WOW! LET ME CATCH UP...

Since I haven't been able to post for awhile - and now I can again...  Let me catch everybody up on our busy lives:

Kotten Kandy is now 14!!!!!!  When did my baby girl think it was OK to grow up?  We joke that she is 14 in body, but 17 in Spirit.  She is amazing!  She is bright!  She is spiritual!  And she is a beautiful, talented, young lady!  I'm so glad to be her mom!  For her Birthday, she wanted to go to the temple and then go out to eat at Texas Roadhouse.  So that is what we did.  We also took in a movie at the $3 theater: "Captain America: The Winter Soldier."  (GREAT movie - and I like the fact that Steve Rogers is a man that young men can actually look up too.  He's not a "bad boy" or "stupid" or "evil.")  It was a fun birthday!  And she was spoiled rotten.

We LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the 4th of July at our house!  And this year was REALLY fun!  We spent the entire morning at the Bishop's house.  The ward social was totally fun.  We ate well, but more importantly, we enjoyed the company!  I love my ward.  Visiting with friends and dressing in our firework shirts (home made by us 2 days prior) made the morning truly wonderful!  Then we went to the Bettenhausen's for BBQ and games and fireworks.  It was laid back and fun all at the same time!  The entire family agreed that this year's celebration of America's Independence was truly WONDERFUL!

Our "Firework" shirts - We made them!   :-)

Jelly Bean, Kotten Kandy, Amy, Apple Pie, Marmalade, Me and Key Lime Pie

Scott hung out with his best buddy the whole time!

Jelly Bean adores his "Dott!"

Me and My Girls

Daddy and Daughters

Me and My Man

Playing Badminton?!

Scott decided to dance for us...

Key Lime Pie is so weird!  We sure love her craziness!

This girl couldn't be any cuter...  Right?

I really like this guy!

The following week we decided to make another craft with the kids.  Our "Finding Nemo" snow globes turned out so cute!

Marmalade, Apple Pie, Key Lime Pie, Kotten Kandy, Nuts, and Juice

Key Lime Pie and Squirt

Kotten Kandy and Squirt

The girl's participated in Youth Conference last week.  It was a total success!  They came home excited about the gospel, their strengthened friendships, the experience, and of course: boys.  They really enjoyed the Jericho Road concert.  They liked all of their classes, especially the Missionary Prep class (zone conference) and the Shepherding class (discussing how Christ is our Shepherd.)  The girls LOVED their host families and especially liked the little "extras" they provided like games and "tea parties."  The dance was a highlight - Since it was Kotten Kandy's first dance, Key Lime Pie made sure she had fun.  They both danced a lot and had a great time!  Both girl's LOVED the service project: they beautified an elementary school; pulling weeks and mulching.  And both girls said the testimony meeting was very Christ centered and wonderful.  I'm grateful for good leaders, and everyone who made it such an amazing experience.

Almond Joy and Kotten Kandy - being silly in the coat closet

Key Lime Pie and Hershey

Chocolate and Key Lime Pie

Kotten Kandy and "Random Guy Who Wanted a Picture and Mom Loves the Picture But Doesn't Know Who He Is"

Kotten Kandy dancing with Doritos

On Sunday, Key Lime Pie played a violin duet with her friend Nutmeg.  They played a beautiful rendition of "If I Could Hie To Kolob" in two different wards.  It really brought the Spirit.  President Spencer W. Kimball said, "We are in a position, as musicians, to touch the souls of those who listen."  Key Lime Pie is truly blessing all of us with her talents!

Nutmeg and Key Lime Pie

Scott had surgery yesterday.  He is doing well.  But he's definitely hurting more this time.  Dr. Duffy said his nerve was "red and very angry."  He couldn't even dress himself after the surgery.  He tried to put on his clothes over his hospital gown.  I laughed hard and then took control.  It was like dressing an over-sized doll.  Poor guy!  He'll be back to "normal" in a few weeks, but until then, I get to zip his pants and open his pills and tie his shoes and drive him around.  He's actually a really good "patient" and doesn't complain.  But it is worse this time.

Before Surgery...

After Surgery...

Well, I guess I'm caught up.  I'll try to keep posting regularly...  :-)