Bethany's life is always exciting - she goes to middle school! Not necessarily good exciting, but there's always a story to tell and an ipod in her ear. Aunt Lori helped her decide on a new haircut - more bangs. Aunt Lori came and partied with us for her birthday. We caught up on movies (all the ones Russell had seen giving plasma or with Coby while we were in Maryland). We found the cutest cupcake cake, but you'll never see it clearly. This is what most of the pictures I take look like.. (Marah's old camera) My camera 'woes' began on the San Fran trip. Raz's good camera = stolen out of his suitcase at the New Jersey airport. My good camera = dropped (yep, by me) in Monterey. That was just days after the dishwasher and microwave died, and the new dishwasher flooded the entire downstairs.

I'm not sure this qualifies as exciting, but it's definitely unique:

Mojo has found another victim to groom - Coby.

As for me, I'm quite content to be dull for the moment. It was a summer filled with 'once in a lifetime' adventures and events, and I'm still catching up.

My girls think it's exciting to take pictures of me because I hate them (revenge for all the pictures I've taken of them)... So girls - this one is for you!

This mom is job-hunting for a 'while Beth is at school' job. After years of working for free, it's a bit intimidating. A letter of recommendation to be the lunch lady at school??? Please... So until they decide I'm qualified to 'warm' food. (I'm fantastic at warming - just can't cook - ask my family.... Maybe they could write the letter), I'm sorting pictures.

Here are two recent faves:












If you want to see more, I have a whole 'brag book' of Seth pictures (thanks Donna). I try not to accost people with it, but if they ask... I have morphed into a bragging granny looking for employment! Now that is exciting.

Summer bought many goodbyes and 'lasts' for Marah. It began in May with Senior Honors Night and an unexpected scholarship from Student Government for service as Jr. Treasurer and then Student Body VP.

And all the 'last' seminary activities:Graduating with 'honors' from seminary - despite MANY tardies - whew! Thank you Sister Summerhays!!!
Marah and her best friend Kelsey volunteered in Mrs. Flannery's 4th grade class for two years.

Saying goodbye wasn't any fun.
Farewell to Ironwood Ridge high school came next:

Followed by "Grad Night"activities at the school until 5 am:

Marah had two graduation trips - spoiled... My parents donated free flights to send her to visit Megan & Jon (in March before Meg was too pregnant). They toured NYC and Washington DC.

In June, Aunt Lori, Marah and I toured the coastline in a convertible (we stayed in Big Sur just days before the huge fire). Kenna flew in after finals and toured San Fran with us. We called it Marah's graduation trip, but actually Lori was saving me from being in charge of YW camp again!

Marah and Kelsey had a 'girls' adventure in July. Kelsey's GPS guided them to Aunt Lori's house where they spent the next week exploring LA by GPS- Balboa Island, Knottsberry Farm, Magic Mountain and Hollywood. Aunt Lori even got them tickets to "Wicked".
Farewell to Pizza Hut came next as Aunt Marah 'retired' after two years to go meet Seth.

Marah spent her last days at home packing and repacking - trying to fit her clothes, college and kitchen supplies into Russell's truck!

Most family celebrations and farewells include dinner at Macayos. Of course, that's where we celebrated Marah and Kenna's last night at home:
Marah's final farewell was to her canine roommates before hugging Beth goodbye and hopping into the truck with Kenna and Russell for the long drive to Provo!
Farewell our Marah! We miss your early morning scowls, the 'dumb mom' look when I ask too many questions, the "what's for dinner" game, piles on your bedroom floor, the nightly 'hug' fights with Beth after scripture & prayer, the "let's play a game" or "let's watch a movie" or even better "let's make cookies" requests on long Sunday afternoons!

I know you're all 'growed ' up, but this will always be how I always remember you.



So Squishy Fish, go conquer the world (at least Timp this weekend with Kenna)!

Summer was a blur of activities - even before Seth's arrival. It began with Marah's high school graduation and never slowed.

While Marah attempted to keep her cap from blowing away during the ceremony, Jon and Megan were exploring Hawaii (business trip).

and Kenna conquered 'Y' mountain with her roommate Nicole.

Then came Father's Day - Marah grilled! Russell gained a couple of sons too.
When Bethany left for YW Camp - "Soldiers in Service".
We older girls met in San Francisco (me, Aunt Lori, Marah & Kenna)
Returning in time to celebrate Marah's 18th birthday.

Summer FHE's are very spontaneous (nice way of saying 'making it up as we go') A favorite was practicing our "emergency fire drill" and realizing that it didn't work - fire ladder didn't work on these bedroom windows.

In Maryland, Meg & Jon were doing some climbing of their own - down by a waterfall.

Meanwhile in Utah, Kenna played in another waterfall.