Happy 1st Birthday Kalani!!!

We celebrated Kalani's birthday today by:

• Going to church, he wore his new big boy suit (sorry no pic of that!)
• Having Grandma, Grandpa, Amber & the kids over for BBQ
• Playing games like "Kalani Trivia", "How much does Kalani weigh?" and passing around Kalani's journal that I've started for him for people to write in (I record my thoughts, hopes, and dreams for his future and tell what's going on in his life)
• Opening gifts, mostly clothes of course! But he did get a revolving baseball toy, a touch n feel book, and a little talking Elmo toy too.
• Eating that beautiful cake it took me 2 hours to decorate - was sorry to see it go!
• Having a complete meltdown that ended in a bath & nap!!

A favorite summer pastime, morning cartoons!! Here the kids cuddle on the couch for morning cartoons this morning. They aren't allowed to watch TV in the afternoon, and only an hour or so in the evening. So mornings are often quiet as they watch Disney. Plus it's good cuddle time for them!

Happy Pioneer Days!

Our ward had a pioneer potluck on Saturday. The food was SOOO good, and there were some fun songs and skits by the primary kids. We went swimming later at the public pool. Well, I've been saying every year, "someday I'm going to dress up for pioneer days". This year was the year! I found a full pioneer outfit for myself and made one for Keira. At least I can say we did it once! It was really special to pay tribute to our pioneer heritage, those who sacrificed of themselves and their loved ones to reach the Salt Lake Valley and populate this beautiful land! I feel so incredibly blessed to be a sister, mother, wife in zion. To enjoy the blessings of the temple so close by, and to know that my family is eternal! This is made possible (in part) by those pioneer families who went before us to pave the way.

Yes, cherries really can come out of your ears!!

That old saying MUST be true because today it happened to me! A friend called last night to say I could pick cherries in her families orchard. SO early this morning the boys got babysat (thank you Tiffany!!). Keira and I went and picked one of those big 58 gallon bins full to the top, plus a poly bucket. We gave some away, then I spent ALL DAY and into the evening washing and sorting cherries, canning cherries, pitting cherries, freezing cherries. FINALLY at 10pm at night and 60 some jars later... I've got the leftovers in the fridge (don't ask me what I'm going to do with 4 big salad bowls of cherries in my fridge) but the canning is done and I've pitted and frozen some. I imagine by Monday evening I'll have the rest made into jam or cobbler or something. But what a day!! I'm exhausted and feeling SO blessed!! All the fruit was free (Thank you Deanna!!), my only cost was the lids for my jars and my own hard work. I feel like collapsing in bed -goodnight!!

What on earth do we do when we're indescribably bored on a lazy summer afternoon?? Well, we could go out and swim in the kiddie pool AGAIN, take off to the park AGAIN, watch reruns on TV AGAIN, or play with BUBBLES!!! The kids like to use the fan since it fills the whole room with bubbles. It was Jeff's cool idea.

Keanu and Keira on July 4th, went swimming at the Wilson's house!!

4th of July was a blast!!

The kids had lots of fun this 4th of July! In the morning we had a nice leisurely breakfast. We took some fun Independence Day pics of the kids as they played with the flags. In the afternoon we visited our friends the Wilson's, and the two Whittle families were there. We enjoyed good company, delicious food, and despite the cloudy weather, the kids swam and had a blast!! In the evening we went with our Ward family to the public pool and then met Grandma and Grandpa in our "regular" spot to watch fireworks!! Keira and I talked about the flag and the fireworks and why we celebrate with them. We discussed what Independence Day is all about and talked about where the words from "Oh Say Can You See" came from. I love this promised land of freedom! I see on the news and read about other countries and realize the enormous blessings we have living in this great nation where we can worship as we please, act think and communicate however we please within reason. It is an amazing thing to live in America and I feel forever grateful to those who have died to preserve these freedoms we enjoy every day!

Jeff had a birthday!

Happy 37th Birthday Jeff!

And we've only given him a few white hairs! Our daddy works so hard for us, driving those huge milk tankers to far-away places. We can't help but make a special blog just for him! Jeff is dedicated, loving, loyal and playful daddy! He tries to be an example and do what's right, and have a close relationship with each person in our family. I tried to make him a crocodile cake, but we ended up eating off the feet, so I turned it into a sea monster. Oops! Daddy got taken out to a movie and clothes shopping this year for his birthday. We love you so much Jeff!

Scooter, our loveable pet!!

Meet Scooter, our loveable furry chihuahua mix doggie!! We got him from the pound and he seemed to meld into our family almost from the start! He ran away a couple times to play with the neighbor dog, but always came right back. He was crate trained and potty trained from the start too! He's gentle with the kiddos, even when Keanu yanks on his collar and gives him a strangle-hug around the neck. He loves to play and rough house with daddy, follow people around the house, and cuddle on the couch. He doesn't like being stuck outside alone in the yard, but we have to do it when we leave because when he misses us he chews up our shoes. He plays with the silliest things. A piece of carrot, a baby's wrist rattle, a button on the floor, throwing it up and trying to catch it in his mouth. Funny dog!!

School's Out! Busy busy busy!!

So far for our family we were able to end the Spring with plenty of activities for Keira's girlscouts troop (a trip to the fire station, a float in the Cinco de Mayo parade, a little girls hula birthday party for two sisters in our troop).

Also towards the end of Spring, Jeff & I enjoyed a trip to Leavenworth, WA! We immersed ourselves in the culture, the unique European architecture, the amazing shopping, the delicious food, and the beauty of the surrounding land! We browsed the arts walk and ate bratswurst!

We kicked off our summer this year with a weeklong drama camp for Keira! And the very next week? Vacation Bible School at Calvary!!! Quickly followed by sending her off to Lake Palmer with Grandma, Grandpa and her cousins. She was able to fish, see wildlife, go boating, and had a blast!

Oh, kiss the fish already Keira!!

SUMMER is finally here!!

For all of June it seemed like, the weather couldn't make up it's mind. First it would be muggy and rainy, then sunny and hot, then cooler and cloudy. YAY! We now have hundred degree weather and summer is in full swing! The kids absolutely LOVE that silly little kiddie pool in the backyard! Kalani will stand himself up on the side and do a belly flop in the middle of the pool. Keanu is completely obsessed with the hose and splashes anyone in splashing distance! And Keira loves to tie the hose to the top of the slide and slide down our "homemade waterslide" into the pool (I'll get some pics of that on here for you someday!) Here are some pics of my

nakkie boyz being crazy in the water!

What else have we done this summer?? Well, Keira's started going to Fun in the Sun and Central Art as well as a Girls Science activities in the park! We've also taken them to the library bug activities. We've gone a couple times and stood in that long long hot hot line for the free BBQ at the park (though I might not do that again) and have gone on several day trips to Tri-Cities with daddy! We love the water/castle park in Kennewick, and feeding the ducks, and going to Howard Amon park to swim in the kiddie pool and play on the playground. And don't forget loading up the basket for picnics on the grass wherever we go!

To all our friends, I'm happy to finally join you all in creating a blog. Stay posted for more pics and more blogging in the future!!