My parents were very generous in allowing us to borrow their van to go on our trip to Utah. My mom came over the weekend before we left to bring us the van so the kids had a Small Birthday Party waiting for her. They picked out the cake and candles and then of course had to blow them out for her too, but it was still alot of fun.
Great Grandma let us borrow this suitcase to pack all four kids clothes in one bag to save on space. Anyway as you can see, it is pretty good sized.
Big enough to hold two kids, two travel pillows, and three reams of paper!
John, Vincent, Addison, & Nicholas went on a Father's/Son's outing with some friends of ours from church. He has been our home teacher for the last several months and their oldest son Gavrie takes piano lessons from me. We were happy for his advancement as he was placed in the bishopric last Sunday but sad as he will no longer be our home teacher. After John and I both talked about missing him as our home teacher we knew that it did not mean that we could not do things together as families and friends. Theb and John took the boys up into the mountains today where they hiked, got dirty, went fishing, added some more dirt, went exploring, and added even more dirt. They did not catch anything fishing but had a great time and they have been telling me all about it since they got home. They told me that the next time they go up they are going to spend the night! I am so happy for their fun adventure and so happy to see them so excited about their day. I am glad they look forward to camping as my idea of camping is Motel 6. They have asked several times how many more days until they go back to sleep in a tent this time. They're also crossing their fingers that they can catch a shark next time. Forget the fish, they want to go straight for the shark.
My kids were riding my vacuum like a horse the other day and it was a lot of fun watching them. Including Eliza trying to mimick her brothers in saying "Ride Um Cowboy!" She has the Yee Haw Down great. And yes, I know Addison is half naked. This is normal in our house with him. Clothes are an option in his opinion and when it is 105* outside, I wish I could get away with it too.
My kids have been playing with the Hoffman Kids since we moved here to Porterville. They moved in two weeks before us and Danny was our first home teacher here and he and John were in the Sunday School Presidency together. We started play dates right away and the rest is history. The first three pictures were taken at one of our very first play dates. Where is Payton and Nicholas you ask. They were newborns! The Hoffmans moved this last weekend, and I learned this morning that Addison is still not getting it. Because of our trip to Paso Robles the kids were gone from home one day short of two weeks. By the time we got back to Porterville, Thomas, Elizabeth and Payton had already left to go stay with their grandma. Addison asked me this morning if Lizzie was all done moving yet. I told him that they had moved their things up yesterday but I was sure they were still unpacking. I asked him why and he said, "I was hoping they were done moving so Lizzie and I could play today." I told him it would be awhile before he and Lizzie got to play again for him to say, "It has already been long! How much longer!"
These kids have shared playdates, birthday parties, Christmas Parties, BBQ's over the last four years and since Addison and Elizabeth were 13 and 15 months old when we started getting together that is all they can remember. We are so Happy for them and for Danny's Advancement, but very sad to see them go. Thank Goodness it is only three hours away!
.jpg)
We had a very enjoyable time at the family reunion over at the coast this last weekend. All of my grandparents children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren were in attendance. This is the first time since 1999 that we have all been together at the same time. I will post pictures of the weekend at a later time. The downfall and sadness of the whole weekend was that we got a phone call on the 4th of July and found out that John's Father had passed away that morning. It was a complete shock and an unexpected death. John and I fly out tomorrow to Utah to attend his funeral. It still has seen like a bit of a dream to me and not really happening. I love John's father and do miss him dearly. Even though distance and money kept us from visiting each other often. I guess I can have comfort in the fact that I am sealed to his son who is sealed to him so there will be the day when we shall be together again. So I say to my dear father in law Steve. Go with haste to find him. Stand tall beside him and wait for that faithfull day when we shall be a complete forever family again in his presence.
We want to wish everyone a Happy 4th of July Weekend. We hope you have a lot of fun while remembering our freedom and the people who have helped give us our freedom.
