YOUTH CONFERENCE - KIRKLAND, OH & FLOODING

Last weekend my daughters got to go to Kirkland, OH for Youth Conference.  They had a great time!  They especially enjoyed spending time together (they were roommates) and with a couple of good girl friends from church.  They enjoyed learning about church history and singing to High School Musical on the bus!  I'm glad they had such a wonderful time!

My pretty daughters!

The girls were photo-bombed.

They had no idea who he was....

Their group outside the Newl K. Whitney Store.

Last night is rained.  And it rained.  And it rained.  The thunder kept me awake....  This morning we decided that it was "clear" enough to go for our 3 mile walk.  (We walk three days a week... at the Egg Lawn.)  It was completely impassable!  If we wanted to walk today we needed a boat!  These pictures don't do our flooded trail justice.  It was CRAZY!  Check it out:

There is usually a bench on the left in front of the trees, off the path...

We walk on the sidewalk beside the fence...

Water come right up to the sidewalk here....

Kotten Kandy and Apple Pie can't believe their eyes.

AUNT GJ's PHOTO SHOOT

My sister is an amazing photographer.  Check out these photogenic beauties (including her new puppy, Leia.)

Short Bread, Leia, Kotten Kandy and Shaved Ice

Isn't she beautiful?

Leia

Cousins and Dogs

Wild flowers!  And my daughter!

Sweet Girls!

Kotten Kandy loved Leia!

This picture makes me laugh!

I love these "tree huggers!"

Leia in Shaved Ice's cowboy hat....

I love this girl!

Kotten Kandy and Leia

Silly Girls!

My favorite flower is a Columbine....

This is a picture of two of my favorite things!

Love these girls!

Life is good!

4th OF JULY

We had a VERY quiet Fourth of July.  It was just right for us!  We  BBqed hamburgers and played games.  Amy, Jelly Bean and Twiz joined us.  Then we ended the evening at the movies watching a FABULOUS new movie, Inside Out.  I HIGHLY recommend it.

This movie is a wonderful story about learning to handle your emotions.  It is told from the perspective of the feelings inside 11-year-old Riley's mind.  I actually cried.  It was a beautiful movie with lots of positive messages and deep, thought-provoking moments.  We definitely need to feel and express ALL of our emotions, whether happy or sad.

Jelly Bean with his "bloo icee"

Scott had just "shot" Jelly Bean...

This is his DRAMATIC death scene.

Key Lime Pie and Twiz

Kotten Kandy

KILLING THUMPER

Kotten Kandy learned how to butcher rabbits this vacation.  It was difficult.  But it was a skill she felt she needed to learn.  Thank you to Aunt G.J. and Brother Sawyer for teaching Short Bread and my daughter how to be more self reliant.  Both girls didn't actually kill the rabbits, but they did everything else.  It was gruesome, but educational.  They are grateful for the experience and it made Kotten Kandy more grateful for knowing where her food comes from.

BEFORE... AND WHILE WE WERE GONE...

Before we left for Colorado, Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy also went to see Jurassic World for a second time.  They loved it!

Kotten Kandy and Key Lime Pie also went to girls camp the week before we left for Colorado.  While they were gone, Twiz and I painted Key Lime Pie's room.  Here is the finished project:

While we were in Colorado, Key Lime Pie and Twiz spent time playing games, and jet skiing.  They had fun!

COLORFUL COLORADO

Kotten Kandy and I just got home from Colorado.  We went to visit my family.  We had a WONDERFUL time!  And we already miss Mil, Grandpa Mac, and the Hondas!  Here's a few pictures and activities from our trip:

First we went to Ouray!  Ouray is special to Scott and I.  We spent our Honeymoon there.  It is truly a gorgeous place....

Kotten Kandy with our cousins:  Shaved Ice and Shortbread

We had to get a picture of this unusual vehicle.

(Mostly I just wanted to bug my sister who has a "thing" about eyeballs.)

What an odd sight!

Mil and Kotten Kandy

Selfie with my daughter!

Cousins at Box Springs!

The water was so loud and strong!

God makes amazingly beautiful places for us to enjoy!

Swimming at the Ouray natural hot springs pool.

We also went yard selling!  Kotten Kandy and her cousin, Shortbread got roller-blades!

They felt like they were flying!

Mil, Kotten Kandy and I crafted a lot!  We made these cute little post-it note books and decorated little boxes.

These are mine!

These are Mil's!

We had so much fun that Kotten Kandy couldn't keep her eyes open.