Saturday, December 29, 2018

First part of June in pictures

I never get tired of seeing these beauties in the summer. Can't believe how quickly they've grown since we planted them three or so years ago.

More selfies with Eli.

A woman from my ward (in the front with the black pants) has been organizing a women's conference at Southern Virginia University for the past couple decades or something. This year, her daughter (the one in the floral dress), took the reins. She turned it into a Mother's Retreat and I got to go for the first time. It was Friday evening through Saturday afternoon. We listened to some great speakers, ate great food, and slept in dorms. It was a really fun and uplifting weekend! (The man in the front is also related to them and shared a message with us about the plane crash he was in a year ago.)

Every year, Sam and his classmates have to come up with a business plan, make something, and sell it for fake money at a local high school. This year he and two buddies made "thumb chucks" and ninja stars. A lot of schools do it so it is pure chaos in there. Each visitor is given fake money and you go around buying things that will inevitably break less than 24 hours later, but it's fun.

Sam had his spring recital.

Sam and his teacher, Katie Wilson.

Ariel helped me in the kitchen.

And read a book to her brother.

Cousins came to town for the Cheney family reunion. Sam and Afton weren't out of school yet, but I took them out for a day to play at my parents' house.

Sam on his last day of fourth grade.

We celebrated an early Father's Day before heading to the beach.

Friday, December 28, 2018

May in pictures

 Sam participated in his second pinewood derby. He came in second or third this year. Eli was hilarious to watch as the cars came down the track.


Afton created a restaurant. This was the menu.


Mother's Day.

We got to go to Charlottesville for Dan's 10-year law school reunion, so we went to lunch at the Guad with Mom and Dad. They also watched our kids while we went to a reception at the Boar's Head and then went to see A Quiet Place.

Dan and I Facetimed a few times and I caught some really great screenshots.


Eli loves to take pictures. Especially selfies with me.

We celebrated Dad's 62nd birthday.

And Sam's 10th.

Eli loves helping to open presents.

Just a few of the many things I find in the weekly wash.

I took Afton and Eli to the park during Sam's piano lesson and the sky was amazing. I love big clouds like this.

Another week we went to get shaved ice from the farmer's market. Friends from church opened their own shaved ice business.


On Sam's birthday, we reminisced with pictures of Sam. Eli took this.


Sunday evening walk. Sam rarely holds my hand these days, so I'm glad Dan snapped a picture.

Eli "reading" the scriptures to us.

 This picture is out of order, but Sam got a laser tag gun set for his birthday and we had some fun chasing each other around the house.

Sam turned 10!

He requested a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting. He wanted a laser gun set, slippers, and a few other things.






He is a sweetheart who loves building things, soccer, reading, school, friends, and being right. We love his obedient spirit and are so glad he's in our family!

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

The rest of April

We slept.

 Sam and Afton had soccer games and practices.


 Dan and I hit up Burger Bach on a date.
 Eli and I did some granite shopping for our upstairs bathrooms.
 Pictures for Grandma Durst.
Afton had her Let's Play Music recital. Eli took a lovely picture.

 Year two is done! One more to go.
Dan made me the most amazing cake of my life. He's truly outdone himself. 3D and everything! I made the actual cake from a blog recipe, and it was too dry. But the decorating job couldn't be beat!

We went to my parents' house to celebrate on Sunday since my birthday was on a Monday.


 Dan and I (plus Eli) had a lunch date at the Secret Sandwich Society. It was slightly chilly outside, so Dan let me wear his jacket and then remarked that I looked like Elaine Benez. So now I'm thinking of being her for Halloween. If I had termporary black hair dye.

And that wraps up the rest of April! A fabulous month!