Picking Apricots

Our neighbors the Ruppers invited us over to pick apricots yesterday. We went and got a small bagful. The kids liked them (especially Collin) and asked to go over there again today to pick some more.

Reading the Classics

The kids and I picked the Classics to read beginning this week. Allie chose Wind in the Willows and for Collin I picked out the Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Because Collin is only 4, I found the series called "Classic Starts", which introduces the classics to young readers without the super-huge words. The book is still full of big vocabulary words, but they are written so it is easier to read. The pages are also good quality, the kind you want to read again and again. Allie picked out the "Charming Classics" series, written especially for ages 8-12, and most books include a little necklace with a theme pendant (in this case, a little golden toad) . Good enough to get Allie's attention! Up next on our list are Tom Sawyer and Anne of Green Gables.

Evaluation of Photography Class

one of my photo assignments

I had my last Photography class on Tuesday, although Jen and I have one more homework assignment to turn in this week. I was so glad that I took the class with Jen. It was so much fun to carpool every week and to talk about what went right, what went wrong, our frustrations, and what kind of lenses to buy next. Nicole Hill is an excellent teacher, and I loved learning to shoot using manual settings. If you're looking for a beginning photography class, this class is the one to take!

Maddie at 7 1/2 Months

Maddie is a fast crawler. She likes Cheerios and Gerber Puffs, apple juice, and any other non-baby food. She also likes to babble especially when Allie and Collin babble with her. Here is her impromptu shoot, there were so many good ones I had a hard time picking my favorites.

Congrats - Jen and Scott

Our good friends Jen and Scott Harrison recently added Preston to their family. They let me take a few photos of their new baby, and here are some of my favorites. Congratulations!!!

Just because...

Thanks Allie for the great photos! She is my little model, willing to do a little photo shoot whenever, wherever.

Little Pioneers and Hannah Montana

Handsome cowboy!

The kids dressed up as pioneer children for their Primary activity this morning. This is all we could find around the house. OK, maybe I should invest in some good Pioneer costumes :). Collin was so excited to go - he was ready an hour before we had to leave. The kids got to enjoy a ride in a wagon train, horses, and got to participate in some good Pioneer activities. Allie, who loves Hannah Montana, decided to give her new HM wig a try. Funny!

Cheerleading Clinic

This week Allie attended Timpview's Cheerleading Clinic with her friend Alyssa. We got to see them perform the routines they learned. It was fun!

Allie's Baptism

Allie was baptized on July 5th. It was the neatest experience to see our little girl get baptized. We were joined by our family and friends and we got to have our very own program. We love the way our Stake does baptisms -- every family gets to do their own program, which makes the baptism even the more special and personal. Allie sang the first verse of "I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus" and then we joined in singing the second verse. We also had a musical number by the Merrill Boys and Collin. Grandma Lorraine gave a great talk on baptism and the Holy Ghost; music and prayers were given by family members. It was a very special day, one that we will forever remember and cherish. Thank you everyone for being here!!! We love you Allie!

Allie and her friend Alyssa, who also got baptized that day.

July 4th!

We had a fun 4th of July. Kevin's parents and the Merrills came to celebrate with us, and were here for Allie's Baptism on the 5th. We went to the Grand Parade in the morning, then to the Stadium of Fire. Miley Cyrus and the Blue Man Group were the featured performers. The whole stadium must have been filled with at least 50% Miley Cyrus fans. Allie wished she sang more of her popular songs instead of ones from her new album. We were totally entertained by the Blue Man Group, they were hilarious! The fireworks were awesome!! We will definitely be doing this again next year. We love celebrating the 4th here in Provo!!! It's the BEST way to celebrate!