Girl Trip to California!

Two weeks ago, Marissa, Daniella and I flew to California to visit my sister Amber and her family. It was a fun and unique trip because it was just us girls traveling across states together. Whenever John and I take vacations we always comment on how fun it would be to take some of our friends along, and now I've gotten to experience it! I can't believe how sweet and easy-going these two were as traveling companions! And getting to see Amber, Dan, Judah, Caleb, and all of our Santa Maria friends was wonderful, and I was really needing it! We love you Church for Life family!

Daniella and Marissa right before Marissa's first time flying!

Notice the bewilderment over the paper straws and biodegradable silverware at a restaurant in the SLC airport. We couldn't quite come to terms with being earth conscious while our straws melted into our drinks!

Amber took us shopping in San Luis Obispo. The boys did surprisingly well while we dragged them from store to store.

Girls in the West Coast sun!

Marissa and Daniella decided that In 'n Out Burger was the best thing to ever happen to fast food. And I must agree, the burgers were juicy, the menu is beautifully simple, and the fresh french fries were just perfect both of the times we ate there. (Yes, we ate there twice in 4 days. The girls had to see if their second experience was just as delightful as their first, and it was.)
Wow. Now I'm salivating!

Friends, Fun, Oh yeah and Music

What do you get when you add together the following;

• Free music from good bands that love God
• Friends from out of town
• Friends from in town
• And lots of rain?

DOWNPOUR!

It was great to introduce our friends from Butte to our friends here. (If they haven't connected already.) And it was awesome to spend some quality time with the Buttians and Lewistownites we have been missing. I especially loved hearing KJ-52, Lincoln Brewster, Sanctus Real and Plumb!

And if you want to know who these interesting people are just ask me.

Mom's Garden

My mom is amazing. And I hope many of those things that make her amazing will rub off on me. One of those wonderful characteristics that I aspire to learn and understand is her way with plants. She has the most unbelievable ability to make anything grow! Many people with sickly or dying plants have brought them to her for her plant-life-giving abilities. Another thing that I love about summer is that it's the season that her artistry can shine. I only have to walk out the front or back door of the house to step into beautiful colors and displays that immediately inspire and delight. This is no ordinary thumb on her hand, but ten green fingers!

The back yard in the beautiful dusk light.