Our day with the Allen's

Meet our friends the Allen's - Amanda and I met at the Student Creative Marketing Department where we designed ads for BYU campus back in the day (aka, 10 years ago). She and Dan had just married. Rob & I had just met. I brought Rob to a beginning of school work party (2nd or 3rd date) where he and Dan became instant buddies (very similar personalities). Toward the end of the evening, as we four sat around talking; Rob was teasing me about something and Dan, in my defense said "well that's why you married her, right?". Awkward moment. Well, I guess that got him thinking, and the rest is history.

The Allen's and their soon to be five children liven in Albuquerque. They are as fun as ever which is why they were one of our first stops on our road trip. Amanda and I and five of the kids (two who had learned to ride training wheel free only the week before) took a fantastic bike ride that morning. Our families, minus Rob who had work to do with his technicians in Albuquerque, visited the amazing Sandia Tram that evening. 

The Sandia Tram is the longest in the world - 2.7 miles. It climbs something like 5,ooo feet in about 20 minutes and the view is incredible as you might imagine.

Amanda is a photographer in her spare time! She took all the photos in this posting even though you may catch a glimpse of my camera bag which I hauled up there minus one memory card...oops. We hiked down the back side of the mountain a short distance to the perfect picnic spot where we enjoyed still toasty warm breakfast burritos Amanda and I had made. These were an instant hit with the kids and appeared a few other times in our road trip menu.

I'm fiddling around with these two shots for a wedding announcement of the future. Clara is just a few months younger than Jeremiah and as precious as can be. She can out-talk him by a long shot which I figure is a good basis for a marriage.

This photo sums up the tortured Bennett who was forced to walk back up the mountain after we hiked around. It wasn't pretty, but he made it.

A huge thank you to Dan and Amanda for making us feel so welcome and showing us a good time. We're so glad to have really cool friends like you!

Illinois Family Reunion

We are home from our 3 week RV road trip to Illinois. What an unforgetable adventure with so many new experiences. I had never seen Nauvoo, Kansas or Oklahoma, never riden the world's longest tram up a mountain side in New Mexico and I had never even wanted to drive a 30 foot vehicle around a block, let alone 4,000+ miles. Despite a few challenges with the rig, we had a fantastic time.

This was the first time Rob's entire family (parents & all the kids & grandkids) had been together since our wedding day nearly 10 years ago. We all came together for Memorial Day in Dixon, IL, the home of Rob's Dad's Cobra which he flew in Vietnam. It has been restored and painted just like he had it 42 years ago and is on display at a Veterans Memorial Park. Here are some of the photos from the reunion there and Nauvoo, IL.

The patriotic citizens of Dixen gave us all a warm welcome. Rob's Dad was honored in the parade by having us all ride with him in a Deuce and a half military truck.

The Nauvoo temple was breathtaking. It was rebuilt in 2002 almost exactly as the early saints had built it in the 1840's. We were able to park next to the hotel where everyone else was staying, kiddie corner from this sacred building.

Joel, Cassie, Maia, Audrey & William. Cousins from 3 of the 4 families coming from Pennsylvania, Alabama, Utah & Arizona.

 

Bennett got to lead the children's parade in the Nauvoo evening variety show. It was so fun to watch the senior missionaries and talented mini-mission missionaries perform. I could just imagine my folks up there on the stage!

The statues of Joseph and Hyrum Smith in front of the beautiful Nauvoo Temple.

Cousins Josh and Jeremiah, 2 of the 4 J's who were all born in October. These two had never met, but had an instant bond.

A bumpy ride behind some seasoned oxen gave us new appreciation for the pioneers (who rarely rode due to weight limitations for their journey). I think I would prefer to walk also.

Saying goodbye as everyone headed their own ways from Carthage Jail. It was so moving to see be in the room where the Joseph and Hyrum were killed. What an incredible sacrifice. My testimony of his purpose on the earth was reaffirmed - I know he was a prophet of God.

Happy Birthday Audrey!

My little girl is eight today... crazy. She and I went to have her ears pierced today. I had to wait till I was 11, but I couldn't see listening to her asking any longer when I was just as excited as she was to have it done. Here's my happy, smart, creative, helper - as adorable as ever. I love you Audrey. I'm so glad you're part of my life!

