How Firm a Foundation

Mathew sang an a capella solo for the youth talent show tonight. And I loved every second.

Signs of spring

I never thought I'd say this, but I've come to love the weather of the Midwest. The seasons in Kansas feel like they're on steroids. Both the summer and winter can be so intense, they border on painful. Suffering through the ice storms and the sweatlodge humidity of July, inspires us all to feel joy and rapture at the blossoms and breezes  of spring and cool crispness of the fall

The maple in the back yard is working on its new leaves!

It took 6 years, but we finally have the most adorable blueberry blossoms.

Our lilac bushes in the back yard have finally outgrown their awkward gangly phase and have decided to get actual blossoms this year. It's a good thing, cuz I was having murderous thoughts.

Now I love them! And they will not be ripped out and flung over the fence. They will be sniffed and loved and gazed upon through the window.

I have a nice crop of Arugula! I am dreaming of delicious pear/arugula/blue cheese flatbreads....

Found a little house at the dollar store and popped it in with the vincas and a sweet potato vine. Cuteness!

This plant has fought the bunnies and survived for 3 years. You go, plant.

Our pink azaleas. Still a little anemic...but doing what they can for our curb appeal. I have hope for the future.

The best hanging baskets this year! Purple petunia perfection.

Toasty Toes

Everly refuses to wear and coat and is always saying to me, "I didn't feel cold!" but she know a good opportunity to roast the toes doesn't come along every day!

Fishy

Lake Pomona

We finally made it out to Pomona Lake for our spring campout. We broke out the Coleman stove shortly after putting up our tent so we could make a quick burger dinner. 

Sirois were there early and already all set up. We "pitched" in to help Flynn's set up their tent...get it? Pitched in??

One of the things we love about camping so early in the spring is that there are no leaves, no ticks, no mosquitoes and no camp host watching our every move. So we gather all the branches that have fallen over the winter and use them as firewood.

There is always a lot of leaves left over from the fall to play in.

We mainly hang out and make fire...swing a bit in the hammock

and let the kids slurp down Izzes. It's exclusively a camping treat.

We take a few selfies.

And think a few deep thoughts.

This year the girls packed a big old rolled up Barbie coloring page. It provided unexpected entertainment for the young and old. Well, maybe for the young and the younger.

Ethan has recently discovered a love of tank tops. He needs fresh air on those biceps.

We laughed and talked around the fire...Mari made cobbler and we roasted a few pies in the pie irons.

We eventually stumbled off to bed and were treated to the kind of night you can only experience in a wind tunnel...holy hannah! The wind was wippin through that tent at concerning speeds.

It was loud.

But, it was also perfect for flying kites the next morning.

Everly was more interested in her dandelion bouquet. She is the sweetest.

We thought it might be fun to roast some lil' smokies over the fire. And I'll tell you. It was fun!

Did you know that osage is a very hard wood? Did you know that it takes several men several hours of chopping away to get all the way through a 6 inch log?

And we have a winner! Mathew broke through! I bet that osage could burn for hours!

We were planning on staying a second night, but the weather forecast took an ugly turn and we had severe thunderstorms heading our way. So we packed up early and headed home. And how do feel about that, Martin?

That's how we feel about that.

Pirate Girl

Go fish

Everything is more fun with giant cards.

Just think...Slap Jack! Solitaire! War!

Il Lazzarone

Arugula. Apples. Balsamic glaze. 

I need it.

Courtney turns 40

Hello from the future! It's 2020 and I'm catching up again. This is Courtney's birthday, as you can see. What you can't see (or hear) is the laughing and the love that we have for each other. These people are warm and wonderful and looking at these photos makes me laugh and cry! I'm so grateful we get to celebrate together and be in each other's lives every day.

Through the Blinds

Don't look now, but the boys are playing catch in the backyard....

Voluntarily.

No one is being bribed or threatened.

No one is bleeding.

3 dancing ladies and the most excellent papa

The girls are all in dance this year. This is their chosen activity. I love it because they are all in the same place and they are safe with Miss Gaby and they are learning to use their bodies and be proud of themselves. And these girls love to move to the music.

Anna and Laney just got their costumes...so we couldn't resist pulling up their hair and doing a trial run.

Everly is still waiting on her dress, but she is starting to rehearse with Mark for the father/daughter number they will do at the recital. It's a lot of time and work, but she feels so special and loves having time alone with him.

The recital is in May!!

Me and Maf

Easter 2018

Sometimes Easter and General Conference fall on the same weekend. 

When this happens, we have extra to peruse our Easter baskets.

To sniff our new t-shirts.

And the bed head is ON POINT.

Instead of a Sunday dress porch photo, we'll lay about and play games in our jammies and flower headbands.

Later, we put on our pants and ran a comb through our hair so we could go watch a session with the Flynns and give Maybe all the love she deserves.

And what do you know...more surprising announcements were made. Young Men presidencies are being dissolved. Young Women class names are being retired as well....no more Beehives or Mia Maids or Laurels. What's next?!?