Ninja

Connor as a ninja! He loves to use Ryleigh's boa as his headband. He keeps me on my toes and laughing all the time!

Just for Grandma Joyce

This is the dress Grandma Joyce bought for Ryleigh's first birthday! Unfortunately, Ryleigh didn't want to have her picture taken, she wanted to sit on my lap and kiss the picture of herself on my camera. The picture of her pouting is my favorite one though.

Sunday Afternoon Drive

I don't know about eveyone else but sometimes Sunday seems a little long to us! I remember as a little girl we would take Sunday drives. Sometimes we went somewhere specific llike the canyon or to look at Christmas lights but a lot of the times we just went driving looking at houses and people watching. This has carried over to our family. On this particular day we went the park with a cute bridge so I could take pictures and then up the canyon to see the waterfall. Things are never boring as the boys are great explorers. Brennan found a rolly polly, Connor climbed on everything in sight and Kyle taught Ryleigh to throw rocks in the water. When we went up the canyon we found a mine. Brennan and Connor's imaginations ran wild as to all the things that could be living there and Kyle taught them all about mines. All in all it was a great day! The only problem I have is that they price of gas sure puts a damper on our Sunday drives!

Swimming Lessons

To keep us busy this summer we did two sessions of swimming lessons. It was nice because both the boys moved up a level and really improved their skills. I am still a worry wart around water though. Here are a few fun pictures.

Camping with Papa!

What a fun weekend! This past weekend we met my Dad in Flagstaff. Brennan was excited to show off on his four wheelerand ride with Papa. Connor was convinced we were going to see"bears and snakes and they would eat us!" I was just excited to camp in a little bit of style (ie. flushing toilets and a shower). We stayed in a Yurt at Fort Tuthill Airforce Base. The yurt was like a big secure tent with a floor. It was equipped with a wood burning stove, microwave and refrigerator. It was a lot of fun and nice to have somewhere to go during our short intervals of rain. Connor loved the bunkbeds because he got to sleep up top for a change!

We had a great weekend just being with Papa and Nicole. Brennan played checkers with Papa and Connor played dominos. Ryleigh mastered walking while we were gone too! I finally got to ride the four wheeler and I must say had a blast. With having been pregnant and someone always needing to watch the kids it was such a treat to have Dad and Nicole entertain the kids and let Kyle and I go for a ride together! I could get hooked! I guess I will just have to wait a few more years until Ryleigh can at least hold on until I get one of my own! The last night we were able to hook up Dad's laptop and view his Belgium trip pictures. How is that for camping in the great outdoors? All in all, it was a fun and relaxing weekend.

Our Yurt!

Ryleigh walking with Papa!

Brennan's memory rock!

Connor being goofey!

Lipstick?

As a treat on a hot summer day we went for snow cones. I knew I wanted to avoid too high of a sugar high so I asked the lady to go easy on the syrup. I didn't know however that Connor's Hawaiian punch would color him this boldly! We went to Walmart after this and everyone had to comment on Connor's blue lips! What is it about coloring. Do the snow cones and drinks have to be so bright that it leaves your kids walking around with "koolaid mustache" for the next three days?

Celebrating Kid Style

Happy Fourth from all of us!

Happy Fourth of July!

As a child, the fourth of July meant litttle more to me than fireworks and picnics in the canyon. Now, a few years wiser and a good husband to set forth a good example, I am forever grateful for the freedom of this great country.

I am proud to have a husband who feels a sense of duty to his country! I am well aware of the many men and women who think nothing of the sacrifices made by our forefathers in fighting for our freedoms but are not shy to add their criticisim toward the country. Honey, I am proud of you!

I vividly remember spending fourth of July in Korea a few years ago. It felt odd celebrating our freedom while in another country, even more strange was the way the Koreans tried to capitalize on the opportunity to make more money! They lined the streets in celebration with glow sticks, food vendors and everything. It was just not right. The smell of cooked silk worms just didn't quite say American! It's good to be home on American soil now as a family celebrating together those things that we hold dear in our hearts. To everyone we love, have a happy Fourth of July!