Jessica is turning 12

It's hard to believe my little girl is growing up. 12 is a big step. She's more than ready to make this transition. Soon she'll be going to young women's girls camp and entering the temple for the first time. We've been waiting almost 3 years to take her Great Grandma's name through the temple.
This is the first time I will have actually known a person personally for whom the work is being done. Someone dear to my husband - his mama, the one who raised him since he was about 6, Gavin's age. The Grandma that suggested we leave Jessica at 2 1/2 years old with her in Venezuela after she took a liking to her following her around begging for chupi-chupis.  I hope that the woman who threatened to throw boiling water on the missionaries who taught my husband as a teenager will be humble enough to accept the work being done for her now. I know it would mean the world to Jhonny. We're preparing for an emotional day either way. Just a few weeks more. . .
My baby is growing up and she just keeps making me older. I'm so blessed to be her mother.

Some pics from her Birthday party!

What is a June birthday without a trip to the pool? 

She's 12! Can't believe it! 

Fun times!

Gavin is 6

 

 

 Gavin, my sweet, smart, silly, stubborn, says whatever's on his mind, cute, kissy, cuddly, wonderful boy! Can't believe how grown up he's getting. So glad he's my son!

Father's Day

June 15th we celebrated Father's Day. . .

The kids made Jhonny breakfast and gave him some homemade goodies. I was going to get him something, but the week before, we signed on for Northstar's home security system and well, that ate up my budget. Now he's got his key-less lock and surveillance camera system.

A Thousand Miles

Dedicated to Losing Best Friends who have to move away...

Click here for a better quality version: Jessica on Youtube

Mickey Mouse clubhouse

It could be the end of an era. Dance lessons are a bit too much next year and Lily wants to try some sports. . . So this may be the last dance recital in a while. Lily was in the Musical Theatre Jr. Class and had a great time! They did a Mickey mouse clubhouse medley.

A sampling of her dance recital performance. . .

Memorial Day Weekend oh and Jhonny's Birthday

 For Jhonny's 39th birthday, we went to Surfside Beach in Freeport, TX. There was a lot of seaweed and a lot of people, but it was a beach. The kids had fun anyway. Gavin played with Grandpa on a boogie board. The waves were fun.

Awards Ceremony - 6th grade

 Jessica was nominated for Outstanding Student of the year, recognized for the SPOT award in Science, Honor Roll and nomination for the Shayla Dame Artistic Passion Award at CD Fulkes Middle School.

 When Jessica's name was called as one of the nominees for the Shayla Dame Artistic Passion award, her peers cheered a little louder than the rest. Ms. Guerra introduced her as a young lady who always greeted those who are new, helps her teachers, and is very talented in choir. She also mentioned what a great personality Jessica has. Tears came to my eyes as she announced that she had won out of the ten nominees. So proud of my girl!!

Jessica with Shayla Dame's parents next to the display case with her picture where Jessica's name will be engraved. 

Ammon turns 2

 First Chuckee Cheese Birthday party. He didn't quite know what to make of it all, but he liked the pizza and the cake.

 The whole gang.

 Ammon loved riding the horse

 So he needed a little help with the candles, but no help making the cake disappear!