Hello Family and Friends!

In June we celebrated Joe's 30th birthday! He wanted something major since it's a good, strong number. For family time we went to the Mall of America and Joe and the girls rode a good number of rides. (I still owe him a major date with just him and I.) Father's day was a little pieced together with a gift accidentally being opened early, his signature root-beer (bought at a special store) being late, along with Jenni's energy to make his requested dinner a couple days late too. He is a good Daddy and very patient with all of the mis-timings :)

Joe with Charlotte and Anne on the "Miracle" (aka "Merry-go-round" says Anne :)

 











Joe's new construction rotation has been rolling along. He supervises and does tests on a design-build bridge project and writes up change orders under the direction of the project manager. Being outside in the heat on his feet all day for some days makes for a tired out man. It's interesting all of the things I'm learning about the engineering world I never knew went on behind the scenes as he shares his day with me. I believe the bridge is set to move into place this month. We hope to take the girls and watch some of it!

Joe and Anne in the back yellow car, Xela on the left side in the white car (Charlotte rode the train)

Home-schooling is progressing. I'm continuing to teach them over the summer since the new baby will be coming in September. I love to hear Xela read, she's picking it up well and we can see her progress from week to week. Her favorite scripture to read is 1 Nephi 8:1, because each time she reads it she gets faster and faster.

Here they are, chillin' out in the car on one of our Saturday errands.

The man of the day!! I couldn't find the candles so Joe lit that thing 30 times as we sang the happy birthday song. I was going to make him a German chocolate cake, but after all our errands and adventures, he said I looked tired and he didn't want to make me do more work.  I told him I would make it, but he insisted! He's so nice.

Nevada boy

Xela and Charlotte hammering their birdhouse.

We've enjoyed going to the Home Depot's free Kids Workshop on the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month. They get to make a new project every time and even paint it at the end!

Anne screwing in her picture frame fastener

I've noticed lately how Charlotte has grown up. Coming up on age 5 in October and hard to believe it! And I know as soon as the baby comes, Anne will no longer seem like a baby any more. All of the girls are helpful to me, forgiving when I am grumpy and looking forward to helping out with the baby. Especially Xela. The way she lights up, and listening to the plans she has for helping, are tender to hear and see.

This week marks 31 for this belly. I am so looking forward to labor and birth. I am doing it natural. Not torture-chamber natural (like Anne), but, as I believe, God-intended natural. I have put so much time and effort into preparing. For more Jenni thoughts on this, you can read my personal blog at www.jennileblack.blogspot.com

Minnesota is getting pretty hot, so the girls and I are traveling downstairs for some of the day. Thankfully our basement is naturally cool. This is the first pregnancy for me without A/C!

We had fun at the spaghetti dinner to raise money for the Young Women and Young Men's camp. I bid on a few things that no one else did and got some cool things out of it. Joe bid on some games he wanted and is very happy about winning them. 

Xela found blackberry bushes in our yard and we are excited to transplant and grow more. I see us learning how to make jams in the future!! We are all very excited. The girls love to be outside while Joe and I help the landscaping out as part of our summer goals. The girls all came in with purple and red around their mouths and on their fingers from the blackberry bushes last Saturday, I should've snapped a picture!!

Love,
The Blacks