Ode to Sterling

Drew's cousin, Sterling, is hands down his favorite person on the planet. Dad - #3. Mom - #2. Sterling - #1. The following is a correspondence between these two cuties. Their mommies helped them to e-mail each other tonight.

(From Sterling)

Drew,

I love you. I think that might be it.

I love Drew. B/c drew has a great time at his house. I love drew. "He is the best friend I never had" He is so grateful for Heavenly Father to make him on the earth. Thankful that we have a great day.

Bye Drew

From Sterling

I will see you next time because I love you I love Drew because he is my best friend because I love him.

(From Drew)

STERLING,

I LOVE YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE MY BEST FRIEND EVER. I LIKE TO COME TO YOUR HOUSE. I ATE YOUR FOOD. I GOT YOUR DRINKS. I ATE YOUR RICE KRISPY TREATS. I HOPE YOU HAVE THE BOOK "CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS."

I LOVE YOU,
DREW

Best buddies in action
When we were on vacation last year, everyone was downstairs visiting one afternoon. My dad said, "Does that sound like water running?" I ran upstairs to investigate after I noticed Drew and Sterling were missing. They were buck naked and getting themselves into the tub. I had to Photo Shop this picture to make it rated G.

Drew's two favorite things: Sterling and earlobes.

Meeting for the first time
February 2004

Playing together at the playground

Performing in Columbia

Ben is off to BYU

Ben and his crew

My little bro, Ben, is headed off to college this week. He leaves Saturday for Brigham Young University in Provo, UT. He is excited about his new adventure. We're happy for him too. Well, most of us are. Some of the nieces and nephews are having a hard time knowing he'll be so far away. Elizabeth can hardly bear to think about it. I keep telling her we'll see him in October, then again for Thanksgiving, and then he'll be back for Christmas break. That's not good enough for her. I don't know what Ben will do without having little munchkins crawling and jumping all over him each Sunday. Maybe take a nap.

He is heading out with a bit of a disadvantage: Mono. He'd been feeling under the weather for a while, and a blood test confirmed last week that he has mononucleosis. Maybe that will detract him from kissing all of the, as he would say, "Smokin' Hot" girls for a while.

Our little songbird

Mallory loves to sing...at the top of her lungs. She piped in at church today while the congregation was singing. She talks, sings, screeches, and howls constantly now. It's pretty cute. I've actually recorded a small clip of her doing her "baby talk," but I can't figure out how to post it. Any suggestions?

Drew likes to hop in and go for a ride.

La la la la la!

I think she hit a high G.

Goodbye, Andrea!

Andrea and her adoring fans

Andrea had to head back to Germany today. We tried to talk her in to staying, just like we have tried to do every other time she's gone back. It didn't work. She thought she'd better get back to her family, boyfriend, and job.

Before she left, she gave each of the kids some German money. They were very excited. Elizabeth told me she now has money from America, Germany, Canada, and Mexico. She wants to go to each country to buy something with her money.