Joy in the Journey: July 2011

Congratulations!!!!

Rike got engaged this past week. I don't have a picture of the two of them to put up. Hint, hint Rike!!! But we are so glad that Rike found someone who loves her so much and will be such a wonderful companion and best friend for her.

Taco Bell

Katie loves feeding Hyrum. So do the other girls. They actually do a really good job too.

I found these two "reading" scriptures together. Pardon their unkempt appearance.

By the way, I have been using my first harvest from our garden, zuchinni, and loving it. Soon we will have tomatoes and I am not sure how successful the beans will be.

This past weekend we said good-bye to our good friends, the Edwards. They have a teenage son, Quinten, who wasn't there for this picture. We have had many great times with them and we are really going to miss them. On Friday they got us onto the army base and we took Anne and Alicia to see Cars 2. We also got some Taco Bell. I know that doesn't sound too impressive, but when the only fast food options off base are McDonalds, Burger King and the occasional KFC, Pizza Hut and Subway; Taco Bell is a real treat!!! We loved it and I want more. We had great evening. I love most just being with the Edwards again. They are such wonderful people. I hopw we can get together soon...next year!!!

We Love Family

Jared's aunt, uncle and their kids are down vacationing in our area and we have spent a couple days with them. We talked and played games. The kids had a lot of fun together.

They are going to be in our area for another 2 weeks and we are anxious to have even more fun with them. It is nice for our kids to have some cousins their age to play with.

For Mandi

I couldn't decide which face was funnier, so I just put both up.

Look what he finally has enough hair to do. We even did it for church today. I am so proud of him.

I don't think he likes the way the grass feels on his knees. He is now pulling himself up on things and standing. He is even cruising along furniture now. He eats 3 solid meals a day and hates naptime. He is also full of mischief, like Katie. He "runs" away when I stop him from doing something, then turns and gives me a charming smile. I am sure it is just a hint of things to come.

Mischief

She took an early nap in our kitchen the other day.

Hope you will never see such "crappy" art work on your walls. Katie is continually taking her clothes and diaper off in bed. It have put it back on 4 times in one night. After her nap this afternoon this is what Jared found. Strangely her diaper was only wet, so she pooped after she took it off. Any suggestions on how to get her to keep it on.

I created these packets to start teaching Anne and Alicia their letters. I have had so much fun making them and they love them and are so excited about it. I hope I am using good methods to teach them.

I walk by this tree a couple times a day and think each time how pretty it is. This picture doesn't do it justice either.

Summer Fun

We had a ward bbq yesterday and Alicia got stung by a bee on her lip. It got sooooo swollen. She was such a good sport about it and didn't care that I laughed a little at her cute big lip.

These are some new friends of ours, the Garza Family. We spent a couple days with them. The boys, Alex and Nate were so good with my girls and loved playing with them. I loved having a chance to talk to Tracy. I wish they were here longer.

Jared trying to cool off on a hot day.

We also had the our friends the Schulzes over for some pool fun...and, of course, food.

From April

While Richy was here in April we went with some friends to a nature park in our area. We loved seeing the baby animals, playing on the playground, talking and sitting by the pond feeding the fish.

We even got to see some deer up close and personal.

Afterwards we treated ourselves to some ice cream at a new shop where we live. We have been there often since and they recognize us now.

Sunday Funnies

Anne and Alicia were watching the church dvd "Finding Faith in Christ". It was the part where Jesus walks on the water. They were having a conversation about who can walk on water.

Alicia: Mommy, Jesus can walk on water. And I can too. But Katie can't. She is too little.

Skills

He actually sat there for about 5 mintues. That is longest he has done that so far because he is always on the go and never sits down long enough to know how long he can do it.

You can't tell in this one, but he pulled himself up into the standing position. He starting doing this in his bed last week and he loves it. It is amazing...in reality he shouldn't be doing this yet, but his legs are just too strong.

He is also an aspiring gymnist.

This was just a sweet moment.

Cherry Picking

We have wonderful fruit orchards all over where we live. Especially cherry orchards. I am friends with some of the farmers who own the orchards. One of these families has been working their farm for generations. They are an older couple but still work so hard, no retirement for them. They invited us up to their orchards to pick cherries. I have loved orchards ever since I was a young girl, this is my first one in one.

My camera is broken, so I am using my iphone. They pictures aren't the best quality, but you can still see what a great experience it was.

Pool Days

The summers are so hot and humid here, and with no air conditioning, we decided to get a little pool, to help keep us cool.

We all have had a great time using it.

Hyrum wasn't too sure about the temperature of the water at first, but he soon started to enjoy himself. I think his favorite thing was how he could walk in this and that he had some time to himself.