1) Helping five stakes-worth of youth, including my fabulous little bro and sis, come together after months of practices for their Youth Conference Dance Festival. A friend and I had the task of handing out all those flags you see in the picture (1,100 of them, give or take), as well as doing the same with fans, tiny "finger lights," and various other props for three performances. Most stressful day since winter semester finals week? Yes. But we got to wear official-looking name tags that called us Prop Masters, and that totally made it worth our 12-hour-long while.
2) This fuzzball. He showed up in the middle of family prayer and gave us a workout as all six of us zoomed around the kitchen, knocking over chairs and army crawling under tables trying to corner him, whilst getting an ab workout from laughing so hard at how ridiculous the situation was. Oh the joys of living in the forest and sharing our home with woodland creatures. I wouldn't trade it for anything.
3) Summer hikes are love. Especially when you do them with your beautiful new day pack from the REI Anniversary Sale. New best friend. Yes.
4) To grandmother's house we went for Memorial Day. We hung out at Merr's and my old stomping grounds from our childhood in Bellevue; my reading tree, the park, the blackberry patches. We visited the grave sites of my great-grandparents and some old friends. We talked about family, told stories from days long past, and threw around a few of my great-grandpa Gene's most favorite golf jokes. We ate Panda Express. We watched Lord of the Rings. We just spent the whole day with family. Good thing, cause they happen to be my most favorite people ever. [:
