Learn Wisdom in Thy Youth

About a week ago while Jamie was watching Morgan, she noticed that Tyler and Morgan had cuddled up next to each other on the couch and were reading together. When she noticed that what they were reading was "The Friend, "she quickly grabbed her camera and took these photos.

I think these pictures pretty much tell the story. We sure are glad that we have cousins close, and that the church puts out such great magazines to help us teach our children.

A Summer for Gardening

Sorry it took so long for another post. I was sorta hoping someone else would jump in with a story or two about the start of school, or Adam and Kennedy's birthdays. However, I also understand that we all live busy lives and I am probably in front of a computer more than anyone else. So, a little blog about our garden.

As anyone who has talked to Jamie (or Melissa probably) knows this has been the summer of gardening. We were fortunate to once again be involved in a community garden. The garden is on a barren lot where our neighborhood pools resources to grow tons of everything. It is a great way to teach Tyler a little about working. He is too young to do a lot, but Jamie often takes him over to help pick beans, or pull weeds etc. From the community garden Jamie has been able to can several batches of tomatoes, green beans and salsa. We have also frozen large batches of Corn and Zucchini. We've had a lot of squash with meals and have enjoyed the organic goodness of watermelons and cantaloupes.

Jamie also created quite the garden in our own backyard. We were initially a little fearful as we had to fight off a gopher, but ultimately the garden was successful. Jamie's tomato plants turned out to be imported Amazon Jungle plants that grew to consume all that stood in their path. Her peppers and onions were perfect. We also had hearty watermelons and very sweet cantaloupes from our own backyard.

When Jamie and I were first looking to move in to our home, I remember commenting on the fond memories I had growing up and growing strawberries and peas in our garden patch on Grambling Way. I remember that she said she was NOT a gardener. I think she has more than proven that she is not only a gardener, but a great one! I'm beginning to think that Jamie could have made it as a pioneer!

Perhaps most importantly, I think that Tyler also loves the garden. I have very fond memories of working in the garden as a little boy (hard to believe I am sure because I bet at the time I didn't like having to pull weeds). I am so glad that Jamie has provided that same opportunity for our son. Tyler really is lucky to have such a wonderful mom.

Incidentally, here are a couple of pictures of produce from our garden.

Sunday Temple Tradition

As you know, with work and school and everything else, I really don't get to spend all that much time at home or with Tyler. Jamie also has difficulty finding time in the week to prepare her primary lesson. So, a wonderful tradition has been born over the past few months. On Sunday mornings Tyler and I will take a special visit to the Mount Timpanagos Temple.

The trips started out as short walks looking at the flowers and have grown to a full hour of quality fun. We typically start out by sitting on the benches in front of the entrance gate. This is where Tyler reminds me that when he grows up and is a "big nice man" he will go on a mission and then get married. I'm most proud of his already establishing such worthy goals (now if he could just learn to use the big boy potty!)

After a little bit of time looking at the temple, Tyler will ask to go to the park across the street. The park has a rather large stone ampitheater. Once we get to the ampitheater we will take turns walking down the stone steps to the stage and putting on little plays for each other. Of course, Tyler's plays basically consist of jumping up and down, turning a circle and sometimes a kick in the air. My plays are usually attempts to teach some life lesson while moving around enough that Tyler actually watches. This has turned into one of my favorite times every week. Tyler always claps enthusiastically for my "plays" and is normally quite eager to put on plays of his own.

I feel so grateful to have such a wonderful son. He already has such a special personality and is so anxious to please. I know that our Heavenly Father has blessed our family with one of his most special spirit children, and there are few times I feel this more strongly than on our weekly visits to the "Tempun."

Love you all,
Kent