We can be crafty!

Sienna had some hand-me-down shortalls with a Veggie Tales patch on the front that was coming off. I didn't particularly care for the patch, so we ripped it off and did a little painting to try and cover up the mark on the fabric. We used a hand-drawn pattern on freezer paper. (Thanks for the tip, Tira!)
Methinks it's pretty cute. But what wouldn't be cute on such a girl with such a smile?

Philosophically speaking...

Here are some thoughtful comments from Sienna this week. They always come out of the blue, at random times.

Sienna: "Does Heavenly Father make our thinks?"


Sienna: "Why don't we see Heavenly Father when we look out the airplane window in the sky?"
Mom: "Because He lives in Heaven and Heaven is higher than the sky."
Sienna: "Why doesn't He fall?"
Mom: "Because He's God and He can do anything".
Sienna: "That's a miracle!"


Sienna: "Why is Ursula mean?"
Mom: "That's just the way she is I guess."
Sienna: "Heavenly Father needs to make her happy."

4th of July

It's time I posted about our 4th of July weekend. We had so much fun! It started with our annual neighborhood parade. This time we had the Cub Scouts from our ward lead the parade with the flag. It ends at the house across the street from us, with a fire engine, Popsicles, face tatoos, clown, etc. Ashley won the costume contest. It probably helped that grandmas were the judges.

After errands and naps, we got together with friends at our house for a BBQ, the kids splashed in the wading pool, and the adults played croquet. Then the Lindemanns joined us in a bike ride to our city part to watch the fireworks. Sienna talked all week about how brave she was going to be. During our croquet game the neighbors set off some small fireworks and Sienna made a mad dash for the house and wouldn't come out again. At the park she kept her head covered, but she did look out several times. This is an improvement! Colby and Ashley watched with little expression.

On Saturday, we went on a canoing trip on the Harpeth River with the Edgerton family. We left Ashley with the Lindemanns (who were so kind to watch her all day!) We met at 10 at the canoe rental place. I thought it would be around 3 hours or so. We didn't get out of the river until after 4! The kids were great sports and we had a ton of fun. We stopped several times to swim, fish, throw rocks, eat, etc.
Pictures from the canoe trip are here.

Tennessee Tidbits (June Newsletter)

Here's our monthly newsletter. Pictures from June are here.

"We’re all doing well. I can’t think of much to report in the past month. Kristen and I celebrated our 6-year anniversary with dinner (the Melting Pot – a fondue restaurant) and a movie (Indiana Jones). I went camping with Sienna and Colby one night in the backyard. We’ve been playing ultimate Frisbee. I went to Davis, CA for a conference and spent an evening with Peter Anselmo and his fiancée Megan, playing Wii and watching Peter’s amazing mountain bike videos. Ashley smiles a lot and is picking things up. Colby has a hard time falling asleep at night and we sometimes put him in the top bunk bed so he can’t get out. He loves toy cars, blocks, train tracks, and kissing/smothering Ashley. Sienna spends hours making crafts with her markers, scissors, and glue. She started the month drawing eggs. I’d come home from work and she’d literally show me 30 different drawings of eggs. She also wanted to dye Easter eggs, so Kristen helped her and when I came home from work I had to find 5 or 6 colored Easter eggs hidden outside. Midway through the month she was excited about butterflies. And lately she’s been drawing our Frisbee team, “We Make it Purple Rain,” (how’s that for a team name?) drawing clouds, rain, people, etc. all in purple. Her drawings are really quite clever, and she and I enjoy painting together.

We try our best to be good parents and have weekly family home evening. Tonight’s started by singing our altered version of “The Family” and “When my Mother Calls Me.” Colby said the opening prayer. Next, the kids gave performances: Sienna counted backwards from 10 to 1, messing up a several times and starting over. Colby sang the ABC song, minus D-L. Then they did their weekly “silly performance” where they rapidly stomp their feet, run around the living room, and laugh at themselves. Ashley is very amused by it all. Tonight’s lesson was on obedience – something that Colby in particular has struggled with. We acted out the story of Naaman and washing in the river 7 times. Sienna was Naaman, and she walked back and forth to the bathtub 7 times and would have loved doing it 70 times 7 times if we’d let her. Next we played an exciting game of Daddy (Simon) Says. After a few rounds Sienna figured it out, and by the end of the game we were playing “Sienna Says.” We even got in a round of Colby Says: “Colby says bend your knees.” We all bend our knees. “Colby says bend your knees.” We all bend our knees. “Colby says bend your knees” …. We sang “I Hope they Call Me on a Mission” and “Called to Serve,” Sienna said the closing prayer, and then we ate Kristen’s berry pie for dessert.

There – it’s almost like you were there yourselves. Hope everyone is doing well. Love,

Bryan, Kristen, Yaya, Colby-Monster, and Ashley Rose Booga-booga-booga"

Tall, Happy Girl

Ashley had her four month check-up last week. She's 13 pounds 13 ounces (55%) and 25 3/4 inches long (92%). If she stays on that growth curve she'll be 5'11". I thought she was long when her 3-6 month onesies were stretching. Sienna was still wearing 0-3 month clothes at 4 months!