Thing 1, Thing 2, Thing 3 and Thing 4

All of my kids have been busy in their assorted activities and my blog posts have been rather infrequent lately. It seems like May goes by in a blur, and I find myself alternately sweating and freezing (depending on the day) at Parker's track meets, feeling rather cultured as I sit in a darkened auditorium at Mallory's dance rehearsals and recitals and experiencing along with Alex the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat at Mueller Park Minor League Baseball. And not to leave Nate out...each Wednesday I find myself stalking my e-mail account awaiting the latest word from the Canada Edmonton Mission.

Sometimes I wonder how I could possibly be at this point in my life....with a son on a mission, a son in high school, my daughter about to complete elementary school and my youngest...my BABY!!!!! 9 years old and so independent and way too heavy for me to physically carry anymore. (In fact, the other day Alex came up behind me and kind of jumped up on my back and almost pulled me over backwards. I think he weighs almost as much as me...(Well, I'd like to think that anyway!!!)

Here are a few recent photos of Things 1-4...what we like to call our children (a la those mischievous but loveable creatures in Dr. Seuss' The Cat in the Hat)

Nate sent home his camera's memory card a while back. These pictures were taken over the past few months.

Here's Nate with Eddie the Squirrel in Edson, Canada. I had read about Edson online when he got transferred there, and the website include a shot of Eddie. I told Nate he must get a photo with Eddie. Nothing like a giant squirrel statue to make your day!


I love this picture....although Nate does look very cold! Check out the sign behind him. I'm sure Evansburg is a wonderful place!!

And here's Elder Evans decked out for the cold weather!

Parker is eyeing the finish line at the JV Region Track Meet, where he ended up taking first in the 1-mile and 2-mile runs. Yay!


Approaching the finish line in the mile. I missed the shots of him collapsing on the ground after he finished. It was pretty exciting, though!

Next, we have Mallory all decked out for her dance recital.
Here she is at dress rehearsal. They don't let you take pictures at the actual recital...Well, actually they TELL people not to...but there are still those obnoxious few doing flash photography during the performance. Some people!


Mallory looks so grown up wearing her stage makeup! Sniff..Sniff...

Mallory with her cousins Corinne and Katelyn after the recital. Great job girls!!

And last, but certainly not least, here's Alex at one of his recent baseball games.

Sliding into home! Yay!!!

Enjoying the game from the dugout.

Just two more weeks of school...I can hardly believe it! This year has flown by.