Hogle Zoo/Summer Vacation

The summer is never complete if you don't take a trip to the Hogle Zoo. Can't you just see the excitement on my kids faces! They are just so cooperative when it comes to group pictures.

One of the best things about going home to visit is how everything we do we have company to join us. I LOVE it! I would move home (near to all of our family)in an instant if they didn't have that thing called WINTER. My sisters and kids joined us and so did Bob's sister and family. Look at all those attractive children, and they all look so thrilled to be there.

My favorite attraction at the zoo are the elephants. I just think they are so majestic. Here is Gwyn watching the elephant get fed.

This was the pregnant elephant who was very soon to be due. After two years I am sure she is looking forward to that delivery. Honestly, she looked great and I couldn't tell which one was actually pregnant. It was nice that they had signs so you could identify her.

My kids adore this elephant that sneezes and shoots water out of it's nose.

Miss Poppy Louise was a joy, she just happily rode around in her stroller.

Mia (aka cheeks) was happy to be held by her dad and go along for the ride.

Brooke and Minie on that cute little Merry- go- Round.

Kennan, Jude and Gwyn. Love myself a little time with "Kenna"!

Bob and Gil. Has anyone else noticed I don't have one shot with Gil really looking at me?

Meanwhile, Greta, Poppy, and I were happily watching all of the kids going round and round. Greta was holding and eating her corndog like a champ.

Brad had told us not to miss the bird show and he was right. It was fantastic. I kept thinking of Farmgirl freaking out as the birds flew right over our heads nearly touching us. Our kids were in awe and the Bald Eagle was beautiful to see in person.

Gil and Gage had a wonderful time running together holding hands looking at all the animals. It was very rainy our whole trip up north, but we got two days free of rain. The weather was perfect that day, and so was our trip to the zoo.

Miss Debbie's Pre-School Graduation....

Miss Debbie is the BEST!!! She has now taught three of my four children. I love her. She is my friend and she goes way above and beyond what she is paid for. Gwynnie adores her and can't wait to get started with her in September.

Here is some of her class at graduation.

Her little goody bag from all of her little friends. She was so excited to give her gifts to her friends.

Gwyn and her very good friend Janessa were in the same class this year....I think they will be in the same class next year. These two have a love/hate relationship, and I think it may be to early for girl drama, but alas it's not.

What a great year with Miss Debbie! Thanks!

Pretty Piroutte

Gwyn had her first ballet recital this May. She was amazing of course.

Yes my daughter loves to pose. She did this one all on her own.

Oh, and this one. Her make up looks a little intense though....

We were so happy Nannie came down to watch her with us. See this look on her face? This is the "how is my lipstick" check. This girl lives for make-up. She wants it on all the time. Most of the time she ends up looking like a hussy....what can you do? When she was very little I would put a little make-up on her. When she would start to cry I would say "uh-oh, you are going to smear your make-up." She would instantly stop her tears!

Nannie loves....

Once again I have made it on to my blog.

It was so fun to watch my girl on the stage. It was funny to see how much taller she was then most the girls. The best part was that she sang along with the song during her dance. I have it on video but I will spare you all the details. (your welcome sarah) I am so glad I have a pretty pink daughter! Love you ladybug! xoxoxox

Abe's Baptism...a little late

I am so proud of our Abraham for being baptized! (He was ever so worried about his feet popping out of the water while daddy was dunking him.)

One of the very few pictures of me actually on this blog. Ahhh...I hate having my picture taken, but I am happy to have documentation of Abe and I together on this special day.

Bob and Abe...sorry babe this was the best picture of you! (Andrea can confirm) I don't know what you were doing with your chin in all your pictures...but it wasn't good. (I still love you though. )

All the men in the circle who helped confirm him. We have such great family and neighbors. Oh, our hometeachers are the best too.

The after party was in our backyard and Bob bar-b-qued for all of us. It was really a lovely evening. The kids had a great time. I love to feed people. It brings me great joy! I love it even more when people feel like they can just hang out, that there is no rush.


My dad and his ever surprised look! I love this crazy man.



Abe opening a few gifts....his very own Scriptures and Scripture case. (aka the Bob Bag)


Hi! This is my amazingly talented, beautiful, kind, and sweet neice Kate! She is only 13 but you just wait, her dad is in for trouble with the boys who are already lined up at her door.

The Jacksons!!! This is totally Brooke and Dustbin. Dust is always happy to show you how much he adores snuggling his wife and other PDA moments you would sometime rather not see! Love these two.

My mom and Greta have a little chill time. This little girl is the sweetest, now if I could only get her to want to love on me some. Isn't my mom lovely. I always enjoy our time spent together.

This was a fantastic weekend. Thanks to all of you that came. Especially Chris and Eileen who just surprised us and drove four hours to be with us. Abe you are loved by many! Congrats!

After my sisters death threats....

So apparently I am the worst blogger ever. My sisters have been calling me daily telling me to update or they will erase me from their blogs; so here I am doing a little update. I am so BUSY just like everyone else but sitting down to the computer is the last thing I have done. I don't feel like I have anything to say, I feel overwhelmed and need to catch up from March. That's not daunting at all. So here is a little of what I have been doing in my spare time.....



Sewing!

A few months ago my neighbor/friend Karlee turned me on to some fun patterns, which in turn turned my mom and my sisters on to it as well (you know how that sisters/mom thing goes). Here are a few things I have made the last few weeks. The skirt above I LOVE.

This little number Amberly turned me on too....I never knew elastic thread could be so much fun. Oh by the way, she is singing at her music recital. Maybe I'll blog abouth that someday....

This last dress my mom helped me make for The 4th of July! I love it. I have a few more things I have made but haven't taken any pictures yet, just you wait....It might be awhile though!

p.s. If you think it cheaper to make your kids clothes....it's not! But nothing beats the feeling of creating something with your own hands.

A preview for Aunt Laura.....

Oh how we love baby Mia...and her cheeks!

Sara Joy Feltwell

This Awesome lady was both of my boys first grade teacher. She has quit teaching to have babies and we couldn't be happpier for her. We love you Julie! Sara is BEAUTIFUL!