New house

We closed on our home and moved in on the 23rd of Sept. and started to unpack like crazy to try and get as much done before the baby came. The fun thing is that we really did get pretty settled in before hand. I was even able to can my pickled beets. The kids LOVE the neighborhood -- It's kind of like KIDTOPIA! They are able to walk to school and love that too. We still have lots of boxes in the garage but we're in and so happy to be here!

prego shots :)

I have done several maternity shoots for clients and friends and have never thought that I would ever want to capture that side of myself until a friend of mine and I were talking. This is most likely the last time I'll be prego, and I have to admit, I really do love being pregnant and feel totally grateful that we have the 3.75 kids that we do. So she was telling me that I really should take pics of me being pregnant because I will really miss it when it's come and gone. So we went to get a few shots this weekend with the kiddos -- Ry was a good photographer and we had fun taking pics. Of course I had to get a few while we were there of the kids -- It's my new favorite spot to take snaps and they were good little posers for me. (Thank goodness for bribery!) We are now just a few weeks away from baby and I'm feelin' great! (A slight bit uncomfortable but hey!) We are just hoping she stays in there until we move into our new home next week. I am so grateful to be a wife and mommy and wouldn't trade this time for anything in the world!

Weekend fun

On Sat. I had a shoot in the park so Ry and the kids came along and little did we know, there was a fair going on! It was Maize Days in Layton and we had so much fun goofing around. The kids got their faces painted, ate cotton candy, did arts and crafts, played on the playground, and sampled some yummy food. It was a really fun morning. Later that afternoon we went over to our friends the Obergs for a "India mission reunion" The four of us families have been getting together for the past 10 years. All four dad served together in India and we love being together. We used to get together for dinner and ROOK when we were all first married, and then continually have gotten together over the years, and now that we have 15 (and 3/4) kids between us all, it makes getting together quite the party! We had such a good time!!!

A Lion House tradition

Ever since I was a little girl, my Dad and I have gone to the Lion House on a Daddy daughter lunch with his group -- The Sons of Pioneers. Now he takes his daughters-in-law and granddaughters too! It's so much fun and something I've really missed since we were in AZ. Today we got to go and the girls loved getting out of school and having a date with Grandpa! There's just nothing like downtown SLC and the temple grounds with all the beautiful flowers. It was a delicious lunch and just great to be together!

Front Runner/Museum

On Saturday we took the Front Runner from Clearfield to Salt Lake -- The kids have wanted to go on it since we moved back and they were so excited! It was a lot of fun and a smooth ride. It was also fun to not have to find parking once we got down to SLC. We went to the Discovery Museum and the kids had a great time playing balls, cool toys, Carter loved checking people out at the mini grocery store, the girls loved the news desk, and we all had a really fun time!

Six Years.....

It was six years ago, August 28th -- that we had to say good-bye to one amazing lady way too early! My Mom --best friend, amazing wife, grandma Ruthie to all of our kids, and just someone who all were so glad to know and love. She has been dearly missed and truly, not a day goes by that I don't think of her in some way -- whether it's answering a question the kids have about her, doing something that she taught me, saying something that completely reminds me of what she would say, or just feeling her close by and knowing that she is right there to help in any way she can even though she may not be here in person -- she definately is in spirit! Every year we get together with the whole family and write letters to Grandma, talk about fun memories, sing songs, and then tie our letters to balloons and send them off to Grandma in heaven! It's a nice way to remember her and make that date a celebration of her life. Last night we got together for dinner and then went out to have our night. It was so peaceful and a night that was very special and made us each grateful that we are family, that we know what we know, and that we will be together forever again someday. Love and miss you Mom!