Happy Birthday Lydia!!

Hapy Belated Birthday Lydia! Lydia turned 10 on August 6th. She is such a joy and a wonderful blessing in our family. We love you.

Lydia and Grandma Foote.
Aunt LeeAnn and Anna came over and took Lydia out for breakfast on her birthday. She was so surprised!

Georgia, Lydia, Ryanne, and Laura went to IHOP to celebrate.


After eating at IHOP, the girls went to get their nails done.

Fun with cousins

Georgia and Lydia by the fire truck.

Digging for dinosaur bones in the sand.
Richie sat mesmerized for a long time watching the balls go around.
Jacob loved making the balls float.
Making bubbles was a highlight.
Jacob and Richie dressing up by the fire truck.

We have had fun this summer with cousins. It has actually been the highlight of our summer and has made it go by so much faster. With the Vallerys visiting for a few weeks and the Foote's living in Flower Mound for a month we have been very spoiled. We have had lots fo fun activities to do with everyone. One day we went to the The Dallas Museum of Nature and Science. It was great!

Woodbadge July 2008

This is a picture of all who attended Woodbadge.

I am the one on the end. This was taken during the first flag ceremony.

This picture is of my patrol and the next one is from a flag retiring ceremony.

This is a picture of the rocket that my patrol made. It flew at least a couple of hundred feet in the air! It was awesome.

My troop guide helped me put on my woggle. YES--I made it myself. Be impressed!

In July I attended Woodbadge. This is a Scout leadership training camp that lasts a full six days. I have been being asked to attend this camp for a few years now because of my calling at church. I finally decided that I had put it off long enough and that this year would be as good of a time as any. I will be honest--I was less than excited to attend. However, I also knew that I had never talked to anyone who had attended and regreted going. So, I figured that it could not be all bad. However, the thought of leaving my family for so long to camp with a bunch of other scouters and wearing a scout uniform all week did not thrill me. Now, after having gone I am changed! It was truly one of the best experiences of my life. It is life changing. I am truly grateful for the experience--uniform and all. The food was actually very good, the sleeping arrangements were not the Marriott, but they were not in a tent either. Everyone there was awesome. I learned so much. And, Rich's mother made it all possible by coming and helping with the kids all week. They had an even better week than I did by getting spoiled by Grandma. Thank you so much for your sacrifice Mom. We love and appreciate you. We are already looking forward to seeing you again at Thanksgiving!

So--I would highly recommend this experience to all of you. Honestly!

PS--"Back to Gilwell....."

Cannon Ball

Emily shot this while she and the kids were visiting the Vallerys. This video personifies Richie almost perfectly. From excitedly rubbing his hands before he starts to fearlessly running right off the end of the board, this IS Richie.

Trip to Arizona

We spent a week in Arizona with the Vallerys. We miss them being in Texas!

One of the highlights was the American Idol Live Tour. Here are pictures of Brooke White, David Archuleta, and David Cook.

For the 4th of July we went to a Diamondbacks baseball game. We had a fun time and also enjoyed the fireworks after the game.

We loved being at the Vallery's home. The kids rode the four wheelers, swam in the pool, and played all day! (Lydia is to the right in the 2nd picture.)

Temple Square

We had a really nice day on Temple Square with the kids. It was fun for us to show the kids where we were married. We loved seeing the beautiful conference center and all of the sights. We were amazed at how interesed the kids were at all of the videos and plaques with facts that are everywhere.

Aspen Grove

We had a WONDERFUL trip to Aspen Grove. Everyone had such a great time. We hope that many of you will want to join us in the summer of 2010! (Sign-ups are in January 2009.)
(Click on pictures for larger views).




1. Jacob getting ready to rock climb.
2. Richie climbing the rock wall.
3. Lydia relaxing by the pool.













The carnival was GREAT! It was one of our favorite nights.
1. Lydia enjoying the carnival.
2. Richie found himself both "wanted" and in jail.
3. Rachel and cousin Elle riding the horses.












1. Richie & cousin Macie on the train.
2. Jacob branding leather.
3. Rich & Rachel on the train.










We got to look at these views every day while eating our meals. There are so many beautiful hikes to go on.
1. Emily at 1st Falls.
2. The view at 2nd falls. There were about 10 or 12 falls that we could see. It was gorgeous!
3. View of Aspen Grove from the falls.












1. Jacob & cousin Georgia at the pool.
2. Rachel & cousin Elle playing mini golf.
3. Lydia & cousin Anna after their hike. Notice the dirty legs.













1. Our cabin.
2. Jacob & Lydia at the family dance.
3. Richie doing the twist at the closing show.