Summertime in Arizona

We are back from our three week trip to Washington. It feels both good and kind of sad to be back. I have really enjoyed sleeping in my own bed and cooking in my own kitchen, but I really miss that feeling of comfort you get going home to the house you grew up in. The girls and my parents had a great time and I think we are being missed. Cat and Sarah have truly loved being able to do everything with Grammie and Grampy and I was a fifth wheel. Dad picked raspberries almost every night with the girls because they loved it so much. They ate popsicles, ran through the sprinkler, picked vegetables from the garden, played hopscotch, jumped rope, rode bicycles, went swimming and on and on and on. Cat and Sarah took swimming lessons and both passed with flying colors. The big highlight was that Grampy taught Catherine how to ride her bike. We were so proud of her. We had such a good time and loved being with my parents so much! While we were there I had my 10-year high school reunion, and went to two of our friends weddings. Landan married Melinda in Spokane, Wa and Leif married Alexis in Portland, Or. It was a great trip!

Summertime in Washington

And so it begins...

Well, I am off to Washington for 3 weeks. This weekend is my 10-year High School reunion, the next is a wedding and the first weekend in Aug. is a wedding. I am so excited to get going, but there is so much preparation in order to be gone that long. So, I will not be around for a while, but there will be a slew of pictures and stories when I get back. Merry Summer!

Cross over much?

I saw this clip of Daughtry doing "Poker Face" by Lady Gaga and loved it! It just goes to show that a great song is a great song, whomever chooses to sing it.

Sarah's Tap Dance--turn off my blog music first

Please remember these are from dress rehearsal.

Cat's Ballet Dance

Please remember these are from Dress Rehearsal

Cat's Tap Dance Video

Please remember these are from Dress Rehearsal.

My Canning Exploits

Pickled Beets

Pickles

Tomatoes

The Trifecta of Canning Goodness

I bought a water bath canner and learned how to use it in June. I watched a friend do beets and thought I can do this. I made beets first and they actually turned out, so I broadened my horizons with dill pickles and tomatoes. All of the cucumbers, dill and tomatoes came from my very own garden. I am very proud of myself!

Father's Day

Snacks for Daddy

Jerky for Dad

The cutest little poem. The girls made little Father's Day presents at Art Camp. They were so excited to save them and give them to Brady.

The skittles bow tie that Sarah made.

The Skittles bow tie that Cat made at the Primary Activity. Very cute!

The BIG Recital! The Videos aren't working, I am going to try them later

Sarah in her "Tigger Bop" Tap costume

Catherine with her roses after dancing in her recital.

The Most Beautiful Ballerina Ever!

My Shining Tap Star

The girls had the busiest week, as I have mentioned before, getting ready for their recital. Tuesday night we washed their hair, put tons of gel in and foam curlers. Wednesday, we had pictures and a full run-through at the studio. Thursday night, I was going to put their hair in curlers again, but Cat's had all fallen out and I had to re-curl her hair anyway, so I decided just to use a curling iron instead. Friday we got them ready and took them to dress rehearsal, which as always was an absolute nightmare. I will have to post a video of each of the girls. Both are looking around at all the madness going on around them. One little girl wouldn't dance and kept running off stage, another stood next to one of my girl's and kept touching her or staring at her. Some of the girls got lost and stood in the wrong spot which is a huge distraction if you are 3 or 5 years old; one must always stand in one's assigned position or all hell breaks loose. We weren't aloud to video during the actual recital, so these are what I have.

The girls did such a good job and I wish that I could put the real dance recital dances up here, because both girl's were by far the best and looked so adorable...not biased or anything. I loved having Kelly and Chris and my sister, Suzi, here with me to celebrate and support my children. Then have talked about nothing else since, and what they will do next year. So, Thanks to everyone and of course to Brady, who puts up with my constant chatter about our kids, and smiles and loves us all whether we are dancing or covered in dirt from the back yard.