Companions!

On Monday night, Mike was in charge of F.H.E. The boys loved it! I was quite impressed with Mr. Anderson's creativity myself. We talked about missionaries, and how we can be missionaries now. We talked about the important qualities missionaries have that help them be successful (like obeying their moms) and Mike even pulled out his old "white pocket handbook" and talked about dress and appearance. Then for the fun part, we had a missionary relay race. The boys had to answer a question and then run to the couch and put on one item of missionary clothing. This was a blast and here is the cute end product of such a night. Enjoy!

How To Beat The Heat In Kansas!

Last Friday afternoon, the boys had a fabulous idea of greeting Dad with water balloons when he got home from school. I thought this was a pretty great idea myself, so being Commander and Chief, we put the plan into action. The boys and I had malicious fun, filling up the water balloons and built up quite the arsenal. After the sabotage, a wet Mike and I were in the kitchen talking when we realized that our two little monkeys had slipped back outside. This is what we found...

I guess this is sort of a "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" kind of thing. We are pleased as punch that the boys work so well together:) At any rate, entertainment comes cheap around here.

Bytheway, how are you staying cool this summer? If you get too hot come on over!

Arts in the Park!

Will showing off some really sweet moves!

The amazing Sax player. Check out this gold suit. I think Mike needs one for Sundays.

So we love Arts in the Park. Most weekends here in good old Manhattan, the city invites varied musical artists to come perform their stuff at the bandstand in City Park. Yes it is cool. I always think of the Music Man when we attend these summer concerts. We have heard some good music this season. What is best though, aside from it being 100% free, is there is a large cement pad in front of the stage for those souls who can't contain the feeling inside and need to come shake it. So you usually get two performances in one. It's fun to see all sorts of people out there dancing. Our boys are regulars and this past Saturday, Mike and I even had to break free of all reserve and dance, dance, dance. The Benders entertained us this weekend with some good old rock and roll.

Ike and our good friend Molly dancing the night away. Ike loves Molly, and so do we. I strongly believe in arranged marriages too, so say hello to my future daughter-in-law!

Our friends: Jodi, Carter, Lotus, and Sam enjoying the night.

Some cute couple at the Park!

Summertime,.... and the Livin' is Easy!

We love summer!

Popsicles galore, sprinklers, swimming pools, snow cones, bike rides, fireworks, picnics, fireflies, tennis, playing with friends, Arts in the Park.... the list could go on and on. We have been having a fun season. This is what we have most recently been up to...

Swimming Lessons!

Will has been taking lessons at our neighborhood pool. Let me brag just a little here. He started in the preschool class for 3-4 year olds. They swim in the toddler pool. In two days they moved him to the big pool for 5 year olds and up, and in less than a week he bumped to level 3. Now my 4 year old is swimming with 8 year olds and having a marvelous time. We think he has a gift:) At least he doesn't have fear of water.

Ike and I have been having fun too. Since he was too young this summer to take lessons, we have been playing in the baby pool while Will's in lessons. Ike's quite the swimmer too.

What a cute kid, if I do say so myself.

Go Will Go!

Another cute kiddo.

We hated to see swimming lessons end. Will loved it. However, we have been spending quality time at the pool and Will is now learning how to dive off the diving board. He has his cannon-ball down. On to the next activity.

From the Mouth of Babes.

Kids say the darnedest things don't they.
Here is some proof.....

A couple of days ago Will was saying our morning family prayer. In all sincerity he said, "and Heavenly Father, please give me Super Hero Powers today, and when I grow up, help me to be a good cowboy."

I kept waiting all day to see if Will took off flying. Gravity prevailed. However, I think Mom was blessed with the super hero powers, when I didn't kill him after our infamous visiting teaching experience later that morning.

Isaac has some great one liners himself. Last night for example.....let me explain.

We try not to be too competitive in our family. Any ideas of how to keep the level of competition down between two very self-motivated, active brothers I would love.
Any way, our boys get their kicks from being the first ones to kneel down for family prayer at night after we read our scriptures. I think the whole spirit behind family scripture study is a little "rocky", when two young boys wait at the edge of their seat and at any pause in conversation, slam their scriptures shut and are on their knees in a nano second.

Last night, Will won. Mike congratulated him, by saying, "Good job Will, you were the first to kneel down".

Isaac's reply, "Ya Dad, and I was the other first."

Can you have more than one first? Maybe this is the answer to our competitive woes. Or maybe we shouldn't congratulate them on their kneeling speed. Hmm.