Loving Life

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are.

Let me learn from you, love you, treasure you, before you depart.

Let me not pass you by in quest for some rare and perfect tomorrow.

-Mary Jean Irion-

-Isms

 Emma, at naptime, hands me a long picture book just as I'm falling asleep. 

M- Oh, Emma. That's a really long book.

E- That's okay Mommy.  Morales's do long things!

A clever take on our usual motto "Morales's do hard things!"  

So I read the book.

*****

After the art festival, there were four balloons in the car.  I warned the kids not to let their balloons fly out the car door when it opened up.

N- Mine won't!  It's parked on the ceiling!

*****

L- Ooh look!  A squirrel!

N- Is it Peter Rabbit??

*****

M- Noah, why do you have to be so cute?

N- Because I just am!

*****

Noah, while snuggled up and sleepy and extra cute-

Mommy, I know your name.  It's Mommy Ann Morales. 

And Adam is Adam Jason Morales.

And Emma is Emma Grace Morales.

And Daddy is Daddy Jason Morales.

And Leah... I can't remember.

M- Leah Ann Morales.

N- Oh! The same as you.  Leah Ann Morales.

M- Do you know my first name?

N- Yes.  It's Mommy.  Mommy Ann Morales.

Advancing

Adam advanced from the rank of Wolf to Bear in Scouting recently.

Every belt loop, pin, and badge is a great accomplishment!

 Our whole family loves the scouting program and all that it teaches.

 Like how to properly retire the American flag, 

 safety around fire, 

 and which berries are safe to eat in the woods.

Cub Scout camp is just a few weeks away and I have a feeling it's going to be a highlight of Adam's summer.

Summer!!!!!

Whether it's cloudy or sunny, we are loving every minute of summer!

When Grandma Comes

It's always fun!

We enjoyed the perfect blend of packing it in and lazy summer days while Grandma was here, enjoying afternoons at the pool, the new Incredibles movie, and two adventure days- one to the Living History Farm and one to Nauvoo.  

The kids had so much fun with Grandma while Jason and I were in the temple- playing pioneers and even going on a carriage ride.  Nauvoo is such a fun place to visit.

And there was a turtle!  That was so exciting- I have lots of childhood memories of catching turtles along the side of the road.  The kids named this one Thunder, took turns holding him, then watched him scurry off.

 We stretched the day out much longer than we had planned to, but the fudge and singing and dancing (and Casey's pizza!) were just too much to resist and we ended up driving home late at night through some pretty beastly storms.

 Another stormy day took us to the Living History Farms, where the apothecary and the school house were the biggest hits.

There was plenty of silliness and lazy days mixed in there, too. 

We always feel extra loved when Grandma is here.

And all too soon the trip was over- until next time!

Sisters, Sisters

There were never such devoted sisters.

Words of Wisdom

Taken from a 1900s schoolhouse textbook.