Baptism!

On August 16th, Jacob had his first baptism. We have had the pleasure of being able to teach Patti McElfish in our home for the last few months. She is a joyful spirit, and the simple truths of the gospel speak to her. She has cerebral palsy and lives around the corner from us. Her birthday is tomorrow, but we will have her over on Sunday for cake!

Our favorite missionaries! Elder Simonds and Elder Clark. They are the best Elders in the mission! Not biased at all am I? Elder Clarrk went home on Sunday. I will truly miss him. I'm sure he is having tons of fun with his family and catching up on movies!

Me and Mal

Me and Mal, helping her make a beaded scripture book marker. I thought it would make a great gift or simple enrichment activity.

Mal!

Mal and Lani in a "Yo" pose?

Funny Mal!

Girl's Camp

This is like the 4th time I have tried to post these pictures. I guess I will need to talk to my SIL about some of the ways that she posts, can't get mine to do some of the cool things she does. SO, anyway, here again are some of my 150+ pics from camp. Our theme was "Journey through the Jungle". So much fun with 121 girls and 38 leaders!

My Crafty Critter ladies. We did a Level Craft and Free Time crafts.

Mal and her YCL pals, Kate & Sarah. They had 7, 1st Level girls in their Neata Cheetahs!

Level Craft. It was so neat to see the girls being creative and unique!

We hung them on a broken tree branch, right and hung some on a clothes line.

Paino Camp June 08

Becca and I had a great opportunity to attend Piano Camp again this year. She had a great time, renewing old friendships, making new ones and lots of smiles and giggles.

This is Jodi Graves, concert pianist, master teacher and a very fun gal!

Here is Becca playing a duet with . They had an ensemble class where they learn those great skills of working/listening together. It was Becca's first time playing the secondo part and keeping pace and listening to a beginner. She did great!

Her fabulous, awesome, inspiring, dedicated, one of a kind teacher (and the director of the camp): Ms. Mary Simpson! She is the best! She has asked me to help plan and organize next years camp. What an honor!

Richy Got A Haircut!

So Richy Really, Really needed a haircut!!!! It took us a while and after a few friendly banters, we said "TODAY, IS HAIRCUT DAY!!!!" (July 14th actually)

And it was such fun we took a before.......

a Very Sad Before..........

and here's an after.....but he was hiding.....

Here's a handsome boy!!!

Changes!

Our family dynamics have changed so much in the last month. We have seen it everywhere at our house. 1) It is finally summer, warm and sunny days are here now. 2) Getting Logan ready to leave for a month. We will miss him. 3) Jacob has been in Boise working for the last 10 day, we miss him too. 4) Richy has grown about 6 inches, he is about eyeball to eyeball with me. 5) Mallory and Becca are spending a little more time together. That is always nice. 6) Some of the plants my sister helped with are alive still (but, some are dead!)

Comfy Cocoa

So, now that most of the family has returned home, Cocoa can now have her place back in Mal's room. She is a little shy around people and I hardly saw her all week. But this is where I found her after all the hub-bub was over and she had her routine again. Silly kitty! She missed Mal.

Where's the proof?

Jacob with his Elicker cousins. Brandon, Jacob, Brianna. Front row: Richy, Logan, Benjamin, Becca. We missed Mallory as she was tied up with the band. We never did get a picture with of them together in his duds. =(

Proof Positive!

Brag table done by his Aunt Bethany and Aunt Melany. They were great help to me this weekend.

We are proud of him!

Jacob's Graduation

Well, it's finally done! Jacob is graduated! I cried on and off for 2 days. But, it was great and Jacob worked hard. It really was such an accomplishment for him to finish. He's a great kid, but a procrastinator Crunch time came, and there was a little stress.

Last time playing with the band.

Banner in the Arena.

Proud parents. =)

Proud Grandpa from St. Louis. Thanks for coming Dad!

Remember when....

Well, Jacob has 3 days of school left until after his mission. Can't believe he is that old. He brought home his year book today. We had it engraved with his name on it for his senior year. You can buy a spot in the back for Senior's baby pics and this is what we picked and worked on for about 3 hours one morning. He just smiled and shook his head, we are so silly!

(Insert pic here: can't find pic, Mike will send it to me and then I will add it)

Congratulations! You are an awesome Big Brother, a Super Example, a Joy in our lives, and truly a real-life cartoon character! We are so proud of you! Your future is bright and full of possibilities. Always do your best!

Love,

Mom, Dad, Mallory, Richy and Becca

Hayden is full of water!

So we went to the lake on Memorial Day and saw this at Tobler's. The lake is SO full! We had this nice weather about 2 weeks ago, in the 90's and now we are dealing with all the snow melting at a fast rate! Haven't seen this much water in a long time!

Here is the main creek, Mike thinks it's Jim Creek, but I think it's something else. Jim Creek is the one that goes into our bay. Right? (After note: I was right, this creek is called Yellowbanks Creek)

The swimming dock.

I love how the moving dock is higher then the stationary dock.

Lots of water for a fun summer if anyone gets a chance to come up for a few days, it will be great!

Mike in Action!

So, some wonder what Mike does when he is out and about the country, visiting hospitals, and being his fun, jovial self. This was taken just yesterday in Georgia and yes, it is a touch screen! He looks good in his shirt & tie, we always see him at home in his Hawaiian shirts (which he LOVES!).

This time he ended up working in a hallway! It is usually a side room or small office (closet).

A first for everything!

First time for everything!

I have a few friends that have a blog and one in particular (yes, you Michelle) inspired me to get off my duff and just get it done! Thanks! =)

So, as busy as my family is.....as much as I am on the computer....and how far away all our family is living.....what a great way to keep in touch.

Here we are last summer at my sisters house. Just by looking the kids have grown up so much since then. I think Richy is at least 6 inches taller now.