Summer Rain

I love rainy days!

This was the afternoon rain shower that didn't last long enough but we had fun while it did. :)

Words Can't Express...

all the emotions.

Eli (Israel & Kati's baby) is so amazing. Last night I was able to hold him and give a bottle, I was so excited. He is so tiny & precious. It's always incredible to me how you can love someone instantly.

Summer of Swim

The kids took swim lessons through the City of Phoenix this summer.

Dylan already knew how to swim but learned some new styles.

Cadence finally got the hang of swimming...sorta. There was one day she actually left the goggles on her face instead of just holding them and she realized she could see underwater and started to swim. She doesn't remember to pop her head up to take a breath...she just tries to make it to the edge of pool. So she still has a long way to go, but at least has the basics.

Video of Maggie about Eli's birth

This was taken this evening after the birth of Maggie's little brother Eli. :)

Weekend

It was so hot out this weekend, so we found some entertainment for the kids inside. On Saturday we went to Peter Piper Pizza for lunch. I was kinda dreading going because it is always so busy but we received a pleasant surprise when we walked in there were only a few other people there.

The kids had a lot of fun playing all the games & getting tickets.

On Sunday I was needing the kids to burn off some energy in the evening...you know I was desperate because I took them to McDonald's play area. I feel like I am asking the kids to get sick by being there...but they love it (and i guess that is what matters :)).

Since Isabelle has turned 1, we let her have some treats every once in awhile. Last night she scored by getting some ice cream...which she loved!

This is her after I cut her off and she still wanted more.

The other kids enjoyed the ice cream as well...every last drip.

After McDonald's Mark played "star wars" with Dylan at home.

I come in the room to find this set up along with a bunch of bungee cords suspending things in the air. This shows a big difference of how boys & girls play, I never would have thought to do this.

When Dylan first started imagination play years ago I would always get annoyed because he would always be zapping me or something like that. One day Mark came home and Dylan was doing it to him so he puts his hands over his heads and pretends like he is making a shield around him with sound effects and all. That is all it took for Dylan to leave him alone. I looked at him and said, "really that's all it took?". Again something I would never have thought of to do because I didn't grow up playing with boys.

Isabelle was exhausted and this is how she fell asleep last night.

Ninja Puppet Show

Weeping for what was my delight

This beautiful tree was planted at Mark's parents cabin in memory of Lincoln. These pictures were taken this spring by Mark's dad. It is such a beautiful tree and a great memorial for me.

Tomorrow is the day that Lincoln passed away. The thought of those last few hours are still close to unbearable for me to recall. The devastation and loss is so great.

Today I took the kids to Lincolns grave. It is the first time they have been there (outside of Dylan when he was small). I expained what a cemetary was and that we go there to help us remember. That his body is in the ground but that he is really in heaven. Dylan understood.

He said, "mom I believe Lincoln is real because I have a picture of me holding him".

Sometimes I feel the same way...