Morgan has been given a hand-me-down camera from her dad...it was our first digital and it got dropped so it doesn't have a flash, but it still takes great outdoor pictures. These are a few of her pictures she has taken over the months. She totes it with her everywhere we go. It has a long handle on it so that she can sling it from right shoulder to left hip. She has about 50 pictures of Hunter alone, her favorite subject when she can get him to sit still! Speaking of Hunter and Morgan, she has taught him to "race". She says, "Do you want to race boy?" and he gets crouched down and ready. She says, "Let's go!" and the two of them race around the house. Of course, so far, Hunter always wins.....unless he gets sidetracked by the bunny rabbits in the garden.

The Sand Box is Filled!!!!

Oh happy day! We have new sand in the sandbox....and only a few (thousand) granules travel through the house on the way to the shower....if only there was a warm water hose outside...hmmm. Morgan was ecstatic to see the dump truck bring in her load of sand. She had been asking all summer and we were so busy that I never got around to it until this week, the last week in July! The little boy in the picture is Jose, who lives on the corner. He came running across the yards and slapped his hand over his mouth and his eyes got really big...it was hilarious to see how excited he was to see Morgan's filled up sandbox. The two of them have been in the sandbox both days, making ramps for cars and digging up holes. No water traps so far.

Annual Relay for Life/Visiting Mitch and Jenny

Every year I buy bags in memory of my mom, Betty, and in honor of my dad, David, who have been through cancer experiences. We lost Grandma Betty in 1995, but Grandpa David lives on and is healthy to this day with a full recovery....we thank God for that! After making the bags we discovered the Grandma Laura is going through surgery on July 31 and we pray for a full recovery. Next year there will be a bag there to honor her too. This is the first year I did not attend the Relay for as long as I can remember because we went North to visit Jeff's family.



We arrived at the resort late Friday night and spent two glorious days there with Mitch, (Jeff's brother), Jenny, and their three boys - Luke, Alex and Nick. It was Luke's birthday on Saturday so we celebrated with cake and gifts. He turned 8!! Maren, Morgan and I went to a beading class that was held at the clubhouse. Maren made earrings, Morgan made an ankle bracelet and I made a wrist bracelet. We had a great time and it was fun to experiment with different beads to find just the right look. This is my third piece of jewelry from this resort as this is the same place that we have had the Malakowsky girls' weekend! We also went swimming, played mini-golf, went on a paddle boat ride, had camp fires nightly, played cards, and Morgan's favorite....drove the golf carts around and around the entire resort...she couldn't get enough! If I was thinking I would have taken a picture of her in the golf cart driver's seat....her dream is to drive when she is old enough! What a girl!

Vacation Bible School at First Lutheran

What a great week the girls had with their friends at Vacation Bible School! The camp counselors were fun and energetic and the activities were engaging and fun. The girls especially liked tie-dying their shirts and being able to wear them during their worship service on Wednesday night. Every year is an adventure at Bible Camp!!

Morgan found two loves over the weekend!

Morgan fell in love with Aunt Dawn's dog, Shadow. She carried the dog around like a baby all day Friday night after rehearsal. She was back to love up the dog before we headed for home on Saturday night! Shadow is a very protective, picky dog but she warmed right up to Morgan. Shadow will "talk" to you by growling low and whining....it is cuter than it sounds. Her desire is to be a veterinarian....
I was so happy that she held baby Josephine at the church so I could get a picture of her loving up a human as much as she loved up that dog! Morgan has always loved playing with dolls...still does....and she loved having a human "doll" to play with.

Kari and Jason Eastgate

We had a great time at my niece's wedding on July 19, 2008. She and Jason Eastgate said their vows in a beautiful church ceremony and then, at the end of the ceremony but before the blessing, they baptized their absolutely gorgeous baby girl, Josephine. I was the proud aunt that had the honor of holding Josephine throughout the wedding ceremony and she was just perfect. She is a beautiful baby! They are a terrific couple and Jason is a wonderful man to my niece. He is kind, caring, thoughtful, and there for her when she needs him....what more could we ask for? The weather was gorgeous and we have about 80 pictures, but these are my two favorite!

St. James Pool

After berry picking we went to the pool and we felt very safe because we had Cory, the lifeguard, as our protector! I am sure he hated me taking a picture of him, but it is his first job and I had to have proof....you know me! Anyway, the children all had fun, especially on the diving board. They were all being so silly and I got a few good "air" pictures. The girls and I have been at the pool 4-5 times a week all summer. I enjoy getting a tan and the girls enjoy playing with the friends that they find there.