Numbers 7, 6, 5 and 4

The Giver.  This was a really good, short, easy book.  It was a very interesting story with a lot to teach about the importance of living life to the fullest and what it would be like if that opportunity were taken away and you didn’t even know it.  I would recommend this book to everyone!

The Only Alien on The Planet.  Another cute book.  I don’t know that it inspired any deep thinking, but it was entertaining and easy to read.  Both good qualities of a book.  It had a cute love story and is written for teenagers (at least in my opinion it is).

Return to Red Castle.  I was hesitant about this book at first.  It was a bit slow getting started and had too much scenery described for my taste.  Once it picked up though and got into the story I enjoyed it more.  I’m always a sucker for cute love stories!!

Why Shoot a Butler?  I have determined that to enjoy this book you have to have time to commit to it.  I began reading this book during a really busy week and couldn’t get into it until I finally found an hour to sit down and actually focus on the story and characters.  Once I was able to do that I really enjoyed it.  The characters are witty, and very fun to keep up with, especially Frank.  It was a good mystery all around.

What to do, What to do?

What do you do when you pour 5 pounds of dog food into the bucket AND THEN realize the scoop is at the bottom?  Well, you fish it out using little hands, big hands, long arms, short arms, and finally Daddy doing all of the work and Avery reaching in at the last minute, pulling it out, and saving the day!  This task was not as easy as one might assume it would be.

Summer Fun

While projects were being done around the house, the kids spent a lot of time outside playing in the water and the pool.  Sometimes Papa Eddie would shoot them with the hose, and sometimes they would shoot Papa Eddie!  Also, check out Avery’s superhero poses!

During these long, hot days, there would generally be ice cream of some sort!!

And after all was said and done, a long night’s rest!!

MORE Projects

It continues to amaze me the amount of projects there are to do when you own a home.  Nathan’s dad was up visiting recently to help with such projects.  His brother, Andre’ and his mom were up for a short time too to help out.  So much got done and our yards are looking especially wonderful!!  Thanks for all of your help!  This could potentially be a really long post, so I will try to be brief in my picture descriptions.

First, the concrete on one side of the garage was sunk so low that when garage door shut it didn’t touch, so all sorts of “things from nature” would come into the garage.  That was fixed first thing!

During this, Andre’ also worked on tidying up next to our shed and started on separating my “one day bountiful garden” from the rock pathway.

Throughout the week, Bob worked on separating the garden in the backyard from the grass and also making it much smaller than the previous owners had it.  I think it went from 10 fairly good size plants to only 5.  This seems much more manageable. 

Finally, as a last minute “super find” Nathan and Bob worked late into Saturday night planting these arborvitaes on the side of the house.  They found them on sale for $2.50 each.  Wow!

There were also a lot of weeds pulled, ants killed, and other maintenance that they all helped out with so much!

Almost There!!

Clockwork Angel.  This is another Cassandra Clare book.  It is the prequel series to the Mortal Instruments series.  I had a hard time getting through this book.  The characters weren’t as strong and it dragged on quite a bit.  I hope that the next book in the series proves to be as good as those in the Mortal Instruments.

I NEED YOUR HELP.  With having finished this book, I only have 7 more books to read to complete my goal of 52 books in a year.  My plan is to read the Book of Mormon in 40 days as the last book, but I would like your suggestions for my next to last book.  Let me know your top three choices of books I should definitely read and whichever gets the most votes, wins!!!  Please don’t list the same book 3 times.  I will tally the choices in one week!

HAPPY 4th of JULY!!

We hope you had a safe and happy 4th!!  Perhaps one day Avery will just smile… until then, I love that her funny little personality shows so much and that Dylan loves her and is such a great big brother.

Miscellaneous

Here is an update of a few things going on around here.

First, we have now had Chloe for a year.  There was a point when I thought the dog wouldn’t survive another day because she was driving me crazy, but we are passed that now.

The kids have been having lots of fun playing in the pool and hoses...  now that the weather has finally decided to be hot!

We also got them some bubbles to play with!  Nana decided to join in while we were there visiting.

Finally, we love that every once in awhile Makenzie comes over to visit and play!  You can’t see Makenzie in the second picture, but Avery is making the face at her.