Paint with All the Colors of the Wind

This summer has been a colorful one. I have been enjoying every minute of the slow-paced days without schedules and school. I love having my kiddos around, and I enjoy soaking in life at a watch-the-clouds-passing-by kind of speed. I am not one who enjoys a constantly busy schedule. Nope. I enjoy the simple things, the slow days, the carefree days of summer! Summertime pace is a happy pace for me! (Except, I would not mind if summer days existed with Autumn weather and beauty. No rush though, Fall will be here soon enough! Yippee!) 

Here are some pictures from our daily life, because we are just so interesting around here... ;) 

We still go out to run in the morning, but it is getting hot. Yesterday it was so hot when we ran, we got awfully sluggish. I still have to push Henry in a stroller for the most part, because we run too far for him to keep up, but I do let him out, so he can exercise too, and lighten the load on the stroller! Sometimes the kids help me push too, so that's helpful. 

I left watermelon on the counter... Henry decided to eat it.

I just love nature, it speaks to me. I see all the little intricate beauty all around me. I stop and breathe it into my soul.

We like to stay near the river because it is cooler by the water.

We are lucky to be so near such beauty!

We stop to throw rocks and play in the water.

Doesn't that look so inviting?

I love sparkles on the water.

William loves the river.

Baby ducklings!

Henry found a big "wish."

Blowing the wish.

Weeping Willows are one of my favorite trees, they are so picturesque and romantic.

Sammi participated in a Theater Workshop.

She learned more about acting, singing, dancing, and being fearless when performing.

She LOVED it.

There was a parent night where the students got to sing and dance and show some of what they learned.

The teacher was Chris Brand, a performer on Broadway.

A little more nature from my running trails...

Remember how Sammi ran over a wad of wire in the middle of the road? Well, it did some real damage under the vehicle that cost almost $500. Why do mechanics always charge $500? Ugh. Oh well, it is fixed.

A beautiful night sky.

Our fairy lights.

There is just something great about building a fort out of blankets.

Henry is very creative. He built himself out of cars.

Chalk is fun.

Henry decided to build us together.

Sammi said, "Whoever says choir isn't a real class should look at all the music I have had to learn." Here she is showing her choir binders from over the years.

Playing in the river. 

So fun!

Sammi helped make cookies for a party she went to. They watched a movie out under the stars on a projector. She had so much fun. These marshmallow cookies are SO good. They are from my childhood.

Happy Henry.

Hey look! There's Dan! He is still working at Scout Camp. He is living life rustic-style. He is doing good, but he is ready to come back to reality soon. When he gets back, he will jump right into Band Camp, where he will learn how to march in the marching band. Good times.

Here we have Krunchies. We made them for a Fourth of July party. They are also from my childhood. The recipe is SUPER easy, and they are so yummy.

KRUNCHIE RECIPE:

1 cup of sugar
1 cup of Karo syrup
1 cup of Peanut Butter
6 cups of Special K cereal
1 can of chocolate frosting

Put the 6 cups of cereal in a large bowl. Combine the sugar and Karo syrup in a pot, stir continuously while bringing to a boil on the stove. Once boiling, quickly turn off the stove, add the peanut butter to the sugar/Karo mixture, and stir until it is a smooth consistency. Pour the contents of the pot onto the bowl of cereal, and stir gently so that the peanut butter mix covers all of the cereal. Pour into a 9x13 pan, and smoosh it down flat. Let it cool, then add frosting. (They can be eaten without frosting too, of course)

Super yummy! You can also use homemade chocolate frosting, which tastes even better than from a can. (The recipe on the back of the Hershey Cocoa powder works great!)

I barely took any pictures from the Fourth of July. We went to the Harlins for food, fun and fireworks.

Also, Tyson took the boys rafting on the river. A News photographer snapped this picture of them going down the rapids. 

We have been painting like crazy around here. There was a huge sale on canvases (70% off!), so I bought a ton of them! We are filling our playroom walls with all Disney images. It has been SO fun! We are not pros, but we are loving it. And I love having our artwork displayed in our home.

Sammi has some natural art ability, for sure.

"UP," by me.

Some of the artwork...

I took out Henry's train tracks and he has been loving it. They are really fun to build with.

I painted an old table with chalk paint.

A beautiful summer sky

I went to JoAnn's and they had PUMPKIN things out! Eek! I was SO excited to see Fall decor! I ADORE Autumn, and I become giddy when I see anything pumpkin. Even the word "pumpkin" makes me smile! :)

Just Henry being cute.

