Homecoming

For the past 3 years, my in-laws have been serving as the Mission Presidents for our church in Puerto Rico. It has been so fun having them in such a great place to vacation, but it's so great to have them home now too!

Waiting at the airport.....
First few moments off the airplane. (I didn't have my camera at the airport, so I'm lacking in pictures, and the one's I do have are a little lousy!)



As a family, we decided that we wanted to steal Stan and Susan away, before they got too busy, and just do a family get away with them. We decided on spending a few days at the Whiting Homestead (near Springerville, AZ).

On our trip up there, this is what happened! Super scary! Ray, Stephanie, Stan, Susan, Johnnie, and Brigham walked away from this accident, unharmed! Truly a blessing!
After a very long day of traveling, a flat tire, and a car accident, we all made it to the homestead safely!
These are some of the fun things we did while we were there.....

Fruit by the Foot eating contests!
Jumping rope!
Crawdad fishing at Donut Lake!
All it takes is a hot dog, and they come by the dozens!
Hiking 'slippery hill'! (Pace named it, and it stuck)
Quad riding!
Eating! We seriously ate sooo good while we were there!

I feel like I left Cade out of all these pictures, so here's a few of him......

Cade loved swinging!
And, I caught him stealing someone else's fishing poles! (I had to get a picture, before I returned them to their proper owners)
He's such a momma's boy, so we snuggled a lot!
And one last one of him and Aunt Emily!
We made some great memories!

Preschool Grad!

A week ago, my sweet three year old graduated from preschool! He had a great year! Not only did Pace grow physically, (2 inches and 5 pounds since September!) but he has grown socially as well! He is everybody's friend! He has also learned to write his name and is beginning to read! I am so grateful to his amazing teacher! Thanks Miss Caroline!


Pace was so shy at his graduation and wouldn't sing or do the actions to most of the songs he learned, but when he was at home, he would sing his songs so loudly he was practically screaming. I thought I'd post just one video clip from his graduation......


Pace, I'm so proud of you, and all that you've learned over the last year! Just think..... only 2 more years of preschool to go! (It's going to be a long 2 years!)

The Backyard

We moved into our beautiful new home (with a big, but ugly backyard) almost 3 months ago. Anxious to play outside, we decided we needed to landscape the backyard, and put off decorating the house for a bit. The yard turned out great!
The bike track.
Ahhhh... just in time for summer!
Ummm... I probably should have picked up and raked before I took this picture. (Giggle) But then it wouldn't look like we use it, right?!
My teeny tiny garden and my one lone citrus tree. I'd like to expand on the size of that sometime soon! =)

And the fun has begun!!
My Niece, Kyra, and my little Cade! Ya, we don't really believe in wearing clothes! =)
Noah, helping my boys get around the track.
Eric is such a good dad. He sleeps out on the trampoline with the boys, and will even use pink blankets! =)






And the pool!! So fun!

Zoo Fun

I took the kids to the zoo yesterday, and it was so much fun!! The weather couldn't have been better and neither could the company! Thanks Janae, Noah, Kyra, Brian, Brooke, Ryah, Heather, Kali, and Alivia!

Some shots of the animals....







And, some shots of us....

Janae can't be apart from Brandon for long, or things like this happen....
All of the kids at the new Komodo Dragon exhibit.Kali really likes Pace. :)
All of us (except Brian, Brooke, and Ryah) in all of our cuteness. :)
Noah showing the camel who's the boss! Pace got too scared at the last minute and wouldn't ride.
Awww, what a cute family!
Brian is so good with my boys!
"Whoa, that's a big elephant skull!"

These two boys were just crazy! I don't know who they belong to! :)

I think this was their "Mad Face"....And this was their "Crazy Face"....

Founder's Day

This weekend was such a fun one! Janae, myself, and our kiddos went to Joseph City to spend time with my mom. It just happened to be Founder's Day as well, which made for even more fun!

We had to stop and give the kids a break on the way to Joseph City. Hard to believe there was this much snow in the middle of March!
Our first attempt at canning chicken. It went very well, and my pantry now has a good supply of chicken!Janae and I ran the Founder's Day 5K! It was freezing (21 degrees)! So much fun though!We took the kids across the street to the Tractor Show. The kids had a blast!We had yummie BBQ at the firehouse.Such a good time in JC!