Lowkey

I had a presidency meeting yesterday morning and then the girls had a dermatologist appointment. After, we went to Marshall’s and did some school shopping, and then this happened. One day at a time!

Adi and Lily started drivers ed. I embarrassed everyone with a quick pic before we left. 3 hours a day for 10 days, let’s go! 

We had leftovers for dinner because I’m really not into cooking this summer. 

I love the new RS social media. I’m always up for reminders. 

Today Adi had an allergist appointment in Waldorf, so we decided to see Twisters at the Waldorf theater first. Our last Tuesday summer movie. ❤️ We got Frankie some shoes from the mall, and then off to Adi’s appt. She reacted the most to cats, dogs, and dust mites and her outdoor allergens all went down. 

We decided to get Adi’s bee blood draw out of the way and headed straight there. She was a nervous but brave little soldier. ❤️ She did decide she didn’t want to drive home though. 

Tonight Sarah, Alecia, and I got ice cream for my birthday. I love these ice cream samplers. 

After, we walked around Leonardtown until it was time to grab the girls from drivers ed. It had been stormy and everything was wet and clean and I love walking with friends. It was a lowkey and lovely evening. 

Back to school 2022

In honor of summer 2024, a random picture post from back to school 2022. 

Old saved posts, Harry Potter version

I have 2 drafts that are saved with pictures ready and why haven’t I posted them? The world will never know, I certainly don’t. But without further ado, an Ellie Harry Potter birthday party. 

Since it happened in January or February a year ago, I’ll just leave the pictures here and walk away. 

Well fed

Sunday morning we had stake council at our building and it was sooo nice! And to make matters even better, Josh brought momma Burninghams delicious cinnamon rolls and fruit and juice, it was very sweet and the meeting was good and worthwhile. 

Theeennnn, Chelsea found the elusive coconut Dr Pepper on her way to the airport over the weekend and it was sooo yummy!

Then LP got a new bishop and JoAnn brought sweet breads for the outgoing bishopric and I got swept up in the fun and was luckily included, so I got her yummy sweetbread, I’m so into coconut lately because that one was my favorite. Also, AJ wished me a happy early birthday (because we share our special day!) and I love that she feels comfortable enough to talk to me because she’s so shy. Yay for girls camp!

Then after church we had the missionaries and the Hunts over for a breakfast dinner. Everyone pitched in and we cut a bunch of fruit and I made a million crepes and everyone was happy and the sisters shared a sweet message. 

It was a lovely day where my body and spirit were both well fed. 

Weekend

Delaney requested a beach day for her only child week and on Friday we were finally able to make it happen. We’d heard there weren’t any jellies, but whomp whomp, there were. It wasn’t as terrible as it’s been in years past, but still annoying and all the kids got stung. 

Delaney dug a pool for Ezra, but then his legs got stung so badly that he cuddled with Sarah the whole time. 

We visited for a few hours and then when Sarah and crew were ready to go, Delaney wasn’t. We kept Ellie with us and the girls went out rowing. We had talked about going to see Big Fish that night, but I was also fine to skip it and stay at the beach. But then I ran out of water so I gave the girls 30 minutes. I am worthless without water, I drink a ton. 

Delaney said she actually would really like to go see Big Fish, so Matt bbq’d chicken and we cleaned up and had a girls date night. Chelsea and her boys were there and we ended up having seats right next to Steve Howell, who loudly laughed and cheered Rachael and Ethan the whole time, so he was fun to sit next to. 

And it was a really sweet show. I liked the movie but hadn’t seen it in years, but the show was really well done. 

This talented friend always does a good job. I’d be so jealous if I didn’t love her so. 

This morning I woke up at 4:45, brushed my teeth, and headed to pick up these cuties from FSY. Pickup was at 7 and I needed gas and wanted to make sure I was there in plenty of time. I gave them a choice for ihop or something quick and after some cajoling they chose ihop. They were all happy and chatty and we had a lovely brekkie and actually a lovely ride home too. They all shared their funny stories, fav stories, worst moments, I got to hear about roommates and teachers and counselors, it was great. 

Adi set up our India Yum Box which was my least favorite we’ve ever had. That’s ok, different strokes for different folks. 

Adi and Frankie went to girls camp, were home 2 days, went to Europe, and then were only home 1 day before FSY, so we had a lazy at home movie day. We watched Big Fish and got pizza for dinner and have had a lovely relaxing day. 

I’m learning to serve my friends

When Delaney and I planned out our week we talked about a service project we could do, and she chose to help the Skousens. I asked Brooke how we could help and gave her some ideas and she asked if we could take the boys for an afternoon. Last night Amy texted that they have loads of blueberries and blackberries and we were like perfect activity!

