Jared & Jonakin

Jared and Jonathan went back home on Thursday. It was hard to see them go- we really enjoyed having them here! The kids had a blast with them. After they left, Talon and Kaitlyn kept asking where they were, and if they were going to come over. Kaitlyn had a big crush on Jonathan. (She called him "Jonakin". It was really cute!) She would hardly talk to him or let him hold her, but as soon as he wasn't around, she'd be asking about him. After I did her hair in the morning, she would ask me if 'Jonakin' was going to like her hair and her dress. She refused to take a picture with him, but did give him a good-bye hug, and still talks about him periodically.

Out to dinner at Changs the night before they left.

At the park

We took the kids to the park to play, and I had to take a picture of Talon and Kaitlyn. A little girl came up and asked them if they wanted to go on the 'see-saw'. They jumped right on, and the other mom and I both laughed. The kids saw the little girl get on one end, so they got on the other, facing the same way as her (which made them backwards). They didn't think anything of it, except that Talon didn't really enjoy sitting on the bar. He wanted to sit on the seat, but didn't have anything to hang on to when he bounced. We tried to get them to turn around, but they wouldn't have it. Oh well, they were having fun. I guess that's what matters!

Nolan sat in the grass with me, and took every thing in.

"Hmmm... what's this green stuff?"

Guitar update

Ron Kirn emailed Anthony the final photos of his guitar. It's finished!!!! Needless to say, he is really excited. It should be here next week!

Finishing shielding

Finishing electronicsFinishing body Neck plate

The finished product.....

View of the back
Headstock

Momma's Little Helper

Kaitlyn loves to help me in the kitchen and be involved whenever she can. She has found a new way to help.... opening all the tea bags when we make sun tea.

Drive time

Talon is very infatuated these days with driving and playing MarioKart (a racing game on the Wii). When he's out riding his bike, he pretends he's racing around the track. When he's in the car, he pretends he's driving. He runs around shouting, "It's Mario time!" randomly throughout the day. So, it was no real surprise when I went to check on him in the bathroom and found this....

Yes, my son is sitting on the toilet with his toy steering wheel. Believe it or not, we don't actually let him play Wii that often, or for long periods of time when he does play. (I guess maybe if we did let him play a little more often, he might get it out of his system, and we wouldn't have to come across this in the bathroom. Who knows!)

Naptime!

It cracks me up the ways that Nolan finds to fall asleep in his ExerSaucer. He will be jumping around and playing one minute, then zonked the next. It's the craziest thing!

I love how he's reclining with his hands placed neatly in front of him, and he's only wearing one sock.

She loves getting to take her nap in Daddy and Mommy's bed!

Messy eater

Here are some video clips of Nolan eating. Let's just say it's not his favorite past time. He's quiet a messy eater... especially since he's figured out how to blow with food in his mouth. We both end up wearing it a good portion of the time! He is so ticklish on his hands, that he starts giggling whenever you wash him up. What a riot!

Pest control

We have a real problem with flies this time of year, and Anthony asked me to pick up a couple of fly swatters when I went to the store. So I did.

Any guesses which one is Anthony's???

Now THAT is a fly swatter!

4-year check-up

Talon had his 4-year-old check-up this week. He's doing great!
He weighs 38 1/2 pounds and is 42 inches tall.
He got an eye and ear exam. (He got a little ADD-ish with the ear exam and kept giggling at all the little *beeps*), but passed both with flying colors. I cracked up when they had him put these glasses on. I had to take a picture!!

Reading books and waiting to see Dr. Kilty.
Say "Aaaaaaaaa"!
He hates shots, but got 2 of them in his left arm. He was such a brave boy... all he said was, "OUCH!".

Starr Reunion 2011

We had Anthony's annual family reunion and Papa Starr's birthday celebration this past weekend. The weather was fabulous and we had a great time!

Papa at the grill

Playing with trucks in the yard




Ashley

Lounging around outside

Playing baseball with Uncle Jayson

Fun with cousins

"Ooooooooh... look what I found!"

I'm really not sure what was taking place here. Family council meeting, I guess!
I pulled out the camera and Delani struck a pose.... a real one!
Destini
Eating with the big boys
Listening to the music
New toy.... Jared's iTouch.

More cake pops....

I called these "Summer bouquet". I realized that I didn't make near enough pink ones. Those were the girls' favorites!

Chocolate peanut butter and chocolate mint

We really missed Jess, Ruth, and Jessica; as well as Walt, Rachel, and the kids.

We love you guys! Sure hope you can come next year.... it just isn't the same without ya!

Guitar update

Ron Kirn sent Anthony some more pictures of his guitar. We expected it to be done long before now, but apparently there were some issues, and he had to reorder and replace the neck that was on there. Ron said it would hopefully be ready to ship next week. Pretty exciting!!

Here are some pictures of the body after he polished it.

These are some up-close pictures of the flamed, birds-eye maple neck and head stock.

And now a peek at the electronics ...