Untle Nay-Nay

July 21-Aug 1

ABQ, NM and Durango, CO

My brother Nathan came to stay with our kids while Arthur and I went to New York City for a few days.  I was a little nervous for him, but he handled it like a champ.  He kept them fed and alive and happy and EVEN took them all to see a movie one of the days.  My kids said they were always on-time or early to everything and they loved hanging out with him while we were gone.

After we got back he stayed a bit longer to go camping with us up in beautiful Colorado before flying home on August 1st.  We enjoy this guy so much and are so thankful to him for coming out and holding down our crazy fort for a 4 days!  Props to Untle Nay-Nay (Bennett calls him that) for being a super cool uncle.

CMT Jr: Stone Soup

Because one CMT per summer isn't enough.  When our Boston plans fell through, one thought that occurred to me was to have Dallin and Daphne direct a CMT Jr. as a fundraiser for their upcoming choir expenses.  They each earned over half of what they needed, which was great, because with two in the choir program this year at EMS, the fees were over 1,000 for each of them.  Dallin is in three choirs and Daphne is in two and I tell you what--all those fees add up!

So under my supervision, Dallin and Daphne directed a CMT Jr. for grades K-5.  They did a good job, and learned a lot about leadership, cooperation, team-work, organization, rehearsal planning, and budgeting.  It turned out to be a good thing, although it reminded me why I raised the age limit for CMT.  Those Kinders are hard to keep focused!!

Dress Rehearsal

Performance Day!

Giving the CMT Jr. Welcome Speech

I loved how they planned it and figured out what to say together.

Dallin operated the sound and cued lines

2 Directors and 3 performers

I'm proud of these 5 Garietys

Water Polo

Along with swim team this summer, Dallin and Daphne tried out water polo, which is a really fun sport to watch and REALLY good exercise.   It added a little craziness to our summer, but Dallin loved it.  And Daphne tolerated it because I told her it was good for her.  (I think she ended up having fun once she figured out how to play.)

4th of July

4th of July

Albuquerque, NM

Bike parades, flags, fire trucks, sack races, foot races, watermelon eating contests, neighborhood gatherings, sunshine, sense of community, sparklers, BBQ's, red, white and blue, fireworks, friends and family.  I love America.  I love the 4th of July, I love celebrating the birth of our nation, and the freedoms and opportunities we have in this land.  God bless the USA!