Surprise!

I noticed the dogs barking

more than usual

and went out to see what was up.

This guy

was lounging next to the gate

to our back yard.

I opened it up

and he came on in

and made himself at home.

The kids were ecstatic. They thought

a new pet

had come to live with us.

Unfortunately, these particular animals

are not indigenous to our area

and the kids realized it must belong to someone.

They made a few door knocks at the neighbors

and found the owners,

who were so glad to have him back,

they wrote us a thank you note.

However, they also let us know that "she" (not he)

will be laying her eggs soon,

and would we like a baby turtle

after they hatch?

Hmm, we'll have to think on that one.

Summer's here!

We broke out the

slip 'n slide

a couple of days ago

for a day of H2O fun.

One of the best summer activities

is spraying down the trampoline

and then seeing how much higher you bounce

when it's wet.

Austin won that contest,

he was touching the branches of the tree!

The rain has been nice, but we are glad the weather has finally

warmed up!

She sleeps

I went in one night to check on London

and this is what I found.

I couldn't resist taking a photo.

Is there anything cuter?!

The Wild, Wild West

One of the blessings

of living where we do

is the beautiful scenery

and especially,

the wonderful people we get to know.

Last weekend we were invited out to

the 80-acre ranch of some good friends.

They really showed us a great time.

First we had the chance to see their 2-week-old foal.

The kids were disappointed they couldn't ride him,

he was so cute.

But we did get to ride some other horses,

and had a ball doing it.

Doug and I both were pretty rusty,

but it didn't take him long

to get back in that saddle.

Like riding a bike, I guess.

He was in horse heaven.

London was fearless.

Once she saw those horses,

she begged to ride,

and then after a couple of times around the arena,

she thought she was ready for a solo act,

(no one holding her horse's rope)

and wanted to go faster!

It was a good first experience for her,

we hope the first of many.

The other kids also loved

every minute of it.

We were treated to a wonderful dutch oven dinner
around a campfire,
of bbq ribs, baked beans, biscuits,
and s'mores for dessert.
It was an evening we won't soon forget!

Energy Camp

This summer

Austin got the neat opportunity

to attend a one-week camp

at the local community college.

Its focus was to teach the kids

about solar energy.

Austin absolutely loved it.

They toured the local

solar array.

In the classroom, they split into groups

and built different contraptions

that actually were solar-powered.

Austin's group made a drawbridge.

Other groups built an elevator,

a car that rolled,

and an airplane with working propeller.

Each student received a kit

for making a house that could have various

solar energy-powered functions.

Austin's had a windmill,

and inside, a lightbulb.

He also plans to add

a refrigerator and an air conditioner.


Each kid also got to build and take home
a solar oven, as well.
Pretty amazing!

He had the best time
and learned so many new things!
A summer week well-spent.

Seven

Happy birthday, Jordan!

She rocked at bowling!

We had a great time.

We were the only ones there!

We love you, Jordan!

Your smile brightens up our days,

your sweet notes make us smile,

and your hugs and kisses are the best.

Thanks for being you.

Dancers

The girls' dance performances

were at the end of May.

Couldn't help posting

some pictures of them.

They looked so beautiful!

Not that I'm biased, or anything. :)

This was London's first recital.

She did so great!

Jordan was so cute and fun to watch.

She danced to "True to Your Heart"

and "A Night to Remember"

from HSM 3.

Syd was in "Secret Agent Man"

and "Little Wonders".

She was awesome.

And after the recital portion,
she was also a part of the production of
"Tarzan"
put on by the Academy.

It was very well-done.
Fun for us to see
and for them to be a part of!
I'm so proud of them.

Twitcherskills

We have these
flowers in our
flower beds
that the girls
like to pick
and bring in
the house.
We don't know
if they were
planted there
or if they are
just weeds,
but they're
really cool-looking.
We didn't have
a name for them
so London just
made one up.
She called them
Twitcherskills.

It just stuck,

and now every time

she brings more inside,

she says,

"Here's some more Twitcherskills."

I think she's pretty clever.

I think that's exactly what they look like.