Quinn-tessentials

Alright, it's catch up time. I'm writing this in September 2017, 15 months after the fact. But I'm determined, because this is the closest thing to a journal and family album I've currently got going. So let's jog the memory...

Esther's little personality began emerging more during this time. Turns out it's pretty cute.

Don't ask me why there's a bit of t.p. on my shoulder.

I think she was throwing it around like confetti.

The project for this Summer was sanding down, staining, and re-railing the deck.

The Before pics are beautiful.... in a Kalahari desert sort of way.

After!

Eliot, Esther and I enjoyed visiting Ira for lunch before the school year ended. The left side of the table includes his best pals: Mazzy, Edison, and Vincenzo.

Arm wrestles for dessert

They call this, "The potties."

End of the (school) year festivities

Aaaand school's out

We do not trifle with Summer

Sunday Snuggles

Hands on Museum

Annual Beatnik Party

My third amigo

The boys completed another round of Squirt Sports: a six week sampler of basketball, t-ball, and Soccer

Working on projects around the house

Imitating faces

4th of July

And now for something completely different: Photography by Ira

"Woah...how did you get Mom's phone?!? Can I have a turn?"

Apparently all is well now, because Eliot somehow got a hold of Dad's phone.

Conclusion of Ira photography

In other news, Esther turned 1!!!

Vietnamese Birthday Dinner

Favorite present

Slushies for 7/11 day

Apparently this was when mid-summer "I give up on trying to get the kid's dressed" time hit.

Last hang out with the Shepherds before they move. :/

Catherine's contribution for a viewing of Troll 2 with friends

Refugees in Michigan

A large portion of my time and brain space in Spring and the beginning of Summer was spent coordinating an activity, through the primary presidency, to help out Syrian Refugees in the area. We worked with SARN (Syrian American Rescue Network), and our ward was able to donate 100 (each) fleece blankets, hygiene kits, and house plants. It was amazing! It started out as a Primary activity, but we decided to invite the other auxiliaries to participate, and everyone jumped on board. Since there wasn't much in the budget for a project of this magnitude, High Priests put on a 4th of July pancake breakfast as a fundraiser for supplies. Elder's Quorum decided to take on the kits, and Relief Society ensured that the blankets got tied. The children helped with all three, but especially painting pots, and transplanting the succulents. In Syria, it's customary to bring a new neighbor a plant, kind of as a way to say, "We hope you put down roots here."

There was a huge sale on fleece, so if I remember right, I picked up about 10 carts full. And when I say full, this is what I mean.

Nada Odeh was the representative from SARN that I worked with closely

Nada gave a presentation on the refugee situation before the service segment began.

Dad's with baby carriers

Delivery Day

Troy, MI

I thought she was offering a smoke, but according to Nada, she was just saying thank you.

It wasn't the most elegant or orderly way to distribute the goods, but people seemed to get their stuff alright. There happened to be a picnic with 500 refugee families. Timing worked out great for distribution.

The gifts were very well received and snatched up quickly. Those who helped pass things out were invited to stay after to enjoy ice cream with everyone else. Nada, got a traditional dance going, and grabbed my hand to join in with a line of women. Making this happen, was a lot of work for a lot of people, but it was amazing to hear people's experiences as they sacrificed their time and effort to help our brothers and sisters in need.

This is the look of months of planning and detail juggling finally paying off. People are still in need of course. And much more can be done. But, yay!

Trip to Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula

Cheboygan, MI

On the way to Mackinac Island

On the way back from Mackinac Island

St. Ignace

The Mystery Spot is hilarious. It's basically a structure filled with optical illusions, but you're led to believe that there's something magical about the place. So everyone who's there forgets that the building is slanted and is constantly having their minds blown. I think I actually enjoyed the people watching aspect more than anything else.