Roger's birthday

This is what you call a birthday on a budget. The kids broke out the party hats, but Roger declined the offer to wear one. We didn't have 37 candles, so there are 3 on one side and 7 on the other. Roger requested a mint chocolate bundt cake this year instead of his usual German Chocolate. The presents were sparse, but the love was there! Kaylee & Brandon made homemade cards.

(Brandon & Dad in the pool)(Kaylee & Dad at the beach)My Dad sent a fox tail to add to Roger's dead animal collection.Inexpensive gifts for the nature enthusiast - rain gauge, hummingbird feeder, dried fruit, fox tail. He would have preferred a guitar or a chainsaw, but he was very gracious and thankful!

Kaylee making good use of the leftover party balloons.

Charleston Trip

At the end of September, I met up with Emily & her youngest (Andrew) in Tallahassee and we traveled together to Charleston, SC for Amanda Gunter's funeral. It was a beautiful, but heart-wrenching experience. It was also a wonderful opportunity for a brief visit with other family members. Here are a few pictures from the drive and the hotel.

Andrew LOVED riding in the car for hours on end. I worked hard to get a really pitiful picture, but he really did quite well overall.

Grandpa helped cheer him up with rides on the luggage cart.

Geri, Mom, & Emily

Emily, me, & Crystal

The mafia goes to church

Burn update #3

This is the latest look at our burns. Dustin's leg is looking really good. I'm hoping that my blotchy arm will fade more, but I'm thinking this is pretty close to how it's going to stay.

Our family in chalk

Kaylee spent the afternoon drawing with chalk. Here is the latest rendition of our family. I love our matching outfits!

Our First Eggs!

I should have put something beside these for a size reference, but didn't think of it at the time. These are our first two eggs - very small, but we hear that's common for first eggs. We have 6 chickens, so we hope that we will start getting a consistent egg supply before too long. It's exciting!

Watkins style fun

At the beginning of September, we set aside a weekend to travel to Orlando and attend the temple. We met up with our good friends Nathan & Jodi Hawthorne and stayed with Jodi's parents for the night. Before we headed back home on Saturday afternoon, we got to spend a couple of hours enjoying the marvelous hospitality at the Watkins' home.

Derek & Dustin kayaking

Kaylee & Taylor - hot, sweaty, and happy!

Mixing up strange concoctions....

Dustin, Kaylee, & Taylor

Roger & Brandon taking a turn in the kayak