What we do . . .

Summertime begins with the cows, ends with the cows, and is full of cows.

While some families welcome the season of sun with pool parties, we welcome the long days with one of the longest of all . . . the day we work the cows (working cows means branding, immunizing, casterating, sweating, and tagging).

It is a long, dusty, dirty way to herald the sun . . .

Rowdy children

But summertime also means lots of time outside . . .

Popscicles

Swimming lessons

Bike riding

Late nights

Dinner on the deck

Vacations

Betty and Bego (boating and camping)

Bear lake trips, nights in Promontory

Porch sitting

Hugs and luvs and laughs--welcoming back cousins, tears when we say goodbye . . . again

The Fair

Playing--from early morning til late at night

How nice to have the summer . . .

Princess Emmy Annie

Frankie and Jocey

To add one more . . .

To Add One More . . .

"Are you and your husband planning on having any more children?" the kind, well-meaning doctor asked. I blushed, as I always do. This question is one I never know how to answer. Most of the time the phrase NOYB comes to mind, but I couldn't very well use that on the good professional just trying to do his job.

I looked down at the frazzled and fluffy blonde head and sparkly blue eyes flahing back at me. She reached out a chubby two-year-old hand and through clenched teeth, "lovingly" squeezed our sweet 4-month old's soft cheeks. He gooed and smiled back at the girl who loves him by pinching his nose while covering his mouth, squeezing his tummy, and pulling his soft fingers back and forth. I thought of the two big boys in school--the six-year-old athlete who spends hidden moments talking softly and loving this newest baby. He told me after one particularly long post-partem day filled with more needs than I could meet that he wished we could always have a baby. In that instant gratitude filled my exhausted soul--gratitude that Heavenly Father's plan of families includes perfect love. I thought of the eight-year-old, in many ways mature beyond his years. More often than not, he pulls the weight of example and makes us happy and humbled at his wisdom. Thankfully, though, he's full of little boy innocence and energy and an unrivaled patience and love for his brothers and sister. I thought of the little one, just finnishing up his check-up. I remembered the holiness the sterile hospital room took on as he entered mortality and our lives. His easy-going attitude and crooked grin fit perfectly into our family. My mind turned again to the man they call D-D-Dadeo and of his sacrifices so we can be comfortable. I contemplated how the years have flown my and how full they are of happy memories.

I don't know what the future brings. What I do know is how happy I am to have added one more, how grateful I am to his siblings for their acceptance of him, and how even though we're exhausted and looking forward to sleeping again, how nice those little baby fingers feel as they brush my cheek, and how warm and soft his cheeks are against mine.