Paleontology & A Birthday Party

I got this idea from a dinosaur book from the library. It turns out that, while dusting cookie crumbs (ancient dirt) off precious chocolate chips (bones of prehistoric animals) is sort of tedious, it's far more tasty than your average day of excavation. Just ask Jeremiah.

Bennett had his birthday with his friends last Saturday. I can't believe he's turning six already! We had five little wild boys and one of their sisters (as moral support for Audrey). This is Bennett waiting patiently to blow out his candle...so sweet.

For those of you who asked, the new camera, that I'm trying desperately to control, is a Canon 60D.

Happy Mother's Day

It's hard to know what sort of sacrifice and dedication come with motherhood before you get to be a mother. I think I sort of figured that all mothers were as involved and devoted as mine - without even recognizing all the acts of love and hours of worry and years of example that she showed.

Mom was at just about every gymnastics practice, absolutely every meet (and there were a lot), she sewed Christmas jammies every year and made ultra creative birthday cakes, she rolled my hair in those soft, pink curlers on Saturday nights and cooked countless delicious meals. Mom (and Dad) flew to Isreal, New Hampshire and Portugal to be with me and experience what I was experiencing. I am just one of six to keep track of, but I'm grateful that she has always made me feel important and let me know that she believes I can do anything with my life.

Happy Mother's to all the wonderful moms I know and especially to you, Mom, I love you!

Bed time photo shoot

We finally ordered (and received!) our dream camera. Perhaps I shouldn't admit that till we figure out how to make it take breath-taking photos, but I wanted to share anyway. I earned the money (Mary Kay - thank you to my awesome, supportive, beautiful customers) several months ago, but we were afraid to take the plunge without THOROUGHLY researching all the options and finding the best deal. The kids have been very patient with both Rob and me and our shutter happiness.

Toilet Training

On the up side, we're no longer buying diapers. On the down, this is all on his terms... including his attire.

Business Trip

We are officially home schoolers! After much deliberation, I took the kids out of the all-too-convenient school next door following their Spring Break in March. We had weighed the advantages: personalized, customized education full of life experiences with the disadvantages: loss of me-time, and found that we like our kids enough to make the sacrifice. I've been so grateful for family encouragement to make this move and supportive friends who believe in me.

Feeling the freedom to do so, we accompanied Rob on his trip to Salt Lake for most of the week last week. While he sat in a certification class, we did school work, swam, visited with family and got to see the new baby!

Kelly and Esther welcomed little Asher into their family March 19th. He was held and cuddled and loved throughout the week. We arrived Wednesday, and my parents and Lisa with her children came on Friday (driving separately). Sometimes everything just comes together nicely. Lisa had come to look for a house in Saint George where they hope to move soon. We got to celebrate Ryan's birthday with him and my Uncle Richard's birthday on Sunday as well. Saturday was dedicated to seeing Rob's family - his Grandparents, Aunt Candy and Uncle Phil and his sister, Kate and her family. We stayed Sunday night with Aaron and Krystal at their new place in Springville. It's a great place with a yard and views of the mountains. Thanks for letting us crash at the Swan Resort once again!

This was my dad's chair (when he was smaller). It was recently repaired to be passed on to Aaron and Krystal's munchkins.

Lisa and I spent Friday with the kids at Liberty Park in downtown Salt Lake, and then at the Church History Museum and Temple Square. Here's Spencer spotting Jeremiah (precious blanky in tow) on the jungle gym. It was so nice to have Lisa's older kids to help keep track of the younger one's at the very busy park.

Jeremiah and Mo on Kelly and Esther's back porch. Such an adorable place they recently moved into.

It also happened to be Conference weekend. Rob and I got to attend the Sunday afternoon session. It was so uplifting and inspirational to be there in person (not tending to children may have helped me to feel the message of the speakers as well). The 4" of snow we woke up to Sunday morning had mostly melted off by the end of the session.

 

We also toured the old Army base where Rob's dad was stationed in the late 80's. This is the building where he worked.