Catch Up Time

I was told the other day by more than one person that I am a terrible blogger. This is NOT news to me! I have a hard time keeping up with laundry, much less typing out the goings-on of my daily life and that of my kids. But that doesn't mean I'm a quitter...I will keep trying!!! I am imagining the little engine that could....

Soooooo, first and foremost- school started! Wahoo!! Here are the first day of school pics:

Almost time...

I have been counting down the days until school start. If I count today....4 more days! This is not to say that I haven't had a ton of fun with the kids. But there IS such a thing as TOO much off a good thing. We have played a ton, laughed a ton, swam a ton...on the flip side there has also been a ton of fighting, crying, & mess-making. I am feeling pretty much drained from the constant entertaining and refereeing. Ahhhh, 4 more days....

Birdie Heaven

After we came home from church the kids ran upstairs to check on our pets and found the ledge empty. They ran outside and found the remaining baby bird (the other one disappeared a few days ago) outside. They were so upset!

So like any good dad, Greg dug a shallow grave and we held a small funeral for our little friend. Some of the words of consolation from Scottie to Joelle, who was the saddest, were "Don't worry, Joelle, the birdie went up to the big nest in the sky." She looked up and around and still didn't get it!

Scottie helping with the burial. Morbid creature!

We are also missing the adult birds and the nest looks to be abandoned. The twigs have been scattered all around. We did find another small bird that had been eaten. It was too big to be our other baby, but we're wondering if there is a predator around who is attacking!!

More Birthday Fun

Cousins came over yesterday to celebrate...

Yes, this is frosting up the nose...in my family growing up we had a tradition that the birthday person would take a little bite out of the cake and then the surrounding people would push his/her face into the cake...hence, frosting up the nose!

Even though he got a bike, his favorite present was this football!

Happy 8th Tyler!!

Yesterday, Tyler turned 8!! We had a family dinner at Wild Buffalo Wings, where it was every kids (and Dad's) fantasy. 30 TV's broadcasting all kinds of sports, video games brought to your table to play...presents along with good food. Suffice it to say...we didn't converse much....but it was still fun!

WE LOVE YOU, TYLER!!

Our New Pet

We have inherited a new pet. Actually, 2 pets...actually, 3...Let me explain!

I have been rearranging the loft in the rental house we're in. The other day I kept hearing a cooing sound and realized that there was a nest on the ledge right outside one of the loft windows! Two birds sat there in the heat, snuggling...then I realized that there was an egg they were protecting.

A couple days later another egg appeared. And soon after that both eggs hatched! It has been so fun to see the progression of these little creatures!

Anyhow, here are some pics:

The kids check on the babies every day...poor mama bird is probably looking for a new nest without nosy neighbors!

St.George Trip

We had so much fun at the lake!

Scottie & Robyn

Tyler, Joelle, & Sydney

Joelle, Uncle Mark, Sydney

Park fun later in the week. Cousins are great!!

Robyn & Scottie battling for possession of the ball in Kickball.
This is the best pet to get. This tortoise eats weeds, is entertaining to watch, doesn't need to be taken for walks...of course it will outlive us all...hmmm
4th of July pancake breakfast at the church in front of G'Pa Poulsen's cool car
Joelle showing off her face painting

Sparklers!!Waiting for the fireworks to begin...