FInger Painting

I found this finger painting recipe online and have done it several time with Carter already. He loves it and it really is easy to clean up. 

3 T sugar
1/2 C cornstarch
2 C water
food coloring
dishsoap

Mix sugar & cornstarch together, stir in water and then cook over low heat in a pot. When thickened, scoop into bowls. Add a few drops of food coloring into each bowl along with just one drop of dishsoap (don't forget this step--makes cleanup a breeze!). Stir, cool a little & play!

Happy 27th Spence!

You're still as cool as ever!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU! HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEAR KATIE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!!

Congrats!

Congrats to Marlee on a 1st Place finish and to Spencer and Jessica on a job well done!

4th of July

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Thanks for coming! We missed you guys that couldn't come! NEXT YEAR!!!!
Love you all

Light Refreshments Served

I just found this website and really like it. It is put together by some LDS women, one is an author. They have some pretty interesting topics. I really like the one called, "Rethinking How I teach my Kids."

I also thought this story was funny: "My husband Cory came home and greeted my son with, “Hey Drew! Who’s your Daddy?!” His reply: “Well, Heavenly Father was my first daddy and then I came here so now you’re kinda like my step-dad.”

Happy Birthday Caitlyn!!

Happy Birthday Steph!

A day of Firsts...

They grow up so fast!! While Cameron was here Sean taught him how to cut his own fingernails. He did very well! And we made a deal with Caitlyn to have her try one new item of food each day. Today was celery and peanut butter. The verdict you ask...she loved it and wanted more!!

Welcome Home Steve and Wendy!

Can the kids stay with us?!? We're not ready to let them go home!

Science Museum

Anyone interested in this? It's an activity with my ward that I am going to take Carter to. Let me know if you want to go too! 

We will be having another Mom/Kid outing, this time we will be visiting the Arizona Science Center!

We will be meeting at the Science Center on Tuesday, July 22nd at 10:15am.

General admission is $6.00 per person (age 2 and under are free, this is our special discounted group rate)

At 11:00am the Planetarium will be putting on their Starry Storytime show. The kids will have the opportunity to find things in the night sky while hearing stories about the stars and visiting planets along the way. Tickets to this event are an additional $2.00 per person (2 and under are free) 

If you would like more info on the Science Center, you can go to their website at www.azscience.org  The money has to be turned in by July 14th. 

Happy Birthday ALF!!

Counting Down....

So I am very excited for everyone to come for the 4th of July. It's going to be a blast. (11 days starting tom!) I sure miss being up there with all of you! I hope that you are all having a wonderful summer! Can't wait to see you!

Jess- I hope you can pull a few strings and make it! (I'll give Carter a swim lesson on Friday) haha
Katie- Have a great time on your cruise! I am still planning on watching the girls in Aug! I am so excited. (I will see you before Aug)
Amy- We hope you are still planning on coming! If Dave gets off, bring him!
Wendy- I have not seen you in forever! I hope that you are planning on coming! (even if it's just you and the kids!)
Keith and Steph- Last we heard you were coming!!! I am so happy! (hopefully plans have not changed)
Mom- I hope that you are still planning on coming! This will be visit #2!!

Well, we love you all! If you would let us know what your plans are so we can kinda start thinking of meals and all that fun stuff! Thanks!

Happy Birthday Dawg!!

Double digits dude. Finally. 

Remind anyone else of Spencer?

Thought of the Day

"Mercies and blessings come in different forms--sometimes as hard things. Yet the Lord said, 'Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things' (D&C 59:7). All things means just that: good things, difficult things--not just some things. He has commanded us to be grateful because He knows being grateful will make us happy. This is another evidence of His love.

A Shout Out to the Collins Crew

Thanks again to all those who helped watch Carter while we were gone this last week. We had a blast. I'll have to get some of the video posted on here at some point. Who wants to go on a family cruise in a few years...no cleaning up and no cooking!! Let's do it!

Happy Mother's Day Mom!

My Masterpiece

Oft to my soul there comes stealing
sweet visions of consummate art:
a statue, a picture, a poem.
And there awakes in my heart
a longing to carve the fair image,
to color the picture sublime,
to sing for the world the sweet poem.
To create a great masterpiece – mine!

But e’en as I reach for my chisel
or canvas and brush, or my pen,
And open the door to fancy,
I’m brought to the present again. 
An echoing laugh may recall me; 
a shrill cry of pain or of fear;
a small, grimy hand on my elbow;
a sweet whispered word in my ear.

And away go my visions awinging
back to the fount whence they came;
before my untouched is my marble,
my canvas is white, my song but a name.
I turn to the needs of my babies
and gazing into their dear eyes,
I thrill with the sense of 
contentment-
In their future my masterpiece lies.

Elise P. Carroll

Thank you for all of your sacrifices to make your 'masterpieces.' You've done well. We love you Mom!

Happy Anniversary Russ & Katie!

Rocky Point Triathlon

I had a great race and it was a lot of fun to see Spencer too! Here are some pictures from the weekend. The race was at a really nice resort that had a cool swimming pool that Carter loved. We should all vacation there for next year's race!!