Daddy's Little Helpers

Tonight dad was home before the sun set and he and the girls set out to tackle the back lawn that had become a mini forest. With Daniel's busy schedule it has been nearly impossible to find time to fire up the lawn mower. Luckily he had plenty of help picking up the grass clippings.

Eliza would pick up as much as she could and then she would say, "I want more!" To which her patient dad would show her another pile to start on. Liesel didn't want to be left out of the action. She probably got more rubbed into her clothes and hands then into the bucket but it was awesome!

To bad that the camera starts to become a distraction from a great project. Eliza wants pictures of her and to watch while I take them. Silly girl. She was going 120% tonight though. She is so tough.

Boxes

Aren't boxes so much fun?

Here's to Us!

Daniel and I celebrated our third anniversary yesterday. It seems crazy how much has happened in those three short years: two Bachelors Degrees, two kids, two 'new' cars, two moves, a house, starting a masters program, surviving two layoffs, and everything else in between. With all that has happened it just seems like we have always been married.

Since this was our first anniversary without a nursing baby, we went all out. We got a baby-sitter from 12pm-12am on Saturday. We went to the temple and then to a little touristy amusement park with shops, rides, and a dinner theater. It was fun to be together. The whole park was slightly mediocre but it was fun to have the freedom of being together without the kids.

Daniel, I love you for your constant concern for my welfare, your love of our children, your enthusiasm for school, your drive for work, your excitement for seminary, and your give it 100% attitude. You are everything I ever hoped for in a husband. Thanks for 3 great years!

I went walking...

I went walking in my garden this morning and what did I see,

these bright red strawberries

looking up at me.

I thought we weren't going to get any strawberries this year because of a late hail storm that butchered my plants just as they started to blossom. But the second crop is on and every couple of days I get another handful. Hopefully next year we will be able to make jam. Yum!

Pig Tails

Yesterday I tried pig tails in Eliza's hair for the first time. They turned out so cute that I told her we needed to take a picture. She was so excited that she hopped right up into the "picture chair" but then I told her they would be better outside, she ran out the door and gave me this pose. Isn't she DARLING?

Then since dad was working just around the corner we had to go on a walk and show him our new dew.

Our walk isn't complete without Eliza getting a turn to push. I think Liesel loves to just sit and observe. Regardless of who is pushing--unless she accidentally gets pushed off the side walk.

All in all, it was a good day for a new look.

Feeling the Baby

I felt my baby move this morning for the first time. I am seventeen and a half weeks along and I was getting nervous for this baby. But I went to the doctor yesterday and heard the heartbeat again. That is always reassuring. With Eliza and Liesel I felt them move by 14 or 15 weeks so maybe this third baby will be my mellow boy. We will have to wait and see. But for now I love your kicking baby and I can't wait to hold you in my arms.

Canning

While I was home for a few weeks last month, my mom got me this great pressure cooker from the D.I. Since I have been home I have bottled two batches of my very own, home grown, beans. It feels so good to begin becoming self-reliant. Thanks mom for the cooker and for all the help along the way!

Laurel and Dane's Wedding

Laurel and Dane were married July 27, 2007 in the Idaho Falls LDS Temple.

Eliza and Liesel were flower girls with their cousins.

The Ladies.
The men giving Dane a high five.
Laurel's brothers Daniel and Andrew giving her a kiss.
Laurel and Dane we are so happy for you. We hope your life together is bliss!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

My sisters Jessica and Heather and I went to the midnight party at Barnes and Noble for the release of the seventh and finally book in the Harry Potter series. Check out our cool glasses. It was really fun to be together with my sisters. Although I am still only halfway through the book, staying up that late was still worth it.

Family Reuion

We had so much fun at the second ever

Family Reunion in July.

Some of our favorite activities included:


Visiting the Twin Falls LDS Temple site.



Swimming with the cousins.
Sunbathing with the aunts.

Family Photo Shoot.

Wheelbarrow rides with Grandpa.

The football pinata.

Story time with Grandma.

And of course, the fireworks.

We loved seeing all of the family. Thanks to everyone for all the effort and fun.

We can't wait for 2009!