Farmer for a Day

Karina got to be a farmer for a day at our local 4-H Fair.

First, she got to dig the potatoes.

Then she had to gather the eggs.

Finally, she got to milk the cow.

OK, this has nothing to do with that exhibit, but I just love this picture!

Aidan LOVED the animals at the fair and made sure to "talk" to each animal in their language. I know it's strange, but every animal "talked" back (except the bunnies.) I didn't get any pictures of him with the animals because my camera has started having an opinion on when it should work and when it shouldn't...

Just for the members of our ward

When we saw this sign, Malcolm couldn't resist!

Pirate Party

Karina's friend Leighton had a pirate birthday party this year complete with pirate head gear, a wagon ride, a treasure hunt with a chest of pirate goodies, a pirate ship cake and a pirate pinata! Ursula and Tom (Leighton's parents) sure know how to throw a party!

Karina, Leighton, and Melody in the wagon getting ready to start the treasure hunt.

Leighton with his pirate ship cake.

Sisters

There's something just fun about sisters. I didn't have a sister growing up--just a 5-year older brother who often lived in a different home from the one I lived in--so it's been fun getting a glimpse into having sisters since I married Malcolm and gained three. I recently had the opportunity to visit the Boston Temple with Allie, who is closest to me in age. Temple trips are always wonderful, but I was grateful on this day, to have the experience of being a sister. Thanks for the fun trip, Allie, and for the most laughing I've ever done on a drive home!

Allison's photography.



The beautiful Boston Temple at night.

Blueberries for the MacLeods

The MacLeods are a family of readers. Malcolm and I have loved to read since we were kids and we certainly seemed to have passed on that love of books to our children. One of the children's books I love in summer is Blueberries For Sal by Robert McClosky. It's cute and fun and we always read it when we go blueberry picking. I may not can my blueberries for the winter like Sal's mother, but I freeze them and make blueberry pies and pancakes all winter long and Aidan sure reminded me of Sal this year...not a single blueberry in his bucket in 2 hour plus long trips...he ate every single one!

Tricycle Fun

Another Beach Day

This summer it has been my personal goal to do something outside every day the weather is cooperative. These pics are from our last beach day a few weeks ago. Many or our local beaches have been closed on and off for duck itch and it's been raining a lot, so we haven't been back.

On this lucky day, we had Malcolm with us. Aidan loved having the extra time with his Daddy. (FYI: Malcolm averages 2 beach days per year. Beach days for Malcolm in 2008: 2, including the ocean trip.)


Here's a picture of the girls: Melody, Kara, Megan, and Karina just relaxing at the water's edge.

I love having a boy--it might not have been the way I pictured Aidan playing with water at the beach, but he just couldn't pass up a chance to splash in the mud!

Our Little Guy

Why am I posting these pictures, you ask? Because they're too stinkin' cute! My husband is not a shopper, so when I asked if we could swing by a TJ Maxx, Malcolm was happy to oblige as long as he could stay in the car. Karina and I shopped and Malcolm took these cute pics of Aidan while they waited.

Impromptu reunion

Top to bottom: Gene and Tauna (holding Karina), Uncle Brian and Aunt Pam, Jenn (holding Aidan), and Malcolm, Uncle Dan and Aunt Pennie (Holding the Dog), and Kaylie and Fred (holding Isaac).

One Saturday a few weeks ago (I'm so far behind in my blogging that I really can't remember when,) the phone rang.

"Hello?" I answered.

(Imagine classic female southern accent) "Hi there, is Malcolm there?"

"No, he's at work right now, can I take a message?"

"Is this Jenn?"

"Yes."

"This is Tauna, Malcolm's cousin, and I'm calling because we're going to be at Weirs Beach in about an hour and we were hoping you could meet us there."

So, I told her that Malcolm would be home in an hour or so and we arranged to meet them. Malcolm's Uncle Dan and Aunt Pennie along with his two of their daughters, two sons-in-law, and their first grandchild, had driven up from North Carolina to visit their family. They had already spent a week in Maine and they were working their way south...what a great surprise! We met them at a little eatery and just spent an hour or so visiting, enjoying the lake views, and watching Kaylie and Fred's cute little boy Isaac have a blast with Karina and Aidan.

Welcome Home Allie!

For the last 18 months, Karina has repeated the same bit of prayer every day, or a slight variation on it, "Please bless Auntie Allison on her mission." On July 11th, Malcolm's middle sister, Allie, came home from Germany safe and sound. We had a greeting party at the airport and despite Allie's combined flight distance of over 5000 miles that day, she was energetic and happy to see us all there and actually ran down the stairs to hug and greet everyone.

Karina hugs her Auntie!

Allie shares her German chocolate--Karina was in charge of handing it out--don't worry, she shared very well!

Waiting for bags.

The whole crew! Two families from Malcolm's parents' ward, Malcolm's parents, Lizzie, us, and of course, Allie.

This picture was taken just a minute or so before we left the airport. If you know Aidan, you know he takes a little while to warm up to most people. If you say "hi" to him, he is likely to growl, or say "no" and cover his face, maybe even run away. We were pleasantly surprised to see that he immediately took to Allie. I can't imagine there's any way he could remember her since he was only 9 months old when she left...maybe it's that Missionary spirit!

Welcome Home Allie! We Love You!!!