The Seven of Us

Taylor turned fifteen at the end of June.  It was a milestone in her mind because in Colorado kids can get their learner's permit at the age of fifteen.  Being the go-get-'em kid that she is, Taylor had told us months before her birthday that she wanted to get her permit on her birthday. So we did.  McKenna was playing in a softball tournament in Wray, so Taylor drove from Holyoke to Wray (30 + miles).  She did pretty well, despite my hand-clenching and instruction-giving.  (I'd forgotten that the road to Wray is narrower and hillier than Hwy 6. I've never liked sharing space with the shoulder, but I got through it.  And Taylor and I were still speaking afterward.) Besides getting her permit, other things that made Taylor's birthday special were having Gramma and Grampa Droddy here and getting a pair of "blingy" (sparkly) sandals.  Taylor is a great daughter.  She has some incredible habits (like reading her...

Is this the expression Jared made when he came home to find another window broken? y

Here is a short essay McKenna wrote at the end of last year (fourth grade). "My Disliked Chore" My chore that I dislike the most is babysitting Corbin. I don't like babysitting Corbin because he screams if he doesn't get what he wants, and that is super annoying, and very loud.  He also hits. When he hits me it stings, and sometimes leaves a big brownish purplish bruise.  Corbin tries to cook, but he just makes a big, sticky, gross mess. He also has to watch studpid non-funny Droagon Tales, and I have to watch with him.  (By the way I hate that show.) Corbin likes to run to our ditch with Charlie (his bear) so I have to go get him. That is why I hate watching my brother. Note:  Once I was frustrated with my kids and for some reason the thought "Will this problem be solved by maturity?" came to my mind.  Reading this essay confirms that maturity does change kids.  Corbin has stopped biting and running away when he's mad. Yay!   And Kenna r...

Gosh, summer has really flown by this year. We started our summer ball season in Mid-May and the first game was on May 21st.  Because of rain things began a little slowly but we made up for that later.  Our Little League Team (11 and 12 year-olds) had an interesting season. They started off terrible.  The team was inexperienced, and it showed. But they improved and won the Border League Championship!   Caleb played pitcher, catcher, and shortstop.  His favorite position is pitching (lots of contact and glory).  He also catches, which I enjoy because it's easy on his arm and because he's a great catcher. He knows how to think, he knows where the play is, he knows when to hold the ball and when to throw it, and he's willing to use his body to stop the ball.   The two games I most enjoyed watching Caleb play were a Babe Ruth game in Ovid, during which he caught for ...

This year McKenna decided to play softball. This was the third year she was eligible and the second year she played. She played with her friends Riley, Dawson and Molly from school along with nine or ten other girls.  McKenna's team ended up being very successful: they took second place overall. McKenna played catcher.  She learned a lot and seemed to enjoyit, except on very hot days.    Kenna was also able to try second base and left field this year.  She did realy well batting, too.  Great job, McKenna!

Georgia O'Keefe Ansel Adams Vivaldi Cool breezes Utah mornings and evenings Utah stores (Deseret Book, Zupas, Chuck-a-Rama) Going places Getting home Good books A challenge. Any challenge. Hiking the Y.  I'd do it more often if I could. It's gloriously sweaty and invigorating. Knowing that Jimmer has made a difference. Believing I can make a difference. Visiting old friends. Getting texts from my Young Women. Going visiting teaching. Good movies Great parents My family Lowfat ice cream Paychecks Creating things.  A little talent can be big fun. Robert Frost poems Quiet moments

My dad. McKenna, Isaac and Corbin Taylor and Gramma Droddy Kenna, Ike, and  Tay My parents on an air boat in the Florida Everglades. Dave and Bonnie Droddy, winter 2011, Marco Island, FL