Congratulations!

My niece got married in August. Toward the end of July she had a bridal shower that Nichole and I went to. We got to spend time with both of my sisters and some of their daughters.

 

The day of the wedding was wonderful. Beautiful day spent with family. All but one of my siblings were there. 

The temple sealing was in the morning.

There was a family luncheon after pictures.

Some of us did some juggling afterward.

My sister-in-law has been practicing her juggling. 

Jeremy and I took the kids home between the luncheon and reception for a little break. It was pretty little because we went back in time for the whole reception.

The reception was also nice. 

Look in the background of this picture. Lucky photobombs without even trying (I can also see his reflection in the middle picture).

There are plenty of times he does try, though. Looking through my blog, I noticed he's been creeping into photos since before he was 2 years old.

It was a beautiful day. I'm happy for my niece and new nephew for finding each other. And because he already has children, we got even more family members added to our numbers. 

You know I love family!

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 13

The last day before we left the Pacific Northwest, I went for a walk to say goodbye to my parents' yard, including their own monkey puzzle tree and a lizard.

Jet said goodbye to his reflection in my mom's mirror. He had fun talking to himself.

 

I did some multitasking by playing a card game and having a tea party with Jet at the same time.

While we were playing, there was also some singing going on, including songs from The Muppet Christmas Carol. I said we must be celebrating LEON Day observed since we didn't celebrate it on June 25.

We did celebrate Creative Ice Cream Flavors Day that day, July 1, not by eating ice cream but by thinking of different flavors we could have. Since we had fried rice for dinner, I thought of fried rice flavored ice cream. 

 

The next morning, the kids and I headed back to Utah after saying goodbye to my parents and my brother.

Jet got pictures of my mom as we were driving away. 

 

I didn't take a "road trip" picture but I did do some juggling at one place where we always stop.

 

We had a great trip to the Pacific Northwest. I love my in-laws. I love my family. I feel very blessed.

 

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 8

June 25 was National Handshake Day. As soon as my mom found out, she was going around shaking everyone's hand that morning. Except when she and I went out for a walk. Then she stopped by a neighbor's house and we got hugs. I like hugs.

We missed Marcus's annual jugglers BBQ that evening since we were in a different state but Jeremy was able to go since he was in Utah.

We'd been looking forward to going because last year, Jr. Jr. couldn't juggle at the BBQ and he's been practicing all year. Oh well. There's always next year and he'll be even better by then.

 

That night after playing a game with my brother and my sons, Jeremy asked to watch a movie with me. 

So Jet joined me and I set things up here while Jeremy set things up in Utah and we started the movie at the same time. We've done that before with friends but it has been many many years. 

We watched Sheep Detectives and throughout the movie, Jeremy and I texted each other comments. "Ooh, I think so and so did it." "Gasp." quoting a line that was just said "Wow, that actor is so tall." "Hahahahahahahahahaha." And on and on and on.

I loved it. I also approve of that movie and told my kids later they may watch it. Family friendly. 

 

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 7

road trip

Jet insisted on taking our "Road Trip!" picture (and typing the letters at the beginning of this post) so this is what we got. He's so adorable.

Wednesday, June 24, we said Goodbye to Grandma and Grandpa in Washington (thanks for so many meals, Mom and Dad... and everything else)

and drove to say Hello to Grandma and Grandpa in Oregon. And Uncle Todd. We like Uncle Todd.

Whoa. The trees in the Pacific Northwest are tall. 

Since it was International Fairy Day, I kept going on and on and on about the illustrated edition of Fablehaven.

 

The drive to Oregon felt so short compared to the trip from Utah. We got there so early and had time to play a game with Todd. 

I chatted with my mom without staying up way late. I don't regret the late night talking with my mother-in-law, though.

I love family time.

Pacific Northwest Trip 2026- part 2

It is tradition when we are in Washington to visit Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. Sometimes it's just a few of us. Sometimes it's the whole family.

This year, Grandma, Grandpa, all my kids, and I headed there. We enjoyed the wooded area.

Nichole got some awesome pictures. We left the birding camera with Jeremy so he could get some pictures in California.

I got some juggling pictures and videos.

My in-laws let us continue on to the looooong boardwalk without them. We saw some snakes along the way.

When we got to the boardwalk, Lucky wasn't feeling the best so he and I headed back to the parking lot while Nichole, Jr., Jr. Jr., and Jet continued on to the end and back.

Nichole was happy to inform me that the bald eagle from last time we made the trip was hanging out at its usual spot. 

When Lucky and I got back to the van and explained the situation to my in-laws, we got him some food and he took a nap while I started a book I needed to read for another online book club.

Lucky felt better after his nap.

Nichole took so many good pictures of so many things. I really had to limit what to put on this post. 

When she and the other boys got back, we ate lunch, chilled for a while, then headed out. Jet fell asleep on the short drive.

After Nisqually, we went to visit more in-laws: Jeremy's brother, sister-in-law, with their kids. Jeremy's sister came with one of her kids that day as well. More family time!

Jeremy's brother's family has ducks and a couple of geese. Jet had fun feeding the ducks last time we visited. This time, he did so again (and helped collect eggs) and this time he got to feed the geese. 

One of the geese is very protective of the other goose and will chase away ducks. It, however, got so comfortable with Jet that at one point, Jet was sitting on a blanket and the goose waddled up to him while making contented noises then sat right next to Jet so Jet could pet him.

So cute.

I had a good time chatting with family.   

Nature and family. I love them.