The boys loved it and even little Wyatt got into the picking and they were especially excited to take their loot home to share. 

When we got home Delaney made Mac and cheese and the boys and I made cookies, and then we hit the pool bwfore we dropped them back at home with cookies and berries to share. Everyone had a great day and I hope Delaney is learning to love to serve. 

Tonight Chelsea and I met up for birthday pedi’s, bath and body works, target shopping, and Brusters. It’s hard to say goodbye to her because even though we don’t live that far away from each other we see each other so rarely!

I sadly don’t have any new cruise pictures to share, but here’s one from YW last night. They are working on a huge project the women and young women of our coordinating council have been asked to do - I will always be with you hearts for terminally ill patients and their families. It’s a very sweet project and I’ve heard the hearts are kind of hard to make so it’s a real labor of love.  

Making it rain

Wednesday’s blog that didn’t post. 

Lexi and Damian are making their way from Arizona back to Montana to tie up the last of their loose ends and pick up their furniture for their big move to Florida. They stayed a night at the McCombs and I’d give up chocolate for a month to get to hang out with them too!

Delaney had a dental appt and then we ran some errands. I’m in search of creamy coconut Dr Pepper, and haven’t been able to find it anywhere so we popped in to Giant to check. Over by the freezer section Delaney says “is that money and the ground?” And she picked it up and it was 3 $100 bills. 😳 they didn’t look real to me, but we googled a pic and they looked like the ones online. We looked around to see if anyone was searching and then went up to the customer service desk where we left my name and number. As of 7pm no one has called. That’s a lot of money and we hope someone will claim it! I’m the meantime, Delaney is giving the money loser 30 days before she claims it as hers. She’s already got it spent. 

It’s been lightly raining on and off since we got home last week. I like rainstorms, not necessarily sprinkles, and it’s also been on the cool side which is nice, but we wanted to chill at home and the pool, and with the rain and cool weather that’s not been happening. 

Ellie came over to play and the girls bounced around doing activities. They abandoned Clue when it started raining again and went and wet bounced on the trampoline. They each went through 3 outfits. 🤷‍♀️

I haven’t made dinner since we got back because whyyyy do I always have to? Matts been working from home and the three of us have all just been grazing all day, sooooo I’m good with no dinner. Ellie wanted a real meal though, so I dropped her and D off for young women. 

And some More cruise photos! Lexi came up with the sad beige motif and we used papas tripod and timer to take some family pictures. 

The professional photographer uses this spot and was coming in about 15 minutes, so we had to hustle. 

Sad that Joe and his family couldn’t make it, but 5/6 isn’t bad. 

And some grandkids! I should have edited these and lightened them up before sharing. Oopsie. 

Papa and the ladies!

A classic. Tom laid down and I quickly hopped on! We were cracking up, I’m surprised we’re not all making dumb faces because we were laughing so hard!

It’s the sewer twins! The “accidentally” splashed each other and waded in the gross Venice canals and earned themselves the sewer twin nickname. They roll with it well. 

Some grandkids on the steps? Yes. 

And then we all jumped in for shots with this dapper Dan. 





We love our papa!

It’s so fun that he and Jeanne have a great relationship too. ❤️



Alli got this great shot of papa. Maybe I should change the title of this blog to an ode to papa. 

Elevator fun! We couldn’t all fit so half would ride and half would climb whenever we traveled together. 

On the way from Venice to Ravenna we split up into two vans and Alli sniped the 20- something’s sleeping. It’s tough being in your 20’s. 😉 

Venice Water taxi to the vans. I wasn’t sure how 18 of us plus 36 pieces of luggage would fit, but it did and our tough lady captain motored us on to where we caught our vans. It was a smooth travel morning. 

Venice. 





So glad we got our cute Burano skirts!

Matching Venice shirts ✅ I washed mine with Adi’s red travel outfit when we got to Rome and accidentally dyed it pink. These young kids today don’t separate colors, but I’ll do it till I die (except when I’m traveling). 

I wonder how people could tell we’re Americans?

Sissy’s!

? 

Our giant private ferryboat in Santorini. So crazy!













I’ve always wanted to go to Greece! Hopefully I’ll get to spend some more time there someday, it’s beautiful. 







So. Much. Gelato. I should have kept track. Basically gelato was a yes thing. Unless we needed to eat dinner first (and sometimes even then) we yessed all gelato requests. 

Oh Maxwell. 

I wish I’d gotten a pic of my crew in all our different colors. 

I wanna go back! The adult pool was the way to go!

Sewer twins being cray cray our last morning. 

And finally - the crew heading back to Venice after the cruise, minus the 5 Rays. 

I’m usually the one suggesting the pictures, but I’m loving seeing the pictures everyone else took. ❤️