Back to Virginia

This last weekend Matt was able to go back to Virginia for a few days. He was very excited to make the trip - for a very special reason. John and Aida Picone, a couple that he taught and that was baptized - and that he got very close to-was going through the Washington DC temple to get their endowments and be sealed. John and Aida are the greatest. Doug, Carson and I had a chance to meet them - and they graciously let us stay at their house last June - when we went back to pick Matt up from his mission. In fact, we were there for John's baptism. What a great experience that was. Matt stayed with them this time too. Doug and I wish we could have gone back with him. Congratulations John and Aida. What a wonderful step you have taken with going to the Temple. You are both the best!

Ink Pads

I was getting ready to leave to one of Jason's baseball games when Kristi started yelling that I needed to help with Carson. This is what I saw.

At first I thought he had crawled into the fireplace and had gotten soot all over him. Nope. He had climbed and gotten into my scrapbook stuff and opened up a black inkpad and went to town. No sorrow in that little face - just proud of his accomplishment.

His hands were all black (as was everywhere he touched).
He feet and legs weren't quite as bad.
How can you get made at this face? Little stinker!

So - quite a few posts in one day. Hope you enjoy them all. I still have a few more to do - but will wait until tomorrow or the next day. Be watching for them!

Carson's Escapades

Carson seems to be the family comedian anymore. Quite a few mornings he keeps my kids laughing really hard putting on a show for them. Of course the more they laugh, the more he does. Crazy kid!

He is really into hats - anybody's hats. He loves to put them on them pull them down over his face. This one is Matt's hat.

This is one of his comedian mornings. He had two big bowls and he kept putting them on his head and trying to walk around. He would put one on Kristi's head (laying on the couch) and then the other one on himself.
He figured out it is alot more fun to climb in the lid drawer to play and throw the lids out.
He loves putting things on his head.
We went to Sonic one night for FHE treats and got their 99 cent shakes. Jason wanted 2, but we told him he could have the rest of Carson's. Well - when we gave Carson his shake and he tasted it, that was it. He would not let go for anything. He loved it! (first time he had his very own). If he saw anyone come close that he thought was going to take it - he took off running. Jason never did get some - Carson drank the whole thing!
Here he is with his own hat. He pulls it down over his face and tries t walk around.
(Isn't that ugle carpet? We aren't cleaning it because we plan on redoing the kitchen/familyroom and replacing it. I can hardly wait. That carpet is only over 20 years old!)
This is one of his other comedian mornings. He took this wipe - wiped off his stomach - then went over and wiped off Kendall's stomach (who was laying on the couch without a shirt). Carson then proceeded to wash off his head and before I knew it - had the wipe in his mouth! When I went to get him, he took off running with it still in his mouth. The kids were laughing so hard that he thought it was a game. Yuk!

Matt and toddlers

Matt is so good with kids. He absolutely loves them. (Actually - all my kids love little kids and are good with them. But Matt has a special touch with kids). I guess we could call him the pied-piper. EmmaLee and Carson will follow him around and love to get his attention. They don't even mind if his attention is elsewhere - as long as he is holding them!

Matt and EmmaLee. She loves remotes - and has one in her hand while watching Matt play the Wii with his remote. She is perfectly content in his arms. He can always get her to stop crying when she is fussing.

This time he has Carson. Matt got a new laptop computer last week. He can have two things going on at the same time on the screen. He is busy doing one thing while he is letting Carson watch "Three Little Pigs" on youtube. Carson is totally focused on the video and Matt on whatever game he was playing.

Father's Day

I'm only a week and half late with my father's day pictures - but here they are!

Jeremy and Jo were over here to spend the day. In fact - they have a standing dinner invitation on Sundays - so we get to spend that evening with them and I love it!

It was Jeremy's first Father's day as a dad! It is great to watch him interact with EmmaLee. He is such a fun, loving Dad to her. Of course he had a great role model! If I could have special ordered a father and husband - it would have come back exactly like Doug. He is the greatest. I have been so blessed to have him as the father to my children - and they are truly blessed too. He has so much love and concern for them - more than they can ever imagine. He has supported them in their lives in many, many ways and sacrficed much to be at ballgames, musical events, church events, whatever it may be. He is so looking forward to our camp trip because it is a time he has to be with his kids and play and have fun with them, and to strenthen the bond he has with them. He is one great guy!

Here are Doug and Jeremy in the gift-receiving chairs! (We always have the chair in the same corner of the family room for present opening time. Tradition!)

Doug and Jeremy would take turns opening their gifts. Jeremy got clothing and items to help him be a best-dressed Real Estate Agent. (He just passed the exam and signed up with a broker. Way to go Jeremy! He going to do that while finishing up college). Doug got mostly camping items that he wanted - ATV cover, shower tent, fishing stuff, etc. Both dads were very pleased with their gifts!
Kendall invited Marie over for the present opening and dessert.
Matt and Kendall. Matt better watch out - Jason is almost as tall as he is!
Kristi - doing what she loves the most - reading books. We almost have to rip them out of her hands to have her particpate! Jo gave her the Twilight series books to read - and she finished all three in just under 3 days! (She had to finish "Tunnels" before she started them though).
Here's EmmaLee - waiting for the festivites to begin.

Boys and their Toys!

Yea - I know it's been awhile since I've posted. In fact, Kristi asks me everyday if I have anything new on the blog. Well - today I do!

Saturday it was very, very hot here - oh, about 115 degrees. Doug was trying to get some things ready for our family camp trip coming up, and Matt and Jeremy helped. I didn't even think to get a picture of them - but there they were - all three - working all day in the heat - changing oil, repairing, whatever else - on their big toys: aka - ATV, buggy, and dirt bike. They pulled the cars out of the carport and put the toys in, to try and have a little shade for at least part of the day. Even though they were hot and miserable - they had a great dad/son bonding time. I love seeing them work together like that and wish I had pictures of it. Oh well - here are a few pictures of a couple of the toys taken within the last month.

Here is Matt and Carson in the buggy

Dani on the ATV - and NO - she doesn't drive it yet!

I'll make sure and get pictures of the kids when we are camping driving on all the toys. And yes - they do wear helmets and goggles while driving and riding!

I Am A Mother!

Monday evening I was going through a few things when I came across a book I had just gotten on Mother's Day. Tuesday I started reading it - and reading it - and reading it. It was something I needed just at that time. I had looked at this book at Deseret for about a year meaning to buy it, but never did, so I put it on my mother's day list and I got it, and how glad I am. It is "I am a Mother" by Jane Clayson Johnson. I would recommend it to any woman - single, married, chilren or no children, she speaks to all sisters. She makes you reflect on your own life and what
direction it has taken and what you are doing with it. She does it in an inspiring, insightful way that really uplifts you. It isn't a very long book and once you start reading it you won't want to put it down.
For those of you by me - if you don't have a copy, you are welcome to borrow mine. I am sure each of you who read it will come away with a wonderful feeling as I did and want to say "I am a Mother!"

On another note - I am now reading a book by Larry Barkdull called "Gifts - True Stories of God's Love" which is also great. I have had it for quite a while - never read. Almost done - if anyone wants to borrow it you may. I didn't see it on Deseret's website anywhere now.