Yes... we are crazy

After many years of resisting, we finally broke down and got a dog. Thomas and Ben have been begging for a dog for at least three years, but we have been giving them reasons why we couldn't, but the other day we went to the pet store and we saw her and thought we had ran out of excuses. We are still not sure of what to name her, but for now we are calling her "Nella". If you have any suggestions let us know. She is a lhasa-apso and cavalier (king Charles spaniel) mix, and so far has been lots of fun.

Ben turns 7!!

On Pioneer Day (July 24th) Ben turned 7 during our trip to Southern Utah. For the first time in his life he saw fireworks and a parade on his birthday since it is a state holiday in Utah :) We gathered at my sister in law's house in Hurricane, and the kids had a blast in the pool and a bounce house. Lots of cousins, good food and tons of fun... thanks Brett and Sheilee!

Dennett Reunion

My family organized a family reunion to welcome my mom, who just returned from her mission to Sydney Australia. For the first time in a while all my brothers and my only sister were there. It was a lot of fun to see everybody and to let the kids run wild with their cousins for a week. We gathered at a cabin that my brothers built in East Zion National Park. What a beautiful place... the views are breath-taking!

Paris at Night

Seeing the Eiffel tower at night was one of the highlights of our European vacation, and especially in the summer when they have a lights show at every hour after 11:00 p.m. Just Fantastic... even though we started the video on vertical mode and then realized it wouldn't work :) Hope you enjoy it.

Check out our Europe Slide Show!

Thomas got accepted to the International School of Beaverton

International School of Beaverton

Thomas is really excited because he just got accepted to the International School of Beaverton this fall. We can't believe he will be in middle school already!

According to the school website, ISB opened in September 2006 and currently serves students in grades 6-10. It will add an additional grade each year, ultimately becoming a 6-12 school in 2009. ISB is a Candidate School for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program (IB MYP, grades 6– 10) and an Applicant School for the IB Diploma Program (grades 11–12). ISB offers Chinese, Japanese and Spanish and emphasizes the importance of a global education and understanding and responsible citizenship. The curriculum focuses on the skills of learning how to learn, question and communicate. ISB also embraces intellectual rigor, intercultural respect, and service to the local and world communities.

He is excited to learn Spanish and the fact that a couple of his neighborhood friends will be attending also. Congrats Thomas!

Ben's "Crazy Breakdown" Dance

Ben loves to dance and he really has a "style of his own." He calls it crazy bread down and I think it is a mix of "crumping", " break dancing" and some "hip hop" all mixed in together. He did a similar routine at his school talent show, which surprised his parents and siblings a lot... we are waiting for him to get his beanie and start spinning on his head :)