Tongue Twister

Lately, little Lily loves licking lemons and limes.
(Try saying that 10 times fast!)

Saturday surprise

This morning my sister Heather called early with an invite to go canoeing.

We spent today floating the Teton River with some of the family. It was peaceful and beautiful. A nice break from the regular routine. We put in at the spot where my sister Melodie was baptized many years ago. It was fun to see the fish jumping and hear the quiet of the river as we drifted along.

In the distance, the Tetons seemed to watch over us like old friends. We finished the day with a short hike to a small waterfall in Teton Canyon. It was a fun time full of memories of days gone by.

An afternoon at String Lake

While hiking in Grand Teton National Park in September 2007, I found this nice lake for family boating, swimming, sunning, and beach playing. It's called String Lake; a few miles long but only several hundred yards wide with a slow current.

The girls were acting a little naughty on the ride there, so I told them I'd throw them into the lake. And I did! Here they are wet and sitting on a rock a few feet downstream. I think they actually enjoyed it because they're smiling.

I jumped in too, but Holly insisted on keeping her eyes on the canoe.

We found this glacial boulder and I jumped off into the lake. Refreshing!

Hey, Batter, Batter . . . S-W-I-N-G, Batter!

On Thursday, we all finished up our baseball season. Hooray!

Lily played teeball this year for the first time.
She learned a lot and even hit the ball without the tee in her last game.
Coaching was a new thing for me as well.

Shyanne, one of her best cousins, was on her team
so that made it even more fun.

Hannah played softball and had a great time.
Watching her team was fun. They were full of team spirit
and she even got to pitch a few innings.

I will fight no more forever

For an Idaho History project this year, Hannah decided to make a bust of Chief Joseph -- her first real art project. She loves being artsy so we cooked up some clay for her and here is what she came up with.

She molded his head out of the clay and spray-painted some marbles for the eyes. It was all white with black eyes. While the clay was drying, a three year old neighbor caught a glimpse of it as he was playing. He came to a halt, his eyes got big and he said quietly, "SCARY . . ."

Later, Hannah finished it up with paint. She had fun putting on her "finishing touches" and we all thought she had created a wonderful first masterpiece.

Memorial Day

As Memorial Day approaches, I'm thinking about the many blessings of living in this country.

After a year in a foreign land, I remember very distinctly the feelings in my heart the day I returned to American soil and looked up at the American flag. Old Glory seemed to blaze more brightly for me that day and every day since.

Now when I hear "The Star-Spangled Banner", see a soldier in uniform, or watch in awe as fireworks explode overhead, I have a tightening in my throat that reminds me how blessed I am. It's sometimes almost overwhelming. I couldn't pretend to know the strong feelings a veteran must have as he sings those words and gazes at our flag.

Webster lists a patriot as one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests. As elections approach, I'm learning that I need to make a better effort to be informed in order to find a candidate I can support.

I am deeply grateful to those who serve and have served in the military defending this great land. I know the blessings I enjoy every day come from God through them.

God bless America and Happy Memorial Day!

sun

Today is gorgeous, finally.

I knew it would happen sooner or later but waiting for later has been a real struggle this year.

The smells and sounds of summer are in the air and I am very thankful for the sunshine today.

Recipe for fun

I learned something remarkable on Saturday.

What do you get when you add sunshine, a table,
some paints and brushes, leftover wood, and 6 kids?

A wizarding showdown (of course?!)

Expelliarmus!
Long live the magical world of Harry Potter!

flowers

Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flower
where I can walk undisturbed. ~Walt Whitman

Easter Snow Hunt

It was one degree outside as I bundle up the girls for an egg hunt in the park.

I had my doubts -- maybe it was cancelled, no other parent is going to be crazy enough to bring their kids out in the cold for a little candy.

Imagine my surprise as we pull up to the park and saw about thirty cars.

My throat got tight as I looked into the eyes of these children in their gloves and boots and I knew

. . . these Idaho parents really love their kids.

READY FOR ACTION

It's all about the hunt . . . 

Easter Sunday at home

Happy Easter, everyone!

Four at last!

Friday was Lily's birthday.

We had ice cream with Grandma and Grandpa

on Monday. On Thursday, Lily went to her cousins house

while we did a surprise makeover on her bedroom.

We finished celebrating with cake and ice cream on Friday.

The princess wall of fame

The princess castle

Our Sunday Best

Lily was the spotlight this Sunday.

Our spotlight lady turns off the lights

and shines a flashlight on the spotlighted child.

Lily later told us the "spylady" shined a light on her.

She told everyone she was born on Pi-day.

They thought she said Fri-day.

The whole Howard gang

The block was her birthday gift from Primary

A little after church snack . . .