brigham city temple

Since the boys were off track during the Brigham City Temple Open House, I thought it would be a fun opportunity to take them.  Tim took the day off and we were lucky to be joined by some of his family that were able to come in the middle of the day. 

Payton and Parker having fun on the big bus shuttling us over to the Temple.

Brady, Mahina, Eme & Dax.  They left their brand new Baby Evan at home with Grandma!  I was so impressed that they were all able to look this perfect at 9:00 am in the morning with a 2-week-old baby.  Go Mahina, you're amazing!

Grandma Ann, Andi & Corbin.  It was fun that Andi was able to drive down from Wyoming and join us!

My favorite part of the picture is Ann photo bombing us in the background.  What's more hilarious is that she was not doing it on purpose.  She was just having a conversation with Andi back there!  Cooper loved his "map" of the Temple and loved looking for all the special rooms.  This is our "before" picture.

And here is "after"...everyone was hot and hungry!  We finished the day off at Maddox, which is a must when you're visiting Brigham City.  It was delicious food, fabulous company and a beautiful day! 

The temple is absolutely gorgeous!  I loved the beautiful stain glass everywhere.  I also loved learning some more history about Brigham City.  I'm so glad that we took the time to do this.  I'm excited for the dedication this Sunday.  It will be neat for Payton to experience his first Temple Dedication as well!

finding comfort

Today we received the news that my Uncle Steven passed away.  Sad.  Tragic.  Still in shock.  This is my Dad's second to youngest brother.  I haven't seen him in a few years and he's definitely the Uncle that I've seen the least throughout my life, but I loved him nonetheless for it.  I have so many fond memories of him.  He was so funny.  Always the life of the party and making everyone laugh.  He loved little kids.  I remember he was always hanging out with the grand kids and spending time with us while he still lived at home.  I remember his little bedroom in the "office" under the stairs.  I remember his pictures with Senator Orrin Hatch hanging proudly in my grandparents home.  I remember that he loved his evil cat that hated everyone but him and my Grandma.  I remember how much my Grandma loved him.  Everyone knew that Steven was her "favorite."  My Grandma, like all Mothers do, had such a tender spot in her heart for this boy who gave her a heck of a time.  He never did things the easy way and definitely was the cause of many sleepless nights for my Grandparents, but oh how they loved him! 

STEVEN

This is my Dad (the Tall, Handsome one in the middle) and his siblings. Isn't this the best picture ever?  Love.  Love.  Love this.  I know that these siblings and, especially my Grandpa, are suffering deeply right now. They have already had to bury their Brother Ronald (the one with the sweet mustache) and their Mother.  I don't have any words of comfort.  I've never lost a brother.  Maybe their Mother can send some comforting words their way.

RONALD, KEVIN (MY DAD), SCOTT, KAREN, ANN MARIE, NEAL, STEVEN & CRAIG

I  was given the most precious treasure for my 8th Birthday from my Grandma.  I think she actually finished it when I was about 10, but since her passing it has become one of the greatest treasures in my life.  Lately, my boys and I have been reading this book at bedtime.  They absolutely love to hear the stories she's written about their Grandpa (my Dad and her son) and Me.  In trying to find some comfort today, I turned to this special book.

Here is an excerpt from her book.  I thought you'd all love to see her beautiful handwriting!

I know that her "Plans for the Future" have been carried on, not in this life, but the next.  I know that she has obviously been working hard on the other side.  I'm sure my Uncle Steven was so anxious to be in the "place of security and refuge from the storms of life" with his Mother.  I feel her presence so strong with me today.  I feel her giving me comfort and saying, "let everyone know it's okay.  I'm working hard on our eternal home here in heaven."  I know my Dad, his siblings and parents will be reunited together again someday. 

city creek center

indoor soccer

christmas eve

This Christmas Eve we started a new tradition (I hope). For the first time, in my entire life, we didn't spend every single second of our Christmas holiday at my Grandparents home. This was a hard thing for all of us to do, but we knew it was time to start forging our own traditions. We ended up having my family over to our house for simple appetizers and some fun. It was easy going and relaxing. The way holiday's should be, right?!

cousin love

My boys have had so much fun with their cousins lately.  We spent Thanksgiving weekend with Sophia and all the Jones Cousins.  We facetime with Harper a few times a week.  She loves to see what Payton and Parker and Cooper and baby e-Crew are doing.  They love watching her run around and be silly.  We also got to babysit Sophia and the boys got to spend a Saturday at Clint and Becca's.  This past weekend the Wright clan got to play at our house all day and Ashton got to sleepover and spend the entire day with us.  My boys love all their cousins so much.  I feel so grateful that they are all so close to each other and hope that will continue as they get older.  

erika and harper

My sister, Erika, and her little girl, Harper, spent the ENTIRE summer here!  Her husband, Brian, was here for some of the time, but had to start a new job and find somewhere for his family to live in Denver.  We had so much fun playing with them all summer and I don't know what I would've done without Erika.  She helped me endure my pregnancy.  She watched my boys each week while I went to doctor appointments.  She helped me with my house projects.  She helped us with so many basement projects.  She was truly a lifesaver.  I was so glad that she got to be here when Crew was born too!  What a treat to spend so much time with them.  We were sad to see them leave, but happy for them to start a new adventure in Denver!   

simple pleasures...

 Walking in and staring at the baby's nursery 20 times a day!  Also, not believing that we've had all the furniture, bedding and most of the decor for all our boys.  This stuff is 9 years old...that's amazing...especially for me.  Even more excited because I still love it, but I mostly love the new light fixture!  

Finding this little gem on my phone that Cooper snapped at soccer practice.

Watching all my boys playing "Dance Central" - love Cooper's "Finishing Move."

Having all our family over to enjoy the basement with us!

 Watching the cousins play together.

My boys creating art masterpieces with their friends.

These pictures remind me that life could not be any better right now.  I love that I'm feeling so content with the simple pleasures in life.

weekend getwaway

We spent the Memorial Day Weekend in Park City with all the Bergstroms and Chesnuts.  We were celebrating Les's Birthday.  It was wild, crazy, chaotic and fun!  We did lots of swimming, shopping, eating out and hanging out.  This is the only picture I have to show for it.  Pretty much sums up the weekend!

grandma ann's birthday celebration

The Jones Family

close up of Grandma Ann clearly loving her party!

more dinner conversation

Grandma unwrapping presents with LOTS of help

If one gets in, they'll all want in!

Cooper, Eme & Gigi

Eme, Cooper, Gigi & Dax

Love those blue eyes, Dax!

And those big browns on Gigi!

Now bedtime...

Eme making a phone call

Not quite ready for bed, let's have a dance party instead!

We had a nice dinner and, as you can tell from the pictures, quite the celebration for Ann's Birthday.  She is always so kind to feed us every other Sunday so we thought we'd take a turn and serve her for once.  It was so nice that all of our family was able to be together.  I love looking at all these pictures.  It makes me so grateful that we have such an incredible extended family (on both sides).  I love that we always have so much fun together.  I can't believe how big our family is getting, but it is so much fun!