August iPhone Dump

August others:

We finished cleaning the church.  All was well.

Then, Eden pulled the fire alarm.

No bueno.

 Some more random lake shots:

The girls:

 Me and my girl:

Obligatory after-the-lake ice cream at Jefferson Dairy.

 Allen is determined to master the perfect guacamole; the eager taste testers:

 We went to one of Allen's coworker's kids' bar mitzvah.  

Hello mouthful.  

This is how we were greeted.

Celebrity status.

 Ryder got to go to the US Open with a buddy.  

 And landed on the jumbotron.

Lovely, kind, generous August: you were too short, but so very, very sweet.

Boston Break: Day 3

We got to spend our last day in Boston hanging out at the Seaport with daddy!!

We visited the Boston Tea Party Museum and even got to toss tea off of the ship.

 So rebellious/liberating.

 And the grand finale highlight: lunch The Barking Crab

Bless you Boston.  You are so good for the soul.  And the tummy.

Boston Break: Day 2

Allen had another day packed full of meetings, so the kids and I headed to Boston Harbor, hopped on a ferry and spent the day mesmerized at Georges Island.

Fort Warren was awesome.

Rarely do all of the kids equally love something, but this place: this place captured every single one them.

 Boston beaming in the background.

I am such a sucker for a lighthouse.

 There was so much to explore and search and learn.  And we were all alone.  

What is more exciting than wandering through a huge abandoned creepy fort on an overcast misty day??? 

I'm still a little surprised how much fun we all had adventuring together.  I love learning more about these kids and watching them grow.  They're kind of cool.  

On occasion.

Boston Break: Day 1

 Allen had a long week of travel in Boston and we were missing him, so we jumped in the car and drove up to join him.

Allen had meetings all day the first day we arrived, so we spent hours wandering Boston Common and the Public gardens.  

My darling ducklings.

 There is good reason Boston is my favorite city.

 Eden could not get enough of the ducks bums in the air.

Well, I mean,  none of us could, but she was probably the only one whose fascination was socially acceptable.

 They promptly slid in dog poo after this.

Winning.

 Ryder is officially too cool for carousels.

Dear Boston, you are beautiful and I love you.

Fun in Philadelphia

We are so excited to have another temple so close to home.

We had the opportunity to attend the Philadelphia Temple Open House, but did a little exploring first:

Love at The Liberty Bell

 Super awesome Independence Hall

 The temple was spectacular.  

Built to mimic the history surrounding it, this building was inspiring. 

 Such a beautiful day in a beautiful place celebrating the most beautiful and eternal blessings.  

I am so happy I was able to share it with my most beautiful little blessings.  

I loved their excitement, their understanding, their hope, and their goals.

And I also really loved that Eden would not stop kissing and hugging Christ.

Motherhood was worth it that day.

There is nothing better.

Lake Life

We spent every free moment of August at the lake.

End of season accomplishments:

Linley getting some great hops.

 Ryder getting real air.

 Tessa wakeboarding!!!!!

 Eden being adorable.

 And Allen not getting severely injured!!

Quite possibly our very best season yet.

 One Saturday we rented a party boat as well as a wakeboard boat with some friends and played all day long.

Perfect Saturday in picture form.

We're already looking forward to next season.  

Can't wait to see what skills the kids will master next!!