Playing with our "New" Cousins

On Saturday we had a mini family reunion at the cabin with some of our "new" cousins. We knew a few of them already because they are in our ward, but it was fun getting to know the rest. I love being part of a big family.

These kids spent the whole morning playing in the creek. The boys built a dam so that the creek formed pool for the little kids to float their boats and rubber ducks in.

You're so cute, Michael!

Camille and Rebekah with Zoe (Rhonda's little girl).

We're Related???

I serve in the primary presidency with a girl named Shannon that I totally admire! She is so great because she LIVES the gospel every day of her life, and when I grow up one day, I'm going to be just like her! Her brother, Matthew, is also in our ward and I'm a big fan of his as well because he teaches the big boys in Primary and he's the best ever! (Don't forget your scriptures or you'll have to drop and give him 20!) One day a couple of years back my mom came to watch the kids in the primary program, and when the program was over she walked over to Shannon & Matthew's dad and gave him a giant hug! I had to ask - what was that all about?? She told me that "Sonny" was her cousin. Your cousin??? That means Shannon and Matthew are my cousins! No wonder I liked them so much. . . they're family!

Amy & Shannon Crist

4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July this year. In the morning we went to our annual ward breakfast in the park, and then we spent the rest of the afternoon and evening at Natalie's. We had such a great time that I forgot to take a picture of the kids. Oh well, here are a bunch of other shots.

Missing Judy

Judy is Brad's only sister, and when she died suddenly a few years back, she left a giant hole in all of our lives. I think about her often, and it always brings a smile to my face (usually followed by a tear) because she was such a great lady. The funny thing is that it's always some little thing that brings her to the forefront of my thoughts. Tonight we decided to eat dinner out on the patio, and I didn't have a clean washcloth, so I grabbed a big white cotton dish towel and used that instead. Judy always wiped the counter with a big white cotton dish towel. I don't know why she did that. They aren't that absorbent, and they're a bit awkward to deal with. . . but I'll use one occasionally anyway, and I'll think of her every time I do. Here's to you, Judy.

Sunday Fun

The smoke is finally beginning to clear around here, so we decided to spend Sunday evening playing in the backyard. (After a week in school with NO recesses, the kids are a bit stir crazy!) We had a lot of fun together - which just goes to show that sometimes the best family times are the simplest ones. As a bonus, we also had a chance to try out our new camera. We're still trying to figure out how to use it, but here are a few of our favorite shots...

Camille spent the evening rolling around in the grass. I told her that she would be sorry, but she couldn't resist. I resisted the "I told you so" route as she laid crying in her bed until 10:00 because she was itching so bad.

These two can entertain themselves for hours with any kind of ball!

I couldn't get this shot again if I tried!

29-0!

Matthew's Junior League baseball team just finished their season last night with an astounding 29-0 record and the title of League Champions! We knew it would be a good year when they easily won the first several games they played, but we never dreamed they would be the first undefeated team in league history. They were challenged a bit in a couple of games (especially this last one!), but in the end they were untouchable. It was great fun and we were happy that Matthew ended the season with one of his best games, but the highlight of the year was when one of his coaches approached us and said, "It has been an absolute pleasure to coach your son." Matt, we're proud of how hard you worked this year- thanks for the fun ride!

A winning smile! (Isn't he a good-looking kid!)

Adam and his friend Scott had the best view.

This girl sat through a lot of games this year - and she's still smiling!

"Mission to the Moon"

Adam's school class went to the Challenger Space Center yesterday for a simulation activity called "Mission to the Moon." The center is sponsored by the families of the astronauts that were killed when the space shuttle Challenger exploded. (Do you remember where you were when it happened?) It was their hope that it would serve as a living memorial to their loved ones and help teach young people about the importance of space travel. Guided by their commander, the students' mission was to retrieve a probe that had wandered off course, land on the moon successfully with the probe and then return to Earth. They split the kids into two groups - half the kids are in "Mission Control" while the other half are on the spacecraft, and then they switch places. It's a great field trip because the kids have to figure out how to do everything on their own, and the parents aren't allowed to say a word! (We were the "aliens"- strange people who know nothing. . . sounds about right to a kid's mind!) Adam and his friend Rylan were on the probe team, and it was their job to repair the probe and make sure it landed safely on the moon. (They were the only ones who got to wear lab coats because they were working in the "clean room." They loved their look and declared themselves official nerds.) Other kids worked on navigation, life support, communications, and a host of other tasks. There are now over 50 Challenger Space Centers nationwide, and if your child ever has a chance to go to one, I would highly recommend it. Adam (and I) had a great time!

Working in the "clean room."

Their commander works with the kids in "Mission Control"

Communicating with the astronauts in the spacecraft.

Our Little Ballerina

Camille belongs to a little dance group that meets in the garage of a lady who's been teaching dance for 50 years! Actually, the daughter is the main teacher now, but "Mimi" still gets plenty involved. They meet once a week for an hour and they do ballet, tap, and a little bit of tumbling. It's very low key, but they do have a recital every year which Camille loves. This year there were only four girls in her class (we missed you Hanna!), so they learned a lot and had tons of fun. They called their ballet the "Purple Tango" because the girls couldn't find any blue dresses that they liked!

Here's a picutre of her in her tap outfit. They danced to "Cheek to Cheek" and they were absolutely adorable. I'd post the video for you, but I accidentally taped over it! Being technologically challenged is a very sad thing... (the bad pictures aren't my fault though!)

He's Been Promoted!

So it seems that Matthew has successfully navigated his way through junior high. Actually, if we can brag for a moment, he was more than successful - he was amazing! He maintained a 4.0 grade point average for all four semesters and was one of 14 students to be awarded the Highest Scholastic Achievement Award. Because he also performed well on the state's standardized test and participated in leadership activities, he was also awarded the President's Award for Educational Excellence AND was asked to speak at the promotion ceremony. What a kid! Brad and I can't take any credit for his achievements. I can probably count on one hand the number of times I had to hassle him about doing his homework. I don't know what to say except that we are really blessed to be his parents! Here are some shots from the big day. . .

Receiving one of his awards-


His speech on "What I Learned in Middle School" -


Smiling as we (and our friends) cheer for him -

Earthquake!!!

Holy Cow - I just felt my first earthquake! I was sitting on the bench at the end of my bed and all of a sudden the bed bumped into me! Then the house shook a little bit and my stomach started feeling really queasy. I thought for a moment that maybe I had felt an earthquake, but it only lasted about 2 seconds. (I thought earthquakes lasted longer than that.) I called Brad right away - he didn't feel anything because he was in Costco drooling over flat screen TV's - but he told me what website I should go to (he's fascinated by all things weather related), and there it was in black and white (and red!). There was an earthquake in Fairfield (about 15 miles from our house) that was a magnitude 3.9. Brad has felt several earthquakes before, and I always tell him that I wish I could be in one - just for the experience of it all - but I think I've changed my mind! Aren't you all just so sad that you don't still live in California!