Finally!

French Braids! I was so excited when I realized Ella's hair was now long enough for braids! I had done 1/2 braids several times, but she just didn't have enough hair to do full braids... well now she does! And here's the proof! Yippee!

a few of my favorite things...

In no particular order...

This isn't particularly my favorite flower to look at in my garden... in fact if I had chosen it, I would have gone with a different color all together. I've never really been into the peachy colors. But when it comes to favorite smells... that's a whole other ball of wax. This by far is my favorite smell of the moment. I can step out my back door and get the perfect whiff of this delicious rose bush. I almost always have to go put my nose right into it so I can get an extra long smell. It always puts a smile on my face. We should take the time to smell the roses!This girls got moxie. She is adorable and tenacious. She definitely keeps us on our toes. She is very hard not to love... she's just so stinkin' cute! I'm not sure where she gets that moxie though... I've been told she takes after her mother... I'm not sure about that though.
Anson and Devin. Individually and together. I love this picture. A dad having a talk with his son.
Tanner, my more careful child. Suiting up in all his pads to skateboard and ride his bicycle. It makes me chuckle every time. I am glad that I have one child that cares for their safety...

Zoo Field Trip

I did it! I braved Anson's school field trip with the 3 younger kids, and an extra from the class. It was fun to have Adrianne and Kael join us too. It was a great warm day... note to any of those that like the zoo, avoid the first couple weeks in June every year, that's when every school in Western Washington bus in for field trips. Luckily we go often enough that we don't mind one crazy day.

It was really cute, as we were leaving the kid zone, Anson, Kael and Ella were running around chasing each other on these swirls... they would just run in circles again and again. It was great to wear them out just before heading home.

Ella's favorite, the "Ella-phant"

And of course, we all like the monkeys

"Jellyfish in motion"

"oooh, wow!"

"oooh, wow! pretty!" Those were the words out of this cute little things mouth when she opened the present from Aunt Lauren & cousin Ash that had this headband inside. She loved it! Thanks Aunt Lauren, and thanks Ash, for insisting that Ella had to have this... she loves it!

Salad

About a month ago, while Devin was away on business for the week, I was sitting on the couch feeding Joseph (as I often do) when I heard noise coming from the kitchen. "Uh-oh," I thought as I looked around the room to see who had disappeared from my sight. "Ella, what are you doing in there?" "Eating salad!" was her happy response. I peeked around the corner to find my daughter perched on top of the table, with a stoneware bread pan in her lap, full of salad, that she was indeed, eating. I had to laugh, because out of all the things she could have been getting into, she chose salad and a big glass of water. I caught a few candid shots of the moment, for the possible chance that she might grow to not like salad... then I can prove that even at a young age, she knew what was good for her.

Dudley Leavitt Rushton, Sr

Poet, artist, romantic, faithful, gentle & loving, forgiving, great cook, lover of nature, farmer at heart, Montana native, strong...

I have so many good memories of my quiet, gentle grandfather. He raised the kindest, most thoughtful, gentle, loving woman I know, my mother. For that I am most grateful to him. My mother loved her father so much, and always, ALWAYS talked so lovingly and adoringly for him.

Last Friday, I had the opportunity to see my grandpa for the last time as he peacefully returned to his Heavenly Father. He fought a very quick and good fight against a cancer that wouldn't let him win, but, he wasn't going to go without putting up a valiant fight. Yesterday I was able to attend his funeral. I will always have such wonderful memories of him.

Courageous, valiant, cowboy, singer, master gardener, patient, kind, ever enduring, love for all, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather, brother, husband, friend.



Dudley L. Rushton Sr.
Beloved husband, father and friend, passed peacefully June 19th, 2009 with his wife, children and grandchildren at his side. He is survived by his loving wife Buddie, 16 children and step children, 74 grandchildren, 84 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great-grandchild. Memorial reception with funeral to follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 2455 S. 78th St., Tacoma, WA.
Pub Date: 6/21/2009, Tacoma News Tribune

signs of summer and little man

There are things that remind me that summer is on its way. Things I look for and things I LOVE to see, a few of them follow...

