Summer is in Full Swing!

We have been so spoiled to have Tracy, Frankie and Tom here for the past few weeks. We have been hitting the beach with them as much as we can. The weather hasn't been perfect, but warm enough for swimming and playing in the sand.

These collages are from this week, it was a little overcast but warm. We had so much fun drawing in the sand, and playing in the waves. Too bad the sun wasn't out, the pictures would have turned out better. But I can't let a summer go by without some beach pictures.

Mike loves to look for the biggest shells he can, this time he found one, with the clam still inside. Just a few more and we could have had a clam bake.




Elliot is very into "dances" right now. Some of her fav's to perform for us are: ice cream dance, pizza dance, beach dance, go to church dance, and her most often performed the potty dance. They all look the same, she applies enthusiasm to each and everyone. Good job Elliot.




Caleigh, Elliot and Griff are my artist. Not that Miles can't draw, it's just he doesn't enjoy it as much as the other three. Elliot is getting pretty good, she is starting to draw people with arms and legs coming out of their heads (no bodies yet). So what more could a budding artist want, but a stick and a entire beach of clean sand ready to draw on. They had so much fun, I did too.

Pinewood Derby

Our ward doesn't really have a cub scout program set up yet (were working on it) but Miles has been dying to start ever since he turned 8. I think he would really enjoy it and we have debated starting him in our town program. But, the other ward that meets at our building just started up their program and they invited any of our boys to participate in their pinewood derby. Miles was so excited and worked on his car the very day he got it.




In the end he got 2nd place and had the best time. It made me realized how important it is for boys to participate in the cub scout program. What a great confidence booster!

Do you know Henry?

Miles was asking Mike the other night if Heavenly Father has a first name. Elliot was listening in and answered for Mike,

"His name is Henry...Henry Father."

Last Day of School...a kick off to Summer.

We have all been going crazy waiting for school to end. July 18 is a long time to be in school, so on the last day, since it was only a half day, as soon as the kids walked in the door we headed to the beach. Tracy and Frankie are still up in York, ME at their beach house, so we met them up there. We had a great time on "Long Sands" One of Yorks beaches. The weather was perfect for a beach day. We left only because the tide came in and we had no more beach to sit on. We weren't sad for long since our next stop was Browns ice cream bar. Yummy! What a great kick-off to summer.

Caleigh and Grandma Frankie collected sea shells together. G. Frankie thought of painting them with fingernail polish, and now Caleigh has a whole new reason to fill up her bucket with sea shells.



Elliot the "surfer Girl" She is too funny with her "moves." She was loving the water and playing in the waves.

Our new favorite ice cream stop in York.

Daddy's little girl

Growing up in a house with 3 brothers would have been rough without my big strong Dad to take care of me. (My brothers became my best body guards) My Dad is amazing and I can't say enough about how much I love him... so here's 5 reasons.

-My Dad is a convert to our church, and he has always been the biggest example to me on how to live the gospel. He and my Mother taught us children to love the gospel and live it to the fullest.

-My Dad is Hilarious! He is so fun to hang around. He always make us all laugh, and he's the first to get all my crazy jokes.

-My dad is Cool, I mean James Dean-Grease Lighting cool. He used to race cars in high school, and worked on all of his cars himself. I don't know if all that racing was legal.

-My dad is a sponge for knowledge. He is always reading and asking questions. I love to see him deep in conversation with Mike. He loves to learn, it's such a good example to me. His scriptures are never ignored.

-My Dad is a great Husband. Poor Mike has been compared to my Dad too often. If Mom wants a wall ripped out, or a new kitchen, my Dad is in there getting it done. He is not afraid to do something new and is a wealth of knowledge on home improvement.

Love you Daddy!

A day with Grandma Frankie

I can't get over how wonderful it is to have some family close by, for a little while. Elliot and I headed up to Maine to go shopping and exploring with Grandma Frankie.

We stopped first to take some photos of this "Lobsta" house in York. Doesn't it just scream, "take my picture" Love it.
I got a shot of the Lobster boat too. Elliot liked the water.


Then we drove along the coast (gorgeous houses) to Perkins Cove. The rain had kicked us out on Mike's birthday, but it was a beautiful day so we knew we would be able to explore.

We ended the day at "Barnacle Billy's" for some clam "chowda" (which turned out to be a little watery) and a clam roll (yum). It was such a fun day. And I'm sad I didn't get any photo's with Elliot and Frankie.

The big 33!

Mike is the big 33! Mikes birthdays are always pretty low key, but this year we were so glad to have his Sister, Tracy and his Mom and Dad with us. We let the kids stay home from school and we headed up to York, ME where Tracy is renting a condo right on the beach. The plan was to have a lazy day playing in the water, but the weather wasn't cooperating. It was rainy all day. We ventured up to a small community Perkins Cove, but we were drenched in no time at all. So back to the condo we went for presents, cake, and ice cream. Then out to a delicious meal at Fox's a restaurant that over looks Nubble lighthouse. Hmm, fried clams, clam chowder ,baked scallops, fried shrimp... it was heavenly.

Hanging out with Grandpa and Grandma Peterson

Grandma and Grandpa Peterson were able to come have dinner with us Wed. night. It was a beautiful cool evening, and the bugs weren't too bad. The kids had fun playing dodge ball with Mike and Tom. What could be more fun that throwing things at your kids and grandkids?


We ended the evening with Pizza from our local pizza parlor and ice cream sundeas (in cookie bowls). What a great summer evening.