This week we learned about the letter "D" and we made our very first homemade doughnuts. They were "delicious", and the kids had fun "dipping', and "decorating" them. We were so proud of them.

We all went together for a bike ride. It was Zak's first time going on a long ride with us on his bike. He was going super fast and balancing pretty good. When we got home the training wheels came off and he has been pr acting riding on the grass with John. We'll see if he gets this year or not.


My kids have to be wherever I am and this is Makelle enjoying herself in my bathroom while I get ready.


We finally checked out the lake that is ten miles from our house. I feel bad it took us so long to go there. It was beautiful and and the water was warm. We had a great afternoon there together. My kids could play at the beach and in the water all day. It stayed shallow for a long time so it was lots of fun. We plan to take advantage of it lots more now that we know about it.


This is Makelle getting tickled on the toes and she can't do anything but laugh.

Lantz loved it but it is a long day for a little boy.

Way to go Makelle get him while he is buried!!


Lantz now has his two bottom teeth. They are just starting to show good, so big. He moves all over the place by reaching and rolling he gets what he wants one way or another. Crawling won't be to far away. A few days ago I heard him laugh in the other room and I could tell the kids weren't with him. I hurried to see what he was laughing about. He kept banging two toys together, his drill and pliers and then he would laugh and laugh and do it again. Makelle and Zak both do a good job making him laugh, they can do if forever and they all love it.

Makelle's latest thing is dancing and singing. We love to turn the music on and dance and shake and move all over the house. She also loves to sing but she just makes up her own songs. She also loves to read books and makeup the words. Just tonight we colored together and she was coloring in the lines, "just like you mommy." She also says the prayers one hundred percent by herself with no help.

Zak gave his first talk in primary today. We had it all ready and practiced. John stood outside the door and poked his head in to let them know he was there. But they never got John and he never went in, thinking Zak must not really have the talk today.Well apparently Zak just gave his talk by himself. Some leaders said he did good. I asked him what he said and he said it wasn't the talk we did for him it was two other things he couldn't remember. What a great boy, just wish we got to hear it, at least he didn't miss out. He is turning in to quite the artist and could draw all day. He really is getting good, and he loves to learn whatever we will teach him about.

John sleeps through most of his school, so nothing too exciting there. He loves the other guys so that is good. The actually drilling of teeth and such is hard for him so it humbles him. He did his home teaching this week and put fifty miles on his car and only got to teach one family. It is definitely different here. He also got the garage cleaned and all of the bikes hung so we officially have a two car garage with two cars parked in it.

Sellersburg just had there annual town celebration "Sellerburg Celebrates". We talked John into going to the parade and he actually liked it. The rest of us loved it and the kids got tons of candy. It was just a good small town celebration.
My great friend Amanda babysat last night while John and I went to dinner for a late anniversary. It was fantastic. There is nothing better than my favorite food with my favorite guy.

A sunday afternoon

Some pictures from our Sunday afternoon.





Zak's very first zit!!! Right between his eyes. I always say he's is mature for his age!

We made it to the white coat ceremony. I woke up and decided we need to go support John no matter what. So we hustled and made it to the ceremony. The kids were great and it wasn't as bad as a graduation so we were glad we went. Afterwards John got to show off his kids to all of his friends. I am glad we went.

August update

It's only been a couple of weeks since I blogged but I have been getting a lot of complaints. Good to know people love us and want to keep updated. Honestly people I am busy trying to be a Mom, it is hard to take pictures of us learning and having fun when it is what we do everyday. So here are a few pictures I managed to get and an update. If Lindsey would just move back then she could have her job back as my full time photographer and blogger.

I neglected to mention last time that Zak bore his testimony for the first time. He was so excited to do it, and he thought about it for a while before he went up to the pulpit. He was thinking of all the things he knew for himself. He had me go up with him, and then he got a little bit nervous. He said two things. "I know Heavenly Father loves me. I know that President Monson is a prophet that I can follow him back to Heavenly Father. " What a great kid! Makelle wanted to go up too and then decided to wait for another time. I am proud of my kids for so many things, but I love that they know what is important and what brings true happiness. I also had a missionary moment this week. I was asked by a friend what we believe. It was a teaching moment for me, as I was at a loss for words. I had been praying for a missionary experience, and there it was. It was awesome and very exciting. Even though it was something so small, I had the opportunity to share. I will be ready next time for sure.

We love living here, everything about it is amazing. Who knew one little family could grow so much. We are definitely out of our comfort zone most of the time and it is wonderful. There is so much in the world to enjoy. Life is all about the experiences and we are enjoying our journey. Our branch is amazing, they truly are our family. I got to go with the youth last Saturday boating. It was loads of fun. I got to spend the whole day having fun and relaxing away from the kids and it was all magnifying my calling. But it is important to remember when being pulled on a tube, two thumbs up does not mean a-okay it means go twice as fast, whoops!

One thing my kids are doing great at is making new friends. They have tons of friends, it is wonderful to see them play together with others. I was feeling sad one day that my kiddos are growing up, but then I reminded myself that that is what life is all about. It is so exciting how they learn and grow each day. They love to learn. I am so glad Zak is home for one more year before kindergarten. We all have so much fun playing together everyday. I am so glad I get to be a Mom and especially a stay at home Mom!!

Some of their new friends.We always love getting packages in the mail. Madsens, Granny and Gramps, and Grandma and Grandpa keep us going with lots of fun surprises in the mail. We love it!!
The kids in their new clothes from Grandma Valynn


I can never think of anything to say other than, What a cute boy!
More friends

John in is White Coat, he has a big ceremony this weekend which I won't be able to go to. If only we had family around to babysit!

Zak doing a trick in the air.
Lantz always drooling and always happy.


Lantz's favorite thing to do is still to eat.

He's learned about mirrors, again what a cute boy.
I can't even be alone in the bathroom for five minutes to do makeup, this is what the kids do while I try to get ready once a week.
Makelle wearing makeup and her favorite vest that she insists on all of the time.

7 years ago, by John

What a hot chick!

4th at the Holder's and I still joined the family the next month.



Wow!



What a beautiful bride!






Who could have predicted the course that our lives have taken 7 years ago. All I know is that I am one lucky guy.
We had a bunch more pictures that we scanned in but they would all be side ways and I couldn't figure out how to fix them.
Also, I would just like to take this opportunity to thank Lindsey for losing all of my previous entries to the blog, such wonderful content lost forever. Thanks Linds.