Mark's Wedding

This past weekend my brother Mark got married in Portland to Hannah. It was a beautiful weekend and a great time with family. They were sealed in the Portland temple and I felt so privledged to be able to be there with them. Juggling the three kids and trying to coordinate all those people was difficult so I didn't get the best pictures, but here is what I did get.

At the reception- beautiful people and beautiful view!

First dance...

Love Mark's expression!
At the reception at Hannah's aunt's house:

My family (minus Dad and Aaron while they are on their missions)

The cakes!

Me and my beautiful mother

My handsome brothers- Michael, David, and Mark

Elliot and Grey

Hannah and Mark just outside temple

Brooke and Nina (my cousins) were a HUGE help with the kids

Keeling Family Visit

I am back tracking a bit, but before school started we had Justin's sister and her family come to visit for a weekend. Unfortunately the weather was not boat appropriate, but we still had a ton of fun with them. We went to a very cool little park on Camano Island to play. Then we figured that we had come that far, we may as well go all the way to the state park there and see the water. It was beautiful out there and well worth the journey.

Kolby, Elliot, Ryan, Grey:

Seeing what treasures they can find along the shore:
Ryan with his collection stash:
Kolby and Elliot showing off some of their goods:

Kolby found some crab pincher:

Lisa (Justin's sister), Tripp, and me:

It was a great visit. We just wish the visits could happen more often :(

Just because...

Precious.

Trippy-Poo

Because Tripp gets the bad rap all the time...

here he is showing his better side:

We love you Tripp.

Kindergarten!

Today was the big day we have all been waiting for... Elliot's first day of kindergarten! She was excited, but a little nervous too, especially for the bus. I was nervous for her too! Since we are living in my parents' house- the house that I grew up in- she would be getting on the bus at the end of the driveway exactly like I did 25 (!) years ago. Justin gave her a blessing last night and I truly think that helped her (and me!) through the day.

We live on a dead end so we have the luxury of watching the bus go by and then we know we have about five minutes to get out the bus stop. Here are the kids watching out the front window as the bus went by:

And Elliot at the end of the driveway with the bus coming:

And Elliot bravely getting on that big yellow bus to head to the school:

Justin, the boys and I hopped in the van and followed that bus to school. Here is Elliot smiling out the bus window as it pulled up to the school:

And successfully getting off the bus to find her class:


One happy kindergartner!

And finally, in her classroom:

As hard as it was to see her get on that bus, I don't think I have ever been more proud of my little girl. She is starting something great here at school in Ms. Getty's class and I am so excited for all that she has in store for her this year in kindergarten!