I finally finished decorating our new bookshelves and mantle. We're going to wait a while for new furniture. It's nice to be settled after our long re-model which started in January.
I took the kids bowling. They had a blast!
I tackled this mess of a closet. Unfortunately, I don't have the 'after' picture yet. It's still a work in progress.
Ben discovered his sports sheets that he has had since he was a toddler while I was sorting the closet. Ahhh! They are worn thin but I can't get rid of them because he loves them so much.
Ben was having trouble getting interested in his summer homework book for Language Arts so I've been reading 'The good earth' with him. I look forward to our reading time together. It gives us a chance everyday to cuddle, read and discuss. We're having different discussions than I expected and I value this time with my son.
Todd and I saw this amazing double rainbow when entering the movie theater the other night to watch 'the other side of heaven 2'.
Todd was so cute to help these strangers learn how to take a pano picture when they asked.
The girls had Christmas in July when they put their money together (plus a little of mom and dads money) to buy the American Girl gymnastics set.
It has been hours and hours of entertainment.
I had Christmas in July too. My 5 quart kitchen aid that I received 20 years ago for our wedding wasn't working right (probably due to being hooked up to a converter while we were living overseas) so Todd bought me a 6 quart. Mary and I made a double batch of chocolate chip cookies that very day.
We had Matt and Wendy's family and some other cousins over for lunch on Sunday after church. Matt and Wendy were in town to take Joe to the MTC today. After lunch we had a lovely Come Follow Me lesson. Kent told us about his mission to Chile and Joe shared his testimony of Jesus Christ with us.
On Monday we went to the rec center with Matt and Wendy's family. The cousins have such a great time together.
Monday night we went to Mark and Nancy's to see more family on the Stepan side. We couldn't get enough of sweet baby Logan.
It was wonderful to hear from Kent and Joe again.
This might be the last time Michael sees his cousin Chris and his wife Stephanie for a few years since they live away for medical school and Michael will be leaving on his mission next summer.
All the Stepan cousins are pictured here minus 3 girls. (Lindsey was working, Bailey is in Jerusalem, and Lily is at girls camp).
Our Nana turned 2 years old. She ate up every spec of her birthday peanut butter. And she adores her new toy.
I made a chocolate chip cookie, pudding, brownie and whipped cream dessert for Matt and Wendy's family on the night that Joe was set apart as a missionary before entering the MTC.
I'm going to miss having Brooke and Sara together because I won't find these gems on my phone anymore.
Luke played with Kinetic sand for hours today. I am so impressed with how easily this boy entertains himself. He has an amazing mind that is very inquisitive. I often find him reading in a corner or playing his marble maze game. Love this kid!
