Connor out on the town!

Our little guy was eye-balling the ice cream at Superior Dairy in Hanford.

Afterwards, we walked across the street to change a diaper and Connor experienced grass for the first time!

Taylor Does Scouting!

We started with an overnighter this past weekend that ended in a 10 mile bike ride down kings canyon.

Taylor did an amazing job.

After we were home a few days, it was off to Magic Mountain!

Taylor braved all the rides in the park (some under protest). His favorite was the wild water rapids.

He even decided to wrestle with a wolf!

I was proud of my boy. He took the challenge to overcome his fear of high and fast roller coasters. Something I really loved about scouting growing up was the lessons learned, the friendships made, and the countless times I was forced to overcome my obstacles. I was very happy to be part of his group on the past two outings. I hope he will develop fond memories of scouting as he grows up, and find that it was as useful as I have. On a side note, he also earned his Tenderfoot this week (after only being a boy scout now for two months). Way to go Taylor!

First Day of Freshman Football!

Alec showed a lot of heart in his first day of Freshman Football practice.

He was picked to play Center which means he calls the huddles and leads the offense back to the play after the break, and then snaps the ball to the Quarterback.



He did a great job! After the coach had picked someone else to demonstrate the "shotgun snap," and they overshot the QB three times - Alec was called in to replace him (and he never over-shot his QB once).

Practice went well. The boys learned basic offense and defense formations and a few plays.

After all was said and done the Freshman Bears took a knee as the Coach welcomed them to the beginning of their Highschool Football careers. Way to go Alec!

The Blessing of my little man!

Woke up bright and early to get everyone ready for the big event.


First we attended a Blessing in Caruthers for Spencer. Then it was back to Selma for Connor.



It makes me think of all the blessings we receive in white. Connor is just making his first steps. There is something so special about new babies that makes us want to do better and wonder if we are doing enough. Connor looked so handsome in his little white suit.

We listened as Connors Daddy told him that he was a "Choice son of his Heavenly Father," and then we all watched as his mother shed tears of joy. Jeremy gave a beautiful blessing in which he informed Connor that he was surrounded by family and friends that loved him very much. I am so grateful for the blessings of the gospel, and of having a worthy Priesthood holder that could give his son a name and blessing.

McKinsey Graduates Kindergarten!

We are very proud of her! She was extremely excited.

Way to go McKinsey!

Connor sporting his new hat.

Flags, Ribbons, and a Tribute to our Vets!

In Honor of our Vetrans

The kids helped place Flags, Ribbons, and White crosses on the graves at the Easton Cemetary. These two photo's were featured in the local paper (The Fresno Bee).

More Connor pictures.

Connor this morning

Connor is a champion eater. He has gained 1/2 a pound since leaving the hospital on 5/17.

Connor with his 8 day older cousin Spencer.

Connor Timothy Plumb

Welcome little man. Connor was born at 6:13 am on Friday may 14th. He weighed 8 lbs. 2 oz. and was 21 inches long. His brothers and sisters adore him! (Not to mention his Mama and Daddy)

Why I blog

I don't have any tidbits of wisdom for you, I can't share all the crafty things I do or my neat finds, and I am not even really chronicling my thoughts or life. But I do want to share the most important things in my life, my family, with the people I care about most in the world. So sometimes it might seem like a newsletter, but this is what is important to me and this is the reason I blog.

May 6th

May 6th is always special at our house. This year my baby turned 7. It made me cry. I took my two birthday boys to the movies and sitting between them while we watched dragons breath fire on the screen I found myself looking back and forth at each one and remembering that it wasn't that long ago they were helpless infants. Now they are both strapling fairly independant boys. Where does time go?

Roman got something extra special this year for his birthday. Spencer Calvin Freeman, who as it happens weighed in at 8-10 and measured 21 inches exactly what size Roman was 7 years ago. Kind of a fun cousin fact. When we went to visit the handsome new Freeman, Roman couldn't get enough of him, must be the birthday bond.

Another hard fought milestone

With turning 11 Taylor advanced from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.

The evening was his, receiving award after award listening to positive things about himself from his teachers, pack leaders, and parents.

We were proud of him.

But I was mostly proud of his father. You see Taylor didn't want to put forth the effort into finishing his Weblos or into earning his Arrow of Light. It was just to much work. He couldn't see that the reward would surpass the amount of effort he had to put in. Quietly and patiently Jeremy sat next to him, guided, him and assisted him when necessary. Jeremy wouldn't let him quit. This evening was 100% the result of a good father who could see further than his son. When Taylor came home he was smiles and sunshine. He was proud of what he had done. "I am the only scout in my pack with the Arrow of Light"

From our end the fight was difficult, but the results where well worth it.

Kissing??????

She came to me in tears holding her mouth. "What happened"? "I kissed the curling iron". "What"?????

A Wonderful, Spectacular, Splendid Day!

Friday was a very special day! A wonderful, spectacular, splendid day! A day of celebration and shouting for joy day! It was the day that we all became just the "Plumb Family."
It started out with a bit of nervousness. There were a few questions from the kids. "will I have to say anything Dad?" asked Taylor. I responded by assuring him that everything would be okay. I really didn't know what to expect myself. We headed off to Fresno and into the great big courthouse where we were met at the front door by a few armed gaurds that made us go through the metal detectors. After a brief ride in the elevator, we arrived outside our court room door. A few moments passed as we watched a few other families that must have been there for the same reason. They all looked very happy. Taylor, Seena, and Roman seemed to be in high spirits as they all smiled blissfully.
Finally we were greeted by the bailiff as she opened the doors and announced our names. We entered the court room unaware of what was to come. The Judge appeared soon after and placed a chair right down at the table where we were sitting so she could visit with all of us up close and personal. Not what we had expected! She was very nice as she talked with each of the children and asked them all individually if this is what they wanted. My heart soared as I heard each response . . ."Yes, I do." After she was finished with the children it was my turn. "Do you willingly, of your own free will, accept the responsibility and rights of being the father to these children," she asked. I responded without hesitation, "absolutely, yes." Lastly the judge turned to Catherine and asked only one question. "Do you agree that your husband should be given this responsibility?" My wife answered by simply saying, "yes, I agree completely."
What a marvelous day it was. We signed a few papers (Taylor was able to sign his own) and filed them with the court before we left. Part of the adoption included ammending the birth certificates. The kids are now, Taylor Wade-Easley Plumb, Seena Marcia Plumb, and Roman Wade Plumb. Roman did ask if we could change his first name to Shadow, but we respectfully denied his request. After we finished we took the kids to breakfast at Mimi's to celebrate. I am so proud to be Dad. It was like Christmas time in April for me. It made me appreciate all of the wonderful things that come with being a Dad - things I often forget about. In our day to day lives we tend to get busy with all the peripheral distractions and lose sight of the most important things. For a moment I was able to truly appreciate some of what is most important to me. It was a wonderful, spectacular, splendid day. A day that I will never forget.

The Newest Plumb's.

Adventures at the Zoo!

This Crock looked hungry.

Heard of a bath?

Have you hugged a Giraffe lately?

Where is the shark?


Hello from Roman.

The anteater was less interesting than Mom with a camera.


Did you see that bird Dad!!

Ewww . . . it's a bit slimy.

Look Daddy, look!

I said look, right now!

The sealion was out for a swim.

Looking for a monkey.

There they are!