Ready for Church

We decided to buzz their hair for a nice summer cut and they look handsome with the new do.

These cute little guys are finally going to nursery for the whole time and I can enjoy going to class. It is so nice. Elliot has loved nursery from the beginning and asks to go to nursery during sacrament meeting. It took Landon a little longer to come around.

On the way to church today we had a funny conversation with Landon and Elliot.

Brooks: Where are we going?

Elliot: Church.

Brooks: What do we do at church?

Elliot: Toys.

Brooks: What do we learn about at church?

Elliot: Jesus.

Brooks: Landon, what do we do at church?

Landon: Jesus

Elliot: Ah toys too!

Brooks' Trip to DC

Brooks is the president of the Federalist Society at the law school and he was invited to Washington DC to attend leadership training. The highlight of his trip was a visit to the Supreme Court building for a reception and getting to meet Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. After the reception, he was able to walk the mall and see the sights and some of the memorials.

This is where the Supreme Court meets

The reception hall looks into the room where the justices meet

Family in Town

After our trip to Rainier, my parents and siblings drove to Spokane to stay a few days. It was the first time any of my siblings have visited Spokane and we had fun showing them Spokane. We went to Manito Park, Riverfront Park, went to dinner with the married adults, went to the temple together, watched some World Cup and had a BBQ in Liberty Lake. We wish they could have stayed longer, but we had fun while they were here!

Hanging out with Papa in the Japanese gardens at Manito

Dinner at Rock City Grill

After dinner we wandered around the downtown area and looked at the falls.

We went to Liberty Lake their last night here. We enjoyed splashing in the water, digging in the sand, eating good food, playing and good company.

Water fountain discussion from Shelci Crandell on Vimeo.

Mt. Rainier

Over the Fourth of July weekend, we met up with my family in Mount Rainier. We had a great time, although the weather was very uncooperative. It was cold and rainy for most of the time we were there, but we got out and explored when we could. The first day we got there, we took a short hike to these falls. Landon and Elliot had spurts of running down the trail like they loved hiking and a few meltdowns along the way as well. We eventually made it to the falls with the help of Nana, Papa, Uncle Mikey and Uncle Max.

Landon and Elliot discovered how to make the water shoot out of the camel-bak bladder. This was a source of lots of giggles while playing with it and lots of tears when it was taken away.

Hanging out at camp

We took a drive the second day and stopped at a few different waterfalls along the route.

On the drive to Rainier, we could see the mountain in the distance. That was before all the clouds rolled in.

This waterfall is also just outside the park and we stopped for a break along the drive there.

We took a family hike down to some falls.

On the third day, the clouds were starting to clear and Brooks, my mom and I went for a hike. We hiked part way up Schriner's Peak and got some amazing views of the mountain. The clouds were still covering most of it, but we got a few breathtaking glimpses.

Even in the wilderness, Landon loves his cars. After a couple days of going without them, he was in heaven when we finally pulled them out to play with.

On the way out of the park on our last day, we took a detour and drove up to Sunrise Peak for a great view of the mountain. The clouds had cleared and we were able to see the whole mountain. We even got to throw a few snowballs up there.

Summertime Fun

Abbie and Landon enjoying the pool

Elliot working on his tan

Steven and Dallin

Ryder

Up until last couple weeks, the weather in Spokane has been mild and rainy. We got our first taste of warm weather and found this great wading pool for the kids. It is free and is just their size. This is the most interested Landon has been in swimming, ever. We will definitely be going here again. The park by the wading pool has some outdated play areas for the kids... you know, the kind that aren't considered safe anymore and cause all sorts of lawsuits. There is a merry go round that all the kids loved especially when the older kids started pushing them super fast.