Stake Activity Day

Today was the Stake Primary Activity day for the girls ages 8 to 11. It is one of our biggest events (in the Stake Primary) that we do each year. Our theme was The Gospel Standards. We had the girls play relay games, Concentration, do a craft (making a modile), and have a dance off all with the Gospel Standards as the basis for each activity.

One of three relay games the girls played outside. They got a little wet.

Allison Thompson teaching them some fun dance moves. Don't forget to watch the video below.




Melody Shipley inspired me to post this so quickly. See her blog for a picture of the craft that the girls completed..

I'm back at least for today!

I realize that I am not much of a blogger. It has been weeks and weeks since I last signed on to update our blog. I found a new background and had Melena (our inhouse blog master) update it for me. I really enjoy reading people's blog who know how to write and I envy their abilities to turn a phrase into something captivating. Our lives at Garrret house has taken a completely different turn. Kyle was laid off about a month ago and he has been earnestly searching for a new job. Our hope was to find employment here in central Florida. But that seems that it might not be the case. Most of the jobs he is qualified for are everywhere except for Florida. To make matters worse it appears that we may even have to move to a state that has 4 seasons. I am much more partial to Florida's climate and its lack of snow. We looked into buying a business but last weeks stock market makes that idea a little to scary with out haveing a back up income. Now we are just hoping and praying for a job - anywhere!

We are off on our trip!

We are on our way to Williamsburg, VA via the coast line of South and North Carolina. We spent our first night near Charleston. I got these great pictures of my beautiful children. This one is at Waterfront Park in Charleston.



These are my darlings at Sullivan Island which is across the harbor from Charleston.





Are Melena and Camryn hearing the same music inside their head?

Kyle has a new best friend

Give me a pat! PLEASE! I'm begging you! Give me a pat!


Kyle thank you for paying attention to me! I'm glowing with happiness!


He likes me! He really likes me!

My husband has a new best friend and we are not quite sure what has brought on this new found admiration that Max the cat is feeling for Kyle. Usually Max stays completely away from Kyle because he has come to the understanding (not in a mean way - more of a shoo get away from me way) that Kyle does not really like cats. They are to be put up with because I happen to like them. Kyle would much prefer a dog. Anyway, back to Max and his sudden interest in Kyle. The last couple of weeks Max has been making his move on Kyle - rubbing up against him and looking for the occasional rub on the head. Rolling from side to side trying to entice Kyle to pet him. We have even taken to reminding Kyle that Max is looking for some attention, and to please give him a pat or two. Every once in awhile Max will be so bold as to jump into Kyle's lap without an invitation. What is odd though is that Max is not seeking attention from anyone else in the family, unless it is his dinner time or you happen to a have kitty treat. (Kyle would never give Max a kitty treat - too smelly.)

Melena has Unusual Eyes

We took Melena to get her eyes examined recently and found out that she has an unusual problem with them. One eye is near-sighted while the other eye is far-sighted. The optometrist says that this is a very uncommon dianosis. She was given a prescription for glasses and we picked them up today.



Melena picked out a bronze frame that highlights her lovely features and goes good with her hair color. I think that they look great. Then because lenses were on sale we let her pick out a back up pair. (Because I am always losing my reading glasses.) These glasses have a silver frame and look great on her.



Here she is trying her bronze pair out for the first time (for the camera that is - p.s. the book is just a prop. I know that it says "Large print edition"). Now she can see the words with both eyes.

Dental Appointment

Ethan went to the dentist today and everything is wonderful in his mouth excect he has a broken filling that has to be replaced. When he was 4 years old he had a bunch of cavities on both sides of his mouth that had to be fixed, so this must be the remnants of that appointment. He has been really good at taking care of his teeth because he hasn't had any cavities since then.
Good Job Ethan!!!

Our 17th Anniversary

Our 17th anniversary was last week - July 2nd. The time has completely flown by. I remember the day we got married that I could'nt wait until we had some history together. Now it has been 17 years. We went on Monday, June 30 with Debbie and Lew to celebrate. This was our only free night that week. (When we knew we had a babysitter - Melena) Kyle had a scout activity on our actual anniversary and since he is a born again scouter that took presidence. It is not the actual date that matters anyway it is how we treat each other everyday.