Family Pictures

Took advantage of having Emily here by having her take some family pictures while we were in our Sunday clothes today.

"Cruise for a Cause"

Our Primary just had a Quarterly Activity on Friday morning. Quarterly Activities are one of the things I’m responsible for in the presidency…but this was really a collaborative effort! Laura (the president) thought of a great service idea: Humanitarian School Kits (perfectly timed for the Back to School sales). And Jody, the other counselor, thought of the “fun part”: a parking lot “cruise” to coincide with the community’s big “Cruise In” this weekend here in town.

At least I get to claim naming the activity! (At least I did until last night when Greg reminded me it was his idea.) But it’s been really fun to be a part of making “Cruise for a Cause” come to pass.

Laura telling a special story about what these kits have meant in the lives of those who have received them.

Assembling the kits.  We made 40 in all.  Each child got to go through a kind of assembly line...picking up a bag (made by families of those in the ward and YW as Value Projects) and then adding the school supplies needed to complete the kit.  (Supplies were donated by the ward members in the weeks prior...we had them sign-up for specific items in approximately $5 increments.)

Children with their finished bags.

Kids brought decorated "vehicles".  They registered at the "check-in" table...and received a tag to wear with a number on it.  The number coincided with their numbered parking space.  (Done by the cub scouts and sidewalk chalk.) 

An awesome guy was asked to be our announcer.  He started things off with a cheer and then blew the whistle.  Kids lapped the parking lot until the ice cream was served (or in our case...until they crashed and burned--literally). 

All the great pictures above (minus the two of my boys) were taken by my good friend, Tobey!  You can see all her beautiful work here.

Emily's Visit

Greg's sister, Emily, has been here visiting for the weekend.  She spent a day at Cedar Point with some friends, and then we've gotten to spend a few days together here.  Here are a few of my favorite pictures so far!

A stop at one of Emily's favorite cafe's for breadsticks.

The next several are ones from our visit to the Davisburg home (see more pics below).  But, these are my favs!

Emily has been great for all of us.  But, she's been especially wonderful to focus on Nathan (who can be quite "tucked back" lately) so it means a lot.  I'm so glad we've got these pictures of them to remember this trip! 

A Step Back in Time

Greg's sister, Emily, is here visiting for the weekend. Just wanted to do a quick post for our family to see. Yesterday we drove by "all the old places" from when Greg and Emily (and the rest) "grew up". We've driven by their old home before. But, it's tucked away and you have to drive down a long winding private driveway to see the house. Last time we tried...there were people outside when we got down the driveway...and we hurried and drove away! We decided to try again yesterday and found the house totally vacant. It was so great to get to walk around the yard and just take time in that spot...hearing stories and "remembering". Sorry for the quantity!

I Can Do it Too!

Ice Cream...Thoroughly Enjoyed!

Playing in the Fountain

We were looking for something fun to do this last weekend and remembered an outdoor mall near our home that has a shooting fountain. We headed down with our swim suits and had a great time.

First Elizabeth just watched...

But, before long she was right in the middle of the action!  She'd just stop in between splashes to get her face wiped by Daddy's towel and then head back out.

One good-looking man!  =)

Two very happy boys!

Play Group at the Park

We had a great time going to our ward's play group this morning at a fun park.  At the end we slipped down to the river to explore. 

Joshua had just done a very brave climb.  =)

 The only problem was Elizabeth kept trying to drink from the river!

I wish I had more pictures of Elizabeth's face straight-on.  But, she's always too busy to be bothered with pausing in the action.

  

Nathan "helped" me edit the pictures today and chose this "action" because it makes them look like he and Elizabeth are "in a happy dream together".  Kind of cute.

Puppet Show

When we were in Indiana we were given a darling "Puppet Stage" from our "Grandma Rogers".  

I put it up in the doorway this last week (it is just hung with a pressure bar rod at the top).  Elizabeth was a great audience, and the boys had a great time putting on the "shows".  It was especially fun that when Greg got home from Scout Camp a couple weeks ago he taught us some skits.  On in particular, "Captain, Captain, Captain!"  we have all loved.  (Even acting it out on web cam for our family.)  I should have known that it would quickly be "adapted" into a great routine for the puppets!   

A picture-perfect moment I'll always remember!

Classic Quote

Yesterday Joshua said,

"I wish Elizabeth was a baby robot...

so if I tackled her...

we could turn the crying off."