Happenings at 7204.

My parents neighbor hung a beautiful sign on his garage with his house number.  I remarked to my parents how awesome it was.  So, when they wanted to thank me for helping with the patio roof and shed, they surprised me with this awesome house sign.  When they asked their neighbor where he had purchased it, it turns out that his sister had made it for him.  He told my mom that he would make me one.  I love it!

Our little free library has gotten a lot of activity this spring.  The girls and I have been frantically reloading it with books to keep the neighborhood reading.  Even the birds have been enjoying it!

My mom, Sid and I venture out to Old Navy for summer shopping. 

Sidney and I scored these cute matching t-shirts.  We scored such great finds, that I was 'forced' to take Kendall out for a shopping trip as well.  Shucks!

I am not sure that I want to even post this picture, because Kendall looks way too old and way too gorgeous, but here it is.  She went to the Aveda Institute and had her hair cut and styled.  My neighbor saw me out on the scooter and mentioned that if I needed any help cleaning the shotgun, he would be happy to assist.  I think I may  need to take him up on that offer.

Class of 2020, Miss Hallie Bradbury.

Wow.  This year has certainly brought with it some unexpected challenges.  However, I have been super impressed with how creative people were in honoring the Class of 2020.  Hallie was a senior this year, and it did not end as expected, but was very special nonetheless.

The family of one of Hallie's classmates, had posters made for each of the graduating seniors, the Joshua Brandt Foundation.

The principal even loosened up on his 'no decorating cap' policy.  Hallie knew immediately what she would do for hers.

They held the ceremony at the fairgrounds.  The families were each allowed one vehicle.  They drove their senior to the podium, and the graduate was able to walk across stage and accept their diploma.  The girls and I had a facebook watch party.

Again, I know that this year is not what everyone expected.  I do believe that these will be some of the most memorable graduations ever.  One of my co-workers built a platform in her backyard and had her seniors grandparents deliver the commencement address.  The thought that went into making this graduation special is never to be forgotten!

Graduation Cake Pops.

My parents got the girls this cake pop maker as a thank you gift when they moved out.  I have totally commandeered it!  Hallie requested a batch of cake pops for her graduation party.  Thankfully, Kendall gave me a hand making them.

They turned out spectacular!

Where is Larry Crowne?

Well, I did it.  I bought myself a scooter.

I absolutely love it.  It is perfect to do small errands around my neck of the woods. 

I laugh and remember Kevin and I watching the movie Larry Crowne.  I totally need to find myself a scooter gang now!

Memorial Day Weekend

The Idaho Veterans Cemetery had to cancel their Memorial Day service this year, due to Covid-19.  Thankfully, the cemetery was open though.  The girls and I took a trip up there to pay our respects to Kevin.  It is such a beautiful place.  It is with great honor that he was buried there.

It is always a very emotional time for us.  The girls and I sat for quite some time and remembered some of the funniest moments we had with Kevin.  

Each of the girls asked for a few minutes by themselves.

I am so grateful that they have so many memories of Kevin.  We started this blog early on in their lives before we knew what our futures held.  Now they will have many stories; good, bad, sad and funny to look back on.

Beating the Summer Heat.

Guest Contributor:  Sidney Strong, written in third person.  I love this girl.

We have had a fun start to summer. Sidney had horse lessons on a hot Wednesday, so that night the girls decided they were going to set up the slip and slide. A couple years ago we got a wading pool for the girls to give Bailey baths in. They set the pool out, and Bailey had some fun too.

Sidney decided to invite her friend Avery over for some fun outside. They were very exited to see each other because it has been a while.  The squirt guns and water balloons came out for a water fight.

The neighbors invited Sidney to go to the lake with them.  They went paddle boarding, and now she really would like to get one! She came home tired.

We have been looking around to see about getting a small pool in the backyard. We searched everywhere, and they were all out. By chance, we were at the store and went to check for pools one morning.  We got the last one on the shelf!  The girls have been spending a lot of time in it. We are not sure about going to the neighborhood pool, so this is a good thing.

Our Sweet Porch and Our Sweet Tooth.

I love our front porch.  It has always been a place to sit and chat or read a book.  This spring, Sidney and I spied this adorable love seat rocker.  We frivolously purchased it and rearranged the furniture a bit.  My mom recovered some of our pillows.  

I remember when Kevin first got sick, and I needed to take over yard duty.  I found it both intimidating and burdensome.  I now find it very relaxing and therapeutic.  I also just love to sit and enjoy the fruits of our labor.  I say 'our' labor, because a lot of our projects were inspired by Kevin's love of Pinterest.  I also say 'our', because the girls have become a HUGE help with the yard.  They are both trained lawn mower operators and weed whackers.  Kendall learned to mow the lawn last year.  I figured Sidney had one more year and a few more inches to go, but her determination and persuasiveness convinced me to give her a try.  One lap around the yard, and she was off and running.  

I had nowhere to park this picture, so here it is.  My parents got the girls a cake pop maker as a thank you after their stay here.  I am pretty sure that I am totally in love with using it.  I made these cute little bite sized pieces the other night.  Not too shabby for my first try!