Memphis Kiddie Park

Nachoooooooooooo!
The kids said they were yelling as the ferris wheel went around.

The whiplash roller coaster. Mia and Jack were hooked. I kept telling
Colin to hold Cole's head, hold Cole's head!

The Saturday preceding the 4th we wanted to have a day with the kids. Colin had been working nights and we hadn't done anything away from home and all together for some time. It was a hot and humid day but we didn't let that stop us. We spent a few hot hours at the Memphis Kiddie Park while the kiddos rode a little ferris wheel, race cars, a roller coaster that was sure to give you whiplash, merry go round, airplanes and more. The kids really had a great time and it was fun to see them ride the rides. Thankfully I didn't have to go on any. I get dizzy way too easily!

Empty Nest

Well, if I thought my kids grew up fast I was wrong. Before we knew it the Robin had a nest, eggs, naked baby birds and then feathered, flying out of the nest, birds. I was out with the kids right by the tree where the tree that holds the nest and I practically stepped on one of the babies. It hopped around the yard all day while it's mommy brought it bugs and berries. I felt so bad for the poor little thing. I don't think it could fly and I did not want to pick it up in case the mommy would abandon it. The video is of the mom calling the baby. It is sad to listen to. By the end of the day the baby still had not flown away so I was going to get a box for it to spend the night in. By the time I got outside with the box I couldn't find it. The mom wasn't around either. I am guessing the other one or two babies were able to fly away. The cycle of nature can be difficult and cruel but it is what it is.

Pictures of the birds

Our friend came over and shot some picutres of the baby birds.

Baby Birds

Our birds have hatched! We are very excited and it is really fun to watch. I explained to Mia how a mommy bird feeds her baby after she asked if the mommy nursed the babies. OUCH! They have some serious beaks already. She thought that was a bit gross. It really is fun to watch them. I have pictures but they aren't very good. I just don't want to get too close and I don't have a great camera. It's pretty exciting!

A beautiful message for mothers.

robin bird eggs.

We found a nest in a tree in the back yard, by the deck. We stood on the railing and peeked in the nest. We could see 1 egg. We got the camera, held it high over the nest and took some pictures. The pictures aren't as great as Becky's but we were excited that there were actually 3 eggs instead of just 1. It will be fun to see the babies when they hatch. It is so close to the deck that we can see the mommy bird in it.

Shake your booty!

This video cracks me up! My favorite is of Cole.

Weeds for a Wedding

A bit backwards but here we are going home. We had a slight delay because of the snowy Utah weather. It was so great to come home to warm Cleveland weather!
I don't think two girls had more fun than these cousins. They were pretty much inseperable for days they were together. I just love this picture of them. It is so cute and angelic!

Ahh, Grandma and Grandpa, Grace and the doggies.
Here with Mia and Cole

I think this is one of my favorite pictures! Cole loved playing at Grandma and Grandpa's table with prescription bottles and these reading glasses, the phone and the remote.

Love you Aunt Leslie!

These brownies were so hard to resist! Grandma and Judy were so patient!

Cole has become quite the poser as long as he gets to see the picture afterwards.

He's such a sweet angel!

More weeds? Are you kidding me? Mom and I really tried hard to get the kids involved in pulling the weeds but they got a bit tired of it. I bribed Jackson with ice cream. He was a great helper. Mia helped spread mulch too. The weather wasn't warm enough to even be outside and enjoy the yard. I am thinking it was a ploy just to get the yard in shape. I suppose it was our turn to help with yard work since David and Debby always come and do

DIY projects at our house.

I was so inspired by all the weed pulling I came home and pulled a bunch of my own.

Such great satisfaction in having cleaned out beds.

Sadly, we didn't have our camera at the wedding and reception but thanks to all

the other folks there are plenty to go around!

The next prayer

So, I guess I am getting really good at loosing things because now I can't find my Ipod. Of course, Cole had it, I think. It could be in the trash. I really, really hope that is NOT what happened. I just want it before we leave on Saturday. I HATE to loose things! I become obsessed and think about it all the time. I am sure it will show up. I just have to pray, right?

Inspiration

Yesterday I woke up and while rushing out the door I couldn't find my cell phone. This is extremely common for me so I didn't think much about it. When I got home I searched and searched and found nothing. I called my friend to have her call my phone and after about 3 calls to the cell and walking around the house, outside, the garage and the car, I gave up. I knew it was somewhere. I specifically remembered seeing it on her outdoor table the afternoon before. She had walked around her garage and her yard and couldn't hear it either.

I went and did the myriad of things I had to do with thoughts of my lost phone nagging at me constantly. I got home to find Colin there. He didn't know where it was either. I took his phone and called and called my phone while walking around and around. No luck! I was standing in the garage and thought it was time to ask for some divine guidance. I folded my arms right there and gave a heart-felt prayer.

After the kids went to bed I got online hoping I could track it with the GPS feature. Well, you can't unless you have an IPhone or have downloaded the application. As I was contemplating my options I really felt impressed that it was at my friends house. It just had to be. It was 10:30pm. I told Colin I was going to her house. The weather had been on and off all afternoon with rain and wind, thunder and lightning. I took Colin's phone and drove the 2 minutes. It was raining lightly but I was determined. As I called and walked around I didn't hear anything. I then walked toward the garage and I heard my ring. I didn't want to freak her out by walking around her yard, I could see her on her computer from the driveway, so I called her, told her I could hear it and I thought it was in the garage. As she comes out of her house and we head to the garage a HUGE, VERY, VERY LOUD thunder clap booms out. We both scream and the rain just starts dumping. Well even through the thunder and the downpour I can hear the ring. I found it behind her garage, thanks to some kid. Probably my kid. It was under some foliage just ringing away. I was SO happy!! I ran to car and she ran to her house. I was very wet after about 2 minutes.

My point...if I had ignored the strong and recurrent feeling that it was at her house the rain would have ruined it for sure! As it was it had rained off and on earlier that evening but the inside of my phone was dry and the outside just had a bit of moisture on it. This makes me grateful for prayer and the promptings of the Holy Ghost regardless of the need. The Lord hears and answers our prayers. Of that I am absolutely sure of.