All About the Argyles

One of my favorite things about summer is that my kids love to swim and while they are swimming I get to read to my heart's content.  There is nothing better than a great book poolside.   I Just finished this book.  Reagan read it several months ago and couldn't put it down.  Then a friend from my book club recommended so I gave it a spin.  I think it should be required reading for every middle school child in America.   Really.   I think it had a profound effect on Reagan and after reading it, I can see why.    I love the way good books can do that. Kudos to the author, R.J. Palacio. The main character is a 5th grade boy named August.  He just happens to have a severe craniofacial abnormality.  It is hard for people to look at him.  And he knows it.  People -adults and children- are often horrified when they first look at him.  Even the ones that are kind and try to hide it can't ...

Mall time with friends...  lots and lots of pool time...  bonding with siblings  celebrating this boy's 8th birthday  This gal registered for college classes at BYUI and got a new laptop courtesy of her Gramps.  She loves it.  Swim team...  Twilight camp...  Smashburger (cuz sometimes during the summer I just can't bring myself to cook)... We have been making these fun survivor bracelets out of parachute cord.  I think we are a little bit addicted.  Ok, I know it's weird  thing to blog about but I was so proud of myself that I am staying on top of my "ZONES" each week and am spending about a half hour each day deep cleaning.  Last summer, I didn't and  I really regretted it.  Last week of June I cleaned out the pantry, fridge and garage freezer.  Admittedly, I found meat in our garage freezer that was from 10 years ago.  Oh my gosh it was long overdue. Bren...

Summer is off to a great start with swim team practices in the early morning every weekday from 7 to 9.  McKinley, Reagan, and Brady all have friends on the team so it is really fun for them while they improve their swim skills.  We had our first meet on Saturday morning and we walked away with a lot of red ribbons.  Reagan and her friend, Henley - proud of their second place finish.  Brady and his friend Raleigh took first and second place.  Brady and Preston are swim buddies too.  Of course, we love the Lloyd twins and are so glad to get to spend time with them. This gal took first place in the 50 breaststroke.  Not bad considering that due to cheer practice, girl's camp, cheer camp, and being sick for a week with Bronchitis she has only been to about 5 practices.  Way to go Kiki!

I could not love this little guy more.   There is so much to like about him.   Here are eight of my favorite things about him on his eighth birthday. 1.  He has so much enthusiasm for everything he does.  Whether its being a new cub scout or trying a new sport he is genuinely excited to try anything new. 2.  He is friends with everyone, and a good one at that.  3.  No one is more OBEDIENT than Brady. 4.  No one TRIES HARDER than Brady. 5.  He is absolutely, positively CRAZY about his dad and wants to be just like him. 6.  He loves sports.  Watching them, playing them, talking about them.  First thing he does when he wakes up in the morning is look up who won what big game the night before because he probably had to go to bed before the game was finished. 7.  He is our little "executive secretary".  He reminds us of things we need to remember:  ...

Well just about the time that one son finished his Eagle Project and is preparing for his final merit badge and board of review, another is turning 8 this week.  And because he turns 8 this week, he was eligible for twilight camp.  I don't think you can find a boy more excited to be a cub scout.  This guy was THRILLED when we found his big brother's old blue shirt, applied the patches with our ward's unit numbers on it and picked it up from the dry cleaner.  He really can't wait!  He also had a fun time at his first day of TWILIGHT camp with all the other boys his age. Here we go again..... (sigh).

Our Stake President, heard through the grapevine about a baptism that took place a couple of years ago in our ward and knew that our son, Tanner, had played a small role in the baptism. He asked me and Josh (the convert) to write down the series of events that unfolded and send it to him for a project that one of the 70 was working on. I am not sure of what the plan is to do with the account but this is what I wrote and I thought it might be a good thing to add to my blog. It really was a great example of how this is the Lord's work and sometimes He is clearly at the helm working miracles behind the scenes.  If there is one thing I know, It is that Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways to bring about his work. In 2011, Brother Josh Edwards found his way to the fullness of the gospel and my son, Tanner, was able to play a small part in his finding it.  I should start by telling you that Josh had mentioned to his wife some weeks before he even would meet Tanner ...

Kiki went straight from Thursday night of Girl's camp to cheer camp the very next morning bright and early.  She learned alot and is getting to know the other girls on the squad better and building friendships.    We were thrilled for her on the second to last day when she was nominated for All American Cheerleader.  The NCA coach that nominated her mentioned that she had terrific motions.  It was a great experience for her and she seems to be enjoying it.