Mardi's work day with Joel

Mardi didn't get to go to work with Joel during the school year because Joel was recovering from surgery and wasn't going himself!! So, he took her this last Thursday. She helped him organize a file he needed for an arbitration on Friday and he was so glad not to have to spend the time on it himself.

As usual, I took pictures of them leaving. Theirs was a casual day (unlike Tersa who got to sit in on a deposition and therefore had to be a bit more dressed up.)

Mardi said she was exhausted when she got home and understood why dad was always tired after getting home. It's always nice when they recognize what you do!

The Olympics

I'm not much of a sports fan and neither is Joel. But I guess when it comes to the olympics, you don't have to be. We watched the four hours of opening ceremonies and every night Joel and Mardi watch a bit of olympic action. Phelps has been fun to watch and the race against the French team was particularly tense for Joel. When we visited the pool yesterday, Mardi was doing the backstroke accross the pool and had recruited Shinara to yell out to her when she was about to hit a wall. She told me last night that she had tried the butterfly also.
Last night we watched the women's gymnastics and felt dissappointment along with the team as they settled for silver. ...Seriously?!?! They won silver! I hope that still feels like quite the accomplishment to those girls, their coaches and all those who sacrificed in their behalf!!

Holy hail Batman!!

Twice in one year and once in August no less!!! Mardi went to the fifth grade dance yesterday afternoon. When it was time to pick her up (naturally) a storm that had been brewing all day hit. It was heavy rain that lasted for about 10-15 min. (not good for us. FLASH FLOODING!) There were also strong winds that would blow rain across my windshield in sheets of water, making my wipers useless. School is not far from our house but it certainly took longer to get there. I had to keep stopping because I could not see. Before we got to the school,...Hail!! As we headed home we passed through some collected water that made me worried to go through. That's what happens to ground that isn't quite sure what to do with water.

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Gotta love it right? This is what we looked like 14 years ago.
Moving on. We had a great evening together which really started with us going to the temple to do sealings. I enjoyed being there 14 years after our sealing and thinking about the people we were there for and hearing again the wording of the ordinance. Fabulous. As we were walking out, Joel said he wanted to see the new patio area that has benches and a water fountain so we walked out there. I commented on liking the sound of the water and he said it was pretty. "But not as pretty as this..." and he pulled out and opened a ring box with a beautiful solitaire diamond ring in it. He says that if I can keep from losing this for a few years, we will talk new setting. (I thought about my lost ring today and cried again.) He had sent me a bouquet with some of the flowers from my wedding bouquet (tradition) earlier today. And we ended up at our favorite sushi place for dinner.
What did Joel get? Surprise and a kiss from me, a card and a skillet that is designed to be used on the grill. Oh, and I did some deep cleaning. (No, he appreciates that kind of thing!) Lame I know, and it isn't that anniversaries are all about the wife, it's just that I give him too many opportunities for good gift ideas. (lost wedding rings.) I sure love him though!! Rest assured.

Tis the season

I typically get the family portraits done in July so as to avoid Christmas rush. Plus, the girls have a bit of a tan and it keeps us from looking too terribly washed out! (Yep, they all have tans believe it or not!)