- Order Of The Pheonix -

Remember how I made a goal to read 12 books this summer? Well, I haven't been updating on what I've read so far, so I thought I'd quick post and let everyone know.

A) I did not end up reading Slaughterhouse-Five. I don't remember why.

B) Within the last month or so I've finished:



And I've just started into:

I think that puts me at 9 books so far?

It's my second time reading Harry Potter and I'm loving them so much more than I did the first time. They're so good! Really. When I'm reading them I frequently find myself chuckling at things that are said or done, it's kind of embarrassing actually. But they're funny! Especially once you're past the first 2 books when you know and love the characters so much.

" ..we are only as strong as we are united,
only as weak as we are divided."

I wish Dumbledore was real. He has so many wonderful things to say! I never caught most of what's said in the books when I was younger and now that I understand it, I appreciate it so much.

I watch the movies all the time and I had truly forgotten how different they are from the books! Man. If you haven't read them.. Get on it. [AHEM.. Kerri] And if you've only read them once, but it was while you were in elementary or jr. high.. Then I recommend you read them again. (:

- Downey, ID -

Ross participated in his first motocross race on Thursday! We were all super nervous for him but we now realize there was no need to be since he was very careful and came in last by a lap. [Apparently the front brakes on his bike went out during the race so that's why he was being so slow.]

All the riders had their motocross gear on and then there was Ross... wearing his jeans and work boots. What a STUD.

Jared, on the left, and Ross bought matching race shirts.
CUTE!
I wish I had gotten a picture of that.

A storm rolled in during the event and I was thankful for the clouds. I had felt like I was getting roasted worse than a marshmallow stuck in blazing flame while sitting in that hot Downey sun.


As the sun moved behind the hills, we witnessed a beautiful sunset. I would have taken a better picture of it but I don't know how. Sunset pictures just never turn out for me. Know what I mean?

My brother always says 'never take anything to the farm that you don't want ruined'. I never heard a better piece of advice. Really. I swear farming is just another word for really bad luck. Ross's event went well, but the trip as a whole was just a disaster. It, like everything else, started with running late. We left late from the house, thought we were going to miss Ross because it was 2 hours away and he was already up there, so everyone started off a little upset anyways. Then once arriving in Downey, we stopped to pick up dad at the field he was farming in [I hopped into the truck with Ross and Jared who were heading to the race] and a half hour later mom called saying her car wouldn't start. So Jake had to go back to the field to get everyone and on his way out of the field the plastic on the bottom of his car was ripped off by the crop remains/dad [<-- they were in a rush and he needed to get rid of the problem.]

Out of control. Ha ha. I'm just glad we didn't take my car. I can't even imagine what would have happened, it's already so weary without bad luck.

- Remember Frank? -

Well, he had a birthday this week!..

Happy Birthday Grandpa!

We celebrated grandpa's birthday on Sunday! (: So fun! And delicious!

[Grandma made 3 flavors of ice cream:
Vanilla Coconut, Chocolate, and Black Walnut]

Yum!

Almost the whole family was there, which is neat because we're a big group and the older we get, the more spread out we seem to be. Here are some pictures of my family [Grandma, Grandpa, Mom, Dad, Jake, Heidi, Ross, Paige, Tori, Cynthia, Ken, Jordyn, Eryn, Rose, Joel, Primrose [<- our newest member of the family (: ], Cal, Pat, Katrina, Darrell, Tara, Graeme, Laura, Kent, Megan, Sarah, Andrew, Liz, Matt, Steph, Zachary, Steven, Emily, Deb, Paul, Elisha, Russ, Nathan, Kate, Cherstin, Austin, Devan, Doug, Jill, Beau [the injured one], Clay, Jade, Cye, Becky, Karly, Brayden, Jackson, Bryson.. I think that's everyone], the happy bunch that helped celebrate:

I think I've got everyone up there [except Matt, Steph, and Zachary because they left early.] Mike, Ian, and Natalie- We missed you and wished you were there!

Also- Shout out to those who have received their mission calls!

Kelli Russell: Chile
Kayla Gunnell: West Virginia
Lia Cutler: South Korea