Sprinklers

Coming up on summer I sometimes worry about what I should be doing to enrich my kid's lives.  In all my thoughts and plans I have to admit that when my kids look back on childhood summer days...it's afternoons like this I hope they remember most.

Elizabeth watching her crazy brothers.

Ring-around-the-rosies.

Thoroughly wet and thoroughly happy.

Of course, the sprinkler gets turned on and Elizabeth is the first to head directly for it.  She crawled as fast as she could through the grass and planted herself right next to the sprinkler.  (She's walking now about 50% of the time...but when she's determined and wants speed she crawls.) 

Beautiful Girl!

Family Home Evening -- Wise Man and the Foolish Man

Best Part:  It actually worked!  I think Greg and I both silently prayed that house firmly to that rock!  After the build-up of singing and discussion of meaning...there was too much faith riding on that house for it not to stick!  (FYI:  A colandar was used to ease the flow of poured water.)

Fire Fighter Birthday Party

Nathan and Joshua got invited to a fun birthday party!  A trip to the fire station. 

Nathan and Joshua with their friend, Talen.

The best part was getting a chance to hold the fire hose!

There is something about this picture of Joshua I just love!

First Day of Summer

The hours following Nathan's half-day last day of school were a fun kick-off to summer. 

Nathan dashed home from the bus stop and climbed the tree he's had his eye on for days...and has tried previously to climb with no success.  With the added momentum of kindergarten finished, he scaled it with ease...and got totally stuck!  (What you see is the smile.  What you don't see is the pleading going on behind the pasted smile to "HELP GET ME DOWN"!)

Later we went for our long-awaited first swim of the season in the pool near our home. 

Then, in the evening while Greg was gone we went to "Concert in the Park" with one of our favorite people, Cindy. 

In all of this you must know that Elizabeth is curious and fearless.  Wanting into the water and getting impatient if she's just being held.  She'd periodically lean herself over and dip her face in water and come back up and gasp and try again.  At the concert in the park she was all over...eating rocks, making friends, and then most endearing of all crawling back over to snuggle up by Cindy on the blanket.  What a great day!

Last Day of School

We made it!  My big boy is done with Kindergarten! 

One of times of day I've really enjoyed is walking down to the bus stop with Joshua and Elizabeth...and "killing time" while we wait.  (This includes eating rocks, climbing rocks, throwing rocks, and playing "I Spy" ad nauseum.)  Here they are just "hanging out".

Walking home.

Entering the "Fray"

Last night Elizabeth went from "sideline watcher" to "Jedi princess"!  A good brother handed off his weapon, and without hesitation she took up where he left off!  What are we in for now?!  This girl needs a doll!

Memorial Day Weekend

This weekend we had the chance to go back and visit our "hometown" in Indiana where we lived for our first few years after graduate school.  We hadn't been back since we moved two years ago! 

One of the great Young Men that Greg worked with when we lived there, Michael, graduated from high school.  He's been so great to keep in touch...we just had to go down a "represent" for the occasion!

We "enjoyed" a five hour drive and a night in a hotel in town.  We ate at Fazoli's...an "Italian place" they don't have in Michigan.

Hotel Highlights:

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  Watching the last of the semi-finals lacrosse games after kids were “asleep”.
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  Joshua…after carefully helping Elizabeth push the button to get into the elevator and us carefully holding her hands to walk inside announced, “We sure love our baby!” It’s so true!
• 
  
  Nathan…thinks “hotels are the best place in the whole world” and eventually got over the fact that: No, room service is not a possibility. (Where does he learn this stuff?!)
• 
  
  Elizabeth…had her definite preferences of swimming with Daddy (she’d cry with me) because Daddy makes it so much more exciting in the water. (This girl has no fear.)

Seeing "Family" again:

The best part, really, was seeing all the dear people in our old ward again.  Brought back such great memories and made us realize again how much the years we spent there are such a big part of who we've become as a family.

Amanda and Elizabeth

Adrian, James, Michael and the Fam

We're so proud of Michael!  He is the perfect combination of "cool" and "good"!  I don't know of a young man who has worked harder or more carefully made righteous choices.  He's got such a great heart! 

We love you Mike!  We're so glad to consider you and your family part of ours!    

A Girl and Her Apple

Elizabeth loves apples!  If someone gets one and she doesn't...she lets us know she's been jipped!  If we bite off some of the peel, she can make amazing progress with those little teeth of her's!  I'm so glad Greg captured these cute shots today!

The Barbeque Bible

For Christmas, Greg got "The Barbeque Bible"...and our lives have never been the same.  (Sometimes I worry our children see us pouring over it more than the "other" bible!)  =)  

He's turned out some amazing results on the grill already this summer...including a couple fabulous racks of ribs using a "dry rub" and "mop sauce".  (You can't tell he's proud can you?!)

May Highlights!

I can't believe it's June!  Before any more days go by...I've got to capture a bit of our May!

Thanks to family and friends...I had a great birthday!  One especially fun part was going out for lunch and to a movie with two of my favorite ladies! 

Classic Pictures of Each of Our Children:

Elizabeth -- loves the dirt!  One day I had carefully planted a few packs of pansies and then ran to grab the broom to sweep up.  I came back to find Elizabeth had carefully "unplanted" each one!

Joshua -- Sundays are a big day for a Sunbeam boy who has class during the time each day he usually naps.  If he slows down after church on Sunday evening...this is how we find him.

Nathan -- Yes...this boy loves his "full armor"!  Transformer body, knight helmet, and goggles for eye protection (just in case).

Primary Talent Show

One of my favorite church activities of all time!  The Primary Talent Show included 23 children doing the things they do best.  It included everything from magic tricks to speaking "thai"...showing their dog do tricks to punching balloon demonstrations...reciting poems to a completely spontaneous yet convincing "Dance of the Night Fairy".  What a darling glimpse into the children (and their parents)!  There were actually even some really good piano, guitar, and cello performances too!

Joshua kicked off the night by showing how he plays football with his big plastic animals.  He sets them all up on opposing teams.  Each carefully placed...and then after shouting "hike" they all get "tackled" and started again

Nathan sang "I Hope They Call Me On a Mission" and Greg accompanied on guitar.  He was wonderful and brave!

My dear friends and women I serve in the Primary with:  Jody, Laura, (and me).  Margo too!  Just not in the picture.

One of the best parts of May has been the warm weather!  We've been so excited to get back to bike rides on the trail right next to our home.  Isn't it beautiful?!