Howdy "Rowdy" Birthday!

Sweet Kazoo turned 8 and we celebrated Native American style. We made dream catchers, beaded pouches, and necklaces. We ate tipi cupcakes. And then, for a surprise, we had "Rowdy" the horse come and give all the birthday guests rides around our back yard. It was definately a day to remember. We love you Kinzi!

"Cool Hot Boons'

Hovland Piano Recital

McKinzi has been working really hard on her piano this year. It was a joy to watch her perform at the spring recital.

Carol Kind and Near

Ahhh! The Giles family! We love you guys! What a treat for our family to have Mike, Carol, Brooke, Ashley, and Max stop for a night in Minnesota on their way to Utah! When we pulled into Cliffside Commons six years ago in our little sagging Honda Accord, having traveled all the way from Seattle to Boston, Mike Giles was the first person we met. Having seen our liscense plates from Idaho, he came to help us move in and introduce his family to ours. They lived on the same apartment hall as us, about four doors down. They gave us a mattress to sleep on, dinner to eat, and extended a hand of friendship that will last forever. Once when we were supposed to have dinner guests and forgot(we were out shopping), the Giles invited our guests to their home for dinner and insisted that we join them as well! When Kinzi was learning to sing "I am a Child of God", she would sing..."has given me an earthly home, with Carol Kind and Near"! We have been richly blessed with good friends near and far. Friends forever!

Pepin, Wisconsin

The first official day of summer vacation, the kids and I hit the road for Pepin, Wisconsin, birthplace of Laura Ingalls Wilder. We never saw such beautiful countryside... farm after farm of rolling hills, the occasional goat atop a large red barrel, and the gorgeous landscape framing the mighty Mississippi River. We enjoyed a large ice cream cone at Nelson's Creamery, and bought some "cheese n' onion" cheese for grilled sandwiches later that evening. We stopped in at Arrowhead Bluffs museum and gift shop to admire the Native American history and craftiwork. The entire day was delightful, made even more so by enjoying the company of good friends.