pEnCiL pRoJeCt

I saw this cute idea in a magazine and thought I would share it...I made one of these "pencils" for Annelise's new teacher and one for her lunch box (as a surprise). I put candy in the one for her teacher and I put a special prize (I put a mini voice recorder with a recorded message from me in it with a candy) in Annelise's that she gets to find at lunch. All you have to do is use a paper towel roll for the pencil body (for the big one) and a toilet paper roll for the removable eraser top (so you can fill it) I covered it with colored duct tape and voila!

FaThErS & SoNs

Josh and Aaron went on a father's and sons outing this past weekend. Aaron loves the outdoors and camping so it was so fun for Josh to have that time with him doing something he loves. Aaron got to see alot of his friends camping and also Saturday Josh and Aaron went fishing together. They also had extra activities...one of which was a man-made trampoline? (josh said it was so fun for the kids) I am glad that they got to spend some time together and I loved the time I had with just Annelise at home (well...once we got Colers in bed!) Next year Cole will be old enough to go and then he can enjoy that time.

VeGaS bAbY

[our last vacation of the summer was in Vegas & we met Brandon, Mayra & Owen]

[this was the kids' favorite part...Annelise loved petting the sting rays, Aaron LOVED the sharks & Cole loved all the fish]

[thanks for meeting us Mr. Brooks, Mayra & co.][it would not have been the same trip without you]

[caesars palace]

[the kids]

[Venetian Hotel]

[can you believe how much water this ride splashes? they were soaked]

[the shark reef was amazing...the stone and architecture of all the exhibits was incredible]

[m&m factory]

[every trip to vegas has to include a trip to a buffet!]

[annelise was obsessed with spotting these all over]

[colers does love his powdered donuts]

[only bad parts was that it was so HOT! and we had to push this double stroller around and it was quite the task pushing these kids around][josh was a trooper...and I had I don't know how many people asked me what I was doing walking down the strip, in the sun, with kids, 9 months pregnant!]

MiSs ThEm aLrEaDy

Here is the last picture & time we said good bye to our family missionaries. Can't wait for that first letter home from them! The kids are already working on their letter (drawings) that we will send them!

SoMeThiNg Is FiShY aRoUnD hErE

The kids have wanted a dog so badly...and so I told them they could get a pet- with a nice disclaimer...it has to live in a fish tank. So the kids picked out each a crab and Cole picked out a sucker fish. Cole's fish is named Mrs. Puff, and Aaron named his crab Spiderman and Annelise's named her crab Brandon. (Not cuz her uncle is crabby....haha...but because she told me she really likes her uncle and really likes her crab)
It was cute to have the kids name their new friends. Spiderman is an intense little crab so Brandon has really mastered the art of hiding under things in the tank. And Mrs. Puff just sits there un-bothered even when both crabs pinch. This whole scenario sounds a little like our home life! I am just glad the kids haven't asked for a dog in a few days!

RoOmY

I thought I would post a pic of the room we finished for the baby. We are so excited for him to come...and his room is ready and waiting. We did a plainer, more contemporary looking room...all around the color grey. I love the color grey so I just had to decorate with it. Chels helped me pick some stuff out and I made the bumper...all in all I am super happy to put a baby in this room. It feel peaceful to me so I hope it helps a new little baby want to sleep through the night!

FaReWeLl

Josh's sweet parents, Delyn & Vicky, were set apart last night and left for the MTC this morning. They will be in the MTC for one week and then they leave for Cambodia for 23 months. I have kept my emotions together thus far, but thinking about it this morning really made me sad. We will miss them but their example of selfless service far outweighs any anxiety of them being gone. I know they will learn so much and have so many wonderful experiences and I can't wait to hear about them. They are amazing people and will for sure be missed.

[I just had to take a family photo with them even though I am trying to avoid those lately...I want to remember what our family looked like when they left. I will have to take another when they return and it will be fun to see how much has changed]

They had their missionary farewell last Sunday. It was such a nice day and they did wonderful on their talks. All the grandkids were asked to do a musical number during the meeting so I snapped a picture of them practicing. It was cute...even Cole went up to sing! Too bad Aaron had to bug Cole the whole time! It did make us laugh. There always has to be some kid who distracts during music numbers in sacrament...so glad it was my kid.

ShOpPiNg

Annelise and I went back to school clothes shopping Saturday and look who we ran into!

Too bad he wasn't the real thing...

ThE CoUcH

So last week, this lovely little number showed up on our doorstep late at night...

we just had to return the favor to someone else...and make the deal a little sweeter with more DI accessories

LaGoOn-InG ThE SumMeR

[We just love Lagoon...and it is even more fun when we go with friends & family.]

[cousins]

[love you Rachael]

[Higgins]