CARNI 2009

It’s that time of year again, when all sorts of characters come out of the woodwork and surface at the local carnival. I have six of those sorts of characters. :)

Cotton Candy? Caramel Apple? No thanks. We’ll have 8 corndogs, please. There is one thing at the carni that you can not find anywhere else, at any other time (unless, of course, at another carnival) the CORNDOGS. Mmmmmm! It's a family favorite!

We always like to get pictures of the little ones on the Merry-Go-Round (plus, the older kids don’t want to waste their precious tickets on such a ride). This year David wasn’t so sure if he liked the idea. Geoff lifted him up onto his horse and David had the look of terror in his eyes and the sound of terror came out of his mouth. Thankfully, as the ride started he warmed to the idea and made peace with his horse.



As a matter of fact, I think David sort of bonded with this good-humored old horse. They both seem to be having a good time.

Summer Feet

Preparing for Wimbledon

Abby participated in her first tennis tournament – and took FIRST in her division!! YEAH! She had so much fun playing and really was focused throughout the tourney. She played 8 mini-sets first, then Abby and one other girl had tied with 15 wins and then they played each other in the finals and Abby took it! She won FIRST PLACE!

I thought it was so cute that she would shake hands w/whomever she was playing after each set. Here she is shaking hands after her final win.

Workin’ at her serve.

Slammin’ a backhand.

Since the tourney started at 8am (and went till nearly 2pm) Daddy was at work and so we called him just after Abby’s placement was announced. :)

For The Love of Airplanes

This is a frequent action for David every time he hears an airplane in the sky: The swift rising head-tilt, the fast outstretched arm and finger-point, accompanied by a loud and energized, “nneeeeer! nneeeeer!”

He loves airplanes. And when did he find this new love?

At the Airshow 2009. It was love at first sight.

I Do Believe In Fairies

“Mom, I’m booorrred,” I hear. And this is the product of boredom: Fairy Houses.

Anna made her fairy house in the plum tree. Complete with moss for carpet, and berries and water in a walnut shell.

Abby expanded her fairy house to a Fairy-Inn. Adorned with a rock for a table and halved walnut shells for chairs.

Enjoying the Spoiling

The boys were outside helping Geoff get the fishing boat ready and our neighbors brought over a treat for the kids. Just because. We have great neighbors. They love our children and spoil them all the time. Jacob, David and Emeron are enjoying some of the spoiling. Notice Jacob went straight for the 4" thick frosting.

It looks like Jacob might have a little regret. Ugh.

David wiping his chin of the devilish frosting. I think he missed a spot.

July 4, 2009

Mmm, Berries

I was looking for David in the yard the other day, he seemed to have disappeared. Finally found him in the strawberries, getting his fill.

There is nothing like picking fresh strawberries. The flavor is so true and intense, we’ve spoiled him for sure, now he will want nothing but the good stuff.

For The Best Daddy Ever

Thank you for ALWAYS making us smile!!! WE LOVE YOU!!

Lessons I Learned As A Boy

This is one I could watch over and over, and have. It is heartwarming just to hear President Hinkley's voice. :) …..I wonder if my children are learning life lessons?

Water Maestro

The newest feature in our yard is the drinking fountain. This is David instructing the fountain to perform.






Really, any thirsty participants end up in a water fight, but we know (hope) that the novelty will wear off…..eventually.

Who are these Kids? And Why do they keep calling me Mom?!

: ) Oh! How I love them!!! Summer is coming -- am I ready for this? : )

Multi-Tasking

As I was listening to Abs practice, I was hearing the same phrase over and over and over, and over again. Thinking, 'wow, she is really working on that'. So, I knocked on her door and poked my head in to compliment her, and….

Hmmmm. Practicing or reading?

Family Pictures Postponed

We had to postpone our family pictures a few weeks. Let me show you why….

Emeron flew off his bike. It wasn’t pretty. (No helmet. Bad mother.)


Farrell thought 9 was a good age to experiment on shaving. Um, I guess a man’s gotta learn to shave sometime. : )

Family Pictures are now scheduled for mid-June. ::::crossing fingers::::

Bishop Daddy

For a little over five years, this was the favorite gathering spot in our ward after church meetings, Bishop Daddy’s office.

Months turned into years and here we are at the completion of his service. I am so grateful for our ward family, for all the prayers that have been offered in our behalf. I am so grateful for the opportunities that have been given to us, so grateful for the increased testimony of the gospel, so grateful to have felt the love of the lord daily and witnessed his blessings in our lives. I have learned, in greater depth, the realization of King Benjamin’s words from the Book of Mormon: “When ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God.” Now,... what to do with all Geoff's white shirts? ;)

Apple Tree

Violin Recital Spring 2009

Anna’s solo piece: Hunters’ Chorus, by Weber

Abby’s solo piece: Concerto in A Minor, 2nd Movement, by Vivaldi


Once again the girls performed fabulously! :) Have I ever put a plug in for their AMAZING teacher? She is: The. Best. She is inspiring and motivating and incredibly talented. We absolutely love her!