Because my momma loves me!

For my birthday, my mother treated me to a pedicure.  Are my toes pretty?

From our own garden!

This 20 lb beauty is just one of many found in our garden.  I gained a love of gardening from my father.  There is nothing better than harvest season.  My garden is not nearly as big as his was, but it gives me just as much joy!

Who needs monkey bars?

I told the kids that I really didn't like them using the couch as a jump to get to the pull up bar.  So here is the solution!  What cute, creative kids I have!

Who's afraid of whom?

Ash, our squirrel, small baby rabbit, lizard, and mice eating cat is afraid of our new kitty, Angel.  This was the best picture I could get of the two together.  I don't think Angel is very fond of Ash either!

Being a parent is hard!

Today we dropped Elder Derek Hawks off at the GJ Colorado airport.  It is so rewarding to have a child that wants to serve a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, however, I may have been a little weepy as he walked thru security and on his way to the gate.  2 weeks ago, we did the same thing with Sister Athena Hawks (only we dropped her off at the Provo MTC).  I'm so proud of them!  I'm so excited for them!  But it is still hard!

Dark Canyon Lake

S'more making!

Fishing!  No fish this trip...apparently we needed worms or rainbow cheese!

Hiking and being crazy!

We love playing in the mountains.  There is just something special about fishing, hiking and cooking s'mores in God's beautiful creations.  Being in the mountains is one of my favorite childhood memories....I hope it will be for my kids, too!

We LOVE missionaries

Okay, so I am a little excited about sending out 2 missionaries to serve the Lord. Don't we look cute in the fun missionary tees that my adorable sister found for us? MM stands for missionary mom and MD stands for missionary dad. I love these pictures. Athena is in the MTC and Derek leaves for the MTC on Sept 11. I can't believe that the time is here. I still think of these two as 4 and 2 years old. How can they be 21 and 19? Anyway, I am so proud of these two!