The Soloist

I watched this movie tonight and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. This movie made me think about mental illness and how to best support those who have a mental disability.

I really enjoyed the movie and I now plan to read the book.

Alyssa Larsen's Baptism

On June 26th Alyssa was baptized.

Four generations strong.

Matt and Kerri did a great job!
What a special day for a special girl!

Mormon Mission Biz - CNBC.com

Mormon Mission Biz - CNBC.com

Alexis' Graduation

Alexis graduated on June 11, 2010. Kelly, Mom, Dad and I went up to Washington for the event. Andersons were busy preparing for the graduation so we took a drive to see Snoqualime Falls.
It was very full and beautiful.

They have remodeled the grounds around Snoqualime and it looks great!

Alexis' graduation was at Safeco Field, where the Seattle Mariners play. Kim was well prepared to get Mom through the crowds. Overall it was a really successful evening.

We took a few pictures with Alexis before her senior all night party. Kim and Brad did not have a lot of time because they chaired the senior party committee and did an amazing job. Alexis, Brad and Kim left after pictures and did not return until the next morning around 5:00am.

Cory turned 11 on June 11th as well. Everyone was very focused on the graduation so I made a cake for Cory and we threw a mini-Party during the senior party. We had cake and Cory introduced me to the movie Tommy Boy.

The weather on Saturday, June 12th, was beautiful. We enjoyed the pool and the sunshine.

In the evening we went into Seattle and picked up fruit at Pike Place Market. Kelly also wanted to go to a doughnut place she had seen on the food network. We went and the doughnuts were great!

Before leaving on Monday morning we took so pictures of the divas. Needless to say it was an awesome weekend with the Andersons.

What's New at the Zoo...

Kris and Michelle came up to the zoo today. After I finished my shift at the temple I met up with them and enjoyed a fun evening.
We liked the gorillas...

Who makes the best monkey face?

This elephant sprayed water on people. Josh sat on it and got so excited when it sprayed!

After the zoo we went to eat at a place called Cowboy Grub. It was a lot of fun. The kids could ride this horse and a merry-go-round for free so of course we had a rodeo!

The food was great and we had a lot of fun. I love to have visitors!

(I am not even going to try to explain this picture)

Grand Opening of the Horton's Store, Seven Circles!

It all started when I watched season 1 of Lost in the Fall of 2009. I was hooked and watched faithfully all the way to "The End" on May 23rd.

It was funny to watch people and the media review the final episode. There was a very fine line, people loved it or hated it. Kind of like the way people feel about Neil Diamond.

It will come as no shock to anyone that I loved the ending even though everything was not answered or clarified. But I tend to be that way about shows. For example, I love Alfred Hitchcock movies like "The Birds" and "Vertigo." If you have ever seen either of these movies you know that the ending does not bring closure and there is something about that which is exciting to me.

The moral to this story is that "Lost" is not for everyone. If you want everything to make sense in the end this show is not for you. The show lives up to its title, so if you watch it be prepared to be lost!

Life Can be a Day in the Park

For my birthday I held a picnic in the park. Grandma and Andy did a little joy riding and ...

...got pulled over by Officer Spencer for not wearing a helmet. It was so funny.
Two amazing men in my life!
Alyssa and Kaitlyn

Keena found this cat in the park and became a bit crazy about it. She chased it the rest of the night.

Kelly and Spencer

Alyssa, Cole and Marcus

The best grandparents in the world.

Quincey

Mom, Steph, and Grandma

What an awesome family I have. I love these guys!

Picking Up Rocks

What a perfect day for yard work.
Today we all headed to Mom and Dad's house to clean up the yard and plants some flowers.

Even Keena got into the act.

Marcus mowed a lawn for the first time.

Kylie showed us how strong she is.

Malia clipped the pokey bushes.

Ali found lots of worms,

Kaitlyn found lots of Potato Bugs or Rolly Polly Bugs,

and I found...well you be the judge.

General Conference and the 72 Hour Kit

For several years now I have considered the idea of cleaning out my 72 hour kit on the weekend of General Conference. If I did it every conference the food could be eaten before it went bad and would be replaced every six months.

I have always thought this was a great idea and if I had kids they could eat the food as a treat during conference. Needless to say I have not cleaned out my 72 hour kit in years and so everything had expired.

I did begin this new tradition today by cleaning out my 72 hour kit on conference weekend. I hope to maintain this routine come October. Let's face it, this is just my way of reminding myself.