The Sipherd kids

These kids are bright and delightful!

Why not?

#vacation #runningerrands #creamsiclesoftserveisanerrand

Emmett and Clayton

I love how Emmett held on to him.  #brotherlylove #weneedeachother #lillroseboys

I love photographing this family

They're home!

Lee and Dottie gave powerful talks today.  They are even more awesome after three years of doing the Lord's work and serving in Argentina.  They're home!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #argentinaposadasmission #theyaremormons

More AW visitors

I love when Arlington Ward friends visit.  Ashley's family moved when she was a young teenager (I think).  She's pretty good at wrangling her boys and it was really great seeing her.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Hermana Romano

I snuck this photo of Hermana Romano before her farewell.  She is headed to the Portland Oregon Spanish speaking mission and she's prepared and ready to serve.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

The Balmforth Boys

#theyarearockband #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

I love making coin purses

The cute oilcloth-y fabric is from Ikea and the pattern from Freshly Picked (but I can't find it on her blog). 

Boston's loss is NYC's gain

I caught a few minutes of Emily's goodbye party tonight.  I'm part jealous and part sad part happy part proud of her next adventure -- Columbia Business School!  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #returnwithyourMBA #shesayssheiscomingback #whencanivisit

Phoebe the proprietor of Yummy in My Tummy

Phoebe's restaurant

My friend Phoebe (age 6) had on her summer bucket list to have a pop-up restaurant.  The grand opening was tonight and I had a reservation for one at 5:45pm.  I had chips, guacamole, lemonade, pizza and ice cream -- all for $8.25 (plus a tip).  They service was fantastic and she has a top notch chef (her mom Emily).  It was a really fun experience and I'm waiting for its Yelp listing so I can add a review.  Oh, the restaurant is called Yummy in My Tummy.

IKEA fabric

I found this cool oilcloth-ish fabric at IKEA last night and see lots of cute coin purses in my future.

July 4th conglomeration

My friend Ally and I have joined forces the last few years and saved space for lots of friends along the Charles River on the 4th of July.  We're a good team and I don't know which one of us loves it more or brings the most friends.

July 4th finale!

4th of July parade

This was taken at Gault Street School in Van Nuys.  I was not happy about riding that scooter.  The big trike was MINE but Robert insisted on riding it.  Here's to today being a happier 4th.  #pattonmemories #thethingsweremember #johnseemshappyonhislittletrike #pattonsarebikers #vannuys #iwilleventuallygetoverthis

The Meijomes

The Arlington Ward has a revolving door though it doesn't revolve as fast or as often as some other wards in the Boston area.  It's not unusual to have 12-15 people/families move in and that many more move out in a year.  The Meijomes moved in and now they are moving out but #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever.  That's my testimony today.

Crafty flag

I saw a flag like this on a blog a year or two ago and have been wanting to make some and I finally did today.  This one is for my very patriotic friend @marydstaples.  #havegluegunwillglue #craftastic #redwhiteandglue #happy4th

Smoke alarm blueberry pancakes for lunch

#orisitbrunch #atleastiknowthealarmworks #ihavetroublemakingperfectpancakes #ithinkineedabettergriddle #orapersonalchef #bubbysrecipe

Betty's spaghetti

Betty grew up in Tooele, Utah and met her husband Gus Manderino (from Arlington, Massachusetts) when he was in the Army and working at an Italian POW camp in Tooele.  Their love story is wonderful and their life story is pretty great too.  They married and took the train across the country and started their life together in Boston.  They raised six kids here and though Betty goes out west every winter this is definitely her home.  Gus joined the LDS church after ~30 years of marriage.  he was an Arlington police officer for years.  He passed away about a dozen years ago.  To know the Manderinos is to love the Manderinos.  Tonight I asked Betty to re-tell one of my favorite stories.  #dontmesswithbetty

The Arlington Ward matriarch

After work I stopped to visit my sweet friend Betty Manderino, the matriarch of the Arlington Ward.  She's 91 and as delightful as ever.

