Pottery

Elaine and I volunteered at the Botanical Gardens yesterday during their annual sale. We sat at a table for Pima County Natural Resources (to inform about buffelgrass, you know.) Our table was next to a vendor selling the cutest pottery. I bought 4 little colanders. They hold from 2 to 3 cups is all and look so pretty on my counter tops and hanging by my stove. The picture is from her website, www.botanicalsinclay.com. She uses botanicals to imprint in her pottery. I actually bought one similar to that in the picture, and the others are brighter blue with other shapes and patterns. I'll add more photos later. I just love them.

Jill and Elaine By the Numbers

26.5 inches long. Off the charts long.
14 lb 12 oz. 70 th percentile.
9 lb 3 oz when born.
Gained roughly 5 and 1/2 lb in 4 months.

Perspective: Elaine weighed 7 lb 1 oz at birth. Gained 9 lb 3 oz in 4 months for a total of 16 lb 4 oz. Elaine was around 25 inches long at 4 months.

The thighs say it all.

Primary Program

I love the primary program. Especially when it delivers a memorable catch phrase by which we will be saluted for the next few months. This year, Benjamin provided the comic relief. But you need some background.

Liam's part was: "Family Home Evening strengthens my family." Ben's was: "Family History and Temple Work bless all the generations of my family." We practiced while driving places speaking very slowly so that Liam could be understood over the microphone, and Ben as well. Suffice it to say, all four boys knew each other's parts by heart as well as their own.

Jeremy and Alex did great. Liam said with his tongue on the mike, to all intents and purposes, "Fallyhomevenstranksmyfowly." Ben's turn came a little later. He said loudly and clearly, "Family Home Evening strengthens my . . . [confused look] . . . generations of . . . [sounding smaller] . . . temple work . . . [look of resignation] . . . oh, man!" After which he started over and said his part perfectly in a nearly silent, dejected voice.

People no longer say hello to us. They say, "oh, man!"

Liam's Birthday

Jack and Jill

Elaine's birthday

A teenager. Wow.

Liam took these pictures of Jill. Along with about 57 more of his blanket and various toys and body parts ... knees, elbows,etc.

I finally bought spirit shirts for my boys.

Word Search - Jill

Our friend Sarah made this beautiful quilt for Jill. I follow her blog and would jealously notice whenever she made one for her friends. I was so thrilled to get one myself! Can you find the personalization in the above photo? Amazing! Thanks Sarah!

Miscellaneous?

Dave and I flew up to SLC in July for his cousin Rhett's wedding. It was a very quick trip and I got no pictures of the actual bride and groom, but did get some of Dave and Jill, and Dave's grandmother with Jill.
After the wedding we flew home, then went to Sedona for our annual reunion. Tons of fun as always.











After Sedona, school started, and our birthday season kicked into full gear with Dave turning 39. A coyote came by a few days later to pay his respects.

Pappy spends some time with Jill.
Here is a random shot of an evening swim. Jill loves the pool, even when it is cool.
And for the grand finale, here are some vids showing Jill's developmental progress, which I'm sure you've been dying to see.