A summer of happy things

I haven't done much blogging lately. I haven't taken many pictures lately either. Summer was busier than I expected. And everyone in the family has a fancy camera now. I tend to leave mine at home more often. But it has been a beautiful summer. I was thinking of all the things that have made me happy this summer and the list is pretty long. I thought I would share a few of them. 

In random order ;)

Beautiful teenage nieces that stay for a month make me happy...

A thriving garden...

Endless cucumbers...

A NEW JOB for Geoff! Superintendent of the Missouri School for the Blind.

A new house for us to live in (eventually)...

Exploring the Blind School with dozens of family members...

 Climbing trees...

Getting wet...

Watching plants that move when you touch them...

An amazing mom who always supports and encourages me...

A houseful of boys...

Photographing Eliza...

Mitchell and his crazy faces

This darling daughter...

and her best buddy...

Lots of grilling...

Fun times with cousins...

Mom and Dad home...

An awesome blueberry pie...

Trevor at scout camp...

Adam learning to sail...

Adam with buddies at scout camp...

Annalisa finally learning to swim...

Everyone swimming at Nonny and Grandad's pool...

Hydrangeas...

Hiking with the family...

And outing to Purina Farms and a chicken that was loved by a little girl...

Dogs that dive...

Cardinals that come to our bird feeder...

And many other kinds of little birds...

Chipmunks that steal bird food...

Children that are delighted by all of this...

A lovely girl at the lovely Botanical Gardens...

Sisters that love each other...

A great Daddy/daughter friendship...

Another baby standing on Geoff's hand...

Did I mention cousins?

Feeding the Koi Fish...

Hundreds of varieties of amazing lilies...

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These two...

And delightful stay at the Abbey...

With Andersens and Stewarts...

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And Kesners...

And Mom and Dad... 

Eating out with the family...

Having the dining hall to ourselves...

Little cuties and the Bed and Breakfast...

Maren and Sophia having a great time at EFY Nauvoo...

And Maren getting a great picture of one of my favorite temples...

Picnic at the site of a major Civil War battle...

Playing at Johnson's Shut ins...

Trevor enjoying the pools and waterfalls...

A nearly completed remodel of Dave and Rebecca's house...

Petunias that keep on going...

Maren and Adam getting to see Niagra Falls...

(although Maren says this photo is of the "little falls" next to Niagra.)

 Selfies of my kids at the Sacred Grove in Palmyra, New York...

What a great summer!!

There are some notable things on the Not So Happy List including 3 major car repairs on three old cars. But we won't dwell on those kinds of things. ;)

Personal Progress

 I'm so proud of my beautiful Maren Taylor today. At church she was awarded a Personal Progress Award and Honor Bee. This is the second time she has earned them. She is my incredible "everything girl"! There's not much she can't do when she puts her mind to it. She continues to impress me through the years. I'm a lucky mom.

   

She looked so pretty this morning.

 

 There they are! 

Also, I'm so proud of my boy scouts. These are Adam's awards from this week's Court of Honor. We are finally getting into the swing of things with these merit badges. Actually it was mostly scout camp. Thank heavens for scout camp. He is three badges away from being a Life Scout. They are not easy ones though, 90 days each. Guess we'd better get started...

This is the one that makes me extra happy. The bishop chose Adam for this award. He mentioned at the Court of Honor how the recipient of this award does the things he says he will do. Adam does that so well. He has a strong sense of duty. He has the ability to see what is right and wrong, and it isn't hard for him to choose what is good and right. Such a great boy. (He did not want his picture taken.)

Trevor also had a great week at Scout Camp. He was most proud of his Mile Swim badge. He liked impressing his friends by earning that.

The Hydrangeas are gorgeous right now.

By the way, Geoff has a new job!! More on that later though...

What a wonderful week! Feeling blessed.

Garden Update

How I am enjoying this garden! I didn't know how much fun this would be.

What an enjoyable summer project! Thanks for helping me get it going, Mom and Dad.

 Adam checks out the garden every day, even before church.

It seems to be loving this heat and humidity. 

Finally some fruit on the trees!

Onions

Peppers

Cucumbers

Blackberry bush

Watermelon

Squash

Tomatoes

Eggplant

Beans

The little beans are so cute!

 

A pepper is almost ready.

I hope we get tons of cucumbers.

   

Basil on the deck