Reading!

Next week I am done with school until the end of the month so I wondered if anyone has the Twilight books I can borrow?

Derek's Last Day

All the cockroaches, crickets and all other disgusting insects can rest a little easier tonight knowing there is one less bug killer on the loose. Today is Derek's last day as a pest control worker. Although this job was a huge blessing it was a lot of hard work for him. There were many days where he would go spray all day and then go sell at night. Long days in the heat! With the economy as slow as it is, it wasn't quite the money making venture we had hoped but it got us through. Now on to being a 2nd year medical student. He starts school next Wednesday!

Our Bathing Beauty

A couple of weekends ago, Derek was outside cleaning the cars and I looked out the window to see Ava in her underwear with a beach towel all spread out across the driveway and she had stolen Derek's sunglasses to sunbathe. It made me smile so I hurried and grabbed the camera. I know some of you are probably thinking, "Does this child ever wear clothes?" The answer is not very often. Next week after I am done with classes for a few weeks, I am hoping to have her dressed everyday!

Jerrod's Trip to Arizona

Jerrod had a great time in Arizona. A huge thanks goes to the Payne family for making it happen. They took him to see Batman, to a big water park and he got to see some friends that we miss from Arizona. When he got home I was excited because I thought since I sent a camera with him he would have documented it for me. Nope. He took a lot of pictures of clouds and a few others from the plane though. Guess he had more important things on his mind.

View of the Grand Canyon from the airplane.

Part of downtown Phoenix

Birthday boy Austin

Jerrod's First Plane Ride

This morning I took Jerrod to the airport for his flight to Phoenix. It is his friend Austin's birthday tomorrow and so his family got Jerrod a plane ticket to come for a weekend of fun. Lucky kid! I could tell that he was a little nervous and I was sad to say goodbye. As a mom I felt so helpless because I knew that he was nervous and I couldn't be with him. I was also bummed that I was missing a "first" but then Derek mentioned a few firsts that I will be gladly missing so I guess I can't be there for all of them! We just a call from him saying that he is there and that he's ok and he sounded excited! He said the flight was fun so that relieved all of us. I'm sure we will have more pictures on Saturday of all of his adventures.

Here's his plane just as they were leaving the gate.

Pioneer Day Celebration

On Saturday there was a tri-Stake Pioneer Day Celebration and our ward wanted the primary to be in the parade so we had the kids decorate their bikes and we walked along the parade route with them. It started at 9 am and it was so dang hot. We did not come prepared. I was expecting a small parade around the stake center. No, this was a full on parade with floats, and went around a couple of blocks. It wasn't far, it was just HOT!!! We were very glad to get done and find a booth with ice cold water bottles. After the parade they had a pancake breakfast and games. We were up until about 12:30 the night before decorating bikes and then we needed to get up at 7:00 so sleeping in was much more appealing to me but it was important to the kids so we went. After it was over the kids kept saying they never wanted to be in the parade again and I kept telling them that that was music to my ears!

Putting the finishing touches on the bikes

Our primary kids

Derek found this praying mantis.

They had a fire truck spray water from their hose from across the street and mist everyone.

Wrestle Mania!

Last Sunday, Jerrod and his Dad were just playing and wrestling when all of the girls decided to doggie pile them. Ava was so excited to get in on the action! She even started to stomp on poor Jerrod's head. Where is she learning all of these moves?