Brooke and Libby get a new room

A good summer cleaning and getting rid of Sage has given these 2 girls much more room to PLAY! Brooke is now sleeping in the top bunk (Libby has been up there for 3 years)

Perry's 13th birthday

Perry had a great time eating pizza and all he could drink Mountain Dew with a few friends. They all went to Nickel, nickel (an arcade) with Lee and then returned home for cheesecake with rasperry sauce. Perry made theeeeee best cheesecake ever. I don't even usually like it, but is was melt in your mouth good.





Perry was also excited for the many birthday wishes and presents. Thank you all.

Perry's new Green room

Perry is sleeping in his new room tonight! Thanks to the help of this great guy Pete and our entire family, it happened in about 2 weeks. When Perry returned from scout camp, he was able to paint his room (along with help from Dad and others). The floor went in today and so did everything else. Lights just went out, so tune in next time to see how Perry likes it and how the dog does too!

Brooke's Promotion to 1st grade!

Brooke made it! Our principal, Bill Vogel shook the hand of 120 Kindergartners. Today he had many more 8th graders, but I know whose back is paying for it tonight.

The school did a nice job of showcasing the students through songs and verse. I wish the kids could have been on a stand because they were very difficult to see.

They started with the procession.

Brooke's teacher is seen here to the left. She has been wonderful and a perfect match for Brooke. Crossing my fingers that we keep making matches as the years go on. It is hard to see your baby move on, but she refuses to stay little.

American Girl Doll store in Los Angeles

When you have been saving your money up for that one special day, it is pure joy to bring your purchase home. Sage finally got me to take her to the mecca of all doll stores to allow "HER" to purchase BRIN (Sage's middle name), a doll that looks just like Sage.

She brought Brooke and Grandma Suzette along to enjoy the shopping experience.

Sage also bought an additional outfit for her doll. We love the high quality hair that allowed me to easily braid it.

Since we couldn't get a reservation at the doll store cafe, we ate at Johnny Rockets. The girls love to eat up to the bar, since the stools spin all the way around.

Brooke also decided to spend some of her own money on a mini sized historical character doll, named Emily from the 1940's.

One of Sage's great aunts in Mississippi, made some doll clothes a few months back. They fit Brin perfectly!

Brin is not Sage's baby, she is her friend :)

Making a Big Splash!

Sage celebrated her birthday with bunches of wet friends. They all gathered after school last week for some fun in the sun. Besides the pizza, these kids loved the juicy watermelon and red ripe strawberries (the grapes and cantaloupe still got eaten).

Grandma and Grandpa were very accommodating to allow us to use all their tables and chairs in addition to the pool.

Can you believe how many kids can fit inside a spa?

The kids enjoyed jumping into the pool all together.

Delicious cuppy cakes (chocolate, lemon and vanilla) made by the fabulous Tami.

Sage enjoyed opening presents to find an assortment of fun things: stickers, clothes, games, gift cards and jewelry kits (we need grandma loveridge to help)

Activity Days at our House

chopping away...

Our church brings girls ages 8-12 together about twice a month to improve themselves. Today they participated in an act of service as well as learning to cook enchiladas. As a group they fed a total of 13 people including local missionaries serving in our area. We have a wonderful gal Lindsey who organizes and helps teach the girls to better themselves.

Lee and I were lucky enough to house the event and to partake of the delicious food.

These girls enjoyed chocolate pudding in an ice cream cone for dessert (with sprinkles).

The girls all worked hard for an hour. They prepared the food and set the tables.

Then they ate and ate...creating chips full of EVERYTHING was a fun contest.