Can't Sleep

As of recently it has been brought to my attention that there are some members of the church who post, well, let's just say sub-standard content on their blogs. I am not referring to any one in particular, as I have come across a few. This content includes, but is not limited to cursing, taunting, mockery, and bawdy language. To those of you who are oblivious to this, consider yourselves fortunate. To those of you who have come across the same content (and some of the same blogs) you know exactly what I am talking about. I have tried to dismiss this for a while, but it keeps appearing. While this may not deserve the attention I am giving it, it bothers me nonetheless and I am trying to find a way for it not to. Furthermore, some people (myself included) have posted comments on such blogs in an attempt to refute what is being said, only to be accused of piety or self-righteousness, or to have others turn a blind eye in defense that what is being said is not offensive, when in fact it is. So my question is this: What gives? I was always taught that the mockers and scorners in the large and spacious building were of the world, not from within the church. We are supposed to be united, but seeing such moral degredation gives me a sense of division. The spirit of the Latter Day Saint people is what attracted me to the church in the first place, and my commitment was solidified when I received a testimony. Now I find myself struggling to understand why anyone who has the gift of the gospel in their lives would want to follow the ways of the world. The last thing I want to be accused of is being judgemental, it's just that some of this stuff is so blatantly WRONG! (yes, even after my nine years of college I still managed to come out a black-and-white person.) Couldn't we try a little harder to follow the standards outlined by prophets and church leaders? Any thoughts on this?

To Knit is Human, to Finish... Divine!

At least it is when you're decreasing on size 3 double pionts and it's nearing midnight (why anyone would want to start a hat on double points rather than circulars is beyond me, but that is beside the point.) Anyhow, it's finished! Baby hat #8. This one is going to a little girl who was just born Saturday night, and I can't wait to meet her!



The hat was knit with Egyptian cotton, the pattern devised by moi.



Uh-oh, my needle are empty. What's next? I don't know, but I'm certainly not starting it at midnight.

Summer Spectacular

One of the things I love about living across from the lake is being able to watch the fireworks every year. It has become a tradition of ours.


Our camera actually has a "fireworks" setting (funny, huh?) so we were able to capture some good shots. The CSD puts on quite a display, I daresay the best around. It makes me proud of our little community.



I had brought back some candy from the wedding, which helped to keep the kids occupied while we were waiting for the fireworks to start. Here's Kaitlyn with a dum-dum in her mouth.



Once the fireworks started we laid back on our blanket and enjoyed the show. Kaitlyn was so scared that she pressed herself flat against my chest and wouldn't move a muscle; we caught her peeking, though.

My (sister's) Best Friend's Wedding

My sister came to town this weekend, and I couldn't have been happier. The reason for her visit was to see her best friend of several years get married, but she was also able to make Ashlee's dance recital and spend some time visiting with us. She brought baby Reagan with her, whom we haven't seen since Thanksgiving. Such a treat!


Stacey was a beautiful bride, and her husband seems like a real catch. The wedding took place up in Pleasant Valley at a cozy little hidden ranch- the setting was very elegant.



It's not often we get dressed up together, so I took a picture.



Just us 3 girls.



Mom and I.

Ashlee's Recital Weekend

Well, this weekend was the culmination of all of Ashlee's hours, days, and weeks of dance practice. She had 3 recitals in a row- a dress rehearsal on Thursday, followed by 2 performances on Friday and Saturday. I always enjoy getting her ready for the stage- who doesn't love getting their little girl all dolled up!


Ready for showtime.



I had planned on recording the dress rehearsal, since this was the only time they allowed cameras in the theater, but unfortunately my camera wouldn't focus with the stage lights, so I set it down and enjoyed the dance instead. Here she is with her friend Bailey from a different class.



Ashlee did AMAZING. She has established her roots and is really taking off. This is her third and best year and jazz, and she is eagerly anticipating the next season. We're proud of you, Ash.

More 10k pictures

Here are some pictures that my mom took with her camera. I wanted to include them on my original post, but they were late coming in.

Ashlee and I doing the warm-up before the kids' 1/2 mi. run. This part was fun. They had music going and a really enthusiastic guy leading us in some exercises.


A few stretches.


