Gettysburg Reenactment

We went to the Gettysburg reenactment this year to celebrate our Fourth of July as a family (we went on the 7th, close enough...right). It was a neat experience and (minus the heat and lack of shade) we really enjoyed ourselves. it wasn't on the actually Gettysburg historical site but a feild they rented off a farmer nearby. I was bummed at first because I thought I would see everything there when we went but as I thought about it, I am glad they do it this way as I think it would take away from the experience and sanctity of the actually site; plus, I wouldn't want to experience the actually site with a crowd as big as this one was. I guess we will just have to go back another time...darn! ;0) There was a nice breeze while we were there which helped with the heat but we still went through 8 bottles of water, 2 lemonades and a rootbeer and got quite burnt, inspite of the sunblock. Thank goodness Tamar loaned us her double stroller, the boys were fine; hot but not burnt. Despite what it sounds like we really enjoyed ourselves and are so happy that we were able to experience this.

Our Fourth of July

Brett had to work in the E.R. on the 4th, so, the boys and I just hung out together. We went to a parade in the morning near our house (very small parade) but they boys had fun (mainly because they were throwing out candy to everyone) and enjoyed themselves. That is until the fire trucks started to make noise and then he didn't like it...one time he went to get some candy they had thrown in the street and an fire engine honked at him, I am sure he didn't mean to but, it scared Taft so bad that he didn't even try to get candy for awhile. It was pretty sad, okay, and funny.


We got to the parade early so we bought some dough- nuts, which they thoroughly enjoyed eating, and ran around until it started. It was a good fun to do this withe the boys but we really missed Dad; it's not the same without him. It rained the afternoon and evening so we didn't even get to do the fireworks when dad got home (which Taft would've been happy to hear had he known we were going to do them...he just really, really doesn't like loud noises; Zea on the other hand could care less, go figure).

Pool Day

We decided to finally use our pool outfront on one of these crazy, humid, hot days. The boys had a blast. With how hot it has been we haven't gone outside as much. Hopefully, someday, we'll have a backyard with a fence so I can just send them out whenever they want and not have to be out there with them the whole time. For a little while I can handle but they would be outside all day if I didn't have my limits with the heat. :0)
Zea, getting ready to go into the pool, thought he had found himself quite the stylish hat for the occasion.

Taft's new sheets

Grandma & Grandpa Clayton sent Taft a set of Lightning McQueen sheets along with a sider-man car and a clifford car for Zea. Needless to say, Taft has be thrilled for his new sheets and so has Zea, quite frankly. They both love playing on the bed (whenever they are not being washed). I wish getting them to sleep on them was just as easy! :)
thanks Grandma & Grandpa

Taft's broken collarbone

My first of many (so I hear) Emergency Room visits for broken bones. Taft fell down our stairs and broke his right collarbone. It is so sad but you must admit that little sling is pretty darn cute, not to mention the boy! He is doing fine and being a good sport; in fact, if i didn't see the x-rays I may not believe it was broken. We give him motrin when it hurts and do our best to keep the sling on. He has to wear it for 2-6 weeks. They say at this age he should heal very quickly but it will be at least 2. We take him to a doctor in a week to see how it is healing. This was a crazy way to end a busy week.

Family Temple Trip

We went to the Washington, D.C. temple together as a family. It was wonderful and the boys really enjoyed walking around and going to the visitor center where they saw the statue of Christ and listened to the recording. It was a nice opportunity to talk to the boys and make some sweet memories with them. At two different times Taft told Brett and I that "Jesus loves Him"; it was worth the whole trip for that. I hope he will always feel that! I am so grateful that Christ has made it possible for our family to be together forever. I hope and pray I can live up to my part of that gift.

Brett's White Coat Ceremony

This was Brett's White Coat Ceremony (when they have finished classes and are about to start rotations they get "coated" by a faculty member. The bottom picture is him waiting for his turn. The top picture was the clearest picture I was able to get of my handsome man; he is waiting outside the room for it to start. Our camera battery died right before it ended, so, someone else got a picture of our family that I will hopefully be able to add later. He has worked so hard. We are so proud of him and excited for this next step, okay, excited and nervous.