Birthday Boys

The day before the wedding Austin and Nick celebrated their birthdays. Nick has never had an audience quite like the one gathered for his present opening.

 

 

 

As if Mom didn't have enough to do, she even brought a cake so all the guests at the rehearsal dinner could sing and partake of chocolate goodness.

 

Gracie Mae

It worked out perfectly that while the family was gathered for Kimmie's wedding, Ricky and Mindy blessed their baby, Gracie Mae.
I always love the pictures of the proud priesthood holders.

 

Aunts, Uncles and Cousins

 

Three Cousins and Auntie Em

 

Grandparents

 

Earrings

Today Meg got her ears pierced! I can't post pictures yet, but I have some good ones of her and cousin Allie. Both girls were brave and happy during the entire adventure.
Before.

After.

A Milestone

Maddie's first word!

A Bend in the Road

Nothing is completely sure, except for the fact that we are moving. I am sad when I see the sign in front of our house, but I also know it is the right thing to move on.

 

Last night Austin and I arrived home from a little jaunt to Bend, OR. We found the scenery breathtaking and the outdoor recreational opportunities endless. It is a possiblity that we end up there.

 

Spring has Sprung

Nothing speaks to me like flowers. Here is our yard in bloom.

 

 

 

 

Hurry! Come quickly! My house is immaculate! Hardly ever does the entire housed get cleaned at once, but after 10 hours of constant work it happened. Best part is that I will go to bed with a clean house. Worst part is that somehow only moments after I awaken, no one will ever know what it looked like today. So come, now.

 

Of course this type of cleaning always comes at a price. Meg was the mother today, nice girl. And Nicky, well, he was a bit crazy after an entire day of being neglected by his mom. And that seals the deal, never again will I clean my house for 10 hours -- a clean house to sleep in is just not worth it.

Conference

Pictures of our basement during 8 hours of conference this past weekend. My best trick this year was buying a huge pad of paper that we could all doodle on at once. This tactic eliminated all traces of bickering regarding a perpetrator drawing on an other's paper. Our best work was making polka-dotted snakes and those fancy superman "s" letters.
I felt the spirit so often during conference, despite the high decibel levels, and I loved all the talks about the importance of teaching gospel principles within the walls of the home.