Kelcee

We got to have Wes' cousin Kelcee spend this weekend with us. Have you ever had someone ask you for a "favor" that is actually totally in your favor? That's how I felt when Kelcee's mom asked if she could spend the night at our house while they went to a reunion in Joseph City. Kelcee is 15, beautiful, talented, sweet, and my kids absolutely worship her. Wes and I have been devising Plankton-like plans for years now about how we might kidnap Kelcee to make her our own, but since she is like six inches taller than me now and we always run into her pesky parents at family parties, it seems hopeless. So needless to say, we enjoyed having her around. She entertained and cared for the kids, read stories, and played mindless kid games without a whisper of complaint. It made me wish I would have had a kid a little earlier in life. It's very helpful as it turns out. For now we will take her whenever we can get her.

We had a lot of fun with the blue screen at the Dinosaur Museum. The kids were fascinated that they could make their bodies disappear. Perhaps they have a future as weathermen.

And they finished the day by having Kelcee read them stories until bed time. Sophie was thrilled to have someone to share her room with. You know her bed turns into "a queen", as she likes to tell people.

The Swinging Pendulum

My Dad once explained to me that life is like a swinging pendulum and no matter how bad things get, they will get better, and no matter how good things seem, they will get worse. The pendulum swung wide this week. Just hours after learning of Jake Bergeron's untimely passing, James' wife Tiffany gave birth to a perfect baby boy, Hudson James. As Mark aptly put it, it has been bitter sweet. Jake (B.J.) was like a brother to all of us, but especially Burke, Mark, and James. I have so many childhood memories with the sweet Bergeron Family. I'm not going to pretend that I knew much of the recent struggles that Jake faced in his brief life, but I do know that he never lost his kind and gentle spirit. His memories will live on and always be cherished by those who knew him the longest. I hope you found your peace B.J., and that your reunion with your dad was sweet. We will see you on the other side.

Waiting for the plane to leave for Hawaii. B.J., Burke, Geoff, Cheryl and James.
Geoff, Brittany Riches, and B.J.

In happier news, I couldn't be more excited for the arrival of Hudson James. We've had a few years of a baby drought in the Hatch family so it is fun to think of having a new one around. He is sweet, handsome, and perfect in every way. Congrats to a long suffering Grandpa Hatch for finally getting that elusive grandson that will carry on his name. And Congrats most of all to James and Tiffany, whom I have no doubt will be top notch parents. It seems like yesterday that I couldn't wait for baby James to come home from the hospital. Your lives will never be the same. To quote Burke, "You'lllll seeeeeee." Enjoy and cherish Hudson and sometimes share him with us! I hope you don't hate me for posting pictures so soon. (Don't worry, no one reads this blog.)Me and new Jimmy. How time flies. James is a Daddy now!

Hudson likes his mommy the best.Hudson takes a peek. Knuckles, anyone?
Cute chubby cheeks! (Hudson, not Cheryl.)

Sometimes The Snow Comes Down In June

Well not really, but it felt cold enough that it seemed like it should be snowing. We went to a friend's cabin this weekend in Flagstaff. There was a bit of an unusual cold spell that took me by surprise. I found myself wishing I had brought something besides shorts and t-shirts. It was awesome to have hot chocolate in June and it was a much needed getaway from reality. I under estimated the value of leaving behind Facebook, Blogspot, church responsibilities, TV, and the any news whatsoever. And guess what -the world went on without us. The kids had a blast playing Bocce ball in the pines, hopping rocks in the creek, and staying up as late as they wanted. We of course paid the price in grumpiness, but it was all worth it. We saw movies that the rest of the free world saw a year ago - The Blindside and Did You Hear About the Morgans?, ate food that we shouldn't, and basked in the beauty of the high country. We are grateful for the leap of faith it must have taken to allow my and Cheryl's family to inhabit a dwelling of that caliber, and am especially appreciative of old friends. There's something irreplaceable about reconnecting with people who share your past. Thanks, Lisa for a great weekend!Who could have predicted that all the boys would end up soaking wet?
Cute Lisa and Luke.
Luke and Jake with Milan and Dylan in the background.
Ballerinas they are not. I was hoping for a fall, but both managed to make in across the creek dry.
I thought for sure that with Christopher's extensive gymnastics training that he would have been more graceful on this balance beam act. MCC doesn't produce gymnasts like they used to I guess.
Sophie is fancy lately. Even at the creek she wants to wear her favorite dress Grandma Ruth bought for her at DI.
Cheryl and Lani enjoy an Oak Creek Canyon moment.

The Heat Is On

We were blessed with an extended spring this year and were spared the 100 degree temps until well into May. I have high hopes that this will make the summer more bearable, although my enthusiasm was tempered as I got into the car after church today. All three kids burned their hands while attempting to fasten their seat belts. We are doing our best to cope. We joined the swim team this year for the first time. The price was right as it is practically free for the boys to spend an hour doing laps at the neighborhood pool every morning. It has been great for them to see their friends, stay cool, and burn some of their boundless energy. For never having swam competitively before, they are both respectable swimmers. The down side is that Jake has chronic outer ear problems and the inevitable only took a week to happen, as he has complained incessantly about ear pain this weekend and can hardly pull a shirt over his head without wincing in pain. We are hoping that he isn't sidelined too long, as I think he will do quite well in the meets if given the chance.

Jake also went to his first scout camp this weekend. It was hotter (110) and went later (10pm) than I would have liked, but who can argue with a BB gun shooting range, bow and arrows, wood working crafts, volleyball, swimming, water balloon fights, and a snack bar with cold Dr. Pepper and enough candy to put any eight year old in a diabetic coma. Jake has shown himself to be quite a lady's man as he has made it a habit of buying me and other women around a soda when given the chance. This time it was his den leader. He's got a bit of a crush on her and she was quite smitten by the gesture. He's perfecting his wooing techniques younger than I would like, but it's so funny that I'm sure not going to change it. He has no interest in the girls his own age, so hopefully we are OK for awhile.Off to scout camp.
This is how the Arizona heat makes me feel too.