Year 8 Complete!

Ending the month of June with so many lasts with this kid who just completed year 8!! I can't believe my baby boy is growing up and is officially a high schooler! His baby face still shows that he is younger than he looks and maybe that's a good thing but I know that he's going to blossom and grow older throughout his high school years. I have to admit it, his second semester of 8th grade was a bit challenging. I'm telling you that these pandemic kids went through a lot but alas he passed all his classes and he is very well aware that in high school teachers will be more harder and difficult. 

Summer Solstice!

 

Yoga in times square has become a summer solstice tradition and tonight Jon and I did the last class and it was quite a workout! I absolutely love yoga and need to do it more often than once a month! I love how it calms my mind, body and soul. Jon and I both really needed this time tonight for ourselves, for our minds, and our bodies. But most of all for our mental health. Jon loved it so much that he is going to reserve this day for us and take summer solstice off every year. And Noah has agreed to come with us next year too. Chelsea is my yoga girl but she isn't here so of course I dragged Jon along and he was so into it! Cheers to a wonderful summer ahead!

Ranking Up In Scouts!

Working on your eagle is a lot of work and I have seen it firsthand with my son. I feel that if you don’t get things done right away you’re going to get behind and the years fly by so fast that before you know it you either get your eagle or it’s too late. Well, I would hate for my son to be the latter, so luckily Noah has found a way to get ahead and without being rushed and without feeling the need that he’s got to do this because it’s got to be done as opposed to doing it because his dad is an Eagle Scout. 

The Ring Ceremony.

Beautiful bouquet created by Hyrum's sister Rue. She truly does have a talent for making bouquets. Since it was a simple wedding we didn't hire a photographer. Everyone in the wedding party was their own photographer and we all captured a few wedding photos but these are my own. It was such a loving ceremony and Bishop Burns words said to them were so personal and kind. I truly felt a wonderful spirit and know that these two are a perfect match! 

Father's Day 2024!

 

Happy Fathers Day to our number one! Jon is the absolute best and making all of our kids laugh and feel better after they've had a hard day. I love how he lights up our lives and has the best convos with our kids. Particularly this kid who is the only one left in the house! I love how these two have the geekiest conversations about naruto and everything and anything. He truly is the best dad ever! 

Lexie & Hyrum.

 

By the looks of these photos words don't need to be shared but yes my daughter got married two weeks ago. These were taken by yours truly and I had a fun time doing it. Lexie is not one to take photos and is  a very private person which I don't blame her but she didn't mind me sharing a few pics of her and her beloved Hyrum. These were taken at Sayen Gardens the day before their wedding and although it was a very warm day they were good sports in taking pictures. I still can't believe she's married and I'm so happy these two found each other! 

Memorial Day In Essex, CT!

Love how New England coastal towns decorate for Memorial Day. Its so quintessential and aesthetic. It inspires me to move here but I am grateful that we are only a 2. 5 hour drive away from some of the cutest towns in Connecticut. Essex is one of my faves and I captured a lot of red white and blue while we came here. I've explored this town before but not over memorial day weekend. It was quaint and pretty and we had a lovely time taking in the peace and the sounds of the ocean as well! 

Art Omi

 

Fourth time going to Art Omi and the 2.5 hour drive is always worth it and never disappoints. The huge wide open space. The art sculptures. Nature. Serenity. Quiet. Major social distancing. I love it and I'm so glad I found out about this place during the pandemic. There's always new pieces of art on exhibit inside the visitors center and new sculptures displayed outside. It's fun and I'm always in awe looking at them. Reading about them and how the artist depicts it. We all had a nice time going and taking Hyrum for the first time reminded me of when Jon first went. I have to admit I look at the sculpture before reading about it. Jon and Hyrum really delve into the concept and meaning behind the sculpture. They read every detail. I love it! I love that Lexie and I have smart, intellectual men in our lives! I look forward to coming again and bringing more of our kids here!

Nostalgia in Blackwood - 10 Years Later....

It's been more than a minute since I've logged on here. Even though we have a month left of spring it feels as if it's already over. The smell of summer is in the air, and the temps have been warm lately but today it's nice and breezy. The blossoms in the spring are gorgeous but now they have fallen off the trees and have disappeared. Earlier this month I took a drive to my old hood with Noah and couldn't believe how fast time flew having raised this kid here. It's been 10 years since we've seen his childhood train. He loved coming here with his miniature Thomas the train figures pretending to be a conductor. I thought it was a train phase but he is now 14 and still has a love for trains. He was such a cutie. Still is.

Goodbye April, Hello May!

And just like that...March and April have come to an end! The past two months flew by pretty quick. We saw the new Ghostbusters movie, went to a lot of broadway shows, had a simple Easter, and saw general conference. Those two weekends are always my favorite! The cherry bloom festival in D.C. has come and gone. That time of year is a favorite cause of all the cherry trees in bloom along the tidal Basin. 

Our Easter this year was simple and chill without the girls but luckily I was able to still crack cascarones on both Jon and Noah's head! It was funny cause Jon hardly has any hair but Noah has a ton. It has been a very chill time for our little crew here in Jersey and I know my girls have a lot going on in Utah with school ending and all. Now that spring semester is over they can get more sleep and just work their jobs without having to study!

The Outsiders Musical!

 

Last week Noah and I saw The Outsiders musical and it was well done! I'm old school and was looking forward to having it be similar to the movie but they changed a few scenes. It was interesting how they added songs to certain scenes but it was done very tastefully. Noah saw the movie for the first time earlier that day to prepare to see how they would make it into a musical and he was very pleased. We both were. I loved it so much and my 14 year young heart was so happy to see it. It brought back memories from my youth as a kid and how much I felt Ponyboy and Johnny's pain. I still feel it to this day when I see the movie and I felt it that night when I watched the show. Although our lives were similar to a certain extent I am grateful for my outcome to still be here today in my 50's and to have introduced my 14.5 yr old boy to the movie and show.  So if you're ever in NYC...go see it!