More July!

Our days are always full, some with more exciting things than others. Like jazz in the park! 

Look at these cool and brave kids! 

Adam got his first taste of high school with Emma- "Dude, is that your sister?" 

Puppy jail, and she doesn't like it.

But she does like her new bed!

A friendly potato!

A quick trip to the Kansas City temple... we missed the sealing of our friends by 11 minutes. 

But we got Andy's frozen custard!

Noah's creative space, with a pup!

Heavenly Delights tradition upheld and delicous as ever!

Aesthetic carwash- 

Some lazy summer days... 

Some perfect sunroom days- 

Bike rides- 

Free cookies!

And Leah's always nearby- most recently in the arms of Darth Vader. 

A Boy and A Pup

 On a cloudy but not cold day in April, a brave boy and his trusty pup took an adventure walk in the backyard. 

They are both so brave. 

Lately, the pup's favorite companion (me) hasn't been around as much and it's been killing both of us. I took her to Jordan Creek one afternoon to show here where I spend my mornings. 

She wasn't impressed until she saw the best part of that school- her best boy! 

We try to keep her life exciting!

On this bike ride, the rain came pouring down and we had to wait it out in the color tunnel. 

Snack hole! Open for business! 

But some days we have to make trips that are no fun at all.

Then she deserves every bit of the 16 hours a day that she spends sleeping. 

Laney Bear is 7!

 The sweetest pup we've ever had turned 7 this January! 

She is always right in on the action when the birthday treats come out- look at thos big eyes! 

Distgusting, but she loves a good duck head and pig snout. Happy birthday, you sweet little carnivore!

All partied out. 

Silently judging us- what would Laney say and what would she sound like if she could talk? 

The winters are long and cold and hard for all of us. Laney is lucky enough to get to wrap up and hunker down for hours on end. 

She brings us so much joy and a nice humbling amount of frustration when she bum scootches on my favorite rug or snaps at the dog sitter or wanders up to a coyote just to make a new friend. She is a forever toddler, and we love her so much! 

So Much Summer

Leah, Adam, and Emma went to FSY this July! Noah and I drove them up. It was a long drive for this little buddy. 

The big kids came home with tales to tell of swing dancing, talent shows, spiritual highs, new friends, lots of fun- and surviving without air conditioning! 

Noah finally convinced one of the girls in the family to play chess with him! 

Summer adventures for Laney include any time outside, 

and anytime we walked her down to Gwenny's house. 

Of course, they never met. 

We lost a few good trees in the neighborhood this summer. And we discovered the Costco cookie that is the size of your face. 

Emma made me do this. 

A date to the Lego store! 

Noah took advantage of sidewalks while Emma was nannying!

Adam learned all about driving this summer, 

including how to pump gas, wash windshields, 

and calmly remove massive camping spiders from the car without crashing the car on the highway. 

The sweet senior missionaries in our stake went home this summer. We were so grateful for their service! 

Laney loved all of the extra snuggles this summer- 

That was a good nap!

She is ridiculous.

She had her teeth cleaned and some bumps removed from her back this summer, and her stitches and shorn fur reminded all of us of how fragile and loved she really is. 

When Noah's friends come over, we have fun outside! 

We love the sunroom in the summertime- no bugs, but lots of birds!

And a safe perch for keeping an eye on the neighborhood. 

Jason, Leah, and Adam all worked hard in the fields in July. But they fit in plenty of fun too, including the combine rally! 

One day our power went out. Thank goodness for the generator and extra plugs for toast on the floor! 

Noah's first readers theater at Tallgrass!

Round two of science camp happened in July - Fire and Explosions, and it did not disappoint! 

Three out of three of the dangerously big explosions were my bright (dumb) idea that thankfully didn't end in disaster.

This was definitely memorable.

What summer job could a 16-year-old boy want more than the chance to play with fire and explosives?

Emma was sick, and Noah took some food and comfort in to her. 

She also got lots of pup snuggles. Laney is always happy to snuggle with anyone who is laying horizontal in the house. 

Ooh! Moody teenage photoshoot. 

Summertime means besties time! 

Emma developed a deep and abiding love for açai bowls this summer, thanks to Little Leah.

This is the dream, right here. 

Leah and Kell were work besties this summer, they got super dusty and dirty every single day, had fun driving all over the state, and he was nice enough to eat her blueberries!

Zero chill from this hooligans, and I love it.

Whoo! It was humid in July. 

Quite possibly my favorite day of the entire summer- TreeRush with three little monkeys! It was not easy to schedule a day that even three of the kids could go, but we made it work and it was so! much! fun!