Kevin helped the kids to make this Activity Book for my birthday. I was so touched with all of the work they put into it and everyone's little touch of love. Thank you!

This poem reads: Roses are red, violets are blue, Joseph, Nicole and Emme really love you. You make us happy when we are sad, you help us be good when we are bad. You make our life full with games and such, it's no surprise we love you so much. Love Joseph, Nicole, Emme and Daddy.

On the left are some Pooh bear stencils that I could color in and a dot-to-dot on the right that Nicole made for me.

This is a coloring page and a crossword puzzle. Kevin worked really hard on making this puzzle from scratch. They used words like love, funny, football, basketball, daddy, mommy.

Joseph had a football birthday party at the YMCA. We were able to use the new sports park. It was a fun day and everyone had a good time.

Phil, behind Joseph, is the director of the YMCA. He led us in some football drills to teach the kids and prepare them for a little game later on. He was a wonderful party host!

We had a bounce house near the field for those that weren't as devoted to football. Emme loved it, you see.

They even got to have a little scrimmage.

Joseph doesn't like chocolate or cakes except cheesecake. He got all 10 candles. Yeah!

Everyone LOVES presents!

Our beautiful 8 year old Nicole is now baptized and entered the kingdom of God. We love you very much Nicole and are so proud of you making this decision to follow Jesus Christ and be baptized as He was. It was truly a wonderful day for our family!

Nicole originally was supposed to be baptized in April, after her birthday. Unfortunately she got sick so we postponed it. Then we went on vacation and she finally was baptized in June. Her plan was to carry tulips but by June they were out of season so she carried a bouquet of white roses.

Two have now been baptized, one more to go!

It was such a beautiful experience to stand by the font with the towel and watch Kevin and Nicole in the baptismal font. Kevin is a wonderful father and a worthy bearer of the Priesthood of God. He baptized Nicole in the name of Jesus Christ by his priesthood power. We are so blessed to have Kevin as the Patriarch in our home and truly a wonderful friend and father.

We all love you Nicole!

Emme took a ballet class at the YMCA for 4 weeks. She did really well and loved dancing, as long as she couldn't see me through the window. If she did, she would wave at me and dance around and not pay attention to her teacher. We didn't know there was a dress code for this class so she of course wore her princess dress. All the other girls wearing their pink, white or black leotards were very jealous. We did comply to the dress standard for the rest of the classes. Good thing she loves pink.

Joseph had 4 teeth pulled in June. His baby canines were not wanting to come out by themselves and they were causing the adult teeth coming in to crowd. We went to an oral surgeon and chose to be put to sleep. The less trauma the better. He was really brave and was running around the house like normal within a couple of hours.

His doctor called that night to check up on him and see how he was feeling. That is so thoughtful! We love Dr. Hinz.

It's time to PLAY BALL!!! We love to go to the Mariners games. This was our first one of the season and it was a beautiful day in June. We took the kids out of school half day on their last day and spent the afternoon in Seattle before going to the game.

This is the girls' favorite! The MOOSE!

They brought Ken Griffey in for one at bat. He popped out but it was still fun to see him at Safeco again. That was the first time we'd seen him in person this season.

Emme was cheering as you can see. She actually did really well and sat on our laps throught the entire game. As long as we had food; ice cream, hot dogs, cotton candy, she was all good.

RALLY TIME! Notice Joseph has turned his hat inside out. The Mariners did win. Hooray!

Joseph's one and only field trip this year was to the Washington State Historical Museum. I must admit that all of my life that I've lived here, I have never been there before. We were able to find out all about the volcanos around us, the mining industry and the logging industry. I was so glad to be able to go with him. These boys are Lamar and Harrison, two of Joseph's friends in his class.

This was the bridge from the Washington State History Musuem over to the Glass Museum. That piece of art behind the boys is glass. Isn't it beautiful!

There was a dress-up area and Joseph became a soldier. I don't know exactly what war this was from but it was pretty cool.

Heave-ho!

These guys were so fun!