We have mice!!!

Okay, not the kind that live in our walls and reek havoc. We have two new pet mice that Clark and Lauren adopted; they paid for everything including their cage, toys and food. Lauren named hers Biscotti , and Clark named his Algernon (yes, like the book "Flowers for Algernon"). It has been a great experience for them to take ownership and responsibility for something other than themselves. They have to clean the cage and take care of all their needs. Great for me and Dave.

Jack's 5th Birthday!

Jack celebrated his 5th birthday on July 10th. When I asked Jack what he wanted to do for his birthday he simply said he would like to have a fun birthday at home ( I even offered Chuck E. Cheese). It doesn't take much for Jack to have a good time! We played musical chairs, relay races and had a fishing pond with lots of goodies. Jack is such a special boy; we have loved the 5 wonderful years with him in our family, and look forward to many more years to come.

Best Buddies

Jack and Nate are two of the most opposite personalities you could ever find! Jack is reserved and careful and Nate is crazy and daring. And yet these two are perfect for each other! Jack keeps Nate slighty mellow (or at least keeps him from getting too crazy), and Nate encourages Jack to be a tad more adventurous. They are lost without each other. Heavenly Father really knew what he was doing when he sent these two to our home. I love these little guys!

Clark the Diver

Clark received a Third Place ribbon in this particular

meet, which was pretty amazing considering

he was up against some 17 year olds.

Desert Botanical Garden

The kids and I went to the Desert Botanical Garden. It was actually a great reminder for us that the desert truly holds a beauty of its own.

Unfortunately, Nate got up close and personal to a friendly looking cactus, and found out it wasn't really very friendly after all.

Happy Father's Day, Dave!

Okay, Dave is a total hottie! He is also an amazing dad. When we got married almost 15 years ago, I had no idea he would be such an incredibly great father. He is always the first on the scene when there is a child crying from a bad dream in the middle of the night. Even when he's totally had a long day at work he comes home and plays with the children; then he rolls up his sleeves and helps me finish getting dinner ready. He is a spiritual giant that my children look up to and respect immensely. He is the most patient and loving man I've ever met. How did I ever get so lucky?

Lauren's poem for Dave this morning reads:

A Father who loves strumming the guitar,

The applause from his children are never far.

For a Father so loving, courageous and true,

A loveable Father whose favorite color is blue.

A gentle Father to tuck his kids into bed,

Whisper "I Love You" with a kiss on the head.

A Father who jokes with us 'til we fall on the floor,

He's one of a kind, wish there were more.

Assembly Line

This season we had about 40 pounds of tomatoes from our garden! All five of my children were so excited to help me prepare and freeze some tomatoes. They all helped; it was wonderful. There is something magical when you see your family all happily working together. Unfortunately Nicholas is not in the pictures...towards the end he was feeling really sick and subsequently got the flu.