Playing Catch-Up

Well, well, well...it's almost September.  HOW did that happen?!  In June I "had" to get a new phone.  The phone I was using went completely dead, and I lived without a phone for over a week.  Sacrifice.  It was like I was a pioneer.  That meant I actually had to talk to people on the phone.  Heaven forbid.  I hate talking on the phone.  I want to change my voice mail to "Hang up and text me, please."  (I'm only semi-kidding)  Anyhow, after the longest week of my life (just kidding), I sucked it up and decided to buy a decent phone.  Along with this decent phone, came a more-than-decent camera.  It's well known fact about me that I love pictures!  The T-Mobile dude was excitedly telling me about all the available features that fell on deaf ears...until he started in on the camera.  Then I was sold.  SO...here is our summer according to my phone (I think trendy bloggers will do a regular post called "Life According To My iPhone".  I'm not that cool.  I more of a "Life According to my Samsung G4" kind of gal.)

We love America!  Seriously, the 4th of July is so much fun!  I love doing all the "traditional" things, BBQ'ing, homemade ice cream, and fireworks.  This year Phillip (who we've now dubbed, "Popsy") bought fried chicken, and I made a bacon, sour cream potato salad.  He also presented each of us with a book of quarters he had been saving for a "worthy family".  We're honored to be considered "worthy" in his eyes.   

 C-Hill bike parade.

 "Ladies of Liberty" bike gang

 An evening with the Reno Ace's

 Popsy gave the girls this fan that belonged to his late wife.  The girls were all thankful for it since it was 103 degrees that day.

 Dinner: cotton candy

 8th inning, I'm over it

 Raychel discovered a cure for hiccups.  All one needs to do it stand like this for 3 minutes.  Good luck with that.

 "I Am Your Father"...I have the BEST dad!

 Because of James' calling with the young men at church, he had to go on a lot of overnight camping activities with them.  I was also invited to go to Girl's Camp for a week.  These extra-curricular "activities" put a damper on any family vacation.  I made it my personal goal to go to Lake Tahoe as much as possible.  I think we made it up there about five times...more visits than I've made my entire life here (sad, I know).  Lake Tahoe is just gorgeous...simply put.  It's clean, fresh, perfection.  The girls would stay in the water the entire day...like 8 hours.  I love this stage of life because the girls can basically man themselves and not get killed...it's a beautiful thing.  That means I can sit under the umbrella, sip Diet Coke and read a magazine (or discuss "important" world events with friends).  I think it'll be a tradition from now on.  The picture above is taken from one of the beaches that has "magical golden sand".  

 HAHA!  This picture cracks me up!!  Because we're white-white, we burn fast and painfully deep.  I jokingly told Raychel I was going to make her wear this hat to the beach from now on.  She obviously thought I was serious.  I told her I would never be responsible for that kind of child abuse.  Over the summer, I've noticed Raych developing a sarcastic sense of humor that is actually quite funny (like father like daughter).  She says, "Please.  I'd rather burn."  HAHAHA!  Yeah, me too, kid.

 Leah's "To-Do List"

Tomaro List to beach

Lake Taho

jumping in first

If only ALL to-do lists could be that enjoyable!

 Every ride home...

Waking up long enough for ice cream cones followed by...

 more sleeping.  Ruff day at the office, I tell ya.

 I discovered these little foil wrapped pieces of heaven.

 Traditional Wild Island trip.  

 Again...Hard day.

 We said goodbye to one of our dearest friends in the world.  This was Raychel's list prepping for the sleepover.  I love #10.  Go to sleep if there is time.

 True Friendship.

 I gave blood for the first time in forever.  

 I turned 34.  Amanda made me this delicious red velvet cheesecake.  

 May bought us all tickets to go see one of our favorite comedians in Sacramento.  My parents are our favorite double date!

 We planted a garden this summer.  Cabbage, potatoes, tomatoes, basil, and pumpkins.  Raychel has discovered a love of caprese salad.  She can literally eat 6 tomatoes worth of it.  LOVE finding food she will eat!

 I love "childrens".

 Good ol' Virginia City.  I can't believe these candies were for real!  "Hey dad, can I bum a smoke."  

PSA: Don't wear huge , obnoxious sunglasses like this.  My mom and I will mock you behind your back.  heehee

 Story...A few years ago, my Grandma went to a Pho restaurant.  She ordered a bowl of noodles and it came served to her in a HUGE bowl.  That's all we ever heard about "That bowl was huge!"  So this was a "HUGE" ice cream cone.  I'm typing this, and I guess you have to be in the family to know why it's funny.  Doesn't sound as funny when it's typed out.  HAHA!

SO there ya have it...summer according to my Samsung.