Summer Show

This weekend was Madeline's summer dance recital. We tried out a new dance studio this summer, and Madeline took two classes- ballet and hip hop! I really enjoyed the recital, it was amazing to see the level of professionalism and the dancing showcased- after only 9 weeks of practice!

Madeline had missed 2 or 3 classes due to us being gone on various summer excursions, and after rehearsal Friday night, she decided she had a little more work to do. So Saturday morning before the show, she practiced along with the video I had taken. She practiced, and practiced, and PRACTICED! Joel and I tried to give her some space and keep the boys out of her hair. When she came on stage that afternoon, her hard work paid off and she danced beautifully. It was amazing to see her so stretched throughout the summer, and then watch her really pull it off!

Here are some pictures of her at rehearsal. Sorry for the crummy quality- between the lighting and the distance, I just wasn't set up for it! You can get the idea though!






After the recital we took pictures of part of Maddy's fan club.



Some of you may recognize the backdrop of good ol' GFU, where Joel and I went to college. It was pretty surreal to have Madeline dancing in Bauman Auditorium, where she had attended chapel with Annie when she was a tiny baby. During a break at rehearsal, the Gibson Five walked around campus a little. We showed the kids where we'd cleaned bathrooms together in the Commons. We showed them where we took classes, and we ate dinner in the rose garden. I would love to be able to show you some pictures, but unfortunately, I took none. It was 536 degrees, approximately, and that lowered the fun factor a bit.

Play Day

We had our buddies over yesterday for a long summer playday. By the end of the day, everyone was filthy, exhausted, and happy from a big day of playing!

Stinkin' Hot . . .

. . . that's what the mercury was pointing to today. Another, more official source, said 102. Which is still is considered 'stinkin' in my book.

The Gibson Five beat the heat by staying indoors as long as possible, with blinds drawn and A/C pumping. (Although I only set my thermostat to 75 because I'm trying to conserve at least a little!) We had to go out in the afternoon to take Sissy to dance, and of course frequent Farmers Market. No Thursday would be complete without stopping by Oakhill Organics, or grabbing a couple of Red Fox macaroons to bring home to Daddy! Garrett and Carter also walked down to the corner (while I supervised) to get lemonade from the neighbor boy. I have no idea how that little guy was tolerating sitting out there, but he must be making some moola because he's been out there the past few days! I'm running out of quarters!

Yes, Carter has on mud boots. Even better, one is his, (probably too small since it was purchased 11 months ago), and one is Garrett's!

This evening, when it had cooled down to 90ish in the shade, the kids played for a bit in the wading pool. The boys were in and completely nakey before I got their suits on it. We were in the back yard and no one can really see them, so I didn't worry about it. Although it did make getting blogable pictures a little challenging!



Tomorrow is supposed to be nice and hot too!

Berries and Friends

Maddy was feeling left out that she missed blueberry picking when she was at camp, so the other day we headed out to a local berry patch. Judy was planning something similar with her crew, so we met out there and picked berries. The kids picked a few too, but there was definitely a lot of eating and running around! They were all so happy. Madeline did pick a ton, and we've been enjoying them! (We also got a handful of strawberries!)

Busy Day at the Farm

Today is the last day I am watching Grayson and Molly for the summer, so we all decided to take a field trip to The Farm (where I grew up). It was a GORGEOUS Oregon day and we all had lots of fun. Well, the kids did anyway...I was sweating trying to keep up with walking Molly and (still!) crawling Carter.

First, was the 'train' ride that Papa Vroom Vroom rigged up. They rode it out to the pond.




Next, came the canoe ride. Sweet Grayson got a little nervous because he was pretty sure he saw some stingrays in the weeds. (The weeds on land, that is.) The pond has dried up quite a bit the past few weeks, so it was mostly a 'canoe-turn around' instead of an actual ride around anything, but still fun! They saw tadpoles and dragon flies too!











While Papa and The Bigs enjoyed the pond, Carter, Molly, and I walked over to a patch of daisies for a photo shoot!

































Then everyone joined in....




























The kids also got an excavator demo, a tractor ride, and a 4 wheeler ride! I had 5 VERY tired kids on the ride back home...hence getting so much blogging done this afternoon!

Supercalifragilisticexpealidocious!

That is how I feel about my lovely daughter and her performance in yesterday's dance recital! It was so much fun to watch her- she has so much grace and confidence, and most importantly, you can tell she is having a blast while doing it. Two of her best buddies were also gorgeous dancing princesses with her- so fun to watch all three of them together!



Maddy had quite the cheering section there. My Aunt Marian and cousin Berkley came over from Idaho- they did Maddy's hair since they've done 11 or 12 recitals! My Aunt Bec, also from Idaho flew over for the big weekend, and Joel's Mom, Grandma, Sister, and our nephew also came from Washington. And of course, my parents who both live in the area. We feel so blessed to have so many people to love and support our kids!

Joel, 'Grandma Nita', and Madeline

Great Grandma, Jenell and sleepy Dakota stirke a pose with Sis.

'Papa Vroom Vroom' enjoys the performance- on his birthday!

Maddy loved 'Bissy' being there!

Glittery Gerber's from Nana Pam.

Aunt Minnie and Auntie Bec thought a trophy would make a good prop! Maddy just rolled her eyes.

After the show Maddy changed and got flowers from us, and some picked out by Daddy. I love this picture of them!

Meanwhile....Garrett was such a good audience member...but enough is enough!


"Isn't she lovely..."

Days like these are some of my favorites as a mom!