As good as it gets

A couple nights ago I got to go with Callie to the temple.  I can try to use words like happy or wonderful to describe how I felt, but they are inadequate.  Suffice it to say, this has got to be as good as parenting gets -- to be in the temple with your dear ones!  Callie was able to do the work for one of our ancestors -- thanks for sharing your work, Dad. 

"I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth."  3 John 1:4

Family Fun Fair

Our stake had a Family Fun Fair to end the summer.  It really was a fun time!  For the cake contest, Jacob made a lego cake and the girls did flip flops.   They really did do most of the work.  It took hours and was a lot of fun to see the creativity in action.  We were wowed by the other entries and didn't win, but hey we can't win everything! 

  

Especially because we won the contest for the biggest zucchini!  We pampered this squash for a couple of weeks.  The girls talked to it, we watered and watered and watered it, and it even has a name:  Zeuschini.  A worthy name for a 14 pound zucchini that is 25 inches long!  


There was a lot of emotional attachment to Zeuschini.  It made a fun toy and it was well-loved.  Jacob helped me to shred it while the girls were away at school.  I did make it into 2 loaves of bread, but wasn't up for the 24 loaves of which it was capable.  Callie declares that she will not eat any bread that spawns from Zeus.  In that case, zucchini bread, anyone?  Because we will be making a LOT.

Drew was here

Had the carpet on the stairs professionally cleaned almost two weeks ago.  Guess I get to clean them again.  I'm really thankful it's not permanent marker.  It already came out of the couch...and the sofa table...and the train table...off the wall...and mostly off of Camden's face...and Drew's arms and soles of his feet.

Best Buds

While the girls are away at school I've been having a great time with these guys.  We've gone on bike rides, played soccer in the back yard, unloaded SWS supplies from the car together, read books, baked & frosted cookies...it's been so fun.  

Today after snack time Jacob & Drew had already run off and Camden was struggling to get out of his high chair.  I noticed how anxious he was to go follow his brothers and as I washed him up I was so grateful that he had brothers to be his buddies.  I thought of how lonely it would be if I had just one little guy and I was so happy to have THREE boys.

I love my "three caballeros".

 

Their cute sisters are pretty great, too.  Below are first day pictures.  Check out Hannah's fun morning ride to school.  

 

 

Critter B&B

This little creature spent 24 hours at our house a few weeks ago.  Tyler was driving to a meeting and saw him crossing the street.  Because red snapper turtles are not indigenous to our area Tyler knew he was a pet in need, so he picked him up, took him to his meeting, and then brought him home. Miraculously, a few phone calls later he had located the owner. 

I used to wonder what it is about Tyler that makes him find animals.  He once ripped the sleeve of his suit coat trying to help a turkey back into its yard (and then discovered it could fly back in :) hee hee hee).  We have housed a baby duck, tried to nurse sick birds, acquired two rabbits from finds like this turtle...and who sees rabbits or turtles crossing the street in the dark anyway?  Tyler does.  And while he was searching for the turtle's home I realized why.  Because he loves it.  It makes Tyler happy, and Heavenly Father knows that, and knows that Tyler is just the person to find these critters because not only will he care for them, but it will bring him a spot of joy in the process.  Lightbulb moment for me!