Family Reunion/Vacation-Take 1

We were incredibly blessed to go to a family reunion/vacation with my Dad and Dianne in Ventura. It has been planned for a year. It's hard to believe that it has already come and gone. 

It began the Saturday of Susan's baby shower. That night we had a steak and fish dinner on the beach at a nice restaurant. It was such a beautiful evening. The waiter was amazing-throughout the dinner he brought all of us girls these different kinds of flowers that reminded me of Hawaii. They smelled amazing! Rob ordered off the adult menu...I think he liked the name of the steak-"teriyaki baseball". I don't know what he thought he would be getting when he ordered that!

The next day was Sunday and Josh was privileged to preach at our friend's church nearby. My dad and Dianne, our family, and Josh and Jessy and kids all went. It was such a blessing to see what God is doing in their church, definitely a wonderful presence of God. And of course, our kids were so excited to see their kids :)

Grandpa treated us all to lunch at Carrows afterwards. Later, Josh and I took the boys on a bike ride while Allie helped Grandma walk the dogs.

The next day was our big family bike ride...

The Youngs

This is the whole group of us that went on the 10 mile bike ride. 

Beautiful day and fun time riding along the beach, talking and enjoying life.

Afterwards Josh did a bootcamp workout for Grandma, Marcus and I outside our place. Marcus decided to join us in prep for football training. He wants to be in the best shape possible for tryouts (this week). 

  

Susan, Dan & Paige arrived before Jessy made a delicious chili dinner for everyone. And, my sister Michelle and her husband Matt arrived late that night. 

All together...A wonderful place to be!

to be continued...

Baby Shower Blessings

I'm so thankful I was able to be in Santa Monica for my sister, Susan's, baby shower.
It was at my mother in law's house and everything was so perfect and beautiful.
Susan & Paige were definitely blessed!

Pretty Paige

I made these for her as part of her gift...

Special Friends

These strawberry shortcake skewers were so creative!

Cousin Lucy...too cute

How cute are these little scrubs!

Sweet Sixteen

On Friday July 12th, Josh & I celebrated our sixteen year wedding anniversary!
Josh was so sweet and took the day off from work so we could hang out. That night we went out to my very favorite sushi and walked around a quaint neighborhood. Of course, we ended up at a Barnes & Noble sipping our coffee and browsing the bookshelves. We bought a book for both of us called Strengths Finder 2.0 by Tom Rath. We are looking forward to going through it together.

Crazy in love with each other 16 years later...

We decided to celebrate 2 days in a row and went to an outdoor concert in Deer Valley with the Utah Symphony and a special guest Arturo Sandoval. Josh said it was one of the best concerts he's ever been to.

So we were praying the weather would hold up for the concert, but about half way through the first part it started raining...and then pouring. We were staying pretty dry, huddled under our big umbrella and on our new, waterproof blanket Josh had just won at a golf tournament that day.

Then, we thought we better go for cover and we ran to the lodge. It was intermission and the rain stopped. Thankfully, the concert continued and we stayed until the very end.

Summer Fun

I love the freedom of summer.
Warm weather, relaxed days, & enjoying life. 

Here are some fun things that have been going on...

Cleaning the kitchen
(Ok maybe not fun, but it feels good when its done!)

Zack taught the boys how to play the board game RISK

Daddy helping Allie learn how to ride her bike without training wheels!

Marcus & Rob having a blast using their new air soft guns

Josh did a weekend revival for one of our baby churches

Being inside and watching the summer rainstorms from my kitchen table

Hearing Markell preach an amazing sermon on Sunday morning

Rob started another week of golf camp

Marcus playing hours of basketball with his buddies at the gym

Stopping and getting the kids Hawaiian shaved ice snow cones from a new, little stand

Allie's first friend to sleepover at our house

Eating lots of bbq for meals...enjoying Josh's awesome, new grill

Hanging out with friends from out of town

Babysitting Aliyah for the first time so Markell & Brandie could have a date night

Listening to how Rob invited his golf teacher to church...and gave him my phone number in case the guy had questions!

And of course, getting lots of new updates on sweet Paige

A Very Happy 4th!

Fourth of July...

basketball

shopping

walking in a parade for our baby church

going over to a friend's house

delicious bbq

playing on the rope swing

a walk in the park

glow in the dark bracelets & necklaces

great fellowship

awesome fireworks show with an incredible view

ice cream cones with red, white, & blue sprinkles

tired kiddos sleeping all the way home

What a wonderful day! 

Thank you Jesus for our freedom!

Good Things

On Monday we had a good report from Marcus' pediatrician that he his cheek is healing well. And more exciting for Marcus was that on Monday he got his braces off! He looks so handsome!!

Then we had people over for dinner and Josh decided to cook the whole meal-shopping and all! He did such a great job-it was amazing! He made this bruschetta appetizer that we've never had before, marinated steaks, homemade salad dressing and oven roasted asparagus. Very tasty!

And on Wednesday, July 3rd, we were blessed to hear about the arrival of our newest niece! What a gorgeous little baby!!


PAIGE CAMILLE SOMMER
5 lbs. 12 oz. and 19 inches long

She was born early at 35 weeks, so
please pray for her as she is in the NICU and on oxygen.
We want her to come home SOON!

Here she is today! So very precious!