Our Tree

On Friday night we had a great rainstorm. We were very excited as we had not had one for a while and because we live in Arizona we are always in desperate need of rain.

On Saturday morning this was the view out our front door.

Our tree had blown over in the storm.

Thankfully it did not hit any vehicles or our house. We spent the day Saturday getting it all chopped down and cleaning up our yard. I promise I did help more than just holding the camera, but I am the official photographer of most events.

The kids helping with the cleanup.

The finished and very bare front yard.

After we finished the front yard Jared helped me mow the back yard.

First Day of School

So I can hardly believe that the first day of school is here already. Summer went by really fast, but apparently school is starting none too soon if the last week was any evidence. The kids had a little bit of cabin fever and this is what happened to our front room several days last week.

Here are the kids all ready for their first day of school.

Daddy worked from home on this day so he walked with us to school. Jared was very eager to get there so he could play on the first grade playground so he took the lead.

Gwen was very excited about school and after a few tears last night was able to recover very well and had no problems going to school today. I can hardly believe that my baby is in school. I know that I am not that old.

As you can see she had no trouble waving goodbye when it was time to go.

Summer Fun

I know it has been a while since I posted. We have been having a fun and busy summer. Here are some pictures of what we have been doing.

Playing in the sprinkler

Enjoying our 4th of July BBQ

Jared and Gwen playing at the splash park

Bonnie watching the ducks behind the splash park, she far preferred this to actually playing in the water.

Gwen warming up in the sun after playing in the water

Nate took a fencing class this summer. He really enjoyed the class and has been "teaching" the other kids how to fence with sticks all summer long.

For Mother's Day and my birthday combined Ben got me a Bosch mixer and a wheat grinder. In return I have been making bread every week.

We have also been swimming, going to the summer movies, and just hanging out. All in all we are having a pretty good summer. I will post more pictures from other summer adventures later.