The Dog Days of Summer

Hi Everyone! Yes, we've been in the dog days of summer here in Phoenix for quite some time now. All things considered, I think we're adjusting at least fairly well. Claire has had probably the hardest time of all. Each time we step outside on days when the temps reach 105 or above, she whines, "It's too hot, Mom!" I know what she means, though.

Here are some of the highlights from June, July and August:

*Emily is now working part time from home! WAHOO!!! We love having her home with the kids so much more often. It has been such a blessing for our family!

*Claire is talking so well! She's also grown so much. A lot less tripping when she runs (WHEW!! I was really afraid after she hit her front tooth for the fourth time that we'd have a major issue on our hands. . .) I was asked earlier this summer if she and Ben are twins. :D Her newest thing is that she's a robot princess. She starts talking in a monotone robot voice, and then announces that she is a princess. We love it! She asks every single day if she can go to school. She's so eager to learn!

*We went to Fairview, UT for the 24th of July weekend. The fireworks were awesome this year, as was the rodeo (the rodeo was much improved over the last couple of years), and the derby! Ben and Claire really got a kick out of it. It's a gathering of some of Josh's extended family, which is really fun! Ben quote of the weekend: "Mom, Uncle Russ looks just like dad, only without the big belly." Bwa ha ha ha! We went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bartlett, too! Uncle Rulon was there, and really enjoyed watching the kids have fun on the playground. A few of Emily's brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews came too- on their way to a backpacking trip to Twin Lakes with Emily's Dad. After that, we went to East Canyon for a week of fun! We had a blast on our vacation, and were ready to come home when the week was done.

*Ben has started pre-school again, and loves it! Today was his first day back, and he came out of his bedroom at 7:45 dressed and ready to go. Now, his clothes weren't matching (Blue and orange plaid shorts with a red and blue plaid shirt, ha ha), and he then put on his Sunday shoes with it... "Mom, I know that if I wear these shoes, Miss Candace (his teacher) will say, 'I love your shoes Ben! I want some just like them!' " Oh, the laughter! He so wants to make an impression. Little does he know that he leaves a pretty lasting impression on most folks, without going out of his way to do it. He's so funny!

*We've loved getting to know the Primary kids in our ward. They are so funny! We teach the 4-turning-5 year olds (Class B, Ben's in Class A), and we love them for all their quirkiness.

We love our new home, but there are some things we'd like to trade. . . The heat, the great distance between us and most of our family, the heat, the beautiful mountains, and the heat just to name a few. . .

Heavenly Father's given us so much, and every day we're grateful for our friends (old and new), our family, and the fullness of life we enjoy!