This past weekend Stephanie, Ayla, David, Jennilynn, and I all drove down to Lynne's in Utah.  Lynne had a bridal shower for Ayla and it was so much fun.  Lynne did a great job and it was so nice getting to visit and enjoy each other.  I forgot to take pictures of the shower but . . . it's amazing how I didn't forget to get a couple of the boys!


Jennilynn and I also stopped and spent the night at Rick and Doris's on Thursday.  Before Lynne and Bryan moved down to Utah we always used to stay at Rick and Doris's.  I enjoy and Love Doris so much and I felt like when ever we see her lately it is always at a family event.  We just don't get to talk and visit on a one to one anymore.  She is always so accommodating and a good friend.  They have remodled their home and I loved everything they did.  It looks soooo nice.  I know it was a lot of work but it was worth it. 


We had Gabrielle with us and we were so glad that we stopped.  She was really getting tired of the car and it would have been a miserable 30 more minutes it would have taken us to get to Lynne's.  She was just starting to get cranky.  The two nights we were down there she didn't sleep real sound.  She would wake up and talk or complain and sometimes cry all night.  She wasn't all that happy in the daytime either.  Finally, during the shower she was just miserable and let us all know she was ready to go home.  We even thought she might have an ear infection because she has a cold.  She really started crying after the shower so we threw things together and into the car and left as soon as we could.  I told Jennilynn that I thought she was homesick.  I texted her yesterday and Gabrielle slept all night after she got home and has been fine.  We decided she missed her Dad and her sisters.  Babies are much more aware of their surroundings then we give them credit for and they definately know what they want!

Yesterday was Father's day and there was a cloud burst! The kids couldn't help but go outside and play in it. Yes, in some situations, Steph is STILL a kid! She was probably the instigator.

I also wanted to make a note of how blest I think our home has been. Roger has been the best example to our family of how to be the best Dad. I direct the music in Primary now and I brought my "secret box". The first item was a hammer. I told the children that when I married Roger, he didn't know how to work on a car or fix anything in the house. He learned how to rebuild an engine, replace brake pads, install new ignitions and alternators, and just about everything there was to do to keep our cars running. He has knocked out walls, tape and textured, learn how to install new lights, and can fix anything there is to fix in our home. He layed the laminent flooring and has replaced toilets, water heaters and has done all kinds of plumbing projects.

The next item they pulled out was a BYU cap. I told the kids that Roger wanted to go to the games but didn't take off alone like most Dads. He would take all the kids with him! It would give me a break but the kids loved it too.

There was a piece of charcoal that one of the kids thought was a brownie! I told them what it was and said that it represented the work that Roger does around the house. I have never picked up a dirty sock or any of his cloths. Not only do I not have to pick up after him but I also don't have to wash his cloths or even mine because he does that too. He has done the majority of the dishes for the last couple of years and he even takes all the garbage out. This is just a few of the things he does to help out in the home.

The last thing in the box was a tie. I told the kids that for most of my life I didn't have a dad that held the priesthood. I am so greatful that Roger honors his priesthood and was able to take me to the temple when we were married. I am so greatful for his testimony and his strength in the gospel. (I was going to add a picture of him but they didn't turn out)

Ayla's Bridal Shower

Stephanie did such a good job planning Ayla's Bridal Shower. The food was great and the party was lots of fun. She can't wait until we go to Utah for the shower Lynne is planning!

Sunday pictures

More pictures taken Sunday. The kids were asked to pose for me. Nice posing!! Grant and Addie were playing in the back yard and were so cute.

Happy Birthday Joelle and Ayla!

Yesterday we celebrated two birthdays! Ayla turned 19 and Joelle turned 5. Joelle picked the dinner. She first wanted rice but after giving it some thought she decided she would rather have parmesan sauce with noodles (alfredo with fettuccini). Good choice Joelle. We had Lynne's lemon basil chicken and broccoli with it. She wanted a pink cake so Jennilynn made a strawberry cake with whipped cream and strawberries on top. And what made it really good is Katherine made her famous french bread. Very good Katherine!

After dinner some of the kids played botchi ball on the front lawn and the kids just played. It was a good day.