too.  That will also happen when I get back.

Ainsley's Grandma knitted her this awesome poncho for her 8th birthday.  Isn't it cute?  She is so talented and we love all everything she makes for us.

On Sunday there was another big monsoon storm.  The kids were playing outside in the rain and when it cleared it left behind a rainbow.  If you look closely you can see it is actually a double rainbow.  This reminds me of one of the reason I love where I live... the view!

 

It's Natural

I decided I better start working on my running/ hiking again since I am planning another big Grand Canyon adventure in a few months.  

I decided to do a trail run/ hike up in Madera Canyon near my house.  In my book that means hike up and then run down:)  It's short but steep and it felt good to get out and partake of the fresh air and beautiful scenery.  The longer I live near this place the more I love and appreciate it.  If we ever leave the home we live in now this wil be one of the things we miss the most.

Father's Day

We had an unusual but great Father's Day this year.  For the past couple of years Nick has always worked on Father's Day, and I usually don't actually see my dad.  this year though I was excited to find out that Nick was off the whole weekend and I talked my family into coming down and hanging out with us for a change.  

Here are the dads with their favorite sodas:)

We made a funny video for Nick with interviews of the kids answering questions about him.  I can't get it to upload on here or I would share it.  All in all it was a great day celebrating with great men and Fathers.  I am so grateful for them both!

My own mechanic

I've been getting my hands dirty (literally) lately and learning how to fix some things on my bike.  It is kind of fun to do it myself instead of waiting on Nick.  I have a lot to learn still and I am looking forward to it.

Like it, love it, can't live without it.

This article. 

It was just what I needed today.  It has been a busy couple of weeks.  I've travelled, had lots of family fun, seen my oldest get baptized, and in a few weeks I'm on my way to the last long trip before school starts up again.  You know, just the typical trying to live up the last days of summer stuff.   Because of this I've skipped out on a  few weeks of blogging.  I'm back for this week and then another week or so off for that trip I mentioned.

Now back to that blog post...  

I don't know if this is the way Nick feels about this issue, and I haven't had a chance to ask him yet.  But it would sure be great if he agreed with her husband.  I mean if I focused all my energies into being sweet I just might pull it off... maybe:)  So for the next little while I'm just going to pretend he does and that thought makes me feel cheerful already!

Here's how I plan on starting - Let the baby do the laundry.