An Ode to Ann

I attempted to make bread the other day...

Before Ann left, she gave me a lesson that apparently I didn't pay good enough attention to, but I gave it my best shot...

First "I" :D had to grind the wheat...not an easy task when all you have is a hand crank...so, I resorted to child labor and after 37 short minutes of spinning...we had wheat!!!

Next we had to wait for the bread to rise...remembering the words of the master..."Don't worry, it always comes out perfect!"...

Shortly, we had bread...too big for the pans but bread none the less...

Thank goodness for the home made jam that was given to us...it helped disguised the taste.

so there you have it, my attempt at bread...you could kill someone with just one piece it was so dense but on the bright side, guess I just need to fly to Indy for another lesson!!! :D

You've Got To Be Kidding Me

Today, against my better judgment, I took the boys to CEC (Chuck E. Cheese)...this is something that I ONLY do with Ann, who has now left me for Indiana...so I was left to tread alone!! All was going well at first...Ian had won over 150 tickets in one shot and things were looking up...

Then DISASTER struck and all heck broke loose!!! Tears, frantic breathing, no words were coming but the LOOK said it all...it was, A GIRL!!! She walked right over and TOOK O's tickets right out of the machine!! WHY? you ask, because it was her BIRTHDAY!...to make matters worse, he didn't fight back!!...SO, I was not going to have any of that...I walked right up to her mother and said, "excuse me, I hate to be the barer of bad news at your daughter's birthday, but she just took my son's ticket stub out of the machine. May I have it back please."... To my TOTAL shock, she said, "It is her birthday."...Ummm, hello, where are we...in Toddlers and Tiaras?...I think not!!! Spend your own $20 bucks and get her her own BIRTHDAY TICKETS!!!...

Words were not needed, apparently the expression on my face said it all!! She dove into her bag and handed me the ticket stub while her daughter cried!! No Joke!! (once again, another day I'm grateful to have BOYS!)

All was well, O got his tickets back...Cotton Candy in hand!! (Man I miss you Ann!!!)

Don't Make Me Cut Your Leg Off...

A Success!! Crate made it through the operation on his leg with flying colors and who knows what else was "flying"...HE was as high as a kite...if you know what I mean!!!

All went well, the first two days were a bit rough, but he is doing great now and hopefully will be walking soon!!

A Little Bit of This and A Little Bit of That

We just finished a week long vacation in Utah...
We had a fantastic time and it was well worth the 2 year wait!!
Our thanks goes out to Mom and Dad for an unforgettable time!!

The boys were able to go fishing and everyone was successful in the "catch" of the fish...the "release" was a whole different story in it's self. All we can say is
"thank heaven's for Uncle Mike"!!!

The family participated in a "fun run"... can call running FUN?...Baker was successful in finishing the race at the top AND one of the youngest...All thanks to Aunt Emily for having NO SYMPATHY!!... :D

One of MY highlights was going Ice Blocking down College Hill...it was...a time I will never forget and remember ALWAYS!! We hit the hill with the Burns and gave the hill a run for it's money!!

On our way home we stayed the night in SLC and dropped by BYU...a dream for Baker. We were able to see many of the church sites and have a great ending to a wonderful week!!

What I Will Miss Most...

this evening we had to say "goodbye" after a fun afternoon with not only family, but our best friends!!it's hard to say what i will miss most exactly, but i have a feeling it will simply be the little moments like this...

how i love each of you...words of course will not ever describe the joy and happiness you have brought into our lives. "Blessed" is really all i can say...thank you for letting us in and for the treasured blessing you have given us...until we meet again...

Day 1 of 8

Day One:

"Are we there yet?"...came 34 minutes after leaving the house. I must say, I was happy with that seeing how I was expecting it as soon as we passed the McDonald's on the corner. Surprisingly the drive to St. George went better than expected. No real drama expect the smashing of a cousins hand for no real apparent reason...

Mike and I have come to the realization that we don't get our Boy's "out" enough. As O and I entered back into the hotel room after swimming, he quickly turned on the T.V. All of the sudden I hear, "MOM!! Come see this!" "What?" I asked..."Look we have this same show in America!!!"... :D As if that was not bad enough, as we got out of the car to go eat dinner O said, "Look a real stream!"...as water rolled down the gutter.

10 years apart

One of the things I will most are special moments like this...

i can't help but cry and smile at the same time...where has the time gone...

A Priesthood Duty

I hope they call me on a mission,

When I have grown a foot or two.

I hope by then I will be ready,

to teach and preach and work like
missionaries do!

I hope that I can share the gospel,

with those who want to know the truth.

I want to be a missionary,

And serve and help the Lord

while I am in my youth!

Future missionaries:

March 2019, August 2018, February 2021, April 2024

Go with Enthusiasm,
Serve in Humility,
Return with Honor!

we love you Michael...

Happy 4th...

Nothing is better than a night with the Fam...

Ok...maybe the US in Jello...

AND enough treats to make you sick...

AND of course Sparklers...

HAPPY 4TH!!!