My fan club. Forrest was surely a trooper to entertain the kids out in the heat for over an hour.


Ashlee coming in from her 1/2 mile run. She looks a little tired.


Crossing the finish line. I love how Ashlee is extending her arm to give me a high-five (I was so exhausted, though, I think I left her hanging.) Sorry, Ashlee!

Dance Party

I was in the bedroom folding laundry when the kids came in and starting dancing away. It's so funny to me how rhythm seems to be innate in children, even from such a young age (at least in my children, anyways.) Noah slowed down a little bit when he realized that the camera was on him.

Mmmmmm...

Our mid-afternoon snack:



Peanut Butter Blossoms (the whole wheat version)

Primary Water Party

Last Thursday the kids had a Primary water party at the Hayden's home. My friend Brittany came up to me and put her fancy-dancy camera around my neck and said, "Here, they're your kids. Take some pictures." I was a little intimidated using such a nice camera for the first time, but here is what I got:


Jacob and his best friend Luke having a relay race to transport water to a bucket on the other side.



Here's Ashlee blowing her baby Moses across the water.



Noah just being cute.



Kaitlyn doing the same.









This was a fun party for the kids. Thanks for the pics, Brittany!

Another Bookshelf

I got my second bookshelf last night. Forrest went into the garage after work yesterday, and this is what he emerged with a few hours later.



It is constructed entirely of scrap pinewood, and has a nice finish on it that matches the rest of our bedroom furniture. I like the unique open design.



I haven't quite figured out what I am going to adorn it with yet, but I know it will fill up quickly once our books start arriving. It gives me just the space I need. Thank-you my handsome handyman.

Can you see it, can you see it!!

So I was really going to try to go to bed without blogging about this, but I don't hide excitement very well (it's one of those areas where I lack discipline.)

And I never thought I'd break this news on my blog, but with baby #5 I figure I am allowed to do this however I want (albeit unconventional.) We are, after all, living in the 21st century, and like it or not, I realize that blogging has become the cornerstone of my social life.



SURPRISE!!!!!!

You have to squint, but it's there! There are two lines! We are going to have another baby! With that, I'm off to bed. I knew this fatigue wasn't imagined.

Livermoore Community Park

Here we are having a relaxing day at one of our favorite water parks in Folsom.





















We were happy that Daddy had the day off and was able to come with us.

Summer Reading

It looks as if Ashlee will polish off the Harry Potter series this summer. From May 15th until now, she has read the first 4 books in the series. That's a total of 1,843 pages in 3 1/2 weeks.



Only 2,332 pages to go. I'd say she's hooked.



She falls asleep with a book, and I catch her lying in bed in the morning picking up where she left off. I have to bribe her to get up and get herself ready! But I don't mind. She will be well-read, and besides, I hear these books are addicting.

Jacob's Trophy

Saturday marked the end of Jacob's T-ball season, which isn't such a bad thing because now he has this shiny trophy to display.

Forrest built two custom trophy shelves to put up on the wall (the other trophy is from Jacob's last soccer season.) Forrest is always so handy when it comes to woodworking. He cut the wood, sanded, assembled and stained these in about an hour. I am always amazed at what he is able to come up with on a whim.

Pretty nice trophy, if I do say so myself.

Jacob absolutely loved his first year in T-ball. We were fortunate enough to have a great coach (Steve Pomi, if anyone is interested) who we will definitely be requesting next year for Minors A. Jacob came to be known for his outfield hits, and he always had his head in the game. I, for one, was impressed by how well the coach organized a team of 5-year-olds. They all progressed throughout the season. Yesterday the team celebrated by having pizza and a swim party at Cameron Park Lake (sorry, I forgot the camera) after which Jacob so graciously said, "Thank you so much Mom for taking me to the lake. This was, like, the best day of my life." I'm glad 5-year-olds are so easy to please. Good season Red Sox!

Meet Lilly

Two days ago we welcomed a new member into our family. Meet Lilly.

She is 8 weeks old and as sweet as can be. The kids love her.

We had a kitty that disappeared last summer, and have had our eye out for a new one ever since. Lilly was given to us by our old neighbors who moved away. We are glad to have her.

We always love new babies!