Marie

These were taken before Marie lost her top tooth. If you look closely, the left one is crooked because it is hanging by a thread. The right one has since become loose and is hanging by a mere corner. I think Dad will pull it out during family home evening.

Grace

We just love this girl! Gracie's body is bursting with personality. Last night she got to stay up later than everyone else to spend some alone time with mommy and daddy. The last picture captures her sitting in the creek that runs through our back yard. At least she was out of the way while I mowed the lawn!

Note: Aren't James' new glasses hot?

Numerica Plays Softball

James joined a corporate softball league this summer. You have to keep in mind the guys on his team were not the high school jocks, but the class valedictorians. Although they never won a game, I have never seen a team with better sportsmanship. James spent a bit of time in the batting cages and by the end of the season, he was looking really good out there.

Funny story: Numerica was really excited to play Walmart because they expected everyone on the team to be old and incompetent. Instead, Walmart creamed Numerica. Go figure...

Good-bye Aunt Molly

Molly suprised us last night. She spent the night as one last hurrah before she goes off to BYU. James was glad to have another person for ladder golf.

Canning for the First Time

James and I finally bought a pressure canner in order to be more frugal and save some of our left-overs. Admittedly, it has been quite an ordeal. I canned tomatoes, split pea soup, and watermelon jam. I also made zucchini bread--another first. Just call me Laura Ingalls.

Marie Loses Top Tooth

These pictures are just because. Since we had to document Marie's new smile, the other girls wanted their pictures taken, too.

Company Picnic

Numerica held a picnic on perhaps the most beautiful day we've had this summer. The kids enjoyed face painting, which they have missed since we left Sahuarita. Festivities concluded with a water balloon toss. You can imagine the stains after all that paint bled from their faces onto their shirts.

Ben and Daddy Go Camping

James took Ben on the ward's annual Fathers and Sons Camp-out. The event proved educational, as Ben returned home having mastered the art of "going on a tree." He is now confident standing at the toilet (much to Allie's relief). Using public restrooms will no longer be such an ordeal.

Squirt Gun Show Down

Ben was on my team (I think).

Ben in the Back Yard

For Ben, nothing brings more satisfaction than to hear one of his sisters say, "Ben, you're bothering me!" He loves to poke, tease, scare, and gross them out anytime, anywhere. Once, my mom admitted that a few minutes in the stockade would probably do him some good. But he is still such a sweet, little boy. I think these pictures capture a glimpse of that.

Date Night in Fort Collins

I am writing a book titled The Story of the Boys I Loved Before the One I Married. It started when I found myself perusing through some old journals. I was shocked by what I read. For one, I was in so many dangerous situations and never knew it. For another, the guys my parents trusted the most, coincidentally treated me the worst. There is an amazing story that I want my kids to know. I was so clueless; I refuse my children the same luxury.

My book is still in the editing stage but James promised it would be done for our anniversary. I intend to give a soft-back copy to each of my kids on their 14th birthday. (And if you're lucky, I'll let you read it, too.)

Anyway, the book includes a lot of terrible photos of me, James, and past boyfriends. When Staci was here, I begged her to take a decent picture of us so that hopefully I could end the book on a good note. Here are just a few...