Cooking, swimming, and ice…

"I do not stick to rules when cooking. I rely on my imagination."
-Akshay Kumar

Ashlyn completed a week long cooking camp this week and was eager to show off her new skills.  We were treated to a Saturday breakfast of baked cinnamon toast sticks, orange juice, and cantaloupe.  Based on the final product, we got our money’s worth out of the camp.

Mommy took the kids to a water park and Ashlyn wanted to take her under water camera.  The pictures were interesting, and a few actually had the kids in frame.  Below is the result.

What better way to spend a hot summer day than on ice!  The kids got to go ice skating, which was a lot of fun for all of them.  It was especially fun for James who was able to stop using the bucket and skate on his own.  He was excited about his accomplishment and to celebrate the kids made ice angels on the rink floor.

A Freeport trip…

"She's like a nice human.  She's the nicest human ever!"
-Isla

The kids took a trip to Freeport with Mommy and Grandma for a few days.  The drive there and back went well, better than last time anyway.  The kids had a great time while they were there.  They got to play with their cousins, paint, play games, swing, and enjoy the nice weather.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Freeport of course without a visit (or two) to the beach.  The kids had a blast as always running across the sand and into the waves.  There were no jellyfish this time, which was a bonus.

Looking back at the 4th and a Happy Birthday…

"The Fourth of July should be celebrated with big hearts."
-Camila Alves

I realize this is going back in time a week but we couldn’t put them up last week.  When 4th of July came around the kids wanted to go see fireworks.  We spent the time leading up to sunset playing with poppers and other mini-fireworks in the front yard.  When darkness came we packed up the van and drove to a nearby baseball field that had a great view of the Boys Ranch fireworks show.  The kids did great despite how long we stayed up so we may let them talk us into going next year too.

We went over to Nina and Papa’s on Saturday to celebrate Papa and Aunt Fonda’s birthdays.  Ashlyn made a cake for the occasion and we had a great time swimming with the family.  Happy birthday Papa!

Farewell old friend…

"Dogs die. But dogs live, too. Right up until they die, they live. They live brave, beautiful lives. They protect their families. And love us. And make our lives a little brighter. And they don’t waste time being afraid of tomorrow."
–Dan Gemeinhart

This blog has a purpose, to capture the history of our family.  We fill these pages with happy memories, smiles, and laughter because that’s what we want to remember.  The sad days and tears are simply building blocks, unfortunate moments in time that help us appreciate the good days.  This week was a sad one.  Rusty, our friend and family member of 13 years, went to sleep and passed away peacefully and in no pain.  He spent his last days being constantly loved on, never a step away from his family.  The amount of shed tears exemplified what Rusty meant to us, and he will forever have a place in our hearts.

It was hard on the kids.  Rusty was there to greet each of them as babies when they came home from the hospital.  He was watching when they took their first steps.  He was there for every birthday, he said goodbye on the first day of school and welcomed them when they came back.  They cried, but they did their best to make Rusty comfortable.  They made him treats, they sat by his side and held him, they put blankets on him to keep him warm. 

He was a good boy and our friend.  He was a companion and protector.  Like all dogs, he loved unconditionally.  I don’t have the words to do Rusty justice, instead I will let pictures speak for me.  I wish I had more, I wish I had a better way to show what Rusty meant to us.  But this will have to do.  We miss you Rusty, we love you.  Goodbye old friend.