Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Another wedding!



In a couple of days, we're heading to Houston for my sister Ashley's wedding. I'm so excited and proud of her for finding a good man- Daniel. We met Daniel when we went to Utah for Alison's wedding. From the short time we were with him, we like him. I think he'll make a good addition to the family and I've never seen Ashley more happy.

I hope she doesn't mind me getting into her past a little bit, but I'm so proud that she has turned her life around. She had Jaden when she was in High School and has been single mom-ing it for almost 4 years. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, it is quite against the standards to have a baby out of wedlock. For those that do, it is very difficult to gain full fellowship in the church again and many struggle in finding their way back (not because the church is not willing to help, but the individual won't because of shame or lack thereof). Ashley never stopped going to church (even throughout the pregnancy) and little by little has turned her life around. I'm sure she is not proud of this part of her past, but she is a great example of letting the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ work in her life. She also has shown a great deal of endurance and dedication, not only to living the gospel standards but to her son Jaden. She is a great mom, and I'm so glad she has found a companion. Ashley and Daniel are getting married in the Houston Temple, and Jaden will be sealed to them. (It is quite significant that they are getting married in the temple, as there are strict standards for entrance into the temple.) I am so proud and happy for her. I can't wait...

Sunday, July 27, 2008

what we've been doing

What have we been up to? Here's a few things...


I finally pulled out the scrapbook again and started working on it. I started a book of the trips Alex and I have been on since we got married. I finally finished our New Mexico Spring Break 2003 trip... yeah... I'm way behind! But it felt good to "close the book" so to speak on one portion of our life. It just feels good to get something done, even if it was from 5 years ago. I have finished college, our wedding & reception, Nathan's 1st year, and Jared's first 3 months... I'll hopefully catch up by the time I die! ;)




Nathan did swimming lessons this week, with his friend Garett. They love it- Nathan wasn't scared at all. He has one more week.



Jared and Emalee have to sit and watch...ugh! They had a hard time the first day, but we survived. They actually did well, despite the heat. We took snacks and little toy fishing poles and fish (in a mini cooler of water) for them to play with.















I also finally took the boys to a swimming pool, which some friends invited us to. (I hadn't yet taken them swimming because I was worried about watching 2 young ones that don't know how to swim.) We had fun, but for some reason I didn't think I'd be out there long enough to get burned... my back (which was facing the sun) got toasted! Why didn't I put sunscreen on?? At least I had sunscreen in my facial moisturizer.





And we finally took the boys to the OKC zoo, on $0.75 Wednesdays. Again it was hot, but we did get there at 8:30am (for early riser season they open at 7:30am), so the morning wasn't too bad. One of the favorites (for me and the kids) was the misters- they enjoyed playing in the water.



















The seal/sea lion show was entertaining, and we didn't feel bad about paying the extra for it since we spent so little on admission. We also rode the little train (disappointing, yet a favorite for the kids).
























So there's a few things we've been doing... besides the daily routine. Can't wait for the weather to get a little cooler...

Monday, July 14, 2008

dozing Jared



I found Jared like this one day last week. I don't know how he can sleep like that. I guess he was really tired...









belly shot


Here's my little baby bump at 16 weeks...
We find out on August 13th whether it is a boy or girl. Nathan says, "It's a sister!" We'll see...

Friday, July 4, 2008

New Mexico adventures

We've been in New Mexico this week, staying with Alex's parents. They moved to New Mexico a few months ago, since they retired at the end of the year. We hadn't been to their new house yet. It's really nice and great to see mountains - they live just east of Albuquerque. Here's a few pictures from the week.



We took the boys to the Rio Grande Zoo in Albuquerque. Their favorites were the elephants and the seals & sea lions.

















Nathan went to the shooting range with Alex and Papa John.














We went on a little "field trip" one day. Alex had fun seeing the geology in the area. (I had a hard time getting interested, but we went along for the ride.)
























Alex's parents bought some goats, but the little pygmy goats are still scared to death. The boys have been trying to pet them, but only chasing them around.




Sometimes I wish we could keep the boys in a pen...












We saw the Salinas and Abo ruins, from the Spanish, which are about 350-400 years old.







Alex and I also went to the Albuquerque temple.













We went to a park in Estancia. Their mascot is a bear. The boys had fun playing on the merry-go-round. You don't see those very often anymore...






on the road...



We stopped by Arches National Park on the drive to Utah. We didn't stay long, but saw a few of the sites. We didn't do the hike to the famous "Delicate Arch" because it was about 95 degrees out. It was neat to see some of the other spots.






Thursday, July 3, 2008



Alex and I had the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake Temple one afternoon when we were there in Utah. It was the first time I've been inside since my family was sealed there about 24 years (? mom help me out) ago. It was a neat experience. I got emotional as I thought about the significance of what took place in that very temple - sealed together as a family forever.

Reception




Bride & Groom

















Micah, Audrey, and Alison













Quin & Gary



































Grandpa Bob with his great grandsons
















Trying to get a picture with Jared















Cousins and best buddies













Micah and his friends showing their moves














Bride & groom's dance

















Great Grandma (G.G.) and the boys



















Aud & me

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Alison and Micah's wedding



My sister got married in the Mt. Timpanogas temple on Friday, June 27th. It was wonderful - my 1st opportunity to see one of my siblings married in the temple.