ODE TO PAT

NATE'S DAD WAS HERE A FEW WEEKS AGO AND TOOK ON OUR NEGLECTED DECK AS HIS PERSONAL MISSION. HE ORDERED NEW SLATS TO REPLACE THE ROT AND STAINED IT.
I HAVE TO GIVE A SHOUT OUT TO PAT. HE IS A GOOD GUY. DEANN OFTEN SAYS THAT THERE IS NO DOUBT THAT HE LOVES HIS CHILDREN. NATE OFTEN TALKS ABOUT HOW HE WOULD COME PULL NATE OUT OF SCHOOL TO GO SKIING OR HIKING OR SOME OUTDOOR ADVENTURE IN MONTANA. THE KIDS OFTEN TELL FUNNY STORIES OR PERDICAMENTS THAT THEY GOT INTO WHEN THEY WERE OUT AND ABOUT WITH HIM.
I AM CONVINCED THERE IS NOT A MAN ALIVE THAT COULD KEEP UP WITH NATE'S MOM, DEANN. HE IS A GOOD MATCH FOR HER. THEY HAVE THE ENERGY OF KIDS. WHEN WE SPEND VACATION TIME WITH THEM I HAVE TO COME HOME AND REST.
WHENEVER PAT COMES TO TOWN I TRY TO STOCK MY FRIDGE WITH GOOD YOGURT, SANDWICH MEAT, A VARIETY OF CHEESES, RED PEPPERS, UNIQUE MUSTARDS & A GOOD SELECTION OF BREADS. I KIND OF LIKE TO SPOIL HIM AND MAKE HIM GLAD HE CAME.
SO THIS IS MY ODE TO PAT, THANK YOU FOR RAISING GREAT CHILDREN AND LOVING LIFE. YOU ARE A GREAT PERSON AND FRIEND.

Home Improvement

Quinn made a bird house at Home Depot and decided to paint it red. Cannon likes to measure everything around the house and use the cordless screwdriver that Grandpa Oram gave him.

Cannon Turns Two!

Cannon's 2nd birthday had a rough start. He got kicked out of Kids World at the gym for biting another child. So it's official.....he's 2! The day got better, for dinner we had pizza & watermelon , his favorite food and presents.

Pro-Assembler

DeAnn bought Quinn a lamp while she was here to put by his bed cause he loves to read books. It came unassembled in a box. Quinn woke up before us yesterday morning and completely assembled the lamp by himself. We were amazed. He was so excited and told us, "I didn't even need any CONSTRUCTIONS!"

New Piggy Bank

Nate is a good dad. He bought a new piggy bank for Quinn the other day. It has 3 slots, one for fun money, one for a mission fund, and one for tithing. They sat down last night and talked about each portion of the bank. Good job dad!

Reunion

We went to Reed & Kathy's house in Twin Falls, Idaho for a reunion over 4th of July weekend. It was so fun. I love all of Nate's cousins. They are so easy to be around and have a ton of fun together. They had a gigantic slip and slide that everyone played on for hours. We couldn't believe that no one ended up getting hurt. The whole reunion was a big hit.

Cannon's Nursery Class

It is hilarious to me that in Nursery they try to get 2 & 3 year-olds to sit on chairs for a few minutes for instruction time. Anyway, I had to sneak in and take a picture. So cute.

Husking Corn

I love it when your kids are old enough to husk corn for you. I hate that job, but Quinn loves it.

Grandma Oram Blanket

I love this blanket that Great Grandma Oram made for my kids. It's the perfect size and you can use it for along time.

Handsome Boys

I took this pic a few weeks ago in Seattle as we were headed into church.