Doll House

Ever since I was a little girl I had a doll house.

We played for hours in our doll house.

It was the center for all our imaginary creations and games.

We learned how to decorate in the doll house.

When we moved to Utah we had an exact replica of our house built into a doll house.

This doll house has made two moves and is now being loved and used by my children.

It gets an annual face lift and the kids always get to help with the decor. 

They love furnishing this house.

Painting it.

Cooking plastic food in the kitchen.

Rocking baby dolls to sleep.

Having tea parties in the living room.

And many great conversations.

It now has its own landscaped yard.

This doll house is worth its weight in gold.

It is so cute and even has a second story with a miniature stair case inside.

My kids dream about the next time they get to play in Grandma's doll house.

I must admit that I sought refuge in this doll house even as a teenager. 

My kids spend hours and hours in the Doll House.

It has been well loved and cared for. 

Tori's Trip to Utah

Tori got the opportunity to travel with Uncle Travis' Family to Utah.

She stayed with Grandma Laurel Udall for 10 days!

They had so much fun and did something different everyday.

She even spent her 8th birthday in Utah.

On her birthday her aunties dolled her up and had a little photo shoot with her cousins. This is one of the pictures.

My little girl is getting so big.

While in Utah she got to eat out LOTS...go to the movies...visit museums...

swim...watch fireworks...

attend parades...shop...visit Great Grandparents...play with cousins...hike Bridal Veil Falls...visit book stores...water parks...manicures...

tennis camps...b-b-q at the lake...and much much more.

Thank you Mom for taking good care of my first born. We sure do miss her around here.

All my kids want their turn to spend time with Grandma on their OWN vacation when they turn 8 too.
While away Tori sent me emails and the first one she wrote said,..."don't worry Mom, I'm not homesick because Aunt Janelle and Aunt Louisa look like you."

{her 8th}

Today my Tori is eight.

She is away from home spending time in Utah with her Grandma and Aunties.

She is such a good example.

Tori knows right from wrong and isn't afraid to correct anyone on it.

She has chosen to be baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

She requested to be baptized today...on her 8th birthday.

Since we live so far away we had to wait until all of our family could make it.

It means a lot to her.

Family is so important...after all 

that is all we get to take with us into the next life.

Happy Birthday Victoria! We love you and miss you!

father's day

father's day

love

my heart melts when he handles our children

they respect their dad

he can do everything in their eyes

admiration

a deeper love for each child and me that words cannot express

we love our daddy

Just the 6 of us

My friend Laurice took our family pictures.

They all turned out amazing.

She has a great eye.

I had to bribe all the kids, with Popsicles, to smile their best and not cry.

Everyone did amazing...except for Garrett.

I had to pull his ear a little.

He hates having his picture taken.

He did not get a popsicle.

Maybe next time he will earn a treat...just like his children.

Yes, Dear...

I had to laugh at some of the things Garrett has asked me to do over the years. 

One of them happened last Sunday.

He was late for meetings and upon starting the car he realized that one of the kittens had crawled into the fan.

He ran back into the house where I was getting everyone else ready for church and said that the kitten got chopped up...but was still alive and I needed to finish the job!

I was SHOCKED!

What kind of request is that?! 

I am a city girl!!

How am I supposed to "finish" the job?

I could barely stomach the thought of looking at the massacred animal.

He said I would be fine and then he ran out the door again to his meetings.

Two seconds later Alex ran to the door to feed the animals and I couldn't stop her fast enough.

She saw IT ALL!

She was so upset until she realized that she could see this kitten again in Heaven.

Thankfully by the time I got out there it was already dead.

I did what I had to do so the puppies wouldn't feast on the dead carcase and then I finished getting ready for church.

All I could think about was...WHO AM I and WHERE THE HECK AM I LIVING?!

Sometimes I do not think I am cut out for this country living.

And next time I will think twice before saying "Yes, Dear."

Life's Moments

 

I was just thinking about how my life has changed in the last 9 years. I find it incredible that Garrett and I were able to create these beautiful little people. They have brought such joy into our lives. They give us the best entertainment around. They comfort us. They use their words so expressively to explain the simplest of things. They see life's simple pleasures and get excited. They bring priceless moments to this life. They bring a smile to my face. Every night I see them sleeping, angelically and think...how could they ever do anything wrong.
I love my family. I feel so blessed.