Beach Cookout

A couple of weeks ago Dade and I were invited to go with the Streadbecks and Spujts to the beach for a cookout. It was my first time at a beach bonfire and I really had fun. We got there around 4:45, with the sun nicely up and warm, and stayed until the sun was gone. We went to Richmond beach that had a firepit at the shelter, so we weren't directly on the sand.

Here are Brielle, Dade, Amie, Madilyn, Heidi, and Hyrum by the water. I was pretty proud of all the kids for not running into the water. Dade just stood at the edge and watch the waves. While we were playing by the water, the Heidi and Amie's husbands were making fire. Michael had to work that Saturday, or I'm sure he would have been playing too.

Somehow hotdogs cooked over an open flame taste better. At least that's what Dade must have thought since he stole Hyrum's hotdog.
Later we roasted marshmellows for smores, and the boys took this opportunity for more fire.

Here is Russell coming back with just enough wood ;

We had to wait for awhile for the flames to die down to coals for roasting. By the time we were done the sun was gone, and putting out the fire was a little tricky.

As the sun was setting I witnessed the perfect Seattle moment-

Goodbye Summer

The tree outside our window is bare, which can only mean one thing...The End of Summer!

Because so many of the trees up here are pine trees, we don't really get the full Fall effect. It just starts getting colder and it rains more often.

I haven't posted in awhile and wanted to catch up on some pictures that I didn't post yet. Michael's bro-in-law John surprised his wife Julia with a trip to Seattle and we got to visit with them. Dade really liked his Aunt and Uncle.

That visit was at the beginning of August, but I have been remiss in posting that cute picture.
On Labor Day we got together with our friends from the ward for an end of Summer bash. The food was good, the weather was nice, badminton was fun. The only bad thing was that Michael got ~15 mosquito bites on one arm. Luckily they weren't enormous Texas mosquitoes, but then he would have seen them coming.

Here is Dade with his friends Gabe, Maddy, Hyrum, and Briele (SP?).
Here I am playing Badminton with Paige, Heidi, and Amy. It was funny the difference between how we played and how the boys played. Mostly we would stand still and watch the birdie fall, while the boys went all out as you can see below.

Recently Dade and I went to the zoo with the Spujts, Streadbecks, and Paige. We had lots of fun watching the animals. I was most excited about finally seeing the miniature cows!

It might be kind of hard to tell how small they were, but this next picture shows that I was actually taller then the cow. pretty cool huh?


I've been thinking about babies a lot recently since I know so many women who are pregnant. I just want to end this post with a picture of Dade from his very first day.
Okay, maybe two.

On another note I wanted to let everyone know that Michael got straight A's last Semester and is on the Dean's list. I'm so proud of all the work that he has put into his schoolwork. I guess the big secret is to find something that you love doing.
love to you all.
Joy- and family.