Hello again...

Hello dear friends and family. Sorry I've been away so long. Our little family has had quite a bit on our plates over the past few weeks so I just haven't had the time to update the blog. Here is some of what we've been up to...

TN Valley Fair

This was my (and my girls) first trip to the TN Valley Fair. Russ' parents took him and his siblings several times when they were younger so Russ has alot of fond memories. I gotta say...I really enjoyed it! Russ, Amber and I took turns staying with the kids while we got to ride some very cool (and sometimes scary) big-kid rides. But it was just as fun getting to watch Brooklynn, as well as Izzy, enjoy their kiddie-rides. I hope to be able to go next year, too.

Brooklynn buzzin' around!

Isabelle wasn't quite sure what to think about all this craziness...

...but she was a good-sport, as always! :)

Isabelle's favorite part was seeing all the animals up-close.
Okay, this was scary and also hilarious! This slide is very, VERY big and Brooklynn has never been on a slide this big before. I figured "It's a slide...how bad can it be?" Right?
Wrong! Once you pick up some speed, you tend to bounce up in the air when you hit those bumps on the slide...and when you don't weigh that much, you really get some air! Also, notice the lack of net or fence to the left of them!! I was slightly FREAKED out and you can tell by Brooklynn's face that she felt the same. I tried not to let her see my concern and cheered for her when she made it to the bottom, which made her look of worry slowly fade to a look of fake-happiness. My baby will NOT be riding this again for several more years, if EVER!!
Another look of fear/excitement. :~)
Now this look is PURE JOY! Brookynn has been addicted to swings since she was a newborn.

Stake Fall Festival

Our Stake put on an AMAZING Fall Festival this year!! There were games, food, crafts, food, a bounce-house, food, pony rides and...did I mention FOOD? Chili, breads, sweets, home-made rootbeer and cotton candy...and all for FREE! (Well, pot-luck) We can't wait until next year!

Isabelle's first cotton-candy. She's a big fan!
Michael's getting to be a good horse rider!
Brooklynn was a little nervous at first, but still LOVED it, of course.
What a handsome cowboy!
Sweet Great-Grandma hanging out with Izzy.

Can we say "MOOD SWING"?

Crocodile Tears...

...Crocodile Grin. Go figure!

Smokey Mountain High

For Labor Day weekend, we went up to the Smokey Mountains to a place called GreenBriar where Russ' family would often visit when he was a child. The scenery was breathtaking as was the chilly water! :~) I admit that at first I really just wanted to stay home and relax, but I am very glad that Russ talked me into going.

Brooklynn, Garret & Michael playing on the rocks at the picnic area. Don't you just love Michael's hair in this pic?


Where the waterfall went behind that rock in the background, it created a kind of natural water-ride. We would slip off of the rock into the rushing water and it would "woosh" you down stream a bit. It was soooo much fun! I can't wait to go back next year!

Handsome Boys! Couldn't you just eat them up?!

How Time Flies...

1st birthday....................1st potty......................

.....1st day of Kindergarten!

I love it!

Today was Brooklynn's first official day of Kindergarten! She went for 30 minutes of "testing" last Thursday but today she went to class with the other students. She LOVED it and was disappointed to see me when I came to pick her up. I guess that's a good sign, right???? I asked Brooklynn's teacher how she did and Miss Mary Ann said, "Oh, she did just great! But I can tell she is going to be a challenge for me this year." I must have had a panicked look on my face because she was quick to reassure me that it was only because Brooklynn is so smart and gets done with all her work extra quick and is asking "What's next?" This is going to be an interesting year! :~) I promise to keep you updated on her...well our progress throughout the year.

Taking the Plunge!

So why am I up at 1:30 am blogging instead of snoring away into dreamland...especially after only 4 hours of sleep last night??? I keep thinking about Brooklynn starting school this week. I know she'll be fine...but will I?? I keep thinking of ways I can secretly sneak into the school and hide in a trash can so I can observe without being seen; but I'm afraid that just wont work. Reguardless, this is the week that we TAKE THE PLUNGE! I find myself feeling somewhat like the girl in this photo...mid-air, holding my nose and waiting for the impending "SPLASH". I think that school can be a bit like diving into a pool:

A. You'll have lots of fun & cool times -OR-

B. You'll get a major wedgie and feel lost in a sea of people.

So which was it for you???

Cool times or lots of wedgies??

Utah visit 2008!!

Well, it was a whirlwind vacation and totally AWSOME!!! We went to Utah in July for over TWO WEEKS and went to not 1, not 2 but 3 seperate reunions!!! It was the best vacation ever! As you can imagine, I have a boat-load of pictures and would never be able to load each of them individually so I have created a "Slide" show for each family get-together. I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed being there. If anyone out there would like copies of any photos, just let me know and I'll try to get them to you one way or another. :~) I did decide to upload a few of my favorite pics to the blog below. I want to give a very special thanks to ALL OF YOU for making my family's visit one that we will never forget!

One of the things I miss MOST about Utah is...THE GRASS!! I know how silly this sounds but I loved being able sit outside on the grass with the kids and not worry about ticks or chiggers or snakes. It was wonderful! I just took my shoes off and walked all over the thick, carpet-like greenery every chance I got. Isabelle on the other hand...took a while to get used to it. Obviously, she doesnt "sit" in the grass very often at our house. Poor child!

Isabelle and Caymbree are almost kissin' cousins! They are onlt 4 days apart. They really liked each other and would even switch sippy cups with each other when the mommies weren't looking.

Brooklynn, Hallee and Hope with one of the divers at The Myan restaraunt.

Family photo with Great Grandpa Bert.

Uncle Troy torturing my poor, helpless baby just like he used to torture me!! How I ever survived is a mystery!!!

Isabelle just LOVED all the seaguls! She wanted to touch one so bad.

Brooklynn LOVED the "ocean with the little waves"!

Here's the gorgeous view from our family's house.

Great Greandma Mavis giving a tearful, thank-you to her lovely family. We love you, too Grandma! You are a very special lady!

This is grown-up sibling-rivalry at it's best! I think Uncle Neal won this time, but I think we need a re-match soon!!!

Congratulations to Justin & Emalee on their sealing! It was a truly special ceremony and I thank them for allowing us to be a part of it. God bless you two!

1st birthday cake

I had to trim the feed down to under 1 minute in order for it to upload, but I think I got the cutest parts. She was so funny! You can tell I don't normally let her make this big of a mess. At first she's a bit suprised and then it sinks in and she goes wild. It was so fun to see!

Happy B-Day Isabelle & America!

We all went to Great Grandma's house to celebrate Izzy's birthday and the 4th of July. As you can see from the pictures, we had a blast! Daddy grilled hamburgers & hot dogs & Nanna made a delicious cake which I got to destroy (see above video). Thank you all for making my first birthday a special one!!!