Aeva's 9!

We were lucky to have some of Aeva's friends over for her 9th birthday party.  Try not to make me feel too guilty that the party was in September...I know her birthday is in July!  Better late than never.

Kole's mom made Aeva some new soccer bows.  Guess I better figure out how to put them in her hair!  She is so excited to wear them to her next game.

They played game after game.

Aeva loves her friends more than anything.

Fun friends make for fun days!  Aeva truly has no idea what a bad day is.  

She is one sweet girl and we love her!

Real Salt Lake v Texas

We took Brandon to his first Real Salt Lake game.

Gracie got invited to sit down with all of the VIPs in the fancy section.  

Post game pics.

An awesome night with some of my favorite people.

General Women's Conference

Maddie and Gracie were selected to sing in the YW Choir for the General Women's Conference.  They put in hours and hours of practice for the big day.  We stopped for a picture in front of the temple on our way to the Conference Center.

They wouldn't let me in the Conference Center with the girls so I ended up sitting in front of the Capitol for a few hours.  An amazing day!

A few pics before they sang.

Aeva wanted a picture where the prophet was.  She wished she could have reached them before they left.  Not quite quick enough.  Maybe next time.

Blessings x 3!

An unforgettable experience.  We are so blessed to live where we live and have the gospel to lead and guide us.  Love watching my girls as they grow and develop testimonies of their own.

Even?

Maddie has been trying to overtake Troy in height for some time now. 

 I think her moment of glory may have finally arrived!

I think I see a tiny grin of satisfaction on that cute face.  

Thunderstorm!

Remember that huge thunderstorm a few days ago? My genius children decided that they should run out in the middle of the storm and touch one of our trees. You know, for fun!

Let's freeze a few moments of this lovely video for analysis...

Here they are almost ready to touch said tree when Gracie slips and falls into the wet, soggy grass.

Here she comes back into the house to check on her phone that she just happened to be holding and landed on during said fall.  Maddie and Aeva think the whole thing is quite entertaining.

My girls are "above average" as Aeva's shirt would indicate.

The Last of the 30's

My little bro turned 39! Can't wait until next year when he joins the rest of us in the land of the 40's. That's just the kind of siblings we are...we don't want him feeling left out.

Keep smiling, little bro!  We love you.

Pickle Ball Fans

We recruited some fans to come and watch us play Pickle ball.  Grandma can keep the score better than anyone and dad just likes watching all of us try to hit the ball.  

Makes for a fun family night!  

So blessed to have these two in our lives.  I think Gma Pearl will be around long after I am gone.  This woman can outlast anyone...just ask her.  Love you Great Grandma and Grandpa!  Thanks for cheering us on to victory!

Nate's 40th Birthday Party!

Nate turned 40!  

This was his "surprise" birthday party.  The best thing about the whole thing was that Nate is not very good with times and dates so his family talked about his surprise party with him in the room all the time and it was still a surprise!  

Wouldn't it be nice if all surprises were that easy to pull off!

Nate with some of his high school friends.  Good to see everyone back together!

Happy Birthday, Nate!  We love you!

2016 Huntsville Marathon Fun Run

Aeva did the Huntsville Marathon Fun Run with her Scout Troop.  They were in charge of cleaning out all of the water/gatorade jugs after the marathon was over.  

The Fun Run was just a little break in the middle.

See the cute one in the pink shorts?

Here she is coming across the finish line.

Do you see her high quality foot wear?  We were thinking more about the water part than the running part when we left the house.  Good thing it was only a lap around the park.

And...this is why we run.  Creamies!  Choose your flavor carefully.

Chocolate it is!

Nice work, ladies!

Next year we will bring socks and shoes!  Might shave a few seconds off of her PR.

Garrett, the Great White Hunter

I've never been a hunter. I think animals are prettier when they are alive. 

 But...if I am ever out of food, I will know who to call!

I hope he also knows how to remove the feathers, guts, etc and cook the huge things!  

I'm not signing up for that job.

Cookie Dough Monster

Troy sent me this picture while I was downtown with Maddie and Gracie. To sum it up, Aeva was eating all of the chocolate chip cookie dough!

He knows how to get us home fast!  Take the spoon away from that girl!

Valley Elementary Fun Run

Valley Elementary did a "Fun Run" fundraiser this year. All the kiddos ran laps for pledges.

Aeva ran a total of 44 laps.

Nice job, Aeva!  You always make us proud!

My Skyhawks

I picked the girls up from the Snowcrest softball game.  I think Ms. Gracie is liking Junior High.

Maddie is working hard on the yearbook pics.  

Proud of my Skyhawks!

Haun Sunday Dinner

Troy has been really good at taking family pictures. 

 He got two at Sunday dinner that will find their way into our family history at some point.  

Families are the best!