Friends Over

 My kids are so lucky to have the nicest friends!! 

(missed those Vallery girls on vacation!)

I honestly love all of them and am so glad when they get to come and hang out and bake cookies...

 or play video games...

or play more video games after they have taken out every single game in order to decide which one they want to play.  

Nothing better than having friends over!

Holiday Recital

Thanks Denise for letting us join your recital again.  The kids did awesome!  So fun to see their progress!!

Summer Checklist Here We GO

 Of course I started out this summer with ideas of all the fantastic things I would do with my kids. 

(hanging out and being lazy was chief among them and we have done that to perfection so far!)

We've done a bunch of other stuff and I have not been very good at taking pics, so this week I'm getting in gear and fixing that, so....

We've been dong a little math everyday to keep the skills sharp.

(And yes it's always smiles during math time HA!)

 Then we knocked out one of the things I've been wanting to do with Bree...sewing.  

She made a pillow for our missionary cousin, Kyle, and she did awesome.

 We're keeping piano going strong.  

Jake proclaimed that I never take his picture.  

He then ducked for cover when I tried. 

 And of course Luke could not let a sewing day go by with out giving it a whirl.

He LOVED it.  

The tools, the buzz of the machine, watching the material fly by and the needle go up and down... 

 What's not to love???

SUMMER IS FLYING BY!!!

My TEENAGE Son!

Jake turned 13 this weekend and he decided to not have a party this year, 

but to take the money and run.  Smart kid!  

And it worked out especially well that he decided to not go the party route because he was SO sick this week.  He had a virus, ear infection and Strep which meant he had a fever for 4 days straight and was just miserable.  He missed finals in every class except 1.  (He has to make them up next week, such a bummer!) And even though he was not feeling 100%, we decided to sneak him out to Olive Garden for a quick birthday dinner to celebrate.

  And what does he order here, you ask?

Salad.  Just Salad. LOTS OF IT!  

 Then we strolled over to Petco to look at possible future pets.

 The next day was his actual birthday, and he was still not feeling good.  So we did his birthday pajama style and hung out all day and watched movies,  played video games and did projects.  

Jake also opened a few presents...

 And went on a little treasure hunt for more.

 13 balloons with $13 inside of them.

 And although he didn't even eat a single bite, 

we made him sit up long enough to sing to him and he blew out those 

13 CANDLES.

Poor guy! Stinks to be sick on your birthday!!

But we are so glad we got to stay home and have you all to ourselves.

WE LOVE YOU JAKE!!!

CANNOT BELIEVE YOU ARE 13!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!

Spring Music Concert

 Breanna took music this semester, so her class performed at the Spring Concert.  

And it was marvelous!

 All of these girls sang their hearts out.

And Jake had his art displayed in the foyer.  

He has art skills that I'd give anything to have!

Way to go Jake and Bree!!

Sunday Walks and Wild Pets

This time of year, Sunday evening walks are a must.  

Last week, we came across a snake. 

And this week, we found a new pet.  

Leo.

 Jake could not be more excited.  

He even called Peter.

Poor Leo made the tragic mistake of running into our garage just as we opened it.

So Jake scooped him right up and made this fabulous home for him.

Pretty sure this lizard's a gecko.

We hope it's not poisonous.

And we hope it's legal, moral and ethical to capture a wild lizard and keep it for a pet....

because honestly, look at those faces.

And even though this guy makes me terribly squeamish, I have the best childhood memories of afternoons spent in the field behind our house catching lizards with Mark and Ryan Mehler.  

So that little part of me gets it.

PetSmart crickets, here we come.

Piano Recital 2012

Another amazing night of music!

Greensleeves and Arabesque

Burlesca and Distant Bells

Everyone got medals thanks to Denise!  

Jake and Bree worked so hard this year, they earned them!

So proud of you both for sticking with it and putting up with me for a teacher!

LOVE YOU BOTH!!!! 

Scout Over-nighter

Jake and Jeromy took off last weekend with the troop to do some desert camping.  It was hot but very fun.  Jake loved all the activities and especially the BEST tinfoil dinner and sweet-roll dutch oven dessert ever!