Popsicles

It was hot today. Not as hot as it was in St. George. But hot anyway. Here's the pictures to prove it.

Pella, Iowa

Before my sister moved to Paradise, she lived half way across the country. Somehow, I was able to visit her pretty often.

Our visits made it Paradise.

See, when my sister and I get together we sing, cook, eat, laugh, watch movies, watch tv, and go on day trips. We've been to Omaha to watch Wicked, the birth place of John Wayne, the Bridges of Madison County... the actual bridges, not the movie... and one very memorable trip to Pella, Iowa.

Pella is the home to Pella Windows and Doors, Kyle Korver's hometown, and a tulip festival which I believe is going right now. Liz could give more details on the city of Pella and why they are the way they are. All I know is they call themselves a little Holland, there's a clockenspiel (I have no idea how to spell that), lots of delicious Dutch food including dutch letters, and lots and lots of tulips.

That trip which was just about 2 years ago.

I miss my sister. Why am I not in St. George right now instead of typing this stupid blog.

I'll be posting updated pictures of Axel very soon. He's six months old now.

Axel Heber Garff

Born November 9, 2011.

7lbs 10oz

21 1/4 "

Perfect in every way.

The dentist.

I almost like the adult surgical gloves better than the smile.

The dentist told me I should start flossing his teeth. It sucked.

I married a good man.

My husband loves to teach people how to water ski and wake board. A few weeks ago he took the 14 year old boys from our ward to help them earn their water ski merit badge or something. They had a blast. They camped overnight, went boating, and boated some more. The other leader that was there made a dvd of their trip and showed it at the last pack meeting. They all had a great time. One of the boys has a little brother who was so jealous he couldn't go, he's only 12. (And he's a hand full. Last Sunday we found him in our primary closet with a mouthful of nursery treats.) My husband is so kind, he invited him and his older brother to accompany us to do some water skiing.

Here is Ryan giving instruction to the boys. Grant has a mouthful of something he probably put in his mouth an hour ago. When he eats cheese, he sucks on it for so long it turns into milk.

The excited 12 year old. Ryan makes kids earn their way out of the orange life vests. This kid got up on a wake board on his second attempt. Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of his older brother or either of them in the water.

I would never invite two random kids from my church to go skiing. They won me over by the end of the evening. They were so nice to Grant, they took him swimming so I didn't have to, they shared their treats with him, they let him wear their sunglasses when he was complaining about the sun in his eyes. They were good kids.

The boys took about 50 pictures of me that day. They also made fun of me for my make up running all over my face after my run.

They said I was the best water skier ever. I didn't tell them any different. As far as they're concerned, it doesn't get any better than me. (Ryan didn't ski yesterday.)