Jared turns 13

So here's the story.  On May 2, we celebrated Jared's 13th birthday.  Cake, gifts, you know the drill.  On May 3, 2013 - my cell phone died.  Doornail dead.  Lost Jared's birthday pictures - nice, huh?

Yeah, that's him at the tippy-top of the big tree behind the white van.  (Mom wasn't home this day.)

 

 

Nature hike.

 

Happy Birthday, Jared!  Your family loves, loves, loves you!

4th of July

Our 4th was awesome!!  We spent it with my family on Lake Sherry!

 

 

G took the boys fishing!  Honestly, they fished - non stop - for HOURS!  They caught several perch and a few sun fish!  They even cooked and ate what they caught - (merit badge requirement, ya know!)

 

Grandpa scared Joseph and told him the Sheriff was patrolling looking for little boys who didn't have fishing licenses.  Joseph piped right up and said, "Jared doesn't have a license!"  Imagine Joe's relief when the sheriff pull up to the dock and stopped to talk to grandpa because they are good friends and not because they were looking for little boys without licenses!

 

We swam...

 

...and swam...

 

...and swam...

 

...and swam some more.

 

Our little fish!  Couldn't get them away from the water for a minute!

 

 

Jared's first catch - did I mention the perch were kind of small?

 

Megan and mom the lifeguards!

 

Boating with Uncle Larry!

 

 

Fireworks at Uncle Dick's house!

 

 

Lake Sherry

You know how sometimes inside your head you're 22 years old - but really, your head is actually 42 years old?  That was today!

 

 

This seemed like a good idea...

 

 

...even though I did have a moment of regret, we went through with it!

 

 

At lap 1.5 I said, "I'm bailing at the dock."  And for the record, I said that multiple times!

 

 

The part we didn't really think through was what would happen next!

 

 

 

She whined about it for several hours - but I doubt it was any worse than any wipeout circa 1986!

 

 

 

 

Finders Keepers

This weekend we had a fantastic thunder storm!  When everything finally blew over, this pretty girl had made her way into our garage and was trembling by the stairs.

 

 

We all love her! 

 

We're secretly hoping she stays forever! 

(Or not so secretly?)

 

(So we don't seem like complete creeps -

we do know all of the locals dogs and she isn't one of them!)

Father's Day

I am so grateful for the Fathers in my life!

 

My daddy!

 

 

My children's daddy!

 

(Yeah, he really got a shop broom!)

End of the School Year

Megan and Hailey graduate from 8th Grade!

 

 

Malorie (pink shirt - yes, with her back to me) perfect attendance and presidential fitness awards.

 

Joe (black shirt red shorts) concert.

 

Jacob - Honor Roll, and maybe something else

(fantastic parenting).

 

Jared's Jazz Concert.

(Brandon and I had to divide and conquer that night - and I don't think he took pictures.)

 

 

Jason Update

Jason is still in Daejeon.  His updates sound so upbeat - which is good for his mother's heart!

He said in his latest email that the Korean language is finally starting to click.  Natives don't believe him when he warns them ahead of time that he "doesn't speak Korean" - That also does his mother's heart good!

 

 

His mission is having a changing of the guard, so to speak - they are releasing President

and Sister Furniss.  They had a going away gathering and Jason was able to meet up with some of his very best friends from the training center whom he hasn't seen since they flew to Korea May 6.

 

Elder Robarts is still Jason's companion.  He loves him.  I have been able to connect with "Ben's" mom on Facebook and she is wonderful!  They live in Sacramento and I'd love to meet them on our next trip to California!

 

 

Jaynie turns 10

Birthday Twin with one of our sister missionaries, Sister Huddleston!

 

 

A new bike!  Just in time for summer!

 

Melanie got lots and lots of dresses this year! 

She seemed to be tired of the hand-me-downs!

Jacob's Sweet 16

What teenaged boy doesn't want (need) deodorant and body spray for his birthday??

 

 

Mom & Joe

 

Jacob always has the joy of sharing his birthday celebration with Memorial Day.  It's fun because the Lee family all gets together - but all of your birthday pictures are taken at a cemetery...

 

Very serious about turning 16!

 

Yes - that's Jacob!

 

 

Two Wheelin'

When you're the only kiddo left at home during the school year, you get to

be in the most blog entries!

 

 

One day she just GOT IT!  She took off on two wheels and hasn't looked back!