I hear a loud thump and crying. I run into the room and Russ is getting up off the floor...

"I can't fly like Superman".

August 16th 2008

Derek at the wedding dinner announcing his fam! (I thought I got one of Bethi... but I guess not!)

Cute Riley (my cousin Chantelle's little girl)

Bethi singing to Derek.
As you can imagine I was crying...
She did a beautiful job and Derek was swooning:)

The next day at the temple...
They went through with it!
This is our side...

I love this one of Derek with Grandma Westover!

Derek's new family!
We love them all and are so excited!

The reception later that night....
Emma all dressed and cheesy!

Lil Russy Bubs!

Hannah and Dad bein' silly!

Bethi on her way to get "fixed up" again!
Isn't she gorgeous????

Chantelle and Tyler with Riley (they stayed with us)
Sadly I didn't get pic's of Holly and her Crew or the Cali Westover's etc! I was kinda running all over the place! I also didn't get one of me, so if you want to see my pretty dress you will have to wait till Jen F posts all the wedding pics on her blog!

A Preview of a future happy couple?
Jake (Ali's boy) is sooo cute!

It was a beautiful day and so wonderful to all be together in the temple watching Derek and Bethi be sealed for all eternity! Of course I had a hard time holding in the emotion - I think a lot of people did. It was truly beautiful! They are so in love and have waited so long for this day!

Congrats you two! We LOVE you!!!

First Day HOAX August 14th and 15th 2008

Emma was so upset that her first day was "pretend". We went for about an hour, filled out more paperwork and then she came home with me. We did all the first day pictures and special breakfast this day still (even though I knew it was a quick day) so that the next day we would be on time:)
Emma looking so pretty for her first day (She picked the clothes...)

How did this happen already????
With her teacher, who was also mine:) And she was in rehab therapy with my 11 years ago!
The REAL first day! So excited!
Russell was really upset and did not want to let her go!
It is soooo quite at our house!

The beauty that surrounds me

I love sunflowers. I think they are soooo pretty and this is what it looks like all around me. The only problem? I am so allergic! I am DIEING!!!! My eyes are itchy and watery and keep getting covered with that weird red lining (GROSSSS!) I am sneezing constantly and my nose is rubbed raw! So, while it is truly beautiful, I am praying for a hard freeze one of these nights soon!


The culprit...

UN-observant

Here is a part of a conversation I happened upon tonight.

Russell was whining to Emma that he couldn’t carry so much stuff to his room because he just wanted to use one hand (don’t ask me why?).
Emma told him, “You can do lots of things with only one hand, Mom does all the time”
Russell stopped dead in his tracks and looked over at me.
I smiled at him and he asked me, “Mom does your hands work”.
I told him, “one does, don’t you know that my other hand is paralyzed?”
Apparently this was a revelation to him and Emma spent quite a while explaining to him why Mommy’s hand is special and how they can do lots of stuff to help out because Mommy can’t do so much (this was all a revelation to me!)
It is just funny because Emma was reciting the story of my accident at a year old and is so familiar with all of my medical problems while Russell apparently has remained in a little bubble over the past 3 ½ years. I wonder how this is? Did I subconsciously want to shelter him from the tough stuff in life? From thinking that Mom is NOT perfect (heaven forbid)? I wonder, will Hannah know even less about me or will she possibly just be more observant?

Sorry for the deluge of posts today! It has been pretty crazy around here!

So, I was released as Activity Day Leader and Relief Society Teacher and called as Laurel Advisor!!!! I am super excited! I will, of course, miss my activity day girls but they will be in YW in no time!
I know a lot of you are in YW and I wondered if you could give me any advice? I would love it! Thanks a million! I am super excited:)

Lake Powell 2008

Here are some pictures from our latest trip! We had so much fun! We weren't there for long but the time we were there was perfect!!!!
Little miss tubba bubba.... I love this suit!

Whoa there Mr - you better wait for someone to go with ya!
These guys love the Ski's
Fun with Dad
Mom and Hannah taking it easy!
Russell with his favorite person - Bethi!
Hannah with her Grandma! (spoiled rotten lil girl) You look HOT Mom!
Dad - it is gone, it is just NOT there anymore sorry! (his Hair)
Off for a joy ride with Grandpa!
Hannah too! She loved it! Especially the wrist strap!
Mom and Han swimming:)
Russell loved the boat - especially watching Dad and Derek Ski!
Fun on the "Fun Station"!!!
Dad showing his his moves!
You are awesome Hun!
So sexy!
Bethi was really brave and took the kids out in the tube!
They had so much fun!
Emma FINALLY learned how to swim!!!!!! It was a total answer the prayers and she had a blast swimming around with her cousins and with Bethi to the "island" to look for "pirates and buried treasure"!
You are amazing sweetie!
Hold on Dad!

So even though we did not have much time there we had a blast!

Screening

Here is Emma at her Kindergarten screening day! She was so excited and loves her new teacher Mrs. Hale. (who was my teacher also!)
Mrs Hale was amazed at how smart Emma was and how she already knew things that lots of kids are just learning towards the end of the year. Emma has been telling EVERYONE how smart she is.... Oh boy... At least she got the smartness from Jonathan's family - not from me! I am sure grateful for it!

You know that pretty entertainment center that is the background of a bunch of our pictures????

This is what happened to it....

Emma hung on it and broke off all the cabinets right when we were supposed to leave for the Lake! I was in so much shock I didn't even get mad! Shockingly I didn't cry either. I just thought I must have been getting to prideful because the living room was starting to look halfway decent:) So I resigned myself to the fact that It would always be ugly!

Luckily I have an amazing hubby and he was able to fix it so it looks better that ever! Thank goodness for "Handy Man Husbands".

Family Project

Being the wonderful Dad he is, Jonathan gave the kids a cup of paint and a paintbrush so they could "help" paint the playroom! They had a great time and love that their pretty pictures are under the new playroom paint!
Hopefully soon I will be doing a post to show the finished product!!!




(BTW - this is the future hallway to what will be a two story addition NOT the worlds smallest playroom! heehee)