Big Birthday Boy!!!!

I can't believe my little Christian is 4!!! His b-day was yesterday, and then we also had his party this morning. He has grown up way too fast! Christian daddy and I think you are terrific! Happy Birthday sweet boy!

Our kids are all spring/summer babies, so thankfully NO MORE b-days for a while!!! :)

This Award Goes To....

My sweet childhood friend Trish gave me this award and I am passing it on to five others, to which I will ask you to do the same! Trish and I lived in the same neighborhood for many years as children and recently found each other on myspace. It's been awesome to see her outstanding family!
I give this award to Cindy first because she has new posts so very often that you always know you'll have something new and interesting to read. Plus she is expecting her 5th child and she sews, gardens, cans, makes jam, and who knows what else! I seriously don't know how she does it!
Next I give this to Tammy because she is my best friend, and I am so proud of her for blogging because typically she doesn't do computers that much, but she's surprised me with her consistency with blogging! Plus she's a truly devoted loyal friend.
Next I give this to my friend Erin because she has a kind sweet heart, and always has great advice to offer and is a great listener. And oh of course she's a great mother and so inspiring!
Next I give this to Rachel because she always leaves me comments, and lets face it, comments are so much fun to read! I appreciate all the sweet kind things she says.
Last I give this to Laurie and Jacob because their posts just make me laugh. They have such fun quirky posts and I thoroughly enjoy them.
Now pass this on to five people you care about!

My Sweet Boy...

Austin's baptism was today and I wanted to post a few pics from that. We are so happy that he has a testimony of the gospel, and I find myself often realizing that he is an example to me, I am thankful for his faithfulness. We love you Austin!!! My parents gave Austin this tie as a gift. It has little Moroni's on it. He loved it!!! I just know before I know it he'll be running off to serve a mission! Time flies too fast.

Grace is head over heels for my dad....


The whole clan...

Very lucky mom and dad...

Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Friend.

I have some very sad news. My father in law passed away last night from a massive heart attack. He was only 61 years old. We got the call at about 3:00 in the morning, and were told that he was rushed to the hospital, but apparently he died right away. It was a hard reality to except. Chris and I were both in tears knowing that it would be a long long time before we would see him again. We were mostly sad though because he has left his sweet wife behind. He and my mother in law were married when he was 18 and she was just 15. They have 9 living children, 3 children who died in birth or from miscarriages, and 13 adopted Russian kids. I have always admired them because of how very much they love each other. I am sure her heart is broken. We will miss this wonderful man who loved his family so very much, and who was a true example of following Christ in all things.

Happy Birthday to....

My sweet little Austin!!!!! I guess he isn't so little anymore, because today he turned 8. Eight years old seems like a big deal to me I guess because he's now old enough to be baptized. I just can't believe it's been two years since Halee was baptized and before I know it it will be Connor. Gosh they grow up way too fast!!! Austin you are such an awesome boy, with so much fun and sweetness in your personality. I'm thankful for the example you set to your younger siblings of trying to do what's right. You are a blessing to us!

To Dad....

Sorry the top pic is from fathers day last year, haha, but it's late , so it will have to do! Before I every met Chris I had all these ideals of what I wanted in a man and even wrote many letters to my future husband. They said things like "I want someone who is kind, selfless, understanding, fun. One thing I never did write in those is that he would need to be a good dad, which is kind of ironic because he really IS a wonderful dad. I guess I lucked out on that one! Now that I am a mother and can realize how much love I have for my children, a good father would be top at the list. I am grateful to have married a man that cherishes and loves his children. I feel so blessed to have him in my life, and I am so glad that he is my kids' dad! They are so darn lucky! We love you Chris/dad. :)

Okay time to give a mini update on our lives since we finally recovered from our two 1/2 week vacation. I am so excited because the kids are out of school for Summer break. They got out June 4th, and I am kind of a weird mom because I absolutely LOVE when Summer break comes. I have my moments where they drive me nuts of course, but for the most part, I treasure their company. So I have made up a chore chart and each morning they are diligently working to get their chores done, and then it's computer time, and play. Unfortunately though the weather has hindered us completely of doing anything but being BORED out of our minds by the time 2:00 o'clock hits. Here's a funny pic I took of the kids being Just that...BORED.

So basically we are praying for a little sun.

Most of you know that Chris is a licensed denturist, and has been working toward taking over his bosses business when he retires...well that finally happened on June 1st. Our life has been kind of crazy because we are super busy, but also very grateful that the lord is blessing us with lots of work to give us a good start. I'm really excited and grateful to Chris who has been working soooo many hours to provide for us. I don't know how he does it.

That's pretty much it in the way of excitement (and boredom) for us. :)

We are back!!!! I am so happy to be home, but I wanted to share some pics from the family reunion and also from Nauvoo. The kids loved seeing all of there cousins. Here is Con and his cousin Ryley having a donut eating contest.
Grace took a while to warm up to Grandma. She even took Grace on a ride in the tractor. It was really sweet.

Nauvoo was the highlight of the trip. The spirit was so strong while we were there. Here is a pic of the kids on the steps of the Nauvoo temple.
Grace was fascinated with all the statues. I love this one of Joseph Smith.

Carthage was amazing. I couldn't help but cry as we saw the very hole in the door that killed Hyrum. Plus we saw the Joseph Smith movie they play in Utah, and it is an outstanding movie, and all of us including Halee and Austin were bawling by the time it ended.

Chris' sis Brande who is my age, and so sweet let us stay with her in Branson for two days. We felt so bad because we caught the flu while we were there. :(
Here is Chris with all his siblings minus his brother from Utah. What a wacky and fun group.

We celebrated Halee's 10th b-day while there. It was the biggest b-day party ever! Happy b-day Halee!!!

Here is Christian with his cousin Christian who is only 3 months older, and they look and act so much alike!

We took the kids to an amusement park called Silver Dollar City. It was so fun!!!!! The kids LOVED it!

Halee spent hours in the pool and sun. This pic really cracked me up.
Country living was fun, but I could have done w/out the bugs!!!!

We had a great time, but there is no place like home!!!!