Memorial Day Weekend

We spent Memorial Day weekend seeing Gettysburg,
Hershey, PA (the hershey chocolate) and seeing
the Amish people in Lancaster County, PA.
Here we are making our own, individualized
chocolate bars at Hershey Chocolate World.
It brought back memories of working in the
Operating Room wearing our mushroom hats.





The kids up in one of the look out towers
on the Gettysburg battlefield.

Outside the Gettysburg Museum.

Dulles Air and Space Museum

We spent the morning at the Dulles Air and Space
Museum for Carter's 8th birthday.
Carter just got off a flight simulator.

Baptism

We have had many life events over the past couple of months. First with Claire's 12th birthday, our move from Colorado to Viriginia, Easter, Carter's 8th birthday, and Carter's Baptism. It seems like everything happened all at once, and I need to catch my breath.

Carter's Baptism was on Saturday May 21st and it was awesome! He was baptized with 2 other boys from our ward. Chase gave a talk on Baptism after some convincing on my part. It was a wonderful day. We are so proud of Carter for his decision to be baptized, and you can see how happy Carter was and is in these pictures.

Carter is 8

Carter turned 8 after being in VA for a couple of weeks. What a happy boy! Carter's birthday was on a Saturday so we took him to the Air and Space Museum at Dulles Airport, and then to Five Guys for a burger. It was a great day!

Claire is 12

Claire celebrated her 12th birthday in Colorado on April 6th, the week before we moved to VA. It is hard to believe that Claire is 12. What a beautiful, sweet daughter she is.

New Home

I wanted to share some photos of our new home in Virginia. I can't wait to see it in person. I think it looks beautiful! Chris did an awesome job picking all of the colors, tile etc. He was so worried about it, and didn't think I would like it, but I love it!

14

Chase turned 14 a few weeks ago. Why the young pictures of Chase? Chase and I were talking about his cousin, Anna, who is 2 almost 3. Chase said how cute Anna was, but she was sassy. Chase reminded me that most of our personalities are developed by the age of 2. This statement caused me to reflect about Chase's personality when he was 2. I included a few picutures of him about the age of 2, and aren't they cute. Chase was a happy, loving, easy to please, humble, sweet, smiley, fun, handsome, playful 2 year-old boy. I am pleased to say that these words still describe his personality today, despite his teenage tendencies.

Snapshot for Chris

Chris wanted to get a picture of me, and the kids for his new cell phone before he left for Virginia---this is it.

Speed Raceway

While Chris was here we took the kids to "Speed Raceway", a fun indoor race track (thanks to my friend Stacey for the idea). Chris and the kids loved it. It was a little pricey, but well worth it. Claire and Crash were able to race against eachother in the kids race. Chris and Chase were able to race against eachother in the adults race.



Crash in his car, ready to race.

Claire, waiting for one of her races. She was pleased that they had a pink helmet. Claire did not want to race, but Chris, and I told her that she had to try it. After Claire's first race she was all smiles, and couldn't wait to do it again.

I know this picture is blurry, but this is Chris racing, the pro. He came in first on one race, and second on the other.

This picture is even more blurry, thanks to my poor quality Blackberry camera, and my lacking photography skills----this is Chase racing.

The kids keep asking when can we go again?

Sweets from Crash

Crash has said a couple of sweet things that I have to blog about or I won't remember them.

The first one, happened on the evening before Chris left to go back to VA. Crash was watching TV, and Chris was sitting next to him. Crash gave the remote to Chris, and said "here dad you can watch whatever you want since it is your last night here." My heart just melted, what a sweet boy. I was blessed with a sweet reward of being a parent.

The second one, happened yesterday. We had just finished eating dinner, and Crash said " I don't think Santa's naughty list exists, because I've gotten presents every year." I just had to laugh at that one.

Christmas 2010

Christmas was awesome this year because Chris was able to be home with us, after not seeing him for 2 months. We felt so blessed to be together as a family again. We realized what was most important about Christmas, our Savior, Jesus Christ, and being together as a family. Maybe we wouldn't have such extremes in our lives, like being separated for 2 months, if we would choose to learn what is most important on our own.

Claire and Carter on Christmas Eve, excited to open their new pj's.

Christmas morning, waiting to head downstairs to see what Santa brought.

Carter, pleased with Santa's choice of an air soft gun.

Claire with some new clothes.

Chase with a new camera.

Hawk Silver 2010 Superbowl Champions

This year Chase's football team set the goal to go to the superbowl, and win. What an amazing season it was watching them achieve their goal through awesome teamwork! What a great experience for Chase to learn about setting a goal, hard work, and success.

We are grateful that Chase had this opportunity, and are grateful

for the fabulous boys on the team, and the fabulous coaches.

Halloween

Since Halloween was on Sunday this year, only Carter dressed up for the ward trunk or treat that was on Saturday. He wanted to be a football player, and dressed in Chase's old football gear.

pumpkins

Halloween pumpkins the kids created. I know Halloween was a few weeks back---better late than never.

Doughy

My parents came for a visit a few weeks ago. My dad was slouching(not sitting) on the sofa watching TV. Carter came into the room, and saw my dad on the sofa
"Grandpa your a little doughy." said Carter
"What?" asked my dad
"Your a little doughy." replied Carter
"What do you mean?" questioned my dad
"Your shirt is up, and I can see your belly." responded Carter
"What do you mean I'm a little doughy?" asked my dad
"You know, your a little doughy." replied Carter
"What do you mean? I'm doughy like the Michellan man?" questioned my dad
"No" said Carter
"I'm doughy like the Pillsbury dough boy." said my dad
"No" replied Carter
"What do you mean I'm a little doughy?" asked my dad again
"You're a little f-a-t (Carter spells out the word fat) grandpa." responded Carter
My dad started laughing, and so did Chris, who overheard this converstion from the other room.

WOW

I saw this on Facebook yesterday, and while I was watching it, I found myself with tears in my eyes. I know I've learned, and I've grown in my life through different trials and challenges, but WOW, after seeing this I'm reminded I still have so much to learn. I guess for me that means a life full of more trials and challenges. A good thing about that, is my life won't be boring, and the possibilities are endless, kind of exciting. I know it's through my trials and challenges that I learn the most and grow the most. Now, if I could only learn what I need to learn without the trials and challenges.....

Motherhood: An Eternal Partnership with God

My sister-in-law, Erin, had this on her blog, and it is inspiring. I wanted to post it too. I need to watch this everyday. Thanks Erin!

Gavel x 3

While in Utah, Chase was able to make 3 gavel's with my dad.

In case your wondering what a gavel is, it is what a judge uses in the courtroom---the judge slams it down as he says order in the court.

This is Chase with 1 of the gavel's he made.

I have a wonderful father, who has many talents, skills, and knowledge. I am so grateful for him, for taking the time to teach Chase how to make a gavel.

I know Chase felt special, and important while spending time with my dad.

Another precious memory to hold close to our hearts.

I wished we lived closer to my parents, so my children could learn and see my dad's many skills, and talents more often! Thanks dad!

Pretty impressive!!!!!

Timpanogos Cave

We decided to go see Timpanogos Cave while in Utah.

It was beautiful!

I forgot what a work-out that hike is to get to the cave.

The kids kept reminding us about the difficulty of the hike all the way to the top.

It was worth it--all smiles on the hike back down from the cave.