Sammi is trying to show the pencil mess all over her face. Art can be a messy business!

I used to collect frogs when I was a teenager. I had tons of frogs all over my room. It was fun to paint "Princess and the Frog," as a nod back at my childhood.

I know it looks simple, but it is harder to draw/paint than it looks!

Sammi and I have spent some real quality time together while painting. These princesses are so cute. We just find pictures/ideas online and use the images as a guide.

Hooray for blank canvases! Oh the possibilities! We are running out already though! I must get more! I want to FILL all of the playroom walls ridiculously full of pictures.

Our counter has been covered like this all summer, and I have loved it. It is like I wake-up and creativity is just waiting to be unleashed.

Sammi's work makes me smile. This "Brave" image is one of my favorites.

The boys like to make art outside too.

Henry drew a train.

It takes a lot of time, but it is so satisfying!

I am slowly getting better. I have zero art experience, other than just doodling. Sammi has taken a few art classes at school, so she knows a little bit about things like shading, etc.

The walls are filling up. We will rearrange the pictures once we have more completed. Yes, I am sticking tacks in my wall, and making tons of holes. Oh well, if we ever move, we will paint the walls.

We have had these train tracks since Daniel was really little, but they are still a favorite.

Henry likes this funny little surfing Stich.

Here is my attempt at Neverland... I used a picture as a guide, but changed some things. Did I mention I have no idea what I am doing? I just wiggle the paint brush all over the canvas and hope for the best. I need to start watching more art videos or something. But it is still just so fun.

Sammi is a natural. I mean, really, this picture is so beautiful!

I should have put a warning, this is gross... Daniel works at the rock wall, helping kids up and down safely. He got a nice looking rope burn. Ick.

Painting, painting, all night long...

I like to paint water... it is soothing somehow.

A beautiful running path, lined by purple flowers.

It is beautiful now... but I can't wait for the Fall colors to come!

My attempt at "Lava." 

Sammi went to an Encore Choir Olympics. Her group got first place in the games, she was proud. It looks like she fought dirty. ;) 

Encore Olympics teams.

Should be fun watching this group perform together this year.


Here is Sammi and her awesome friend, Katie. They went to an activity, and they just happened to dress the same. (Yes, that is paint on Sammi's shorts, all of our clothes have paint on them now.)

We are going to see Newsies in a few weeks! Woot! It is at Hale theater, and it just so happens that the main role of "Jack Kelly" will be played by the same actor who was our Quasimodo, when we saw Hunchback. We are all super excited about it!

We saw this memorial by the river. I just loved what it said, "She made such sweet music." How perfect!

Speaking of sweet music, we have had Megan over for Sunday night singing time. It started with her practicing to sing in church, but we all had so much fun, we had her come back for more. We also had Rachelle over for singing time last Sunday, but forgot to take a picture. Megan was in Encore with Sammi last year, and she is in my Sunday School class at church, and we just love her. She is a soprano, and so we especially love to listen to her sing the high stuff so easily and beautifully. (Sammi and I are both altos.) Music... good stuff. Megan also stayed for some deep conversation... our favorite kind of conversations around these parts. I think we might have solved some of the mysteries of the universe together.


OK, so this pumpkin bread was heavenly. Seriously, so good! Katie (Sammi's friend pictured above in matching clothes) brought it to me, because I mentioned my love for pumpkin things. I am not sure if I have ever tasted anything so glorious, and that is saying something! It was even better then the Fred Meyer pumpkin cookies that I am addicted to. How is that even possible? I must discover the secret ingredient! Look how cute the word "pumpkin" is. And look how beautiful pumpkin + chocolate look together. I have this dream of one day opening a business that only sells pumpkin products, mostly so I can smell and see pumpkin everyday. Thanks again, Katie, for filling me full of such goodness! Yummy! Love you!

In fact, I love anyone who brings me pumpkin items... just saying. ;) If you are looking to win my affections, I have just shown you the way.

Speaking of pumpkins... here is one of the pictures I am working on...

And to end with some bright colors... we have Sammi's cute creations. Yes, she looked online to create these cuties, but man, she made them look GOOD! She is so patient with all of the details, and they are so fun hanging on the wall!

"You can own the Earth and still
All you'll own is Earth until
You can paint with all the colors of the wind."

-Disney's Pocahontas

I think I am starting to understand what that song really means.