" This has gotta be a good life, a good good life"

May all your waves be righteous and

All your rides bring you peace~ Ceholli

"little darlin' the smiles returnin' to their faces... Here comes the sun"

"hopelessly the hope is we have so much to feel good about "

We spent last week at our beautiful Cannon Beach- great family time, and the girls successfully surfed this year. So lucky to hav

e these two awesome girls to call my family! Clearly from the pics you can see they are best friends and love each other so much! One of my favorite places to go, so peaceful, and happy and Simple!!

Thankful for the time we got to spend together covered in salt water and sand, with our puppies, great friends, and a very special girls birthday! Kyndsi turned 12 while we were there! Her wonderful friends decorated our condo and had a "surprise" party for her!

The Girls in Action! By Kennedy and Kyndsi

Kyndsi and I are always busy with sports, so when my mom told us to create a new post for her blog, I knew exactly what to do! There are pictures of us doing basketball, track, and most of all SOCCER! Hope you enjoy it! Love, Kennedy

Kennedy running the 100. Look at those muscles!

Selene and Kennedy on the bench after a hard basketball game.

Getting ready to block out!

Swooshing some free throws!

Elle about to beat her opponent

Contrary to what it looks like, they aren't running to the playground!

Kyndsi giving the ball a powerful kick

Doing a hundred juggles before the girl even got to me!!

Sun River and the Deschutes Dash!

Family, fun, faith, and friends!!! Kennedy and Friends right before youth tri! All smiles!
At the harry potter premiere!

We travelled to Sun River this weekend for the best time with family and friends.... An amazing way to spend a summer weekend. We arrived late Thursday night to a beautiful log cabin home, tucked amongst beautiful trees. As soon as we got there though we left to see the midnight showing of Harry Potter 7 in Bend! I had 4 very happy 13 year olds, as well as Nick (one of the older brothers) who joined us. I did pretty well but as soon as they turned down the lights in the theater, I fell asleep. Luckily I only missed the first 15 minutes of the movie. The rest of the weekend was spent enjoying the beautiful outdoors of eastern oregon. On Saturday, Pat, Don, Sheri, Josh and myself all got up bright and early to do the Olympic triathlon. The water was cold, but the toughest part for me was the biking! The next day we watched the girls compete in the Youth triathlon. Feeling so blessed to have amazing friends here on the west coast, that are like family to us.

Sandy and Keith in the kitchen making us supper!

Lucia, natalie, jessica and Kennedy at the finish line!! Great job girls I am so proud of all of you!

Kennedy and I right after the race, the deschutes river is right behind us!

Nick and I picking up our packets for the race....

On the deck at Sun River enjoying the sun, life is so good!

At the start of the race, getting used to the water-

I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength -Phil 4:13

One of the many reasons I love living in Oregon.

Christy and I in Bend, right before heading home!

Of course, we HAD to DVR the world cup and watch it! Such a great game! This picture was taken during the PK's, kyndsi was hiding under a blanket because she couldn't watch, this was her reaction to a missed PK.
Spoiler alert for all of you who haven't been around a tv, radio, newspaper- or in a cave the past 24 hours ----

US lost to Japan in PK's.... what a game!

Summertime!!!

Kyndsi and Julia getting ready for sail school at the Eugene Yacht Club

Sail School Buddies

Kennedy, Selene, and Caedyn at the Portland Timbers Soccer game for Fathers Day

Pre game smiles!!

Pool Party for the 7th grade! Lucia, Jessica and Kennedy loving the Oregon sunshine

Good luck braids, worn every soccer game!

