My Greatest Joys

 

These five children of ours have been one of my greatest sources of joy!  Through them I have learned more fully how to love and appreciate 5 very different individuals.  They each possess their own strengths, talents and abilities.  Together we are stronger, wiser and much more able to love those in our world more fully.  I love you all, you are each incredibly wonderful!!!

My Angel

Have you ever slept next to an angel?

                                                            

My daughter is my angel.

She's light and love and peace.

She wakes me with her morning knock,

when I am sound asleep.

I hear her feet come shuffling in,

 a blanket in her arms.

I pick her up, she snuggles close.

 She's soft and wiggly and warm.

 Her soft little hands touch my face.

Her eyes alight with love.

 She gives a tickle to her Dad,

with a gentle kiss and hug.

 I ponder now on all that transpired,

and how she came to be.

I can't imagine I could be so blessed,

to have God send this angel to me.

My Miguel

First Cry,
welcoming a new life.
The sound,
heralding heavens newest arrival.

Sweet innocence,
Heaven's perfect gift.
Fills my arms
with tenderness and love like I have never felt.

Joy fills my soul,
as I look at you.
You are evidence
of God's perfect love for me.

(We adopted our son at the age of 2.  I remember looking through pictures given to us by his birth family.  It was fun to see him so small and innocent, but I felt a twinge of sadness that I hadn't been there to witness his first beginnings.  I thought about what that day must have been like, were I to have actually been there.)

Real Soccer Game

 

Our dear neighbor and friends Reza and Katy gave us V.I.P. tickets so that we could watch the Real Soccer game a few weeks ago.  They served us a very nice dinner and gave everyone the chance to meet some of the players.  Our seats were great.  we love the Real stadium experience.  The fans are all so spirited.  Thank you Reza and Katy!!!! For such a wonderful date night.

Yummy Rockin' Salsa

My first attempt at making salsa.  Made fresh from my Dad's large vegetable garden.  First we bottled 2 cases of tomatoes then with the rest leftover, I found this great little recipe on allrecipes.com for Rockin' Salsa.  (reduce the amount of sugar to 1 Tbsp. each or leave out all together if you don't like any sweetness to your salsa).  I thought it was fabulous.  My family has already burned through several jars.

Idaho Falls/Rexburg Trip

In Matt's new job responsibilities he does a bit of travel.  This time we were all invited to come along since kids were all out of school.  It was surprisingly beautiful.  One of our favorite things was driving through the acres and acres of beautiful pristine farms up there.  We even dreamed of what it might feel like to live in a place that is so rural and serene.

 

 

 

 

Bowling Fun

Being that there wasn't a lot to do while in Rexburg we all decided to go Bowling.  In fact we don't often bowl but the kids all really got competitive and tried to get the best score. 

Mimi loved it and even had a few strikes.

Miguel was very serious about keeping all the balls lined up in perfect order according to whose turn it was next.

We even tried a round of Cosmic bowling at night which added some glow in the dark fun!

Jackson Hole and Yellowstone

Even though this was a mini vacation we still got to stop in and visit Jackson Hole for the day.  Where we enjoyed shopping, eating and admiring some of the most beautiful bronze statues on display.  They were all true works of art.


Colt takes a minute to chill

Entrance to the city park in Jackson Hole

 

We then made our way into Yellowstone National Park.  The last time we visted was with our oldest three children.  We camped (even though none of us relish the camping experience) and it still today  provided some fun memories including the geyser you see here which our son Caleb who is 20 now used to call "Alfalfa" (most people know it as Old Faithful).  Still makes me giggle.

Miguel stuck it out even through the rain to watch the geyser go off.

Lot's of buffalo in the park that day.

2012 Alta Graduate

2012 Alta graduate here!  We were very happy hor his big moment.  Graduation was held at UVU and was attended by our grandparents and his sister Tayler.  A few days later we had a barbecue to celebrate with the rest of our friends and family members.  Bright future ahead for this kid!

Seminary Graduation

Our Colton graduated from Seminary in May.  We are so proud of him for completing Seminary and know that it will help him as he prepares to serve a mission next year!  We love this boy, he's awesome!

Pre- Wedding Dinner

This beautiful wedding event all took place back on April 7, 2012.  I am just now posting pictures of the events and our sweet Happy Couple- Jared and Tayler

 

Me the Mother of the Bride

 

Audrey and Colton

 

Tyler and Amber

 

Jared's uncle, brother Matt, Dad Eric and Step Mom Yoli

 

Heather and Brian

 

Dede, Suzy, Brian and my Mom all helped out with the Family Dinner

 

My Dad made his famous delicious barbecue for everyone to enjoy

 

Tayler and Jared's Wedding Day - April 7, 2012




Today was truly a beautiful day.  Our oldest daughter Tayler was married to the love of her life Jared in the Salt Lake Temple.  We love the temple and can't think of a better place for two people who love one another so much to begin their lives together!  The temple is also known as the House of the Lord. It is always a place where you feel his presence and his love reach out and bless your life.  When the temple becomes a part of you it blesses your family forever. Being married not just for time but for eternity gives a couple the desire to treasure one another and work on their relationship by making the Lord a continual part of it.  It has blessed our lives immensely and we so love that Tayler and Jared have chosen to marry in God's temple so that they too can experience a bit of heaven on earth!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friends who joined us at the Temple




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Our Family




The Proud Parents




The Grooms Family




Tayler and Jared's friends