10 Things I Like About Summer

Like my mother, I dread the heat of Fresno summers. In an effort to psych myself up for the upcoming heat, I have decided to think positively. So, after great effort, I have compiled a list of ten things I like about the summer:

10. Melon (watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew, etc.)
9. Ice cream
8. 4th of July
7. Flip-flops
6. The idea of running through the sprinklers with my boys
5. Ice cold drinks from Sonic during Happy Hour (if they still do that....I'm sensing a trend with the edible items here.......)
4. A long growing season, I've been told, as we've never had much success in gardening. Our fingers are crossed for this year, though!
3. Barbeques
2. Cold(er) showers
1. Only that many more months until cool weather in the fall!!

I'm going to tag my mom and see if she can dig down and come up with ten items. :)

The Yard

Here are some pictures of the progress of our yard, by request from Mom Budge:

Touching the Temple

"During one year, the Primary organization conducted an effort to have the children become better acquainted with the holy temples of God. This frequently entailed a visit to the temple grounds. The laughter of small children, the joy of unfettered youth, and the exuberance of energy displayed by them gladdened the heart of this observer. As a loving teacher guided a boy or girl to the large door of the Salt Lake Temple and the little one reached out and up to touch the temple, I could almost see the Master welcoming the little children to His side and could almost hear His comforting words: 'Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God.'"
~President Thomas S. Monson, "Finding Peace"

"Even our young children have been encouraged to visit the temple grounds and touch the temple. President Thomas S. Monson once counseled, 'As we touch the temple, the temple will touch us.'"
~ Elder Gary E. Stevenson, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples"


On Saturday, our ward had a Primary Activity at the Fresno, California temple. Each child was able to touch the temple. What a special day!

Easter Fun

Coloring eggs with Chris and Sonya

Sarah with Aunt Lu
Nathan finding eggs

Our handiwork

Grant's first time dyeing eggs

Dad and Nathan

The Transformation of the Backyard

From this:

To this:

The "lawn fairies" (Jason and Leslie McOmber, Ryan Hansen, and Jared Leonard) came a couple Saturdays ago and helped us lay sod! What wonderful family and friends, and what a difference!

Three Months Old

Here are some pictures of Sarah in a cute outfit from Grandma Budge:

Cute Tongue
Smiley Girl

Some comforting (and humorous) words from Brigham Young...

“I might say something with regard to the hard times. You know that I have told you that if any one was afraid of starving to death, let him leave, and go where there is plenty. I do not apprehend the least danger of starving, for until we eat up the last mule, from the tip of the ear to the end of the fly whipper, I am not afraid of starving to death. There are many people who cannot now get employment, but the spring is going to open upon us soon, and we are not going to suffer any more than what is for our good.”

Mmmmmm....mule........

I love how Brigham Young doesn't mince words.