Daniel's Graduation

Daniel graduated from Kindergarten this past May. His teacher, Mrs. Darden, mailed Daniel this picture that was taken during the graduation ceremony.

We are so proud of our young man. He worked really hard during the school year.

Boren Bounty

Just like last year, we planted a garden this year, except this year's garden is triple the size of last year. But unlike last year, our squash & zucchini didn't do well at all this year. What has done well are the tomatoes and all the peppers. And we had a huge variety of peppers, too!

Below: pimento, sweet banana, bell peppers, okra, red potatoes, strawberries, onion, green and purple beans, and cucumbers (yes, our cucumber plants are producing yellow cucumbers...strange to see but tastes like a cucumber).

Below: cayenne peppers, hot banana peppers, mucho nacho peppers, eggplant, Daniel, pimento peppers, jalapenos, okra, and bell peppers again.

And here's just a sample of the tomatoes.

We did manage to make seversal jars of homemade salsa. Had to do something with all those peppers & tomatoes!

Vacation Bible School

The kids recently attended Vacation Bible School at their grandma's church and had an absolute blast. Raelee, especially, had fun, because this year she was in the preschool class and not the "baby room" or nursery!

The theme was Saddleridge Ranch, with everything "cowboy"related. Even the program at the end of the VBS week, when the kids got to dress up, sing the songs they had learned, and receive their certificates of completion.

On commencement night, Raelee held on tightly to her purple care bear before the program started. She was really nervous and that care bear was like a security blanket. She did put her care bear down when it was time to go up and sing.

Daniel was the new Kenny Chesney, waring his hat low over his eyes and squinting them. What a ham!

Both of the kids sang their hearts out.

Playing Possum

A recent visitor to our yard had the kids fooled. Our dog Dallas constantly escapes, and she will attack and kill stray cats that get into our yard. On this particular day, she had escaped once again and was pouncing on this stray visitor.

The kids got the dog put away back in the dog pen. But they were so upset, thinking this "cat" was dead. It was laying over and was very still.

But no, it was just a possum, pretending to be dead! Very soon after the dog was put back in the pen, the possum got up and mosied on out of the yard. I bet it won't be coming back any time soon. :)

I Surrender!

At least, that's what I think Daniel meant when he put up 3 white flags in our garden. He is really proud of these little white flags that he made. So creative! I'm not sure what purpose they serve, but they're here and he checks on them every day. :)

Will Work For Food

Invite some missionaries over for dinner, and they're happy to do your dishes! haha


Raelee and Daniel absolutely love getting their picture taken. They're so cute when they "pose" for a pic.

The kids and the elders. What a fun evening!

First Beauty Shop Trip

I've been wanting to take Raelee to get her hair cut for a couple months now, but there just never seems to be an open time. I've cut her hair many times, but she has never been to a professional for a haircut. I thought that we could get our haircut together, a good mommy & daughter outing, you know?

Her Grandma, on the other hand, got it into Raelee's head that Grandma would take her to the beauty shop, and that Raelee needed to ask her mommy for permission. When I approached Raelee about taking her to get her hair cut this weekend, I was devastated when Raelee said no because she was supposed to go with Grandma.

And then the thought occurred to me that all 3 of us could all go together!

I made an appointment with Fantastic Sam's, but my mother-in-law decided we should go to her beautician instead for the real "beauty shop" experience. I hesitated a little bit because I've never had a good haircut experience, except for one time, and that was over 10 years ago (yes, I am that picky so I get my haircut about once a year).

Today was haircut day. After Raelee's dance class, we headed to the beauty shop. She did really fine until it was time to sit in the chair and get her bib on (is that even what it's called??). Then she got really scared and began crying.

Sweet little girl. I cried on the inside too at hear tears and anxiety.

This is her "before" picture.

The chair swiveled around and dropped back right into the sink. Raelee really bawled at this point. She had no clue what was going on. Simply broke my heart. I held her hand, and this helped calm her down. That and Miss Shirley was very calm and a good scalp massager as she washed Raelee's hair.

Getting her hair cut...

...And cutting some more...

...And still more coming off!

Then a quick blow dry on a low heat setting. She tolerated this rather well.

By the time Miss Shirley pulled out the flat iron, Raelee was giving little grins here & there inbetween pouting. She was so quick with them. Try as I might, I couldn't catch any of them with the camera!

Ta-da! The after shot--a cute little bob with a pretty white bow. Again, she was giving quick perky smiles here & there at her Grandma & her Grandpa, who was also at the beauty shop with us. I just couldn't get a cheerful grin out of her long enough to get a smile. But at least it wasn't a frown!

Raelee loves her haircut and kept commenting about how "beautiful" she was. And she truly is a beauty. I love my little princess.

Oh and yes, I love my haircut this time! I just might go back for another cut in a few months instead of waiting another year. :)