Father's Day and Fire

Father's day with his kids.
Flagstaff fire.

VBS 2010

This year's VBS theme is Saddle Ridge Ranch. Here is our stage (not looking forward to cleaning up the hay at the end of the week). We are lucky enough to have someone in the church who can paint and did the mural in the back. Then some other members brought in the hay and wagon.
Day 1, Kaleb doing rec time outside.

Klara during craft time. This is her first VBS and she wasn't too sure what to expect, but afterwards, wow she had fun. She has now been asking me all day when we go again. My answer, soon or after dinner or later..... She's soooo thrilled to go again.

Various Pics

Klara just loves her new hair. This was Sunday before church. Iris getting ready to open soon.

Lastly, Daisy now has both ears down again. I prefer this look on her. This was taken this morning.

Garden Growth

Yippee! They're growing!! On the right side of the pic are the tomato plants. So far, I count 11 baby tomatoes growing. On the left are the seeds. Starting at the top of the pic and working down are; butternut squash, radishes, green bean bush and the bottom (not noticeable) are the carrots. This is the other garden bed we did. On the right side working down are; basil, cilantro, and 2 strawberry plants. The left and working down are; green bell pepper, jalapeno, and 2 more strawberry plants.
This is in the back yard...lovin' the colors!

The kids grew their own sunflowers in their own pots from a craft project at a b-day party. Now they are planted in the ground and very happy.

Lastly, a pic of our aspen trees. They were shoots off a big tree in a friends yard. We were able to dig them up (thinking they won't live, but hey, let's try) and here they are 5 years later. They are now about 2 stories tall!! Not too bad since they were 1-2 feet tall when we planted them.

Owie Walk

If you walk with me, be prepared. It could cause damage. Hahaha.... The kids and I have been walking tons now. Except, Klara has taken a few falls. 1 was yesterday, the other 3 (yes 3) were today. What you can't see are the bruises on the shins that are starting. I love her pitiful face in this pic. Rub it in.

The Beach

Clif told the kids about this beach that we needed to find. So the kids have a place like Malibu in mind....so we tried to warn them and see what we can see. So a nice drive and we finally found it. But the city in me came out and so we only put our feet in. Both dogs got to go too. Dex thought the rocks and sand were hot so Clif finally got him to walk in the water. Daisy was being held.
Everyone and everything got a bath after we got home.

Sure was a pretty place.

Slip-N-Slide Fun

The kids got a slip n slide for the summer and they are not crazy about falling on their bellys but like sliding on their knees.
Brrr....time to warm up.

Klara's New Hair

Before.......... After!!
She had 12" cut off!!

She was cutting, and cutting, and cutting, and cutting......

Klara is so happy to have short hair. She and I had a chance to talk about donating her hair and she wanted to be a part of it. So it will be sent off and a certificate will be sent to her.

Her new cut fits her personality too good....sassy! She is still thrilled and loves being able to tuck it behind her ear. Plus mommy will allow her to wear it down now (the long hair just got knotted too much). We are both loving the new look!!

Vacation Or Yard Work??

My folks came up to enjoy the cooler weather and help us with a few projects. First up, a wall doggie door for Daisy. Finished product and she loves it!
Next on the list....the garden. We put it on a watering system and dug out some old rock filled soil.

The family planting.

Our finished product.

I'm amazed how much it's all grown in just a week. We have butternut squash, radishes, carrots and green bean bushes all coming up from seed. Then we have 4 tomato plants all producing, 4 strawberry plants also producing, basil, cilantro, green bell pepper and jalapeno as well. In the back we planted several green bean pole seeds, but we can't see them popping up yet. Will keep you updated on the crop!!

Klara's Dance Recital

Klara had her spring dance recital. Their hair was in a low bun thanks to a friend who had a lovely hair tool.
Looking like a princess.

Kaleb took this pic during the show.

After, she got two sets of flowers and out to eat a local restaurant. She looked lovely!!

Bearizona

Our town just opened this place called Bearizona. Grandma and Grandpa Backey came to one of Kaleb's t-ball games and enterance was free for one week only to this place, so off they went. It's a small drive-thru wildlife park. Some of the animals had babies on display to enjoy.

Then you got to the bear section. You are told to keep the car sealed up even sunroofs as you drive thru the bear area. They are allowed to roam anywhere (yes, even right next to your car) and they interact with each other as they would in the wild.....(yes, let your mind take you there...let's say our kids now understand the saying "Does a bear poop in the woods?") Luckily they didn't see the baby bear makings....not ready for that yet. But what a neat place. It's still under construction but wow, it will be lovely when completed.

The 2 baby bears you walked to at the end of the drive. Rumor has it, they have already escaped and their enclosure has gotten taller since we were there.

A great place and I'm glad I took the kids a 2nd time that week to see for myself. Photo op with family!

(note: Klara has long hair here)

T-Ball, Season 2

This will be Kaleb's last year for t-ball. Next year it's the minors with try-outs. What a difference a year will make. He is faster and knows what hustle means and he can hit that ball.

You hit it, now RRUUNNNNNNN

Kaleb Is Done!!

A year has gone by and we (Kaleb and I) completed 1st grade homeschool!! I really think I was more excited than him but he enjoyed his day. He is now understanding what summer means, however, when some books come in that I've ordered, there will be some more work to start on. As for this day, he had fun. He received a few cards, balloons and we had a pizza party with SODA! (a special treat for our kids) That evening we finished with homemade banana splits. Yum. Maybe everyday should be graduation day....

In our future....a homeschool convention to purchase 2nd grade materials and kindergarten too for Klara. She will start in Jan on it.