Magical, wonderful......Eric!

Do you ever feel like the one you love has a power over you? Eric can make everything go away and make it all feel okay.

Have you ever seen the movie "Babe"? Come Pig.

The Derrick Family Reunion

We dove to Utah and as soon as we hit it's borders Eric and Liam got the worst allergies. Liam was pretty sick most of the trip and needless to say grouchy. But I got really cute shots of him being reclusive and sad.

We chatted on the porch at Aunt Debbies house in Heber, Ut. After and lunch and presentation of ancestor stories at Debbies church.

Becky snuck in a picture of her prize toe injury after running an overnight marathon.

Jake

Becky, a natural in front of the camera

Maren. Wasn't she just 3 years old? where has the time gone?

Dad

Sara.

Annaliese laughing with the girls in the living room.

Desi and Jon.

BUBBLES! and water games.

Rachael and Sherri provided the bubbles and a whole barrel of water balloons.

Sarah's bot, Sawyer blowing bubbles.

Anna tried her hardest to make a bubble land on the dog.

cousins and bubbles!

Cousin Sarah's dog.

Annaliese, Jenny and Krystal snooping through Aunt Debbies old Photo Albums

Uncle Dave joins the party to defend his bellbottoms.

Sharee and a yawning Seth.

Sarah hads an incident with an avacado while preparing the whole Derrick crew a luscious meal.

My Mothers brother, Milty and his wife Jeanie.

My Mothers older sister Maurine.

Anthony, the wrestling champion and super sweet kid.

Cousin Sarah's belly full of an almost to term baby boy.

James, enjoying Cousin Sarah's hearty mexican feast.

We played get to know the Derrick family games and fought the wind.

Sara found her way to the babies of course.

I think this might be my favorite picture of my Mom ever. Her back hurting, her feet swelling, the wind pounding her in the eye she just had surgery on and a huge smile on her face.

Liam spent a lot of time riding bikes with his cousins.

Desi and Seth. We just wanted to thank you guys for sharing your home with us. IT was so good to have alone time with you all.

Trafalga

We went to Trafalga with Jon and Desi and baby Seth in the sweltering Utah heat. We played mini golf and Liam lost 6 balls. We hit the rides and finsihed off with ice cream.

This was Liam's first time to drive by himself. He took it really seriously and didn't even crack a smile until it was over. He did a really good job but kept changing lanes in fromt of his uncle Jon who had to keep a very close eye on him. He did have a little fender bender incident but he drove on. It made me see teendage Liam in my mind. Man, that is coming way too fast.

This is Hilarious! Liam is at this stage where he is trying very hard to be cool and doesn't want to show too much emotion lest he embarrasses himself. I love how much control he demonstrates in this here video. If you look closely you can see me in my black hat with Anna by my side behind them. Anna wasn't even scared at all, she laughed through the whole thing.

Go Team!

Eric has been developing quite am imterest in soccer lately, and for a boy who's never been into sports, this is a big thing. He went to a Sounders game with some friends and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

The crimson Rocket

flight is a go for Anna. She is prepared to co-pilotthe crimson rocket with her brave brother Liam. Liam wears the same uniform but adds socks as gloves for fast speeds.

A crimson rug in our entry way is folded over at the corners making the sharp nose of the rocket. An iron hot plate makes a fine steering wheel and 2 pens are taped to the back to spout fire when the rocket needs it most.

THey carry a flash light and lighted work goggles to see when they arrive on planet very dark garage, which is laden with booby traps.

It is a favorite past time for both Pilots and had taken enormous amounts of team work but the rewards have been enormous as well.

wish I had a pic of the rocket for you to see.

Coolest Prayer Ever

So we have been battling with Liam to say his personal prayers every night for a while. He just refuses to do it. But, he humbly revealed to me the other night that he does say his prayers after I leave his room. Here is the prayer he says faithfully and totally seriously every night:

Dear HEavenly Father, bless it that no pirates will come.
If I see pirates, kill them and make them fade away
If I see ogres, kill them and make them fade away
If I see monsters, kill them and make them fade away
If I see robbers, make the police come and put them in jail
If I see bad guys, make a hero come
If i see dinosaurs, kill them and make them fade away
bless that I will get better
bless that I will have good dreams
bless that Anna will not cry when I hug her
int he name of Jesus Christ, Amen

THis is all memorized and said like that music poetry art stuff, kind of musically. Oh man, he is cute.

Last one, I promise

We took Anna to this mexican resturaunt that is really family friendly for her birthday. Suddenly while we were eating the waiters just plop this sombrero on her head and sing to her i spanish. She looked so funny. I wish I had a video. But I was laughing so hard that I cut it off and this is all you get. IT's worth it though.

Attention Great Grandma Elton

Thank you for Anna's birthday card! Anna was so excited to get to choose what she could get. When she saw the Little Pet shop bubble bath toy she knew that it was exactly what she wanted. She takes it with her everywhere in the house now. Thanks for thinking of the kids and keeping a connection with them Grandma Elton. We love you.

Attention Grandma White

Thanks Mom. It's so nice to see the kids keep a connection with you. Anna adores the music book and CD and has made me play it everyday since she got it.