The apple doesn't fall far from the tree...

Of course! I love my husband!

Do I sometimes like to drive him crazy?

Most definitely yes!

Recently we agreed to surprise the girls with the movie, "Ever After". We bought it when it was on sale and were keeping it for just the right time. Samuel went to get it from our closet, but couldn't find it. After we checked several places, it looked like no surprise movie-at least not that night.

You'd think that would be the end of it. But no. My husband is my mother's son. Like her, they are incredibly determined to hunt relentlessly for an item until it is FOUND! Sure enough, over an hour later, he was still looking. Finally he called off the hunt to hold Gabriel, and as I was walking down the hall it struck me where the DVD was. Sure enough, I found it.

(And no, I didn't know where it was all along.)

Anyway, I came out with it and of course he wanted to know where I found it.
That's where I'm mean.

I wouldn't tell him.

I still won't.

Because it's driving him crazy...as you can see below!

I love you honey!

Summer Blues

Does anyone else feel like summer is slipping away! I am so bummed that we are mid-way through July and hurtling toward August!

Make it slow down!

The American River

What better way to spend the day then dangling your feet in the cool water, skipping rocks, and picking wild blackberries?

We had such a great time we went back for more the very next day!

Back in high school I jumped off the Folsom Rainbow Bridge to the sound of police sirens in the background. Come on, you know some of you jumped too!

Right?

Owen couldn't get over all the rocks.

It was a wonderful "stay-cation".

One that we'll definitely do again!

Birthday Sunday: Owen

Because there are so many grandchildren on the Elmer side of the family, we celebrate birthdays on the 3rd Sunday of every month.

For now, Owen is the only birthday in June, and we celebrated with a homemade ice cream cake!

As soon as we start singing, the cousins swarm!

Everyone is anxious to offer their candle-blowing services!

This year, Grandma Clista bought Owen this water spouting ball! Since it was a sweltering evening, Samuel promptly blew it up, hooked it up to the hose, and soaked the kids.

Sundays and The Slug

Sunday is the day of rest.

And in our house, it's also when the slugs comes to life!

Iris is our Slug!
Her method of play-fighting and tickling is unique. She just sort of drapes her body over her victims and renders them immobile as they giggle and giggle under the weight of her body.

She comes by it honestly though.
The King of Slugs is, after all, none other than her father, Samuel.

They are a force to be reckoned with, but with some teamwork it's possible to bring them down.

Okay, never mind.
No one can dominate these two!

But it sure is fun to try!

Stay Awake!

Samuel and I have always had success in coaxing our new babies onto regular sleeping schedules by encouraging them to stay up until 11:00 PM or so.

I'm not saying it always works, because as you can see, sometimes they don't like to cooperate!

In the end, Gabriel was just down-right annoyed with his persistent parents, and we let the poor guy snooze for a bit.

It's okay, 3 AM feedings only last for a time. And I know once their gone, I'll miss them.

Maybe!

Gabriel's First...

BATH!

He was startled at first, but then settled down.

What must he be thinking with all these new experiences happening right and left?

Oh to be so small, so new.

The Scriptures Come Alive

A few weeks ago, Samuel was in charge of Family Home Evening. He surprised us all by coming into the family room dressed as Laban.

The kids loved the opportunity to role play...

...and had a blast dressing up!

This F.H.E. activity gave our family an opportunity to experience the scriptures in a whole new way.

I am so grateful for Family Home Evening, the Scriptures, and the opportunity we have to learn more about our Savior, Jesus Christ. Monday's can be chaotic, but our home never fails to fill with the spirit when we pause to come together as a family to learn the gospel.

Lovin' that Baby!

Life as Gabriel knows it is pretty much hugs and kisses!

Not a bad life!

Post-Twilight...Percy Jackson & The Olympians!

We're hooked and had to share!

After "Twilight" I was in desperate need of a new series. Oddly enough, the recommendation for this book series came from Stephanie Meyer's herself!

THE PREMISE
What if the gods of Olympus were alive in the 21^st Century?

What if they still fell in love with mortals and had children who might become great heroes — like Theseus, Jason and Hercules?

What if you were one of those children?

Such is the discovery that launches twelve-year-old Percy Jackson on the most dangerous quest of his life. With the help of a satyr and a daughter of Athena, Percy must journey across the United States to catch a thief who has stolen the original weapon of mass destruction – Zeus’ master bolt. Along the way, he must face a host of mythological enemies determined to stop him. Most of all, he must come to terms with a father he has never known, and an Oracle that has warned him of betrayal by a friend.

These books are extremely well-written, fast-paced, and funny! They have won numerous book awards and rightly so! Sam and I love the action-packed story lines and also appreciate the opportunity to brush up on our Greek Mythology!

Check them out at the Roseville Public Libraries.

Happy Reading!