Mechams cousins/Twilight

Think of that last really brave endeavor you tackled with your kids...without your husband. Well, my cousin Liisa drove from Moab, UT to Winston-Salem, NC ALONE with her adorable 5 children, ages 8,6,2,2, and 1. That's 2012 miles in 4 days folks; an average of 8 hours a day of driving. Your endeavor doesn't seem so bad huh? It was so fun to see everyone and take part in the chaos for a few hours. Thanks Liisa, Vern, and Phyllis for letting us come visit!

Courtney, Gracie, Hannah, Ellie on the swing
(note: Liisa gave us the 12-mo UNC cheer outfit. El just had to try it on)

Girls plus Alex take a ride on Vern's golf cart to see the dogs, goats, honey bees, wild berries, etc. My question is: did Hannah really drive that thing?

5 little monkeys jumping on the bed
(miraculously) None fell off and broke their head!



Course we could have stayed longer but mama had her once-a-year movie theater experience to get back for. Saw ECLIPSE with a fabulous bunch of ladies and actually enjoyed the movie more than the popcorn. Huh?


Juliana and myself

As if I don't stand out enough there in my orange maternity smock and all...hey, when the gal says squeeze in, I squeeze.

July 4th

Of course, Hannah was singing "America, America" all day...just in case we forgot whose birthday it was.

H at the Indian Trail Parade. Apparently, we're gonna have to work on her aggressiveness since she had to compete with a 12 year old boy and a 70+ grandma for candy:)


The best part of our weekend was attending Juliana's baptism. I was lucky enough to be invited to go along with the missionaries to meet Juliana and her family a couple months ago. Never having served a mission, it was totally inspiring to me to be able to have the missionaries teach Juliana in our home and to see her faith and commitment as she embraced each different gospel principle. I am so grateful for the freedom that America offers me but I'm even more grateful for the freedom that comes through the gospel of Jesus Christ. The freedom that comes through His Atonement and our humility as we fight every day to keep the commandments and only allow that which is uplifting and edifying in our homes and thoughts.

Minnesota!

Minnesota Family Trip 2010 Highlight Reel:

(in no particular order)
Thank goodness for smooth flights, good behavior, and portable DVD players.






TARGET FIELD: The Minnesota Twins new home. I give the weather, the company, and the park each 10/10. But the "dugout dog" just didn't hold a candle to the "Dome Dog." Guess I'll be sticking to malt cups for now. The Twinkies started out a little rough but went on to win 9-3 over the Colorado Rockies. Needless to say Nate was in heaven.






Oxbow Park





H and Aunt Brit catching up on their beauty rest

Stories

Playdoh architecture



Other highlights included hitting my favorite Rochester restaurants: Newt's, Roscoes, Mr Pizza. We (I particularly) enjoyed the rain and cool temperatures but we were also able to take out Grandpa's boat one day (which is good b/c that's what we'll talk about now for 1 year). HJ even went on a little tube ride! (Of course, no pictures of that blessed historical event but I promise it happened! It was fun to run into old friends and see how life just marches on for everyone. Thank you SO much G&G for such a great summer vacation! My goal for next time: to NOT be pregnant.

Choices

Hannah sings. All day. Just very recently she's developed the beginnings of a skill we call "coming-close-to matching pitch". Every morning (especially since the primary kids did their mothers day program), Hannah asks me to "come sing the big primary songs on the piano." Hannah's also learning all about CHOICES....good and bad. So with no further ado:




I'm a little hesitant to put such material on the world wide web as it is usually before I've gotten ready (ahem, or even put a bra on) for the day.

***** PLEASE FOCUS ON THE PERFORMER AND NOT HER ACCOMPANIST. MUCH OBLIGED.

Some of us nurses out for lunch. I feel like I'm triple the size of every other woman in this world...but this is apparent proof that, indeed, I am. Sweetness.


Hittin the books. Have I thought about homeschooling my children you ask? Absolutely NOT....thanks.


Wow. No vaseline needed on this girls teeth for any beauty queen contests. HJ on her obsessed-about merry-go-round.




Haircut for the momma.


What can be more fun than a 'fimming pooloh" with balls? One with catered refreshments(eye roll).


Watermelon Ellie. While some of the country is getting spring snow, we are trying to stay out of the 90s!


Hannah's latest:
H: I'm a little baby
Me: No, you're a little girl now
H: I'm not a little girl...I'm a butterfly.


Happy Thursday everyone!

Happy Birthday Grammie!!!

Paula Deen in training