It's official, the girls are 6th and 8th graders.... they finished up the school year Friday, with sunshine and a pool party for Kennedy's 7th grade class! As soon as school was out at noon, Kyndsi and I headed to Portland for soccer games all weekend. Kyndsi's team took 3rd place, and played so well, she's really enjoying this season with her new coach, and having the opportunity to play midfield. Its been really fun seeing her in the new position, and watching her take leadership on the field. Kennedy's team played in the gold division this weekend, they had a few rough losses but ended on a positive win. Her last game, she played great left defensive position, and really closed space, and challenged well. As soon as all of the games were over, Kennedy went to the Portland Timbers game with a few of her friends and Nolan for fathers day. Kyndsi and I headed back to Eugene and she is at sail school this week with her friend Julia, learning how to sail! What an amazing start to our summer, and although we had a few bumps in our road last week, feeling much gratitude for the good things in life!

Just for today, I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that "most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be."

Catch up time

We have had a very eventful, yet peaceful year, this picture was taken at Easter Vigil of the girls and I. I continue to feel blessed every day, by the Lord's gifts in our life.

In April we took our yearly girl's trip to SF. Jessica, Julie and I had the most amazing time. The above picture was taken in Napa- a beautiful 90 degree day. Unfortunately the wine tasting didn't go as planned for me as I got car sick, but I was able to enjoy the beauty of the vineyards and the amazing company of best friends. We also spent a day on a bike tour of the SF bay area... lunch in Sausolito, ice cream and sunshine... as well as biking over the Golden gate Bridge.

Kennedy, Kyndsi and I moved into our new home in february. Life has settled down into a very peaceful daily routine, which I much appreciate. I have been able to spend time in reflection, on my faith, the girls, and focusing on my blessings, on the things, that I have. Instead of continually looking around at what we don't have, I was able to look up, and feel so grateful for what I do have. The 2 smiling faces below, are at the very top of my list of blessings. As well as my friends and family who have given me support, love and encouragement.

We had a busy and great Memorial Day weekend. Kennedy and I travelled to Lapine for the middle school State Championship track meet. She qualified in the 4x100 relay and the 100m hurdles. Although she didn't make the finals in the hurdles she did PR- and it was snowing! Her relay team placed 4th overall, the girls did a great job!!

As soon as her races were finished we were off to Medford for a soccer tournament, needless to say Kennedy and I saw a lot of the beautiful Oregon countryside with all of our driving this weekend. It was absolutely worth it, we had a great time visiting and singing in the car on our drive. Not only did it snow on us, but also rained--- missing the sunshine though! We also attended Spanish Mass in medford, and learned how to say "peace" in Spanish~ La Paz.

FC Willamette Primetime placed 3rd in their soccer tourney this weekend, in a very exciting game- 2 overtimes, pk's, and sudden death to win 3rd place

Meanwhile Kyndsi was in Eugene with her soccer team EMFC Athletica. They played a year up in the u12 division and won the championship game!!

I'm working on keeping this updated a little more often.

Hope you are all doing, well, Today I will leave you with this thought .. " I don't give to get a blessing, I give to be a blessing"

First day of school!!

It's that time of year, football games, leaves falling, apple pies, and... GULP school starting... Kennedy is in 7th grade this year and Kyndsi is a 5th grader! The time is flying by too fast for this mommy, but I'm so blessed and thankful to have these 2 great girls! They were up and ready to go bright and early this morning, and tolerated all the picture taking so well!

First day of school!!

Kennedy with her best friends!!

The 80's are back!!

Showing off their new backpacks!

We have such a great school!!

Cannon Beach

Kennedy so happy to be at Cannon beach!!

We had another wonderful relaxing labor day weekend at Cannon Beach! Lots of sun, rest, and good times!! The girls brought 2 of their best friends with this year~ which added to our fun that we had!

The beautiful birthday girl!!

Listening to ghost stories on the beach, Shari, Lucia and Julia

Murphy, obviously not impressed by the ghost stories

Lucia and Kennedy.. YUMMY SMORES!

Lucia roasting her marshmallows

Getting ready for Ghost stories at the beach!

Another beautiful Oregon Sunset

Making sandcastles!

Kyndsi helping Murphy look for his ball!

Haystack Rock 2010