Cowboy Up!...and more

Before our "walk" around the block, Tyler was "pretending to dress up like a cowboy, 'Dramma' Linda!"


Is this kid photogenic, or what?


His sister's not half bad, either!


Love the ponytail?


Their cousin's pretty cute too. (Her preferred position for asking - "Eat?")


Papa's teaching her to ride a scooter.

Lots of cute kids in this family...

You Already Know...

Yes, I know it and you know it. I've discussed it before. I am a nerd. (But not in a BAD way!) The last couple of days, in my limited spare time, I have...ORGANIZED THE LINEN CLOSET. (I also finished Aubrey's quilt top, worked in the office, did Relief Society service, changed sheets, cooked meals, taxied Maddie around a bit, watched a few episodes of West Wing DVDs, finished the Book Club book AND another one, went major grocery shopping...I could go on! Just so you understand I'm not a TOTAL slacker...Hmmm...I'm not sure I helped my case too much with that list...)

Back to my closet. I wish I had taken a BEFORE picture, but I didn't think of it in time. Suffice it to say it was SERIOUSLY the kind of closet you opened at your own risk. Usually a bottle of shampoo or a washcloth or a tablecloth would fall out when you did. Last weekend we kicked apron strings back under the door every time we walked by. Hmmm. Does that sound like it was time for a change? Then I bought this month's issue of Family Circle magazine and read the "Get Organized" article.

And did this!



I'm so proud of myself.

The funny thing is this. Years ago, a woman in my ward named Geri used to talk to me about the differences between people. Geri was a very creative person who loved to write and do artistic endeavors. Her mother was an organizer. The greatest joy Geri's mother got was from restoring order to an area of her home and then showing it to Geri--and anyone else who would look at it. Geri could never understand this. She even gently mocked her mother for her organizational pursuits. Geri got no pleasure whatsoever from an organized home. She liked to create!

I think I have become Geri's mother! And I'm enjoying it!

Happy Birthday, Ally! (...and Aubrey, Allyson, Grandma D., Julie, and Susan...)

Today is "Little" Ally's birthday. She doesn't want to be "double digits;" she wants to stay small. But there it is. She is TEN! Smart, sassy, cute, creative, and loving- she is a joy to be around. I'm sure glad she's in our family!

We have had several birthdays in the family recently, and I don't think I wished anyone except Grandma D. a happy one on my blog! Here are my belated wishes to the rest of you! I sure do love you all!


We celebrated Susan's 24th, Grandma D.'s 73rd, and Julie's 12th birthdays with cake and ice cream the last Sunday of May. Ally and Tyler helped blow out the candles...


Last Sunday we had cake and ice cream for Ally's 10th, Aubrey's first, and Allyson's 28th birthdays. (We'll also have a swim party with both sides of the family for Aubrey's birthday next week!)


Sydney and Ally in the matching aprons I made them to go with Ally's birthday present.


Maddie and Tyler help Aubrey open her present from us. (In the corner you can see a copy of the cute tinted photo of Sydney that David and Loretta framed for Ally.)


Tyler and Nathan enjoyed the dollhouse. When does Aubrey get to play???


No, really. Brian LOVES our birthday celebrations. All the excitement just wears him right out.

I'm so incredibly blessed to have all these wonderful people in our family. Happy birthdays!

Lucky to Be Alive

This is for all of you who just look at the "static electricity" messages at gas stations without taking them in. Jeff had an experience this morning that could have easily turned into a terrible tragedy. Apparently because of the way automobile tires are now manufactured, static electricity is a VERY REAL danger at the gas pump. See this video. From PERSONAL experience we can testify that this CAN and DOES happen. Be careful out there!