Me: "Well, I wrote a memo today about replacing some single offset resilient seated butterfly valves."
Then while her and Erick were lovingly hugging ( okay really they were fighting,) Erick knocked Rachel's other front tooth out! So now she is able to drink through a straw like nobody's business!
involves Rachel so it will be a clean story. During a recent trip I was making conversation with the children while we were driving. These conversations usually entail me making outlandish statements and the children aking their mother if I am telling the truth. On this particlar occasion we were talking about pets. With my enormous love for all things furry, you can probably guess how exicited I was to talk about animals. I suggested several animals that I thought would be appropriate as house guests, turtles, alligators, a kimodo dragon, all the usual things kids love. I finally suggested that we get a raccoon. Rachel then said to me, "Dad, raccoons are nocturnal, we would never see it." Touché, my wise daughter I thought to myself. I then asked her how she came upon this nugget of wisdom. "I saw it on Curious George.", she replied. 
will be more than happy to let PBS raise my children. I hope that when Rachel turns sixteen she will remember the "Curious George Gets a Job" episode. Thanks in advance for your help George .
Rachel's first day of FIRST GRADE went great! Last week she got to meet her teacher and see her new classroom, which really helped her to get excited about first grade and put her mind at ease. She had no trouble going right into line and waving goodbye after flag ceremony. I was a little emotional knowing that she would be gone all day! Erick and I missed her but, we knew this day would come.
This is Brian, since I am not above crude humor I decided to share two stories from our life here at the Pond. I have found that all good stories begin with, "While I was standing at the toilet the other day". So let me begin, while I was standing at the toilet the other day doing my business, I don't know why it sounds better to say I was doing my business instead of just saying I was standing there peeing but now you know what I was doing and I digress. Since I was in the bathroom in our bedroom, I had left the door open as I am prone to do. Even if you are getting grossed out, stick with it, the story gets better. While I was "taking care of business" I noted that instead of one golden stream there was now two golden streams entering the toilet bowl. You can imagine my distress. Had I sprung a leak? Was it an optical illusion? None of the above. Erick, using the skills of a master ninja had sneaked up behind be and was peeing between my legs. While I was somewhat upset about this whole incident, I did have to admire his skill as he was peeing blind and showing impeccable aim and control not to get any pee on me or the floor. Feeling so proud of himself, he told his mother about what had happened. Hers was a typical mother response of disapproval to which he replied, "But Mom, I didn't get any pee on me." Way to put a positive spin on it Erick.
bathroom ninja, but in a different setting. Erick's primary lesson last Sunday was on the Good Samaritan. The teacher posed the question, "What would you do if you saw someone beating up someone else?" Erick's response with little to no hesitation and a tremendous amount of seriousness was, "I would punch them in the wiener." While this would be an effective solution, it was probably not the one his teacher was looking for.
In July we made our out to the Hafen Ranch in Barclay, NV for a family reunion. What you've never heard of Barclay? You can get there one of two ways: through Enterprise, UT or Caliente, NV. No you could never just come across the Ranch by accident. Even with excellent directions it's hard to find. But once you get there, you won't want to leave. The kids were able to experience things we don't get to do here in the city. Rachel rode horses with Brian's cousin Marin. She is great with kids! Marin and her slightly younger sister Jayna, took care of all the little ones. Chase and Dylan, 2 more of Brian's cousins, took care of Erick on the carriage ride. Usually Rachel and Erick shy away from the older kids, but after spending time with them, they can't wait to see them again because, "they're really nice." That's an understatement because these older kids are amazing!
Brian got a new tent for Father's Day this year, so we decided to go camping a couple of weeks ago. However, as Brian searched the internet for available camp grounds, there weren't any. He did come across this cool place hidden in a small canyon on our way to the Hafen Ranch (also affectionately known as the Hafen Compound.) Kershaw-Ryan Park has this pool, park, clean bathrooms, nice BBQ area, horseshoes, volleyball net, and hiking. So if you are ever passing through Caliente, NV you should definately check this place out. At $4 a carload, it is worth the stop! (As a side note we did end up using our tent at the compound, err... I mean Ranch.) *Kristen did you notice the bird poop on the bench? Ask Dalin.
The kids enjoyed our time in Syracuse. They played with their cousins in the basement from sun up to sun down! I love this picture of Cole and Erick. They are only 2 months apart in age, but about 2 sizes in clothes! Cole is gentle, but giant!
Rachel recently turned 6! She had a cousins party in our backyard. The Hafens started a tradition of celebrating all the birthdays in a month together. 13 separate parties is a bit much, huh? Notice the darling cakes? I have to give props to my sister-in-law Kristen for those. She is very talented! Rachel also got to invite a few friends to Chuck E. Cheese. Our kids like to go there for the games and rides, not the pizza. If anyone has had their pizza you know what I am talking about.
