The Art of Manliness

Neal doing a great job teaching his son how to tie a necktie this sabbath day.

Pioneer Day

For Pioneer Day, to honor our early Latter-day Saint heritage, our kids are learning stories of their ancestors to share with our family. After a couple of days, I ask Rhys, "Do you remember what your ancestor's story is about?"  He replies, "Yep, it's about people moving a lot and a lot of people dying."

Well, true.

15 Years

Today is our 15th anniversary! This picture is of us on our 1st anniversary--I had just ended chemotherapy for breast cancer. He was my rock through all of that and the following 14 years. I love him for the man he is and all that he consistently puts into "us". I'm truly blessed to have him as my eternal companion.

Summer Bucket List Item

We had many activities written on our summer bucket list but spending lots of time with the cousins was one of the most important to my kids. So we celebrated Cousin Day (officially July 24) early and had a great time at Klyde Warren Park in Dallas. They got to meet the kittens and enjoy "cousin cookies."

 Later on we scooped up all 4 cousins and spent the day at Celebration and the Fairview Fountains getting splashed, grilled up dinner, and watched a movie.  Elijah, the youngest took a little while to warm up to us. He told me fairly early on, "You like me!" and "You not scary. You nice!"

July 4th

Saturday, we visited my cousin Barbara and enjoyed swimming, introducing the kids to a bit of Mystery Science Theater 3000, and viewing a fireworks show put on by their neighborhood.

Monday we hung out with the Oma and Opa and grilled by the swimming pool.

Tuesday, the 4th, we met up with the Huffs to swim and grill. We made our usual journey to the top of a local parking structure to view the fireworks all around. Rhys was so tired he just kept asking to go to the car. It was a full holiday weekend!