one week.

We had our last Zambia meeting last night.

We planned out all the last minute details.

We had a great time of prayer.

We are just a little excited.

Ok REALLY EXCITED!! 

:)

surfing. the first of three parts.

We left for the beach right after church. Lot's of friends, lots of wet-suits, and LOTS of excitement. 

Most of us had never surfed before, but we were really excited to give it a try! 

Once we had our wet-suits on, and our hair pulled back we were ready.

I thought we looked like an Olympic surfing team.... but then we had to be taught how to get on the board....ok forget the "Olympic" part. ;)

Did I mention we were a wee bit excited?!

Mr. Phillips gave us a quick surfing lesson on foot placement, balance, back arching....

I was so excited to get in the water! I had never played in the ocean waves before......much less been in a wet-suit or surfed! 

Stay tuned for part two.....:)

sometimes.

Sometimes its the little things that make the big things so special, and memorable. 

Sometimes its the handwritten vows, the live, cousin-performed music, and the uncle officiating, that makes it special. 

Sometimes when there's yummy food, new babies and little friends, it makes everything just a bit more fun.

Sometimes when the wedding party, and guest list is made up of some of your bestest friends... .you have way to much fun. Plus when your mom gets on the dance floor and shakes a leg... you know it's been a fun night. :)

Sometimes, drawing hearts and writing notes on car windows...is just plain awesome. :)

Sometimes its the little things that make the big things so special and memorable. 

:)

that one time when the horns were really loud.

One hot, Saturday evening.....a week or so ago,

we stood by the street......as they lined up in a row.

Big drums, little drums, loud horns, hats, 

Never, ever, ever have I heard a band like that. 

They were good, they were great,

they were from up-state.

Next time they come to town we'll be sure to save the date! 

Theeee End. 

the day i got my sister back.

Yesterday, I got my sister back. After only seeing her for 2 days this whole month.... it was nice (to say the least). :) 

I left for Prineville on July 3rd, and got back on Sunday the 8th...just a few hours after dad dropped Joelle off at Camp Yamhill for the week. 

Five days later we went and picked her up. :) She was home for the weekend, but on Monday morning mom announced that she and Joelle were going to fly to MN on Tuesday. (See crazy dayz). :)

So... the next day we said goodbye again, and off they went! 

I was "mom" for the week. On Friday the guys went backpacking, with some other guys, for the weekend. I was home alone until they got back Sunday evening! I spent the night at the Langley's though because I didn't want to sleep alone. Scawy. :) 

By Sunday I was SOO ready for the guys to get back. It was hard not having my family home when we were going through this hard time with Aunt Kim. But, I have amazing, caring, and loving friends who helped me get through the weekend. 

On Sunday my daddy came home. <3 

...and my brothers too... :)

We hung out while eating pizza, watching movies, catching up, and just enjoyed being home together. :)

Yesterday we made a trip up to Portland to pick up Mom and Joelle from the airport. 

We went out to dinner and talked non-stop all the way home. 

I love my family, and am just glad to be together again. 

Oh, and did I mention I got my sister back?? ;)

<3

The pictures are from when we picked Joelle up and Camp Yamhill. :)

do you Kortney, take this man.

We drove up to Five Rock Ranch, a gorgeous camp a half hour out of McMinnville. The weather looked a little iffy, but by 4 the sprinkling stopped and it turned out to be a beautiful, partly-sunny, warm, summer evening.

 

Unfortunately, my camera died a few minutes after the wedding started, so I only got a couple pictures of the wedding party, but those girls were gorgeous in their dusty-rose dresses, radiant smiles and beautiful bouquets!

It was such a fun night, filled with, food friends, laughing, and dancing. :)

Pics coming soon from Brittney's wedding......and my camera didn't die at that one! Haha. :)