TEMPLE SQUARE PART 2

sweetie pie
classic Isaac!

the gang
Ava kept running away from our 'girl' picture so just me and Ad

our family picture
on top of the conference center
the famous temple square water fountain Ava fell in the fountain
the spot on temple square that Andy proposed


Here are some of the pictures from our day at temple square, thank you Mary & Jeff!!!

TEMPLE SQUARE...PART 1

Christian in front of a covered wagon
Addie didn't want to walk so she found this little spot to hang out
Isaac in front of a 'really cool' ship
'The Christus'

We went to Salt Lake for the weekend to attend our niece, Lily's baptism. We were going to head back home on Sunday but before we left I wanted to get a family picture by the temple we got married in. Mary and Jeff were kind enough to come with us and take pictures, so I will put some of those pictures on after I get them. When we got done taking the last picture next to one of the water fountains, we turned around and Ava fell into the water. It was pretty funny to watch. We went over to the Conference Center to show the kids where they will be doing General Conference, we ende up doing a tour of the building which is pretty amazing. They have these gardens on the roof of the building, they were beautiful. Then we went over to Church History Museum, Christian has been wanting to go there really bad. He had been reading a lot about the pioneers and wanted to be able to see some of the actual artifacts. Then Andy wanted to show the kids the Christus before we left. There is always such a strong Spirit in that room when you go there. I love this church and I am so grateful and blessed that I have this knowledge in my life. I hope I can pass all of this on to my children as my parents have for me. This gospel has brought so much joy into my life, I love our Heavenly Fathers plan and I am grateful that I can feel His love in my life. He is truly a merciful, loving God, I can see it in the little things in my life, if I will just stop and look for them, they are all around!

BEARTOOTH PASS

leaving the hotel in Billings to head up the pass
Addie is on top of the world!
part way up the pass
the kids cooperating for one second

Isaac on top of the mountain. There were lakes everywhere.

The kids in front of an amazing Yellowstone waterfallAddie & Isaac were fascinated with the statues all over West Yellowstone

Andy was going to Billings for a prebid and we thought it would be fun to all go together since the trip there and back is so beautiful. It was a really great 2 days, we are glad we decided to do it! I had heard about how beautiful the Beartooth Pass was but I was still blown away at the beauty. (being a native to Alaska, that is saying a lot!!) As we came down from the pass we went through Yellowstone. We had never gone through the park on that side, so it was neat to see other sights that were new to us. Half way through, Ava threw up and she didn't hold anything back! Fortunetly we were pulling up to a gas station at the same time so we were able to get it all taken care of non-pioneer style! All in all, it was well worth the time to go and we hope to do it again.

WHEN THE BOYS ARE AWAY, THE GIRLS WILL PLAY!

Well school is back in session and this year we have both of the boys going full day. So it was just the girls home today. We went and got some needed shopping done then it was time for Ava to take a nap. Addie and I fixed up her bike and then made some fruity rice krispy treats to suprise the boys when they got home.
Christian is starting the 4th grade and Isaac is starting the 1st grade



Isaac's teacher is a lady who used to be in our ward, she is going to be a very fun teacher. She mailed the kids a pirate party invitation to meet at their classroom at 8:20 am for the first day of school. Needless to say this got Isaac very excited to go, when we got to his classroom this morning, his teacher was dressed up like a pirate. He came home with a bunch of pirate loot, he said it was a very fun day.


Christian was just relieved to find out that his teacher was nice, he had heard rumors that she was the strictest teacher in the school. He said his teacher said that she is an elem. teacher because she loves to be goofy. Oh man, can you imagine these two together?! Mrs. Goofy and Christian, the class clown. This should be interesting!! He was happy to see that there are a lot of his friends in his class this year.




The other day Andy had the boys for a chunk of the day so the girls and I went to the local gourmet cupcake cafe, The Cocoa Bean. Their cupcakes are deadly and worth every calorie!! You know how I love cupcakes and I think I have fulfilled my quest to find the perfect cupcake. If you are ever passing through, you have to stop here!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTI & PAGE!!

Kristi and Savannah

Page and Adam

Today is my sister Kristi's 30th birthday! We had planned a few years ago to celebrate her birthday by going to Graceland, TN to visit the ol' Elvis homestead. Her birthday also happens to be the anniversary of Elvis' death. So this year there would be an extra 'to do' there since it is the 30th anniversary. But plans changed since they have moved back from Texas and apparently something a little funner has come up. So now she is on an airplane flying to Italy instead. She and her husband are spending 10 days in Italy and Switzerland...sorry Elvis! I love to be around Kristi, any time together is such a treat! She is so full of life and so lovely in every way! Anyway, I hope she has a wonderful day, which I am sure she will! Happy Birthday Kristi, you are a wonderful sister!!!

One of my other sisters, Page is having her 35th birthday this Sunday. It was so fun while growing up to have Kristi and Pages birthdays 2 days apart. Lots of birthday cake and fun!! Page is such a great sister, she was the leader of the girl pack in our house. I love how creative and witty she is. I feel like I learn so much from her whenever I get to be with her. She is so down to earth yet nobody can pull the wool over her eyes, she is amazing. Page got her birthday present a week early this year, with the birth of her 4th baby, Tad. Congratulations!! I have always felt so blessed to have all of my sisters in my life! They each have such a great personality that have added so much to my life. I always tell Andy, my sisters are life a vein that runs through my body, they are a part of me I can't live without!

So happy birthday girls, I love you so very much!!!

AMAZING...AT LEAST TO ME!

A little watermelon
romaine lettuce
red peppers
roma tomatoes

So we decided to try planting a garden for the first time this summer. It snowed after memorial day so I didn't know if anything would turn out. As I was planting the seeds, I just couldn't believe that something would really start to grow and actually become something. Funny, I felt the same way everytime I was pregnant. :) Anyway, here are some of the produce that is growing in my garden. We also have pumpkins, peas, brocolli, & brussel sprouts.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ONE OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL WOMEN I KNOW!!!

Today marks the day that one of the most amazing people came to join us here on earth. What a blessing she has been to so many people that have been fortunate enough to know her. I remember when I first met Rachel, I was starting to date her brother and I remember seeing her and thinking, WOW, she is gorgeous, and quickly feeling intimidated! I soon found out that she was just as lovely on the inside as she was on the outside when soon after we met I got a ride with her over to a gas station that we were going to meet up with Andy and his cousins in Farmington so I rode with her in her little Civic and found out what an outgoing, fun person she is. I've loved her from the day I met her. I love her love for life, for art, for travel, for the beach, for the sunshine, for her children, for her family, for other people, for the gospel. I believe she must have been so anxious to get to come to earth to experience all of these wonderful things, I believe this because I see it in how she lives her life. Thank you Rachel for letting me be part of your life, you are so fun to be around! I love you!! Have a FABULOUS day!

MESA FALLS

We love to go on Sunday drives after lunch, so today we took the kids to one of our favorite places, Mesa Falls. It is a beautiful place and the drive to get there is lovely too. So here are some pictures from today. Enjoy!