Happy Birthday - You're a Quarter!

Quarter of a century - 25 years old for Brandee this year!!  She's almost catching up to Tim and I!

Happy 22 Keenan!

It's a day late, but Happy Birthday Keenan!  (Anyone else notice that Bread totally duck-bombed this photo??)

Happy Birthday Kyle23

When Kyle was 4 years old, he learned how to write his name.  He would write "Kyle4" on everything.  Everything - like walls, furniture, clothes, toys, etc.  I got exasperated one time when I was scrubbing yet another Kyle4 off of something or other and asked him "what the heck are you going to do when you turn 5???"  He replied, "write Kyle5."  Duh. Anyway, Happy Birthday Kyle23!

How Smart is the Average Duck?

This duck (the only one of 10 we have left - thanks to the snapping turtles) watches for me in the hall window, then he starts quacking and carrying on until I bring him some bread crusts.  The funny thing is, he only reacts that way when he sees me through the window!

His 'quack' sounds more like he is saying 'bread-bread-bread', so that's what we call him now.  Tim suggested that we feed him from our hands since he's so used to us now.  Kirsten was up for the challenge, so she put the bread in her hand and squatted down near the duck.  Apparently her fingers look a lot like bread crusts to Bread, so he grabbed one and pulled Kirsten right into the flower bed!  Kirsten said "Well that was a good idea Dad. Not." 

This is the look I get from the cat when I take bread outside for the duck - why?? Because believe it or not,  SHE WANTS BREAD TOO!  Strange, isn't it?

Another Mission Call!

Ethan got his mission call yesterday!  His information was submitted about 2 weeks ago, and yesterday morning I asked him when he was going to start running to the mailbox to check.  He said starting next week. Tim and I went out for a Harley ride and stopped at the mailbox on the way home.  SURPRISE!!  There was the envelope we've all been waiting for!  We called/texted everyone and then waited while family came over to be a part of the finding out!  To make the time go quickly while we waited for people to arrive, we had people make their guesses as to where he would be called to serve. Some of the guesses included Denmark (2 for there surprisingly enough!), Spain, Utah, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, and Arizona (2 for there too!)  And the big reveal ------ Elder Ethan Watson has been called to serve in the Arizona Scottsdale Mission!  YAY!! (by the way - Tyler and Kyle guessed Arizona)