Getting ready for the 4th

The barge is set for the fireworks on Monday.  #july4thinboston #thebestplacetobe #boston

Lee with one of their 9 grandkids that was born while they were gone

The LaPierres are home!!!

President & Sister LaPierre at Logan Airport

TBT: the day I met Matt Damon

I think it looks OK here until I get a frame.  #is16by20bigenough #imetthemartian #icareaboutmattdamonnotthemattdamondiet #ihaventwashedthathand

National Camera Day

My friend Morgan tells me it's National Camera Day and I should post something.  Here are some cameras that are just for decoration.  #epphotography

For the record...

...these were not easy to find!  #dontwasteyourtimegoingtotwodollartrees #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever

Cookie Club

This is batch #2 of the Cookie Club I donated to the YW girls camp fundraiser (4 batches of cookies over 4 weeks).  #ilovetobake #madeatmidnight

My neighborhood

I got off the bus one stop early, just because, and noticed this beautiful house that is basically next door (we have a soccer field between us).  We see different things -- more things -- when we aren't driving.  #ilovewhereilive #lexingtonma

For a friend

I have a dear friend who has been home bound because of an illness and a recent fall.  I've been visiting her each week and tonight I made her this 8 foot long garland for the window across from her couch.  I love this fabric that @bonniecottonway and @thimbleblossoms designed and I hope it brings some cheer to my friend.  #ilovetosew

Newest Beehive

This is Elisa.  She turned 12 last week and is our newest Beehive.  She's been counting down the days to her 12th birthday and we are thrilled to have her in Young Women.  #nowwehave11girls #arlingtonwardyoungwomenareawesome

I have no idea what this is...

...but it's something.  #iamnotnerdy #MIT

More people moving

This is a sad time of year in the AW.  Jake and Rosie are genuine, wise beyond their years Latter-day Saints.  They served and opened our eyes to ways we can serve.  They will be missed.  #arlingtonwardfriendsareforever #jakelookslikejesus #godspeedtothewildwildwest #ihopeyoureturntobostonsomeday

This might be my favorite of the Daybells

Sisters

Daybell family photos

Ice cream buddies

#dairyjoyforthewin #creamsiclesoftserve

TBT: matching swimsuits

Robby and me enjoying some backyard summer fun.  #pattonmemories #18monthsapart #matchingsuimsuits

Muzzey High

I just attended the least contentious condo meeting I've been to in the 11 years I've lived here.  It's about time!  On a different note, the town Senior Center used to be on the 1st floor of our building.  They moved out earlier this year but left their BINGO board (they played every Friday afternoon).  I want it for my wall!

My other window

This window has a brick wall behind it.  #Ecollection #thebigredEisfromadailyquEEnsign #epcondo2016

P-day

I saw the elders today on their way home from Revere Beach.  #arlingtonwardmissionaries

#pdxcarpet

My friend Autumn gave me this thoughtful gift. 

Father's Day

Enough about me.  On to the next holiday.  It's Father's Day and I'm thankful for my dad.  When my brothers and I were 2, 3, and 4 my dad was on a sabbatical from teaching and went to night school and my mom taught elementary school for a year.  I remember lots of peanut butter sandwiches.  One day the three of us (or maybe just me) got ahold of some scissors and cut all the curtains in the living room and dining room on his watch.  Nan was not happy and asked him where he had been when the shenanigans were going on.  His reply, "I was on the phone."  #rolereversal #pattonmemories #originalmrmom

27 drawers to fill

I love this file cabinet I found in upstate New York.  Thank you @aallyson and @dan_lefevre_ for helping me dislodge it from my trunk. #antiquinginupstateNY #eproadtrips2016 #iaminlovewithafilecabinet

New York state wildflowers

A perfect ending to a great day

Thank you, Margaret for the yummy cake.  #cuteboysatmyparty

Back at Tanglewood

I'm back for Earth, Wind & Fire.  I just heard a teenager say to his parents, "they're called Earth, Wind & Fire?"  #nowifeelold #tanglewood2016 #oneofmyfavoritebands

Like I said...

Massachusetts is patriotic too!