The blossoms on my strawberry plants

Soon they will be delicious red ripe strawberries! The best you ever tasted, none of those store bought ones compare, not even close!

My Hostas "Blooming"

It is amazing to see these guys come up out of the ground. It is a fascinating thing to watch as they start out as these tubular things and blossom into these huge beautiful leaves.

My Lilacs

This is not only a sight to behold, but a delicious, heavenly smell that must be consumed, devoured and appreciated daily upon blooming, because unfortunately, they don't last very long. I love the smell of fresh lilacs, so fragrant and sweet, yet so subtle. Heavenly.

Now I couldn't resist. A friend gave me this little outfit for Joseph after her son had worn it maybe once. I am sure as I speak he is growing out of it since he is growing so fast these days (must be the weather... hee, hee)

It was just too cute and too funny to have him all dressed up like this for church. He looks like he is ready to go to the prom or something. With this outfit he really does fit in with my boys, since they always insist on wearing at least a white shirt and tie, if not the whole suit to church every week. This is something I am more than happy to comply with, I love it!

Picture of the day

My mom has the most beautiful Peonies in her front garden. She truly has an amazing green thumb. I LOVE her gardens, and I can't resist snipping a few of these beauties every time I stop by her house. Delicious!

Father Son campout?

The boys love camping... in fact we all do. It was the annual Stake Father/Son campout, but since Devin had just gotten back into town from LA and was leaving again early Sunday for Florida for a week... and, and, and all the other reason we girls (and Joseph) wanted to see him a little before he left again, the boys decided to camp out in the backyard instead. It was perfect weather. They set up their tent, roasted marshmallows over our propane stove, had a few s'mores (they even let me join them for one, before I was sent back inside so they could have "boy" time) It was great. They had so much fun, I think we might do this a lot this summer!

a new found park and the flower girl

It was a beautiful sun shiny day. The perfect day for the park. The day before on my way out to run around the "lake" or rather the "big pond" I saw this cute new park that had been constructed. Today was the day we were going to try it out! Ella invited her dearest friend Mia to come along, and we made it a play date! yippee!
Only a few things are required at a park to make this girlie happy... swings and slides. This one had great swings and at least 3 slides! Who could ask for anything more? How about fun things to CLIMB! (another favorite of hers)

this is Mia's little brother and Ella just adores him!

This is what Joseph did the whole time, all cozy in the wrap. I love that thing!

At the bottom of the hill from the playground is a huge field of these flowers. I love them! In fact I want them at my house!Such a cute girl!do you know what kind of flower these are?

I just can't help but love these horrible things... so magical and beautiful, but extremely annoying in your own yard! Make a wish!

One Sunny Saturday

"I do it too!" Ella's favorite sentence... although it often ends up sounding more like " Idooitoo" because she's saying it so fast and frequent. Daddy is so good to let her help with so many things.
She was so happy here to help daddy with the lawnmower.
"Mom! Mom! Hurry take a picture of me!" That's what Anson was yelling at me as he sat perched in this tree. This is one of the boys favorite things to do. They would live there, if I let them... and if there was food up there too. (then they'd never have to leave)

Gotta love that boy and his BIG brown eyes...

Blessing Day

It's always a wonderful experience when my babies are blessed. This was nothing different for Joseph. We were so blessed to just happen to have so much family in town the weekend we were blessing him. My mom was nice enough to host everyone for dinner. It was fabulous! I love it when I can get both of our families together. I love both sides of our family so much, and it's amazing that they all get along with each other too! I am so blessed to be a part of such wonderful families. My kids are doubly blessed to have such loving, Christ like, fun and just all around amazing grandparents!
This is my wonderful husband. He is such a kind, loving and gentle father. He was definitely meant for this job! I love him so much! I am so lucky!