MTC Picture

Love the classic picture of the missionaries in their district taking a picture in front of the temple!

Watermelon

Check out the first watermelon of the season!

The cute guy holding the watermelon is pretty fun to check out too.  Did I just say that out loud?!

Monday Night FHE

We have the best next door neighbors!

And they have a swimming pool!

And we love them!

And we love their swimming pool!

And we love that they invited us over for Family Home Evening . . . 

which involved swimming, a great lesson, dessert, friendship . . . 

and a wasp sting on Niko's head.

Elder Thomas Andersen

There he is.  We watched him walk through security and kept our eyes on him until the last moment when he was just too far away.  He's off on a plane to Salt Lake City where he will catch a shuttle that will drop him off in Provo at the front doors to the MTC, Missionary Training Center.

Yes, we did call the MTC later in the day to make sure he arrived safely.  And he did.

Brotherly Love

Nothing says brotherly love like a game of darts.

Yes, that is a dart blow gun that Thomas is holding.  And yes, those colorful dots on Jay's abdomen are darts from the previously mentioned dart blow gun.  And yes, I am starting to get gray hair.

Starting to Pack

Our missionary is starting to pack his bags.  Only a few short days left.

Swim Lessons Summer of 2012

I know I post these every year . . . 

But we take swim lessons every year . . . 

Everyone but Justin swam this year . . . 

The sad part about this year . . . 

is that it will be the last year . . . 

we take swim lessons here because next year . . . 

the people we take swim lessons from no longer live here.

Fire!

Let me preface the following pictures with a few statements.

It is not a good idea to have dry grass adjacent to our home.

It is not a good idea to have combustible objects sitting on the dry grass near our home.

I am thankful one of my children was outside at the right moment.

I am thankful for one very level headed son who knew exactly what to do in a very intense situation.

I am thankful extra people were visiting at the right moment.

It could have been much worse.  I am grateful that it was not.

Open House

We held an open house last night for Thomas.  Old and new friends came to wish him well before he heads out to the MTC in 2 weeks.  I love that boy!

Which Reminds Me . . .

After posting the pictures from Thomas Bungee Jumping, I realized I hadn't posted a significant post about Thomas' birthday.  Since he is soon leaving on his mission, we suggested that he choose a birthday gift that was for his mission or choose a gift that was consumable.  Since he knew we would purchase everything he needs for his mission anyways . . . he chose consumable. Yes, our adventurous son chose to go sky diving for his birthday.  And he took his dad.

 Off to a great start . . . 

 Totally loving it . . . 

 Ready to go again!


And these 2 pictures summarize Todd's experience . . .

Yep, I totally laughed out loud.  Sorry . . . Love you, Todd!

Bungee Jumping

No not me!  I just took pictures of our adventurous son and the 4 girls he talked into going with him.

They jumped from this bridge.  Yep, the one that this semi truck is passing over right now.  If the lighting were just a little bit different, you would see them on the cat walk directly under the truck.

 Oh my, Thomas . . . 

A Snake

I am so grateful to have boys who are not afraid to touch snakes when we find them in our garage.  I'm just sayin'.