Leonardo After Dark

Susan and Spencer took us to the Leonardo exhibit at the Fort Worth Science Museum. They were able to get us in free with their membership. The exhibit was more appealing to Sam because it displayed models of the inventions in Leonardo’s sketchbook. While there we got to meet Leonardo, check out the rest of the museum, play in the children’s area, lie on a bed of nails, and do some book binding. Thanks Thurmans!

 These are cow brands.  The museum has a cowboy exhibit, fitting for Fort Worth.

Spencer, Leonardo, and Susan.

Fun Times

Our New Car

After a week of searching, we finally found a 2009 Toyota Corolla at the price we wanted. Car shopping is fun in theory but not in actuality. We hated dealing with salesmen and the game of the price. We are quite happy with our purchase and relieved that the ordeal is over. Hopefully we won’t have to be car shopping any time soon.

Our Royal Family

In the van Gavin and Renée were telling me how we have a royal family.  "You are the queen, dad is the king, Gavin is the prince,  I am the princess, and Carter is the servant," said Renée.  I asked if Carter could be a prince too but he wanted to be the worker.  We decided to put him in charge of building our castle.

What the Heart Says

I took Carter to the cardiologist today because he has a heart murmur.  Everything was fine and he has a very healthy heart.  While we were there, Carter had an echo done and he got to hear his heart.  He said, "My heart can talk."  The doctor responded, "What does it say?"  Carter replied, "I love tools!"

Camera Strap with Zipper Pocket

I have been working on making a pattern for a camera strap cover with a zipper pocket. This is my third prototype. The first one was too small and couldn’t be saved. The second one resides with Joi. I am super excited about this because I keep losing lens caps. Now I can store it and whatever else I want.

Cookies for Warm Tummies

I am my church’s public affairs representatives and one of my responsibilities is to find service opportunities for us. We recently helped the Keller Storehouse with their Warm Tummies program which provides lunches for children in need. While there I realized that the lunches provided by the city could use a little something extra. The sweet women in my ward have been making cookies. This past week we gave them 300 cookies.

Mean Aunt Lee

"Aunt Lee is mean. She was born nice, right?" - Renee
After questioning the reason why Aunt Lee is mean, I found out that she yelled at Sydney for something that Trey did.

In an attempt to get the kids to clean their toy room, Sam promised a science experiment. They made a volcano with vinegar and baking soda.

Pioneer Day

Growing up in Pennsylvania, we didn’t celebrate Pioneer Day. I didn’t even know it was a holiday until I was in college, in Utah. Our ward had a Pioneer Day breakfast. The kids brought their bikes so they got to ride around in the parking lot while the adults visited. They also got to race the bishopric. The bishop cheated and the kids gave him a pretty hard time. Another highlight was finding a snake.

The kids giving the Bishop a hard time about cheating.

I pity the snake.

Spray Park in Colleyville

Lisa Meyer is moving to Utah and she invited us to the spray park for one last playgroup. Because you don’t get submerged in the water, I figured it was safe for Carter’s ears. I got a little carried away with the camera. The spray park was a perfect spot for photography because I was able to stay a safe distance from the water and zoom in on the fun. I ended up taking a bunch of photos of my friends’ kids and emailing them to them because I just couldn’t resist the great shots.

This button that Renée is laying on turns on the water.  She nominated herself to be in charge of it.

I guess Carter was thirsty.

Gavin working on his gymnastics skills.

New Ear Tubes

Carter got his third set of ear tubes put in because he had a lot of fluid in his ears.  It was affecting his hearing so the doctor wanted to put in new tubes.  Tubes only last about a year before they grow out.  He threw a fit about wearing a hospital gown and didn’t want to be taken back to surgery.  Carter also wakes up really mean after anesthesia.  He stays unhappy until he gets a nap.  He wouldn’t take a nap so he ended up sleeping for several hours on the couch.  The difference is immediate in Carter's speech and responses to us.  Now we just have to make it until August 2 without swimming.

The Death of our Elantra

We bought our 2000 Hyundai Elantra brand new and it has been great. Now I am not saying that we weren’t embarrassed to drive it around. It had quite a few dents and Sam never cleaned it out. Sam rear ended a truck and the truck won. The repairs would cost more than the value of the vehicle so our search for a new car begins.

More Swimming

Carter is about to get new ear tubes so we won’t be swimming for a week and a half. Here are the kids enjoying one last day.

 Renée holding Sydney.

Swimming With Friends

We go to our community pool several times a week but I usually don’t remember my camera. I was able to capture some of the kids fun in the pool. I met Erika and her two girls there. We brought Ethan so Gavin would have a buddy. I sure love our summers here swimming the days away. Everyone knows how to swim so this is my easiest summer yet.

Throwing Carter in the pool.

Gavin and his friend Ethan.

Camie, Renée, and Maddie in the baby pool.

Love of Tools

"I love tools." - Carter
"I love tools." - Renée
"No, you love makeup." - Carter

Fireworks at NRH2o

NRH2o has three nights each summer that they do a fireworks show.  Unfortunately we missed the June one and we will be on vacation for the August one.  We made sure to be there for July even though we had to pick up our kids early from date night.  Our kids love watching fireworks and I had a great time photographing them.