Our Very Own Western Boom Town!

Bethany, Lindsay and Zach, our cousin made this AMAZING little town one afternoon, it was amazing and I just couldn't help capturing it forever! They worked for so long to build everything and then had so much fun playing with it, what a blast---and a tribute to kid ingenuity and creativity!!! LOVE IT!!!

Our Hardy and Shultz Fire

This was so scary for me, and our family! We love our beautiful land and were praying so hard!!! Seeing the columns of smoke that were so massive and scary was unreal! I heard old-timers astonished by it all too, ACK!!! Again, we just are so thankful for the good conditions of the scariest day---that was a blessing directly from Heavenly Father---and for the genius and dedication of all the firefighters and pilots and smoke jumpers---yeah, you heard that right, they parachute INTO the smoke to drop stuff---and EVERYONE who worked so hard to keep our land, our buildings and our people safe!!!Real life heroes!

Secret Adventure Friday to Pulliam Airport

HA!!!! We had the best time on this hike!!!!! There is actually an urban trail that you can pick up in one of the neighborhoods that leads right to the airport. LOVE IT!!!It was a great day, not to hot, nice little breeze, PERFECT! We had squirt bottles for when we got too hot, lots of snacks and plenty of water and the kids trotted down that trail with great gusto! There were also two little water hole-type ponds that were very fun for the kids to explore. The fun of seeing those "little" planes so close was awesome!!!! the kids freaked out! AND we got to see landings and take-offs from the second story waiting area! It was so much fun!You seriously can NEVER underestimate the power of trail mix with marshmallows in it combined with watching huge metal hunks charging through gravity! AWESOME!!!!!!!

Fun Stuff

I love fun stuff! Life is too short not to notice the fun stuff. You can never have enough fun stuff either. I have found that over the last 10 years, the amount of fun stuff in my life has increased exponentially with each added child we have welcomed into our home. So, Hooray for FUN STUFF!!!

His Eyes!

I just couldn't resist this one, how beautiful is this?!?

Singing to Grandmother and Swimming

We went to Chandler the Saturday before Memorial Day. Our first activity was to go over to the group home and sing some Primary songs for her. The kids were a bit timid, but it was beautiful. They sang I Am a Child of God, I Love To See the Temple and Teach Me to Walk in the Light. There were other ladies there too who listened. Afterward, Mom and I stayed while Brandon took the kiddos back to their house. I played the viola and Mom played the piano to some hymns from the old hymn book that these ladies knew and loved. SO precious. I was thankful to get to be there and share their beautiful spirits. After that, Grandmother started hurting, so Sam, the caregiver, took her back to her room.

When we got back, we all swam the entire afternoon and had a blast with Tamara and her kids, the Three T's; Troy, Tiffany and Tyler. Too Fun!!!!

Then we had dinner together and it was just such a great day all around. What we didn't know then was that Grandmother would pass away a little over a week later and this is the last picture of her here in her earthly life. What a treasure it's become! I'm so thankful the kids could do this small service for her.

Kindergarten Graduation for Jeremy!

Well, can you believe we have three kids over and done with Kindergarten? Amazing to me! Time must be on fast forward, I know I've said it before, but this has come so quickly! This whole year has flown by and I am so thankful for Jeremy's teacher and her patience! He is learning and growing so fast these days, intellectually as well as physically! I never would have believed how fast boys wear out their jeans' knees if I didn't have one myself! The shred rate IS unbelievable! Thank heavens Goodwill sells their jeans for $2! I am so thankful for this amazing little man. He is so perceptive, so tenderhearted, but so much a rough and tumble little boy. I'm probably very biased here, but he seems to be the awesomest, mischief-making, loving, teasing, sharing, creating, fun-loving, happiest little boy ever! Wow! I feel blessed and very thankful for him! And now, ON TO FIRST GRADE!!!!

Magical Playland!

This moment was just too precious to not capture. I'm so glad I could get away with taking at least a few of these before she knew I was doing it! I LOVE these! Yay for childhood magical playlands, no matter where they spring up!!!!