Little Picasso

I know everyone always says that 'their' kids are talented, but I have to brag a little. Angela has become quite the artist, maybe she'll take after her momma yet, I'm trying hard. I need someone to take over the wedding business when I retire. She loves to color and create pictures. This one is called banana slip in the forest. And there's a story behind it too. The banana was in the forest and couldn't find his family, but he did find his family and spent the night as his friend's house.

This one is called Humpty Dumpty and he fell off the wall, she knows because she saw it on Blue's Clues, you know, reliable source of news now a days.
Girls are so fun!

Desert in Full Bloom

This cactus is in our neighborhood and is just sooo beautiful. I have never seen one bloom like this. It's amazing that something so poky and harsh can produce blooms like this.

It gives me hope that even though I may be very rough at times,

I may be able to have my kids be beautiful blooms like this.

I Love Girls Camp

As you know I'm the camp director for my ward. We went up to see the cabin a couple of weeks ago. It's in Strawberry, just past Camp Lomia. The Kilgore family in our ward is letting us use their cabin this summer. They have been very generous. Mayann, Tiffany and I went for a day trip to check it out. It was a fun day and I know I'm going to have a blast with all the leaders and girls going to camp. We had brunch at the Strawberry Lodge and it was DELICIOUS,

good home cooking.
I can't wait to go to camp!!!

The Garden Guy

Eric has been working on our garden. It's looking pretty good

and we actually have some veggies coming.

We have a few strawberry plants, that have had some fruit.

This lonely one is the biggest by far. They are very sweet and juicy.

I wonder who will get to eat it?

We were amazed at how fast the jalapenos grow. We also have cilantro and

tomatoes growing so hopefully we'll have some salsa soon.

The best ones are the squash. Each plant is just full of fruit or blooms.

Can't wait to grill some and drizzle it with EVOO.

The basil has been used regularly. It's great on so many things.

The garden is small, but doing good.

Eric has a green thumb (and other things as well).

Sugar n Spice and Everything Nice

Angela had her preschool recital yesterday. She did a great job reciting her poem "Sugar and Spice..." Miss Tiffany thought it was very appropriate since she has 5 brothers. All the kids did a great job with their cute poems and songs. What are little girls made of?
Sugar and spice and everything nice

Tea parties, laces and baby doll faces

that's what little girls are made of

What are little boys made of?

Snips and snails, and puppy dogs tails

That's what little boys are made of !"

Out in Lala Land, I mean Left Field

We went to see Eric's game on Tuesday and well, what can I say money well spent. He plays coach pitch for the Ironbirds and despite a little bout of ADD he's doing pretty good. He's doing much better with his hitting, throwing and catching; and we're working on outfielding. It's hard to hit those pitches from the coaches and want can I say it gets boring out there. Good thing the weather is so beautiful right now "Hey I can see through the glove"

Contemplating about life, or what he's getting for snack after the game The coach at this point is walking away seeing if he can help one of the other kids, this one is a lost cause.

Happy Birthday Eric

It's Eric's birthday today the big 41, I guess they're all big from now on. What can I say about Eric that everybody doesn't already know. He's a pretty wonderful guy. I would do 41 things we love about Eric, but blogger has a content limit, so we're down to the top ten reasons why Eric is so funny. Here it goes:

10. (Eric John said) He makes funny jokes up

9. (Ammon said) He's just goofy and does things sudden

8. (Kenyon said) I don't know, he's just funny

7. (Lala said) because he tickles me, again and again

6. (Josh said) because he can think quick on his feet

5. (Dallin said) because he thinks just like me

4. He makes me laugh even when I'm really mad

3. He makes his family and my family laugh, even about Mexican stuff

(he IS the secret Mexican, you know)

2. Even some of my friends think he's funny (don't encourage him please)

The # 1 reason why Eric is so funny:

Everybody keeps laughing at his dumb jokes (STOP IT!)

Now for the mushy stuff. Eric is truly one of a kind. He is good all the way to the core. He's a good husband, great father, worthy priesthood holder, compassionate friend and just plain a great person to know. He has dedicated his life to his family. We are who we are because of him. I have learned patience and understanding from him. I have learned that no matter how bad a situation or large a problem seems that we can overcome it with love, understanding and humor. I know I joke a lot about his sense of humor, but without it he wouldn't be Eric and the man I have grown to love everyday more and more. I Love you honey and am very proud of the man you have become. We have grown together all these years and I wouldn't give up a second of it for anything. Happy Birthday Eric. We love you.