Fire!

the view from our backyard..we are like 15 miles away

the hill by the freeway off ramp in Bellemont

Sunday as we came out of church we saw this smoke in the sky and thought "oh no, not another fire" We just had one on Wednesday that was in between Williams and Bellemont and we could see it's flames at night. They got it 30% contained then this other one starts in Flagstaff from a camper leaving a campfire. It had burned over 10,000 acres has over 1,000 firefighters on it and it isn't but 10% contained. I don't know what it is about fires up here lately, but it's not good. WE need some MAJOR rain to help out those poor firefighters out there. Hopefully this week will look better because we might not have any forest left.

Starting out the Summer!

Their oldest son sleeping on the kitchen floor ALL night..too lazy to walk upstairs!

Dave and Donna down at the creek.

The kids playing along the creek. Trenton had to be rescued after jumping off the rope swing.

Garrett and Trenton before jumping into the icy water.

Did I tell anyone how much I love Summer in Flagstaff? It is just beautiful. I love sitting outside in the late afternoon and watch the kids jump on the trampoline, kick the ball around or fly a kite. I love my home and it's location. Recently my friends came from Texas and stayed a few days here. It was great to see a lifelong friend that I met while I lived in Japan. WE just picked up right from where we left off and got to spend some quality time together. I had to leave on Wednesday to go to stake girls camp and they went to the Grand Canyon and a couple other places. I think they had a good time. Girls camp was my first time ever and it was a real testimony builder. I got to meet new friends and be in charge of girls I didn't know but I got to know quickly. Our first night out was pretty scary with someone starting a forrest fire at about 10 p.m. We were so freaked out by the glow to the back of the YCL's tent (the oldest girls at camp) We are not sure how it started but I have a feeling it might have been a cigarette. We were truly blessed to have a firefighter in out midst. He rounded up some leaders shovels and got all of us to get our 5 gallon coolers out there. It was my job to stay with the girls and take care of some that were having problems. We sat in my car for quite awhile. Needless to say my car battery died. I also went on a 6 mile hike that was supposed to be 4..we went too far and didn't recognize the trail markers. I had a lot of dirt on me and my hair was nasty so I kept it under a hat the whole time. I really enjoyed bonding with new people, occasionally seeing my girls, and hearing the testimonies of our wards young women. I am praying for cabins, restrooms, and showers for next year....PLEASE!!!!!!!!!

Claire's 2nd Birthday

Claire kissing her baby doll

Enjoying a cupcake

Cupcakes made by Natalie

Blowing out candles with mom and dad

Claire and all her presents

Blowing bubbles

Grandma and Grandpa Cowling

We celebrated Claire's 2nd birthday last Saturday with a fun BBQ. We had lots of friends and their kids over and even my parents came up from Gilbert to stay the night. The kids played with water balloons, jumped on the jumper inflatable thing that the wind blew over into the fence an hour before the party and tore a giant hole in it. Brian got out the trusty duct tape and repaired it pretty good. Claire enjoyed blowing bubbles and eating lots of stuff I normally don't let her have a lot of. She was excited to have so many kids over to play and especially liked the presents part. She got a couple new baby dolls, Dora stuff from my mom, a stroller, cell phone, play food and dishes, My Little Pony stuff and she loves it all! We love having her as our little "la la" and are excited to see what this next year will bring. Happy Birthday Claire.