the WALKER

Our little girl is getting so big!  She has been pushing around laundry baskets for a few days so I finally relented and let Daddy give her the walker.  She was THRILLED!!!  I predict this little one will be walking right about time for her birthday.  Frownsmile. . .

11!!!

Ethan has turned 11!  Our big boy is just getting bigger and bigger.  Ethan requested doughnuts for his birthday treat, so instead of cake at night, he went on a morning doughnut run and picked out some favorites.  Nothing like a birthday breakfast!

 Here he is modeling his new scout hat from Grandma and Grandpa Wilde.  It was a huge hit as it has LED lights built right in.  So handy!

 New scriptures from Grammy and Grampy Price were also well received.

 And, a little cash to add to his "robot savings."  He is saving up for a lego mindstorm robot and we helped get him moving on that goal.

 The unexpected hit has been the balloon animals!  I picked up a "how to" book somewhere and gave him that and some balloons, and everyone has really enjoyed them.  We had to order some more balloons from amazon, and I'm hoping they'll last the summer.  I've put them on rations now.  :)

Happy Birthday to our boy!  I can't believe how fast you are growing up!

Toothless!

Our boy has lost his first tooth!  He did it in record time of only about 3 days loose.  This is kind of a record around here.  Ethan and Aidan have been known to hang onto loose teeth for 4-6 months. Thank you chandler for ending the misery!!!  :)

Newsworthy Swimmers!

News flash!!!  It's 80 degrees!  That's worthy of a news story around our parts!  Lucky for us, we were at the pool for lessons while they were filming.  You can see all four kids in the pool here!

Emilee at :18, :29, and 1:00

Chandler at :36 (that's his cute head!)

Ethan and Aidan at 1:03

Yard progress, week 2

Tons of progress made this week!  First and foremost, the tramp hole is complete, and Gordon has built the enclosure around it so that it will not cave in during our wet winters.  This was a major feat of engineering and he did a great job!

 The retaining wall to level the yard was begun and the neighbors are very pleased with how attractive it is.  We are all very happy to have happy neighbors.  :)

 Here are our metal fence posts, and the length of the wall.  These posts will never rot out of the ground!  :)

 If you look carefully in the shadows here you can see how the yard is leveling out nicely. . .

 And here is the dry well dug in the bottom of the tramp hole for extra drainage.  It will be filled with rock and then the ground will be covered with a tarp.

and that's the weekly report!  Stay tuned next week for a finished wall, a concrete pad, more deck repairs and the beginnings of a fence!

This week's Raffle

Something we are doing to motivate the children this summer with reading, chores, good behavior, etc. . . is to do a weekly raffle.  The children earn tickets for getting their stuff done and then on Friday evening we draw a ticket at dinner.  This week's prize was a lunch out with Daddy!  Chandler and Emilee won (double prizes!!!) and they chose yakisoba at Momo.  Great job guys!

Dollies at the Lake

Summer in Paradise!