Future mother in the making

R (5 years old, cutting up tissues into pieces announces): I'm making dresses for my kids. I have LOTS of kids.

ME: Oh, probably because you don't get very sick when you're pregnant?

R: No, I have two at a time, so I get VERY sick.

Me: Oh really? How many kids do you have now?

R: I don't know, I haven't counted them lately.

(A couple minutes later Rebecca comes back.)

R: 8 daughters and 1 son, that makes 9 and I'm having another baby. I'm kind of busy.

A friend from yesteryear

This summer we were privileged to have a visit from my dear college friend, Crystal. We haven't seen each other in a decade, so it was fun to catch up. It always makes me happy to see old friends, there is something very comforting in just starting where you left off knowing that some things don't change even with time. As a thank you gift for hosting her, Crystal was so sweet to send Rebecca and I matching aprons. There are totally adorable and fun to wear with great big bows in back. Rebecca and I already made a batch of cookies and look forward to many more afternoons of baking together. Thank you, Crystal!

A week with Philipp

We spent a calm week with Philipp. He was jet-lagged and I wasn't feeling well, so we mainly took it easy. Despite "taking it easy" when I look back on the week I'm surprised at all the activities he managed to do.
Knott's Berry Farm (including a Shaquille O'Neal sighting), s'mores at the beach with the youth from church, surfing with his cousin Trenton, meeting and greeting Buzz Aldrin, church with an impromtu talk (that's what happens when your brother-in-law is the bishop!), fun at a waterpark with Rebecca and Joseph, an afternoon with Grandma, and lots of fun niece and nephew time!
We loved having Philipp with us and already miss him, but are excited for his new start at BYU.

Philipp's back!!!

Hurray! After 2 long years we finally have our Philipp back in California. Rebecca could hardly stand the wait. She has been praying for Philipp's safe return for months. Joseph was shy at first but warmed up to him once they started playing Star Wars at home.

Bear Lake and back again

What a vacation. At the last count 22 of 30 people in the family that went on our Bear Lake trip got sick with a stomach flu. Every day there were new casualties. We're glad to be back home and get the little ones healthy soon.

We stayed in a beautiful cabin overlooking beautiful Bear Lake and were able to enjoy one afternoon out of the whole trip. Here are a few photos from our one successful day.

Warren and the girls being pulled by the boat.





Man and girls overboard!
There they were, floating in the middle of the lake.
They were very brave and very cold when they got out.





A little bit of jet skiing. Joseph loved it.
Rebecca went with her uncle but wasn't as into it as Joseph.



Joseph and Finley (or Winley-as he pronounced it)



Granddad gave away a few travel kits.
The girls walked around with their eye patches all evening.

Rebecca's Self-Portrait

This is what happens when you let your 5 year old get a hold of the camera. Aren't we glad these are the days of digital cameras? I only made a collage out of some of her pictures. I'm sure she would have used up an entire role of film!