Birthdays

Well, Hyrum is officially in his double digits now.  10 years old- however did it happen?!?

He wanted a birthday party at the local gymnastics gym, and we were able to reserve it for an hour of jumping and playing.  The boys loved every minute, and I was glad they had a good outlet for their energy!

I believe this was Hyrum's favorite part- he managed to do a few back flips while in harness, and has talked about it the rest of the week.  I'm so glad he had fun :).

We ended the day with cupcakes and presents, then watched a movie until the kids had to leave.

Gratitude List:
* my family members are all healthy and happy.
* cool nights even in the summertime.
* allergy medications.
* our garden is growing
* rain and sprinklers
* morgen is home safely from girls' camp, which she loved.
* good books
* good music
* God is good.

Overheard

"First grade wasn't my best year.  Second grade, now, that was my prime time.  Second grade was a good year."

-Hyrum

As we are approaching his 10th birthday (next week, actually), I find it amusing that his best year is already behind him, at least in his estimation!

Gratitude List:

* cashmere.  i absolutely love to knit with it.
* air conditioning in the car.
* chocolate.
* French Onion Soup mmmmmmm
* electricity
* lots of lovely knitting projects waiting for me to begin or finish them.
* my family
* God

Yarny goodness

I love yarn.  :) And I'm sure this comes as no surprise to those who know me well.  But look at these colors:

Now what to make with these delicious smooshy yarns....  it is a lot of thinking to pick a pattern that works well with each yarn and the gorgeous colors.  But the possibilities are exciting!

W tried out for the high school's musical- this coming year they will be performing "The Pirates of Penzance."  He has practices all summer long :) and I love listening to him sing.  Gilbert and Sullivan were so clever with words!

M is still working hard, but I think I've convinced her that taking one day off each week is a good idea.  Next week she'll be camping with the young women, and I will miss her but I'm sure she will have fun.

H went to TWO scout day camps last week- one for the bear scouts (his age group) and one for the webelos (they're 10, and his birthday is this month, so he was invited to this one, too).  One of the activities was archery, and he got a bulls-eye! He has also decided that he really likes boondoggle (a weaving craft with plastic cord).

Jared is working, as always.  He's been able to fish a little bit, and took the boy scouts (12-14 year-olds) camping last Friday/Saturday.  This summer he has several camp-outs planned for scouting, and one for the family.  I think he'd be happy with another 2 or 3, but that's all that he could fit in around his work schedule.

I'm very sad that my allergies are so severe this summer.  It has been so beautiful outside, and I sneeze whenever I open the doors or windows.  But I'm getting some knitting done, and enjoying the fruits of our garden (rhubarb and strawberries right now), and I am grateful for anti-histamines.

I've missed my gratitude list, so I'm making one today:

* good music
* podcasts
* kids who want to earn money, because they'll do all sorts of extra jobs like deep-cleaning cars.
* beautiful yarn and fiber
* a working washer and dryer
* stain removers
* dry air, because I can hang my clothing out and it dries in an hour or so.
* hot cocoa :) it never gets old
* free patterns!
* my family.
* new nieces and nephews
* my family is healthy and well.
* God is good

Beauty All Around

This is the view from my car window, driving down the canyon from my house towards Provo/Orem:

I am almost always a bit distracted by this view when I'm driving.  Luckily the road is never too busy.

This is the view from my front porch:

Those irises came from my father's garden.  He got them from my sister Melissa's husband, who got them from his own father.  They are beautiful!  And no, I have no grass in my front yard.  I like it very much :) but it is less comfortable on bare feet than grass.

Yesterday, after getting up early (before 7am) and doing all the household stuff, I spent an hour on my porch, looking at that lovely view and knitting.