We believe in Fairies

McKinzi basically is a fairy, or, at least she thinks so. She loves to read about fairies, dream about fairies, make up games and role plays about fairies. So...it was my pleasure to throw her a fairy birthday party. We had a "treasure" hunt and made our findings into jewelry. We decorated garlands with flowers. We even made miniature fairy gardens. I was surprised how much fun I had at the party! As my daughter gets older, it has been really fun to do crafts together. I am always amazed at the creativity and imagination of a child. These girls really got their craft on!! So fun. So cute. Darling daughter, may all your fanciful dreams come true.

Scott and Aubrey's Wedding--June 2010

Beautiful Washington state makes an ideal place for a June wedding. I should know, because 10! years ago Tyson and I were married in the same month, the same temple, and the same sealing room as Scott and Aubrey. My favorite part of the whole trip was watching my baby brother Scott and my new sister Aubrey look at eachother across the alter with tears streaming down both of their faces. I felt a renewal of my own covenants and power in the priesthood. I felt my heart grow a little bigger that day. After the celebrations were over, the leftover family took a trip to Bellingham and spent a lovely day at the beach. We CAME as a family united, we SAW crabs and clams and sardines, and we CONQUERED the tide in our impressive sand fortress. Oh it is wonderful, wonderful to me.

Nat's Fantastic Trip to Arizona

I had been thinking of my grandma Gerry for years...wanting to be in better contact, yearning to know more about this extraordinary woman, wishing I could see her one last time before she passed through the veil. Thanks to Tyson and Christine and Tyler, I got my chance. After 22 years, when I watched my sweet grandma waddle through the doorway of her Mesa, Arizona home, I'll admit I had a hard time controlling my emotions. Christine and I listened to her tell stories of her childhood and of her son "David". She had had some regrets, but her overall message was of hope, of finding the humor, and unbeknownst to her "Come what may, and love it". Choked through my tears, I told my grandma that I loved her so much and that she meant so much to me. She kept asking me, "Honey, are you okay?" to which I said yes and that I was so happy. I painted her fingernails and we discovered that we both loved gardening, bird watching, and "having a real good time" i.e. throwing parties! She invited us back the next day. When we arrived, we found that she had set out a table with all the fixin's, interspersed with her best figurines of rabbits, roses, and ornate crosses. On the table was a note telling us that she would be back soon, that she had gone to the store. We waited no more than five minutes when she pulled up in a white Dodge caravan, uncle Jack at the wheel. She unloaded all kinds of groceries and proceeded to slice onions, tomatoes, lettuce--set out chips and soda, meat, cheese, bread, and bakery cakes. Then she said, "We should say a prayer". She then repeated the Lord's prayer perfectly. After the prayer, she got a little dizzy, so we helped her find a seat and get comfortable. She then turned to Jack, held out her little fist and said, "We did it!" I was touched at the level of effort she truly had sacrificed for us. My heart swelled with love. After a visit over our feast, we started taking pictures and saying good-bye. All those pictures!! I don't think grandma has ever owned a camera. And between my dad and I, grandma has probably never taken so many pictures in her life! And we're nothing compared to Jace and Cortney! As I held my grandma Gerry's hand in farewell, she looked deep into my eyes. She said, "Nadalee, I love you. I love you. I love you, honey". It was hard for me to drive away.

Christine and Tyler--I miss you so much! I can hardly stand to be apart from all my family members. You are all so very dear to me. And all my wonderful friends--you know who you are. Christine, Tyler, and I had some competitive dice tournaments, golf card games, Dominoes with Aunt Donna, hiking in Sedona--beautiful red rock, frisbee games, eating at the Pita Jungle :), watching "Congo", attending Tyler's basketball game, wrestling with scouts, and enjoying every minute we spent together. It was a trip of a lifetime. All that I had hoped for and so much more. So...Scott and Aubrey's wedding '10 or BUST!!! See you there. :)

Ezra Turns Three!

Our baby really did turn three! And we are only three months late in posting. Haven't been doing too much blogging this year. :) We love you Ezra! Mmmm. Chocolate doughnuts sound really good right now.

big hill.