July 4th

July 3rd, I decked the girls in red, white and blue and did some awesome Star hairstyles (including Samantha's which you can not see in this picture). 

 I love them so!

 At the annual ward pancake breakfast, bike parade, and we take our shaved ice machine. 

 We love swimming at our friend's house the Ostermiller's. They are such great people-lifelong friends! This tiny frog was in the pool. Jon caught it and we all oohed and aahed over it. 

 This is my dear friend Amanda Miller. She sent me these 2 pictures. She is such an amazing, loving, hardworking, serving, generous person. She love my kids and they love her. If Samantha loves you, you must be a good person because she does not just trust anyone. 

Catching Up- June Memories

Here a few more moments from June:

 Lily at a Shopkins birthday party! 

 I know, the cuteness is almost too much!

 Sisters!

 Kids entertaining themselves- priceless!

 Lily's library that she set up. 

 Elder Baker (the one on the left) is a bull riding cowboy from Idaho who wants to be a farmer was a missionary in our ward for the last few months. It has been such a privilege and honor to have met him. He is hardworking, honest, and dedicated. He has served faithfully and I am thankful for the testimony he shared with our family. We made this cake (it was actually a dirt cake: pudding, oreo crumbs) for him and added some special detail. 

 Elder Baker and Elder Tupe- we are still enjoying Elder Tupe. 

 Swimming lessons a summer time must!

 It was sweltering hot but we played and had some fun! 

My kids make me happy!

Catching Up- Father's Day

The man, the myth, the legend...Peter Rabner!

This man means so much to me it is hard to describe. He does more than he is asked; he comes home from work and steps right in to help with dinner, kids, or household stuff; he works hard to provide for us; he loves to do calculations; he goes along with my crazy ideas; he supports my dreams; he loves me for all of my good and my not so good; he laughs and plays and lets the kids climb all over him; he loves the gospel and scriptures; he is quick to serve others and will drop just about anything to do it; he loves scouts; he has wonderful dreams that will bring lasting happiness for himself and our family. 

 This is a picture taken after he helped my widowed friend change her flat tire in a pouring rain storm (like overflowing gutters and water over his foot when he stepped into the parking lot) after a church meeting I attended with her. He did not hesitate to come to the church with his air compressor in tow to fix the tire and help her out. 

 Some much needed pool time with the family the day before Father's day. 

 Someone pointed out to me how Peter and Joseph are posed the same. Proud Dad of his 5 wonderfully crazy kids. 

 His amazing garden with a monster sunflower (9 ft 4 inches). The stem cracked a few days after this picture which I am so glad we took. 

 Beautiful sisters and flowers. 

 His father's day feast: Zucchini con Carne and grilled corn on the cob. 

We love you dad/Peter!

Catching Up- Cub Camp

We had Cub Camp and Scout Camp the same week in June so we were all busy getting hot, sweaty, and dirty at the same time. I staffed the tot lot (the daycare sort of thing for the kids of the adults attending cub camp) so I had all of the girls with me. A friend watched the girls for me a few days so they would not be so hot and I could handle all of the other kids easier. 

 Samantha and her roly poly playground. 

 Terrariums. 

 Snack time in little tents. 

 Splash pad- a huge hit.

 Jon the actual Cub Scout!

 Playing is hard work!

 Jon the detective (the theme was Crime Scene Investigations).

 Bug box- Arabella was a great collector. 

 Peter came up and walked with Jon for one day, we loved eating lunch with him. He had taken half of Monday off to drive the scouts to camp and then spent several hours Thursday afternoon taking down Cub Camp. He is a great man with a willing heart! I love him!

 Yes, that is a copperhead snake right by the bathroom door. Crazy!

Jon playing some water games. 

It was a wonderful week and it was nice to meet new people and be outdoors. 

Catching Up- Dance Recital

This beautiful dancer was wonderful in her recital this year. 

Her dance was The King and I.

 Her costume has to be one of my favorite dance costumes of all time. 

 Arabella and her friend Addison. 

Proud Dad and his sweet girl. 

Catching Up- End of School

We had so much fun with end of year parties, shaved ice, great teachers, and great memories. 

 Mrs. Kincaid and Jon 4th Grade

 Mrs. Camp and Arabella 1st Grade

 It started raining shortly after the kids got home from school and rained and rained and rained. 

 We made the most of the situation. 

Homemade paper boats in the alley behind our house because there was a stream.