37ish weeks along. I'm not very good at these kinds of pictures...

 Keller and Will!

 Tressia and Wes playing a duet of "'Tis a Gift to Be Simple"

 Writing notes at breakfast

 Fourth of July complete with glow-sticks!

 Keller clutching my legs at the beginning of fireworks (and Lincoln running down a steep hill)

We have been missing the Knapps since Monday. “When will our friend Will come back? When will they be our neighbors?” To console the boys we pulled out the Legos. Levi started quoting one of the scriptures they memorized in primary about families being bound together and sealed in the temple; he expounded upon this at Family Home Evening very seriously. They prayed for Uncle Royal then all three marched to “I Hope They Call Me on a Mission.” So even at a distance—we do think about and love you!

Today Wes was sustained and set apart as the ward clerk. We’re excited for the new learning experience and opportunity to work more with the bishopric. I was sustained and set apart as an official nursery worker. Awesome!

Our 4^th of July turned out to be a wonderful holiday for everyone. We went to a pool not far from our house that turned out not too crowded. All three showed off their swimming skills to Wes. He told me to sit down and read a book! After two hours of being fish and turtles, they were all wiped out. We rested, played games, then went to Arvada to explore the community celebration. Free Frisbees and suckers, tons of people, military vehicles, police, and red-white-blue. We staked out a spot on a hill then stayed for the fireworks. They’ve never seen fireworks in real life—so this was a huge, glorious, ringing event. Next year we’ll be more prepared with water, jackets, and outdoor game-stuff—but this seems like a good tradition to start!

The weeks have been going by surprisingly fast for as slow as I move. Don’t worry: Venice is not slowing down at all! She’s even given me a few new stretch marks lately. The boys are content to run crazy in the mornings and putter in the afternoons. We go to parks, see free events (including a darling little man who makes homemade instruments out of thrift store and side-of-the-road finds), and pretending. They run around as Buzz or a fox or whatever enters their fancy. Lincoln decided to transform into an eagle. Since eagles eat meat (including deer? At least in his mind) he told me that he’d make me a deer birthday cake, freeze the meat and use it for the rest of our family birthdays. Sweet sentiment even if I don’t really want to participate.

We survived grocery shopping by pretending to be a family of kangaroos (kangaroos don’t roll on the ground, but they can jump, and there’s a spot for Venice…etc.). They were champions! Keller saw a baby girl in an aisle and cooed, “Baby! Baby!” then he reached over the cart handle to rub my tummy. “Baby! Baby!” he grinned. I guess he’s as prepared as he can be for his new sister.

Levi writes signs, notes, letters, and all sorts of other things. I found a note on my desk that says, “I love Mom. I love Dad” complete with a picture of our family and the alphabet. He had a sudden burst of kindergarten excitement and wrote a sign for his backpack, “I tell jokes and I laugh so I’m a joker.” We really need to help him learn better jokes…Lincoln is picking up on the note writing and leaving all sorts of notes and pictures for us. I love it. Keller was born with this desire. We may have to repaint the house because he always finds a pen (preferred to pencil or crayon) and will probably die with one in hand because no one can pry it away from him.

Other fun things:

Levi helped clean door windows at the church (we cleaned it yesterday) and said, “My tithing helps buy the cleaner!”

Lincoln sprawled over my lap: “Tickle my tummy with your claws!”

Keller babbled a prayer. He loves music. We have a few phonics songs and he sings all the sounds proudly—although he sometimes gets stuck on “Hhhhh!”

Wesley found old dos games, including Mario typing and “Oregon Trail.” All of them are giddy over this.

We love you!