Movin on Up...

So Friday is the move date...
I have so much to say, but so little time...
I have been busy packing and sorting and purging...
Oh so fun...
Sorry if I haven't had time to keep up on this blog...
This too shall pass...
I will be back...
With a new house and a new address!!

Life has not slowed down just because we are moving! I have noticed, if not much else, quite the opposite!! I have been teaching, and then working at the house in the evenings- having two places to keep up with is exhausting!! Did I mention 3 kids too?! My word! What were we thinking!! This house is a disaster- so glad no one has stopped by recently! Glad the new buyers haven't requested to come over! I would be so embarrassed! I have managed to make it to all the scheduled events- Alex has started baseball and Dana is the coach- so there goes 3 nights a week! Then I have won Mother of the Year this last month time and time again, for not having grocery shopped (didn't want to pack food!) , so therefore feeding them whatever we have...yeah, they are tired of pasta! So much for that in food storage!
We have managed to go to the indoor water park for Alex's birthday, walk the 5K for Race for the Cure, attend cookouts and help pack other friends (even got a girls night in!), AND I even have pics of those, but not ready for this space yet- time...is there any left out there?! I am so behind on my favorite shows- but that too can wait- for now, packing is my life...
On to bigger and better things...
Wish us luck!!

Oh, and for those of you who asked about the new house: It is in the same town, same ward (our Ward is splitting, but we don't know new boundaries yet), but different schools (same district), so I can still substitute and Dana can continue at his job, and pray for a call-back to this district this summer! (We can hope!)

See you soon!!

Dance Fever

So today, the girls had dance pictures- these are before we went- when their hair was still in good shape! Recital is in just a few short weeks- they are too excited!

Miracles Never Cease...

We went into contract on our house on Friday the 30th of April- the very last day it was going to be on the market! Prayers are always answered...even in the 11th hour!
On Saturday, we put an offer on this one...and it was accepted on Tuesday...we have inspection next week, and pending all goes well, we close on both houses Friday the 28th! Yikes!
I better get packing....

So behind...

I feel behind...I realized how many events I have photographed, but have yet to tell about..like Alex's award at school, and Leah's frame project, and welcoming home Aunt Ivy from the Army, and cool random things, like Dana's flat screen (that he has patiently waited and saved for, for over 2 years)...so, here they are, in no particular order...



I have more to write about, so hang tight...

Popi Makes Life Perfect

Popi left last week...it was so nice to have him visit us again this year- we look forward to his visits more than we ever say...
We love that he spends time with us, playing games, telling stories, playing basketball, and just hanging out with us- this is perfect Popi time! We couldn't ask for better moments than these. When Popi first got here, the weather was WONDERFUL!! It was Spring Break for all of us, and the warmth of Spring was here every single day! We went down to the Shoe and shopped there- buying Popi a new OSU vest- and me a new shirt- always fun! Then to the park with lunch and so much more! We did something every day, but more importantly, we spent quality time with him...these are the moments we remember and will hold on to until next April when Popi comes again...

Every morning, Celeste would set out a yogurt for Popi's breakfast, complete with spoon and lid off- she took such care of him- she would even sit with him the whole time he ate! This girl was melting his heart- I could tell...I wish I had a pic of them together during these moments- but rest assured, she remembers and I know he does too!



Popi went golfing for a week after he got here- and while he was gone, it was cold and rainy...the day he returned, so did the warmth!! It stayed super nice the rest of the week, and the day he flew out, he turned colder again! Must be something about him that brought the sunshine...if only he would stay next time!! Only 2 more years until Popi and GeeGee come back for good- we can count the weeks...but that seems like forever...we hope it goes by fast!

My Favorite Number...12

12 Years...12 Years...it really has been 12 years- I am not kidding...this was just yesterday...A beautiful, sunny morning in Washington DC...
Today, I woke up like this:And these 3 were waiting for me:I guess that is what has happened over 12 years- This is my wonderful life- I could not ask for more- I could not dream of more- and I won't-

thisis Heaven on Earth!

