Sisters and Mom Weekend - Sunny Southern California

First of all, I want my dear sister-in-laws, Debbie, Shannon, GeriLyn, Audra, Mary and Mandi, who were not able to make it to this weekend retreat to know they were SO SO missed!! We can't wait for the time you join us next.
This was such a wonderful, relaxing, and bonding experience for us! We ate wonderful meals at the Cheesecake Factory, twice - one evening we each got a slice of cheesecake and shared with everyone (11 different cheesecake slices!); got our spouses and children little thank-you gifts (not to mention a little spending on self :-) ); went to 2 movies; visited Jamey's lovely home; rode in a sporty Charger and Durango; swam each morning in Krystin's pool and soaked some rays; read a book; stayed up each evening laughing, crying, sharing testimonies and silly stories including Chrisy's crazy experience with a gal she visit taught who shaved her head in Chrisy's living room!, vacuuming tarantulas, Cathy's many proposals, Sandi's cockroach/jumping spider in the bathroom, Krystin's first year with Mike, etc.; feeling loved and supported in our roles as mothers and wives.
I am so grateful to Mom for her presence. She is truly an amazing woman! I adore her and value what she has to say in her efforts to teach and nurture us all and be our forever friend. Thank you Krystin for sharing your home! Thank you sisters for your patience with me and friendship - I love you and admire you more than you know! Can't wait for the next time to be with each of you!
Pictured - SandiRae, Mom and Cathy at Red Robin. All of us (with an unexpected guest! ha!) at Cheesecake Factory - Mom, Me, Cathy, Chrisy, Gina (unexpected guest) Jamey with her Grant next to her and Russell, Krystin, Tasha and Sandi. Outside Krystin and Mike's lovely home and in front of our sporty weekend car - Gina, Chrisy, Krystin, Sandi, Mom, Cathy and Me.

What I'm going to miss about our Home

This is what I'm talking about. Look how much fun everyone is having. I will miss: the games of tennis, woffle ball, basketball on the court; Nicholas playing endlessly in the sandpit (won't miss the oodles of dirty clothes as a result of his play); the trampoline; the playset; the open pastures to ride dirtbikes, 4-wheelers with sleds pulled behind them and horses; the open grass for volleyball, Sarah's flips, kickball and watergames; visiting on the picnic tables or in the sun; the quiet beauty in the night with the moon and stars shining brilliantly; Ethan and Nicholas catching snakes; mowing the lawn on a riding mower; Emily chasing the kids round and round the yard on the 4-wheeler; Macy playing house and pushing her dolls around the yard in the baby stroller; walks with Jed throughout the countryside; etc., etc. There are so many wonderful memories here!
Thank you for sharing in those memories, all of you!
Who's pictured: Above-Ava, Tessa, Flying Hansen and Jens. On the court: AJ and Kim, Ryan and Josh. Mom and Mike (grandma and grandpa) On the "jeep" - Tessa, Ava, Macy, Ryan, Hansen, Donovan and Nicholas

September Birthdays- Birthdays come but once a year!

This year we celebrated the September Birthdays for one last time in our home in Payson. Lucky for us, Dad came up from Arizona to celebrate. We had a wonderful day. The day started out crazy with the Onion Days Labor Day Parade. I've never seen anything like it! It was freezing - rain pouring, hail stinging and wind swooshing - and the parade continued! It will be forever etched in our minds as the most hilarious, most crazy, most wet, most freezing cold Parade ever!
Anyhow, the birthday party started at 2 pm. The weather finally warmed up and the sun was just a shinin' for our party. It was glorious.
During the course of all the fun, I found myself watching my dear family members and counting my many blessings. I was thoroughly enjoying the moment, watching the children play and the adults participating in whatever activity they desired throughout the time together. At one time there were two mini-volleyball games going on, kids jumping on the tramp, kids and grown-ups playing baseball, a doubles wuffle ball game, kids pushing each other on the "jeep", kids on the play set and people visiting. I was on "cloud 9" seeing everyone content and enjoying themsleves! I was grateful we had the party one last time at our home before we make our move. This really is a fun place for parties!
Happy Birthday AJ, Michele, Jens, Kenzie, Dad, Emily, Sarah, Evan, and Ryan!!!