Anna at 8 weeks

I really can't believe it has already been 8 weeks.

a jeer, i mean cheerleader

I don't even know what to say. I guess I was hoping to get it out of her system early.

A Conversation With Jill

Jill: (to an unkown tune) huh huh, huh huh, huh huh, huh huh
Me: What are you singing?
Jill: A huh huh song
Me: Oh.
Jill: This one is going to be stupid.

P.S. Thank you so much to Lucy.
It hasn't come off our body for 3 days.

St. Louis in pictures

Over the weekend, we made the three hour trip to St. Louis to go to the temple and shock some people with our herd. The kids, especially Sam, voted for a "no shopping" trip. So, here are the pics from a "no shopping" trip. (Shhhh, I snuck a peek into Old Navy.)

Grant's Farm

Ulysses S. Grant homesteadBottles!!! Why???
To feed the goatsThe question started with, "I know you are going to say no, but . . . " So, I decided to say yes. Oh, was Casey happy.Flavor decisionsTiger's blood, tiger's blood, grape, grape, and sour appleAnd, the thank youOn to Jilly's cupcakes where the cupcakes are large and not so goodBut, there was one satisfied customer

It was our first crazy trip with 6 kids and the whole time I wondered if we would make it back home, but we did and we would turn right around and do it again.

Once a dress, now a shirt, an incoming kiss, and a little smirk

Jill and her flowers

From the mixed-up, many adventures of a two year old named Jill.
"I can't close that. It is way too hard for me."
Dancing around Ron's store chanting, "Pink water bottle, DisIney World, pink water bottle, DisIney World. . . etc. . etc . . etc . . ."
"Lelli Kelli the pretty shoes, yah."
Random prayers throughout the day including during the sacrament, but LOUD
Appearing in a tulle princess skirt and pink BYU shirt for jammies.
A snotty nose stuck to her untamed hair
"Driving" pencils to sharpen them

I feel like I am living life in a comedy whenever I am around Jill. I find myself forgetting she is only two until the tantrum or poopy diaper appears. I sure do love her.

Backyard BBQ

Sam finally got his wish to have a backyard BBQ. He has been looking for wood for months and finally had a pile big enough. However, note to Sam, you can't leave the wood out in the rain. So, instead of a roaring campfire, we improvised. But, they all said the dogs were good and the s'mores were definitely a mess.

Spring

I reallllly like the spring. I didn't know how much I like the spring until it came. The redbud trees are beautiful. The leaves have popped out in a matter of a few days. White and pink dogwoods are everywhere and the Bradford Pear trees are my favorite. So long to the cold, dark winter. Hello to beautiful spring.

labeled

Today Casey told me that I have a habit of hugging. I didn't know that about myself.

Grand Gulf of dispair

Grand Gulf State park looks like the pit of dispair. Maybe it is better when there are leaves on the trees and vultures aren't circling above.

Easter Party

Casey invited Jill to the preschool hunt and they both loved every minute of it.

Alley Spring

Little did I know that there was a small piece of heaven right here in Missouri. We took Nana and Papa to Alley Spring and saw a beautiful sight. It is one of the most perfect places on earth. Crystal blue/green water, a bright red mill, and a roaring river. Absolutely a great place to visit. I want to go back now that there are leaves on the trees.

P.S. I didn't take the third or fourth picture. Someone with skills did.

Allegiant Air

For all of you Phoenix people, there is a $39 flight to Springfield on May 7th and a $19.99 fare back to Phoenix on Monday, May 10th. Snatch it up and come see us!

happy birthday

to SueAnn and Kat! Wish we could have a cupcake together!

Five Weeks of Fun

February 26 - Ron picked up Nana at the Springfield airport.
March 24 - Ron picked up Papa at the airport.
It ended by dropping of Nana and Papa back at the airport on Friday April 2.

We owe a lot to a mom that would drop her own life for five weeks and come shower love on us all. And to Papa who flew on an airplane for the first time in so long that none of us can remember the last time. So, we will always remember the fun. Thanks to both Nana and Papa for coming and making new memories.

I remember . . .
Sam: Breakfast at McDonald's, long car trips, Nana getting lost a lot, Grand Gulf park, throwed rolls

Zach: McDonald's, Papa's gloves, walks with Papa and finding rocks, gum from Nana, Yahtzee, Scrabble Word, the circus, Nana never going downstairs, and Nana smooching me

Maggie: McDonald's, Qwirkle, Blokus, Yahtzee, Scrabble Word, gum from Nana, Nana sleeping in my bed, the circus, word search with Papa, peas porridge hot, walking with Papa outside, April Fools joke on Papa, Nana helping baby, Papa sleeping in Casey's bed

Casey: McDonald's, Qwirkle, Blokus, Yahtzee, watching Max and Ruby and Starwars, getting Nana her slippers, Nana giving me gum, going on walks with Papa, Alley Spring, hiking, Mammoth Spring, the circus, Nana picking me up from school

Jill: Princess books from Nana, Viola Swamp book with Papa, walk with Papa, play Yahtzee, watch Snow White with Nana, "I miss Nana so much"

Ron and Katie: Missouri disagreeing with Nana, lots and lots of baby holding, not having to load up kids everywhere, dinner by ourselves, blue milk for Papa, kindness and a debt that can never be repaid

Thanks again for everything. We all love you both!!



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