Garden Party and Growing like a Weed

It's a tradition.  Each August, my Ward's Relief Society (women's group), has a Garden Party at the home of one of the women.  It's a time to enjoy being women & daughters of God, enjoy each other's friendship, and enjoy the perfect summer air.  This year's party was a scrumptious potluck in the garden of an elegant home.  My contribution was a delicate Lavender Lemonade.  It was such a fun evening!  

I was helping with the food and I got my camera out late, so only managed to get a few pictures with friends.  Here are Jill and Lisette.

Here I am 6 months pregnant, with pregnant Jill.

In my "garden", Claire is growing so fast and instead of a toddler I'm seeing a little girl.  Sob.

Claire on the Phone

We love Ketsy!  :)

A Visit from my Family

At the end of July, we were treated with a visit from my brother and his family.  I had a great time taking Richard, Maria, and their boys around town.  I showed them our favorite beaches and a park that my Dad used to go to when he lived here during his mission 50 years ago.  They got to meet a few of my girlfriends at a park playdate too.  

We took an outing to the zoo (it was Claire's first time) and to an ice cream shop.  I said a few prayers that I would be able to keep up the pace as we walked around the zoo.  Being pregnant truly drained my energy and walking a few blocks became a serious achievement.  How pathetic!  Luckily, I made it.

Claire loved getting to play with her boy cousins.  She followed them around the house full of giggles.  At the park she frequently called out "Boys?" from her stroller, as they ran past her and through the trails.  They brought her some of their old books and toys too.

My family lives in all different states, so we've really missed out on seeing each other.  Once every few years is not enough!  So, it was great to spend time together and nurture our relationships again.  Thanks so much for coming to visit us Richard, Maria, and Boys!!!

July Recap

July brought a great lunch with my girlfriends Amy & Christine.  It was a "let's throw a meal together with whatever's in each of our fridges" and it was awesome.  Of course, when you're pregnant, any meal that someone else makes for you is the BEST MEAL EVER!  

A Fourth of July BBQ & fireworks at a friend's lake house.

Summer park play dates, a street fair, and the Pirate's Ship Landing.  As you can see the tide was low and I pushed our stroller way out onto the sand bars so Claire could wade in the water.  Before I knew it, my stroller was surrounded by water and it was coming up fast!  Luckily, the stroller goes off-road easily and I was able to trudge through the shallow water to get back to land.

My little pirate.

The Pirate Ship's cannons were really loud even though we were really far away.

My growing belly and panicked thoughts of, "If I'm this big at 5 1/2 months along, how big is this baby going to be at 9 months???"

A trip to the Tri-Cities and swimming in Great-Grandma's pool with cousins K, K, and K.  :)

Enjoying the glorious summer.  We had a beach night for Relief Society (church women's group).  I also got to help a friend of mine, Gae, organize her home.  So fun!  I didn't really do much, just kept her company and told her, "Don't feel bad about getting rid of it." when she doubted.

Wading Pool Picnic with my Dancer's Lunch Group.  Here's a shot of Christine and baby Cadence.  Looking at these photos makes me want to go back to the gorgeous day spent outside with friends.

MY FAVORITE!  LOVE!