Treehouse Museum

Our good friends, the Dzinekus, invited us to join them for a morning at the Treehouse Museum up in Ogden.   We love spending time with them and this occasion proved to be just as fun as in the past!

 Charlotte looked so cute - ready to beat the heat in her little tank top and romper shorts!

 Wyatt loved doing the fossil rubbings

 First Female President?

 Wyatt and Miles made a stop-motion video about dinosaurs that was epic!

 Julia and Carson loved the computers

 Look at Lonni.  Isn't she gorgeous?  She has the most beautiful smile and expressive eyes!

The Ogden Temple is directly north of the museum.  It was fun to get a sneak peek of the new renovations taking place.  GSL is actually doing the electrical work!

Over the Moon for "Down Under"

Our dear friends, Richard and Shanon, from Tasmania, Australia, were able to visit the states again - and fortunately they were also willing to set aside some time for us during their visit.  This is our 3rd year in a row and we hope they continue trekking to the other side of the world EVERY year, as we never tire of them and look forward to their company with great anticipation!  Shakira (their now TEENAGER) of course was with them, but in addition we got a special treat this year...meeting Richard's "mum", Joyce, who was just as lovely, warm, and kind.  And who spoke with the most beautiful Irish brogue!

We wanted them to experience Dutch Oven Cooking, which they do have in Australia but not as commonly as here, and so I asked my favorite in-laws to prepare some delicious food as I have very little (okay, none) experience successfully cooking Dutch Oven!  John prepared the tastiest potatoes and barbecue chicken to go with our dinner, followed by raspberry cobbler so rich you had to have a tall glass of ice water to accompany each bite!  So scrumptious and a lot of hard work on the part of my sweet mother- and father-in-law!

The kids had fun running around the yard playing while we visited.  

Here they are with a giant "human slingshot".

The McKinley's had just heard of S'mores for the first time so 

of course we had to prepare some!  

Shakira said she "liked it" but did not "love it".  

WWWWWHHHHAAAATTTTT?!  :)

Richard and Shanon, it was lovely as always!  

You know you are welcome anytime.  

We just love you and can't wait to see 

pictures of your new granddaughter, 

especially in her new shoes to match her "Shanny"!  

Thank you for stopping in our little neck of the 

woods and spending time with us - 

safe travels and keep in touch!

Batter up!

Thanks to the Langeland's awesome planning skills, 

a friendly neighborhood game of the all-American sport 

was played at Hogan Park.  Thank you, Gerrards, Glasseys, Bodily's, Carters, and Langelands 

for a super-fun night!  Next time I won't take it so easy on you... ;)

Crazy Cooking Gals - what lies in the hearts of 10-year old girls

I love these girls, both of them.

I love that they love each other.

I love that Halle has a best friend who is so kind and funny and creative and GOOD.

I love that they are so silly together.

On this day, making cookies turned into filming a cooking show with crazy accents and LOUD voices.

Enjoy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bd9XX_K-SVY

A step back in time...

Last night we visited a live nativity in one of our very most favorite neighborhoods (Harvard & 15th East). It was recommended to us by one of our former bishops, Kevin Pinegar, and I'm so grateful he told us about it. Yes, it was chilly, but we bundled up and for the most part kept warm. I can't believe how much thought and work went into the display. An entire neighborhood and people of several faiths came together to produce one evening of a recreation of the town of Bethlehem, complete with an ancient marketplace, Roman soldiers collecting "taxes" (food donations), shepherds abiding their flocks by night, wise men travelling by camel, and of course, the beautiful stable with the babe lying in a manger. It was a lovely experience shared with some of our dearest friends, the Riches. (Thanks for driving all the way up from Utah County, Troy & Chantelle - we loved spending the evening with you and your fun boys!)

This is Mordecai, the camel.

He smelled REAL good...

* * * * *

The marketplace, where they "sold" fruit & vegetables,

wheat, linens, and animals - like chickens and goats.

She's Here!

Sweet Ruby finally joined her new family yesterday and we simply could not be more thrilled! She's sweet, soft, and ready to play! This little girl and I are gonna get along just fine!!!

Brett had sprained his ankle Saturday night (more to come on that later) and I was a little nervous to drive the 45 minutes home by myself with the puppy, so I asked one of my beautiful young women to come with me and help out. I'm so glad I had Kylie there to keep Ruby happy and calm the whole way home!

When we pulled onto our street, I had to stop the car in the middle of the road because my children, and several of the neighborhood children, swarmed the car to get a first-glimpse of the new dog - it was like Ruby had her own paparazzi!

Wyatt enjoyed showing her off to his best buddy, Maryn

Ruby was so excited and seemed to take to all of us right away - she was running and playing, licking our fingers and wagging her adorable tail! She's already put two-and-two together that I'm "mom" and so far am her favorite snuggling buddy.

Our cute neighbor, Quinn, was so precious with the dog - I loved watching her face light up and smile whenever Ruby walked over to her

The kids were beside themselves with giddiness! (is that a word?)

Ruby's stats:

Birth Date: Dec. 7, 2010

(Pearl Harbor Day - easy to remember.

Maybe we should have named her Pearl?)

Weight: 1 1/4 lbs.

Height: 7 1/2" (head to foot)

Length: 9 3/4" (head to tail)