Kirsten with little brother Rowen. She is the best big sister ever!!!

Trent and Janel's new home. Janel's garden (grown from seeds mind you!!!) Aleana giving her baby a bath.

Ahhhhhhh Washington...................

Saturday found Kirsten and I in Puyallup on a beautiful summer day. We decided to take a walk to Rite Aid - just a mile or so from home. We were given the instructions to go straight to the park and then a right and up the hill. We found the park and they were giving away free ice cream - what a deal. We each had one!

The hill was just a little steeper than we had anticipated and the hike seemed to go on for miles and miles but we finally made it! (Turned out it was only 1 1/4 miles!!!)

Rite Aid - our destination!!!

Mt. Rainier was a welcome sight!

We took time to stop and enjoy the flowers along the way. That night, after things cooled down a bit, we practiced our tennis moves. See the concentration on Kirsten's face?

He's here..................

Rowen arrived tonight....6:39 p.m. into this mortal world! He came weighing 7 lbs 8 oz and is 20 inches long. His hair is blonde and he is adorable. Can't wait to see him!!! I have my plane ticket for June 26th because he was due June 24th! At least he is here all safe and sound! Mom and Dad are doing well. Congratulations Trent and Janel! He is beautiful! Here's Rowen and Janel. And with

big sister Aleana.

Hello Idaho....................

May 8, 2009.....the wedding reception in Nampa, Idaho at the Masonic Event Center. (Note: there were no ward buildings available on this date so the search ended with this 90-year old building filled with history and ambiance!)Desserts lined the table with chocolate fountains on either side and lots of goodies (bananas, pineapple, angel food cake, pretzels, apples, marshmallows, etc.) to cover in chocolate!!!! Mmmmmmmmmmmm lucious cupcakes - red velvet, poppyseed, & chocolate.Ta da! THE CAKE!THE BRIDE & GROOM with the cake!His mother was proud of him that he did NOT rub cake in Mandi's beautiful face even though certain people were prodding him on!!!Family tradition has it that Mandi's dad, Marion, writes a song for special occasions and this certainly fit the bill. You can read what he wrote in the next picture. What a touching thing to watch! And the father-daughter dance. Another tear-jerker!Tears dried - time to have some fun!!!

And this is just the beginning..............

Jacob and Mandi Percy......

A kiss for luck and we're on our way................we've only just begun......

photos courtesy of Ty (I think)!!!

They aren't tulips...............

and I don't think there are many tulips blooming here in the desert but this prickly pear cactus is in bloom and there are many more buds getting ready to blossom! That's purple lantana in the background.

This is my little rose - a transplant from Mark and Linda's house in Vancouver, Washington. It's trying really hard to grow big and strong.
One of our newest additions to the front garden. Love that deep red!!!

Family Home Evening - Young Single Adult Style....

Once each month (usually the 4th Sunday) we have the Young Single Adults from our church over for Family Home Evening. Larry and I are the Maricopa Stake Young Single Adult Advisor Couple. Tonight was the last time we will see one of our own for a while as he is going into the Army on May 5th. Eddie is a lot of fun to be around and you can see from his smile (which is always there) that he enjoys life!
Here he is with McKay Monson our YSA Stake High Counselor.
Amy doesn't like to have her picture taken and Carissa is unaware!

We had baked potatoes with butter, chili, cheese, sour cream, and broccoli topped off by apple pie! Hunter is partaking of the later.

McKay, Melanie, Larry, & Carrisa.

Chad texting while Eddie and Ryan chat with Larry looking on.