So sorry about the absence. Hmmm, absence. I find the absence of alot of things these days. Sunday shoes...that match, temps less than 90 degrees, the fast forwrd button for life, meals that don't require a 425 degree oven, the rewind button for life, the *pause* button for life, my purse (wish I was kidding about that one), my mind. It just feel like I'm always looking for things that can't be found. And I'm just sure I'm the only mother out there who has ever felt that way:) Here is a bit of a picture overload to catch you (and I) up to speed. (Of course blogger is having "issues" for the 30 minutes I have to do this). Grrr. So, since the bunk beds:

First up! Natalie, who switched NC for DC a while back, made a pit stop on her way home so all our kids could get together. Good times at Lauren's house.

Gathering up our food bags we passed out to our neighborhood for our ward's food drive.

Slaving away in our Square Foot Garden

Tia being her agreeable little self

Strawberry picking

Ketchip and mustard

Oh wait, did I just nonchalantly drop the "ketchup and mustard" thing...well here's some clarification: ELLIE RUBBED KETCHUP AND MUSTARD ALL OVER IN HER HAIR. Can you just smell it with me right now?

True surprises in life are rare but I got one when my sister rocked my world and flew in for a week! Long story short, I ended up finding out a few hours before she arrived but I would have been no more surprsed had she rolled up to my door. We had a great time and laughed and laughed and laughed some more. Jenna has always been hilarious. It is fun to be at the point where we can look back at our "youth" and crack up at things we thought were normal. You can tell how much fun we had by how many pictures I took: 1. And isn't is a fantastic one too?

Thank you, thank you Aunt Jenna! (For bringing your iphone)


Enjoying some good old NC spring rainstorms...in style

Although planned months ago, it was just as fun to have Uncle Spencer come visit. The high point of the visit is when he bought us a POOL PASS! Our neighborhood doesn't have a pool but the next development over does and they sell passes to non-residents that comes out to be less than $1 per day per swimmer. PRICELESS. We've been 11 out of the last 14 days. Spence is the kindest person I know. His future wife is one lucky lady, just sayin.

P is for POOL!!!

Clearly, summer is off and running. School is out. Nate is selling for Moxie Pest Control in the evenings. I am working day shift!!! I had forgotten what is was like to feel normal as you're trying to save peoples' lives. Quite nice as you can imagine, but I best not get used to it for it will be back to nights come the school year. We're driving to Minnesota for July 4th where we get to see our NEW COUSIN!!! Halle Elizabeth Blake was born May 23rd!!!

She is far and away our most beautiful cousin and I CANNOT wait to meet her!