Following President McKay’s well-known statement “No other success can compensate for failure in the home,” he went on to say: “The poorest shack in which love prevails over a united family is of greater value to God and future humanity than any other riches. In such a home God can work miracles and will work miracles."

I love youse!!!!

"Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of what is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”3 We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us."

--Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Joy in the Journey"

Pervert

I went and got a massage this afternoon. I'm so achy. Anyway, when I got home Zack asked me if they used whipped cream to rub my body! WHAAAATTTT?????? I'm so disturbed!!!!

Tiffany and Susan

I love it when kids use their imagination and play make believe. It cracks me up the things they do and so often to imitate my daily activities. I was eves dropping on Zack and Taylor playing house. They were in Taylor's kitchen making waffles and Taylor has make believe names. She is Tiffany and Zack is Susan. HAHAHA!!!! He get's so mad that his name is Susan. Every time she calls him Susan he yells, "MOOOMMMM!!!! I don't want to be Susan! Make her stop!" So the tease Taylor is, try's to sooth him and rubs his head and says, "It's ok sweety! Don't be mad Susan!!" And the yelling starts over. It makes me laugh so hard. And where did she get these names...we don't know anyone with either name. ????

Evil three year old

Taylor and I were snuggling the other morning. I was feeling especially warm and fuzzy towards her since the night before when I was tucking her in, she gave me a big hug and said, "You're my favorite girl mommy!" Awwwww...melted my heart. Anyway, we were snuggling and she reached over and grabbed a handful of my hair and pulled it out, threw it over the side of the bed and says, "You'll never find your hair now mommy, HAH HA HA!!!!" in an evil laugh. What the heck??????

Beware of big beaked birds!

So Saturday morning Zack the rooster was up at 5:30. This should be illegal to get up that early and wake everyone up on a SATURDAY!!!! And boy was he full of it. So as I was making breakfast I sent him outside. He came slinking back inside and went right up to his bedroom. Jay and I looked at each other and knew there was trouble on the horizon. So I went upstairs to access the situation. I asked him what was going on...nothing he denied. Asked again....nothing. Asked AGAIN and this time he tells me, "Welllll, when I was outside I saw a bird with a big beak and he pecked out daddy's window." Let's go see. So we go outside and sure enough, the big side window on the Expedition is "peaked" out and shattered. Jay and I asked him in unison, "ZACK!!!! Did you do this?" He looks at us and says, "NOOOO!!! How could I do that? I don't have a big beak! Look at my little nose!" He was very offended that we would even consider him as the culprit. Yes...HE was offended!

Beautiful Leavenworth

Dad forges ahead on his great fence project

Eternal Homes--Thomas S. Monson

"A home is much more than a house built of lumber, brick, or stone. A home is made of love, sacrifice, and respect. We are responsible for the homes we build. We must build wisely, for eternity is not a short voyage. There will be calm and wind, sunlight and shadows, joy and sorrow. But if we really try, our home can be a bit of heaven here on earth. The thoughts we think, the deeds we do, the lives we live not only influence the success of our earthly journey, they also mark the way to our eternal goals."

Canada, eh?

Our visit to Canada with Ralph and Claire was awesome. What a beautiful place. HUGE mountains and friendly people. Lots to see and do at Whistler.

Monstees

We had "monstees" visit while the Deckers were at GG and Papa Paul's in July!

That's right-I'm lookin' at YOU!

...and I'm likin' what I see!

We're so glad she doesn't look like a Klingon any more :)

Gi Gi and Paddy Paw visit hell...er...Las Begas

Madison and Hal got acquainted

We visited the scenic desert

Played with Paddy Paw

Madison learned how to say "Grandma"

It's hot here, but we're sure glad they came anyway!!!

Can't wait to meet the aunts and uncles too!!!

UP THE LAZY RIVER

FUN TIMES IN UTAH WITH OUR FAVORITE SONS AND DAUGHTER-IN-LAWS

GERENE MAKES HER FAREWELL TOUR OF GRANDVIEW

TA-DAH

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY

DAD IS HONORED AT HIS RETIREMENT SHINDIG

Our baby, the Klingon

Hopefully she's just blurry in this picture and is not ACTUALLY a Klingon. That might make naming her very interesting... But you see the resemblance, right?? Yikes!!

I had an ultrasound today (obviously) The little squirt has a small head, but long legs. Guess all her growing energy is going into being tall, and not the typical bobble-head baby??? Nevertheless, everything looked good and we're still on track for delivery in early July. Let's hope she keeps that head relatively small for my sake. :)

That's right- that is her wide open eye looking at YOU! It's hard to capture the fish lips action in a still picture, but she was talking too. Crazy!!

Old Lady Bodmer and Mr. Chase, the Superintendent, at mom's retirement shindig

DAD SHOOTS UP

Turtle-man

Come to KY and you are certain to find some type of adventure. It just so happened that while the Deckers in town for a visit, we were able to go to the Sportsman's Warehouse to meet the famous Turtle-man of Kentucky (visit www.turtle-man.com). The minute we walked in, the Turtleman started moving in on my woman. But being secure in my marriage, I allowed one dance (email me for a short video of them dancing the 1-2-3).

When the dance concluded, it was time to start 'wrastlin' turtles in a tug-o-war. Both Jack and Zack were bested by the beast....

...but Melissa prevailed (although some may claim she cheated). Turtles 2 - humans 1. I also have a video of Melissa's tug-o-war per request.

Finally a photo op with the man himself. Live action! Ya ya ya ya ya!

Other adventures were had that weekend, but I am not sure anything will top the Turtleman experience for quite some time. It's Snapperlicious!!!