MIA again....

I haven't been MIA on purpose...it's just that it's Spring, and I have been a busy girl and have slacked on this blog...Sorry to those faithful readers (Mom), who look to this for updates on our crazy family...but we are all good...we are enjoying the weather and our time with Popi, who is with us for a few more wonderful days...Dana's baseball team is doing really well, and he is loving every moment of that...I have been teaching, and trying to keep up with some hope repairs- (new back door, yesterday! and some attic finishing today)...so not to worry, I will be back....soon, with fun pics of our time with Popi and new housing projects (the house comes off the market in 2 weeks, and we will be staying in it, spending some time and money to make it as perfect as we can...apparently, we are meant to be here...just wish I knew more about that- any ideas?!

Easter Extravaganza...

This year, Easter fell during General Conference, so we didn't actually "go" to church, instead we watched it at home, and it was so wonderful! Conference is always so good for me, and this year was no exception- especially to hear from the Prophet on Easter Sunday- what a wonderful day!
I still had the girls dress in their Easter clothes for some pics, but Alex chose to wear shorts, so I just had these taken of my girlies:
Then the egg hunt pics are from our house on Saturday....

The festivities continued on Sunday afternoon at my parents house with Sean and Steph and the girls, here is a condensed version...I love Easter- and this year with the beautiful warm weather, I loved it even more....the kids and I had a great opportunity to talk about the true meaning of Easter...they love learning about the Resurrection and of it's importance in our everyday lives. They are like sponges right now- they soak it all up and I love the questions they ask...my children are the best blessings in my life- I wonder/hope/pray that they know how loved they are- how eternally important they are- how divinely real they are and that they are sealed to parents who love them without end...just as we are all loved by our Heavenly Father...if they continue to make good choices and feel of their Savior's love for them, life will be perfect.
Happy Easter!

Catching Up...

I failed to finish posting about Alex's birthday last month...
I noted that I made those cute cookies with the cute tags on them...remember those?! Well, apparently, that is "embarrassing" for him, so he removed them prior to handing them out to his classmates- nice, right?!
Good thing he is cute, or else I might be mad! I was sad, though, and now realize how much he is growing up and how he needs to not be "embarrassed!" He had the Pinewood Derby that night, and was upset about the results- his car got 4th place- so he chose that moment to tell me to not take his picture when friends are around, and not to "embarrass" him!
So, I am trying....
He did, however, let me take these, because these, are with family, and taking pictures of him when they are around is OKAY...I will try to remember that!
Here are the Pinewood Derby pics that I forgot to post too:Still, I am pretty sure he had a great 10th birthday! He is one lucky boy- and we still haven't gotten to go to the indoor water park- that will be later this month- so being 10 isn't so bad after all...I just hope he lets me take some pics of him there....and even if he's not too happy about it, I still will!!

A Family Affair

We were privileged to get to spend a few precious hours with the Wells' Family this past weekend! They came to see Jeremy's step father, who is ill, and consequently, we got to visit them at their hotel and go to dinner! The cousins were ecstatic and so happy to have this time together- it has been over a year and a half since we last saw them- and wow...they have grown so much! We only wish we didn't have to wait so long in between visits- and that we lived closer! Not fair!
Well, here are all the crazies having fun....

Dana and Es at Bob EvansLeah and Ethan climb the tree

The kids in the pool having fun when Uncle Jeremy jumps in too!

6 of the 8 (I didn't get pics of Christian and Julian...but I will steal them from Es)

Isaac still has an inch or two on Alex!

These kids LOVE Bob Evans!

Annie and I ate all the Cherry Bread (well...Annie had a morsel and I had the rest!)

Jeremy, Liza, Jim, Suzi, Evey and Es

Evey could not get enough of the pool!

The hot tub was HOT!!!!!!

Evey let Alex take her swimming!

Celeste shows off her new bathing suit!

Such fun we had...it was super nice to get together for those few hours- we miss them already! Thanks for letting us borrow your "pool and bath tub"!! That was from Celeste! Love ya!