Girls camp

 Annie had to miss the first day of girls camp, to ride in a 4-H competition. Because she 

loves to go to camp with the Young Women and their leaders, she was a bit sad. But when one

of the leaders (thanks for all of the great photos Holly!) shared photos and we saw the rain that

came down the first night, she wasn't too sad to miss that part. That is some crazy rain for sure.

I was sad for her that she missed our previous bishop (now stake president) speak

 to all of the girls. This man is just complete goodness. It is an honor to know him.

 What she didn't miss being a part of was the hours of tubing that she loved.

 She told me after that she went more than any of the other girls. She just really loved it.

 And here are the awesome girls and leaders. It is a privilege to be friends of these great people.

What a fun few days for our Annie!

Three generations of kilts

When Jacob sent me this photo, during his recent time in Scotland, I wasn't prepared for

what it did to my heart. Maybe it is my Scottish heritage, maybe it is the goodness coming 

from each of these three fine men/boys or maybe it is the privilege to be associated with

 Mary's Meals and those that give so much for it. But it made me unexpectedly emotional.

This girl can ride

Annie had a 4-H competition last week and another one again tonight.The first night (of real 

competition, as the May performance was for practice) she improved her barrel racing time 

by about 12 seconds. To say we were thrilled for her would be accurate. Times fifteen.

Then last night, she raced again and in the barrels (her favorite, although she did amazing 

on her pole bending run) she improved her time by another two seconds. The look 

on her face when it was over and I ran down to tell her how excited I was for her,

almost brought tears to my eyes. It was a moment I can't imagine ever forgetting.

Way to go Annie girl! We think you are amazing!

(And since the last two competitions have been on days that were a little crazy at our house, I wasn't

able to bring my camera to take pictures. So I'm putting up my favorite from the first night. I'll take 

new ones at the last three competitions, but in the meantime, boy do I love this photo. And this girl.)

Oh summer, we've been waiting for you!

{Deep sigh}

At last. Bring it on.

Cousin time

For my younger sister's birthday, I told her I was coming to tend her kids for a few hours, so she

 could go out and have some time alone. Because it was the first day of summer, I took the kids 

with me and we really had a blast. I seriously love her kids and they both make me laugh like crazy

 and make me want to hug them constantly from their sweetness. It was a fun afternoon for sure! 

I wish I had gotten a picture of each of her kids, but I was too busy laughing and 

hugging apparently. I did get three that are pretty awesome though, so there is that.

During the hottest part of the afternoon, I brought the kids in to watch a movie.
A few minutes after it started, I looked over and Wilkes was sitting like this with Matt.

Apparently someone likes their older cousin. And the feeling is mutual for sure.

I can hardly stand the sweetness of this baby. He has grown so much in the little

while I haven't seen him and holding him was the best. This boy is too darling.

When Megan came back, she brought a surprise for the kids--a baby goat to keep
their older goat company. It was the funniest thing ever, you really should have seen

the kids. Even Campbell took a turn. And apparently he is skilled in smiling like a goat.

Gardening by headlamp

Why am I posting this dark, blurry photo at 10:56pm on a Saturday night? Well, because
we just finished planting our garden of course! Yup, we are awesome like that. And crazy.
And covered with mosquito bites. But don't even try to tell me that this memory won't
go down as one of the  top favorites to four kids I know. And their parents.

I love my life.

Rain storms and darling boys

Friends and bonfires

I'm not sure this mother was ready for both boys and girls to show up to Cam's party, 

but I guess we have a child that is almost 16, so time to stop pretending I am still young.

9th grade recognition night

Last night, Jacob and I were invited to an awards night for the 9th graders in Cam's
school. And watched proudly as Campbell received an individual award for a list
of things. (I won't list them on the blog, but ask me in person or over email and
I will happily share. I know that boy well and even I was blown away by his list.)

And then the department awards began and we were thrilled, but not surprised,

when Campbell received one of four outstanding achievement awards from the English

teachers for writing, thinking and speaking. It was a proud parent moment for sure.

As we were leaving, Cam shook the hand of the principal and thanked him for everything.
Unexpectedly, the principal pulled the three of us aside and quietly and kindly shared that
when the teachers had all gotten together to discuss the student awards that would be given
from each department, there was a bit of a fight over who got to give Cam his award. I'm positive
this happened to other students as well, but it was still such a kind and thoughtful thing for the
principal to do and we sincerely appreciated it. Have I mentioned we kind of adore him?

We love you Cam the man! Way to be who you are. We think you are amazing.

My babies

Our Annie in Annie

This past weekend, Annie girl performed in a play that she has been practicing for since last
September. She has been taking weekly lessons with a music/theater group here in our area and

was chosen several months ago to be Grace, Mr. Warbucks' assistant, in the play Annie.

She really did such an amazing job and when she walked onstage in her first scene, 

I'm pretty sure I gasped aloud, at how old and grown up she looked. She delivered 

her lines so perfectly and sang so beautifully, I was a pretty proud mom.

Love this Annie girl of ours so much.

(What a fun reminder of three years ago in a little place called Massachusetts.)

May phone pics

Another visit to the ranch store. It was Nate's turn to see the new chicks.

After finding out I have some inflammation/nerve damage in my right foot, my sports

medicine doctor wanted to test me for rheumatoid arthritis and sent me directly over to

the lab, after an office visit. For the most part, I tried hard not to think about it, but when

the results came back negative, I was actually surprised at the depth of my relief.

We really do visit other stores that are not ranch/feed stories, but apparently the

months of April and May did not reflect that very well. A different store, more baby

chicks and this time, two little kids who could have watched them for a good hour or three.

For ten years, our children have been playing soccer. And I have never seen anything like this game
Matt played at the beginning of May. Never. This picture doesn't even begin to show the true
amount of rain coming down. Every once in a long while my heart feels like soccer is a dumb sport.

I got to accompany Ben's class on a walking field trip. I loved being with that amazing boy of mine.

Matt giving his state presentation to the class. This boy was born a presenter. It was something

else to watch. And the Powerpoint he did with zero help from anyone...truly awesome. I'm a fan.

Elder L. Tom Perry

I'm so incredibly happy for him and so extremely sad 

for his sweet wife and family. I have been surprised at 

how often tears have come to my eyes today when 

I think that this giant of a man (in every sense

of the word) is gone from this earth.

My favorite quote from Elder Perry:

"We can’t predict all the struggles and storms in life, not even the ones just around the next corner, but as persons of faith and hope, we know beyond the shadow of any doubt that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and the best is yet to come."

{From the talk, Let Him Do It with Simplicity}

Elder Perry, you will be missed.

Cuteness for all

Matt and the district decathlon

Our awesome Matt was chosen as one of eight kids in his whole school to 

participate in a district-wide decathlon competition. And no, it wasn't as intense 

as the professional one you are thinking of, but the ten events they chose were 

really challenging and fun to watch. We were so proud of Matt and how well he did.

Waiting in line for his turn to begin. I love this boy.

Just right before he started his speed stacking event and shocked everyone

with his time. He beat his old record of just over 6 seconds with 5.7 seconds.

More waiting. This time to run the 200 meter dash.

Matt is himself. He could care less if no one else was starting in sprint position,

he wanted to and so that is what he did. I love that he doesn't let peer pressure get to him.

And even if all of the photos I tried to take of his 200-meter dash were blurry,
I still loved this one so much. This boy is fast. He came in first with a great time.

The jumping of the rope.

And the shuttle run. Matt doesn't find a need for his feet to touch the
ground while he is running. He doesn't have time for such nonsense.

And the whole school team with their PE teacher.
Did I mention I seriously love that boy on the far right?