Winding Down

Kelsie's texting days are happily coming to an end... Josh will finally be here on Saturday. I think about how technology has changed over the years and how it now allows people to stay in close touch and what a blessing it can be in our lives when we live apart from each other :)
-Brenda

Best Friends

Abby & Miranda. Best Friends. What would life be without your best friend? Horrible at best. These two are inseparable and can be found riding their bikes, playing with Conrad, going to Harmon's (grocery store), hanging out with the rest of the neighborhood kids, watching movies, eating at each others houses (depending on who is offering the tastiest meal of course), sleepovers, hanging out with Kelsie and passing the time by trying to figure out what they want to do. 'What do you want to do? I don't know what do you want to do?' They are often just happiest having some downtime doing nothing. Miranda is such a blessing to our family & to Abby... she is much loved by all of us! And they love, love Abby on their end :)
-Brenda

Josh HHS Graduation 2009

We watched Josh Balmforth's graduation today from HHS in Michigan this afternoon. It was live online... amazing! Kelsie squealed with delight when she found out she could watch him graduate. Modern technology is truly a miracle and we feel so grateful to share in his day, even from Utah. Congratulations Josh! We are so proud of you :)

-Brenda

1. Josh 2. Josh & his Dad 3. Diploma 4. Josh & sister Kaitlyn

D Day / Air Show

We all went to the Air Show at Hill Air Force Base today. So very red, white & blue cool. Way crowded, but worth it. We worked our way towards the front so we could listened to the music while the planes flew. It was the perfect way to remember D Day. The weather was perfect... with a slight breeze. Note for next time: Bring chairs, lunch and go early in the am for a better view.

On the way there, everyone had pie on their minds after seeing a Marie Calendar's bill board that said any pie for $6.99. We headed over there after the show for lunch and pie (well everyone but me as it did not fit into a vegetable, fruit or lean protein category). We came home and rode bikes. We also watched Harper's Island, a rather gruesome TV murder series and walked our scared Kelsie & Abby to bed in the basement :)

I love our country. I am so worried about the direction of big government it is headed in. For the record, I am no longer a Democrat or a Republican. Neither party shares my views. I have no respect or trust for either party, both disgust me greatly. I am an Independent that believes in a much smaller federal government and more power to the states and people. I am puzzled why most people are following along and not sharing their worries.
-Brenda

Gotta Go

We rode our bikes over to a home nearby that did a presentation on Emergency Storage for Sanitation. We have tackled water purification, fuel for cooking & heat, ongoing collection of food. We have yet to tackle the poopy stuff, the stuff that really stinks. Aside from the little privacy hut and foldable toilet that is not really necessary (ok... some of our girls think it is), we really liked the waste bags (that will fit in a 5 gallon bucket perfectly) and the enzymes that kill germs and knock out odors at the same time. We call this a win-win for both our family and the neighbors nearby :)
-Brenda

Ashlee caught straining...

Burning Homework

Last night at church, we took the youth went up the canyon for our annual burn your homework & wienie roast activity to celebrate the end of the school year. Substantial paper piles that have clearly been saved throughout the year. Afterwards, we played missionary tag and had a great time chasing each other around.
-Brenda

Anything You Can Do

Anything a big person does, Conrad wants to try out. Today it was relaxing in the most comfortable chairs in the world with his uncle Paul. Ahh! Summertime :)
-Brenda