We Miss You Shayla

My Niece Shayla came and stayed with us for 2 1/2 weeks before we left for our trip to Washington. It was so much fun having her here with us, I can't even begin to say how much I really love this girl. She is such an example to me and all those around her of someone that is good in a world that is so full of bad. She has high standards and she keeps those standards even when faced with the decision to compromise them. She's funny, fun to be around, and always has a smile on her face. She has, and always will have a special place in my heart, and I hope one day my girls will be just like her!

Love you Shay!

She had a birthday just a few weeks before she got to our house, so we had a mini birthday treat with her.

She is one of the most beautiful girls I know......both on the inside and out!

Our Next and Last Stop

After our stop to see our friends, we drove another 2+ hours to visit Grandpa and Nana Judy. This was the last time we would get to see them before their big trip to South Africa. I still can't believe that they will be there for 2 whole years!

The week was full of hugs, kisses, snuggles, and lots of laughing and playing. We didn't have plans all week, we just soaked up all the Grandpa and Nana we could.

Molly liked to "help" Grandpa pick the raspberries......really, she just liked eating them! This was a little game they played, Molly loves to swing, and Molly loves to eat raspberries....why not put the two together?

We play in the backyard for hours on the teeter-totter

Grandpa took us to a farm

Swinging is our favorite

And last, but not least....the most important reason for our trip! Good luck on your mission, we know you will make an important difference in the lives of the people you teach!

Our First Stop

The girls and I took a little road trip last week. Adam had to work and then went to Scout camp, so we thought it was a good idea to go and visit some friends and family.

Our first stop was to see Danielle, Denton, Cohen, and Fenway! It was fun to spend a few days with our friends who moved away from us last summer. We're glad they let us stay with them!

When we got there, Denton took the kids for a ride in the bike trailer......in the yard. They LOVED it!

One afternoon we took the kids down to the lake. We took lots of watermelon that the kids devoured up like we hadn't fed them all day. We swam, played in the sand, and looked at some fish. It was a hot day so the cool water felt so good.


Cohen and Elley played this crazy game of chase, tackle, chase, tackle, laugh, laugh hard, fall down, laugh, chase, and tackle. Sorry this picture is so dark!

And Molly watched them play this game.

Molly and Cohen as cute as can be. The only way to get them to sit still for a picture was to put Barney on.

Thanks again for letting us stay with you guys....next time I'll bring Adam too!

Moments in Life

This has taken me for forever to post. I don't know why. Maybe because I love them so much words don't do them justice. Or, maybe its the fact that they will be leaving soon for 2 years and posting this will make it a reality that I'm not sure I want to face.

Well, whatever my reasoning......here it goes!

Grandpa and Nana Judy came to our house for a visit a few months ago. It was one of many stops. Trying to see all the most important people in their lives before they embark on a 2 year experience that they will never forget. We will be sad, we will cry, we will talk about them often, and we will be happy.

Molly and Grandpa reading stories.

My dad has a very tender place in my heart. I get a little lump in my throat just typing that. We've been through a lot together.

I love this picture. It's one of those moments in life where you sit back and think, "I have a pretty great life!"

I hope Elley will look back on these pictures and remember this night. I hope she remembers how much fun she had with her grandpa, and how much he really truly loves her. They've had a pretty special bond from day one.

Another picture, another moment in life when everything is right in the world! I love my dad as my dad, but even more so as Elley and Molly's Grandpa.

Grandpa's hand is always near to teach my girls the most important things in life......not about cookies, how to put them on the cookies sheet, or how to carry them to the oven, but about families.....how to love, teach, and care for one another. I'm so thankful that my family is a forever family!

And to our Nana, thank you for coming to our family! You have found a way into our hearts, a special place we didn't know existed. And guess how much we love you? We love you right up to the moon--and back!

Good thing Sonic milkshakes were buy one get one free while you were here. Too bad we had to wear our coats while drinking them!

we will miss you guys so much when you are gone........

these cheeks will be waiting for more kisses, they will be a few years older, but they'll still be waiting!

Down by the River

Last Saturday, we had an impromptu day down at the river. Leah and Sophie made a surprise visit to our house and Jay with the other kiddos came a little later. We decided that we weren't going to sit around all Saturday afternoon while the sun was shining high. So, we packed up the cooler, packed up the kids and made a trip down to the river. It was so cold, but it felt so good since it was so hot!

There were a ton of fish!

and Mason caught a crawdad.

We played in the rocks, relaxed in the water, and swam a little.

Then Hannah, Mara, Elley, Sophie and Molly went in search of some river life.

and Molly kissed a fish!

Baby Food

One day last week while driving in the car, Elley was telling me all about being a baby. At one point during our conversation she stopped with a gasp and said......

"mom, we forgot my baby food!"

A little confused, I asked her what baby food she was talking about.

She said, "just joking mom, I don't eat baby food anymore, but I use to. I use to eat lots of baby food and I would eat it all gone and you would feed it to me and I loved it."

I said, "that's right Elley, you use to eat baby food."

It was quite for a few seconds and then Elley said, "yeah, I use to eat your boob too!"

A Sunny Afternoon

We love the summer, we love playing outside, and we especially love the kiddie pool.

Elley got a little board with the pool this day. She managed to get most of the balls into her swimsuit. What a silly girl!