Independence Day Boating Shenanigans

We invited a crowd to the swamp for 4th of July fun. The tubing was especially exciting.

 

Amsterdam 2026, part 4

One big highlight of our trip was being together without the distractions of daily life. Wandering around and appreciating all the sights together felt like a great way to commemorate Sadie's graduation and create family connections.

Cobblestone streets

Wooden shoes (Klompen!)

Canals

Rembrandt's house

Trying to copy Rembrandt

 

Amsterdam 2026, part 3

Both Amos and Miles celebrated their birthdays while we were in Amsterdam. We celebrated Amos at a fancy Italian restaurant where the staff played Happy Birthday over a loudspeaker while setting a flaming dessert in front of the birthday boy. (The staff also played a hilarious prank on Sadie, making her think they'd given her extra mushrooms when she requested none at all.) We celebrated Miles in a fancy conference room at the Uber offices with card games and a smart whiteboard and MMA-themed burgers.

Amsterdam 2026, part 2

We took a day trip to Haarlem, where we toured a fully functional windmill, listened to an organ concert at the old church, and got excited about cobblestone streets and aesthetically pleasing train stations.

 

Amsterdam 2026, Part 1

Paul's job requires him to make periodic trips to Amsterdam, so in honor of Sadie graduating from high school, the whole family tagged along on his most recent trip. Amy and the kids visited all the obvious touristy places, and Paul worked half days, meeting up with us at excellent restaurants for leisurely meals. 

Who doesn't love a tardigrade statue? And an entire museum dedicated to microscopic organisms?

Amy loves quirky old architecture hiding around every corner.

Classic houses along the canal and a fabulous sky. Luckily we left Europe right before their crazy heat wave.

We were often too busy eating baked goods from every bakery to smile for photos.

Rick Steves helpfully explained to us that this was a water bottle filler. 

Sadie's Graduation, MVHS Class of 2026

Four graduating seniors from our ward

Sadie created a sparkly top for her cap

Grandma and Grandpa came to town for graduation

 

Springtime Fun for Amy

Amid the busyness of the end of the school year for the kids, Amy also packed her schedule with fun stuff.

Celebrating a friend's birthday with gelato

Seeing Heidi play Kitty in The Drowsy Chaperone

Teaching an outdoor yoga class as part of a fundraiser

Amos Looks Good in the Spotlight

Amos ended his freshman year playing Willard in the musical Footloose. Many of his friends came to cheer him on. Sadie was the vocal director of the production.