Ok, first of all, I have to offer a disclaimer.....this is going to be long, and it's not going to be chronological....the photos are not going to be retouched (cause if I take time to retouch, or put them in order, I'll never get this posted and I need it to get it off my back.) So basically, you take my post, like you have to take me right now...AS-IS, with no warranty, implied or otherwise.
This first pic is of my kiddos. We were in St. George (more on that later) and my friend and fellow designer, Alisha of One Memory At A Time, took some AWESOME pictures of our family...they turned out fantastic! THANK YOU, Alisha!!! It was not easy to find a field of wildflowers on the only weekend in spring break history that St. George saw snow (I don't really know if it's the ONLY one), but she did.
This is the same kiddos running through the field....they had a really great time!
This is a layout of the devil dog (Van Gogh)...he was a major deterrent to the success of our garden this year. Happily, he's in obedience classes now, and we're seeing SOME progress.
Sammie, helping herself (a regular thing). She's going to be two in September. She loves, LOVES to sing...her favorites are I am a Child of God, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and Jesus Loves Me...she can sing them beginning to end, and it's fun to hear her little lisp.
Here's Isa...on Easter. She's lost both of her front teeth since then, so she looks a little different. Haven't gotten a pic of that yet...but I should. Maybe tomorrow..it's a BIG picture taking day for me, so hopefully I'll get that one in. She's fun and STILL my best worker. She's funny and most of the time a real JOY to be around.
We celebrated Samuel Owen's Birthday this year with a Birthday Party. The kids and I made cupcakes and talked about him...wondering what he'd look like, how old he'd be, etc. It was a nice way to remember him.
This is from our visit to St. George. Our very first FAMILY VACATION. WOW. It was fun...stressful, but fun. Of course, you know me...all about the scenery, but I thought this one was particularly amazing.
Gabby on Memorial Day. Loved the angle on this one...too bad she always has a runny nose...poor kid. She's graduated into DEFINITE 3 year old antics, but she's still so much fun and one of my best buds.
Visiting the Cemetary....
Ellie and Dad preparing the garden. We actually increased our garden size this year...we're 4x as big as we were last year...unfortunately the dog ate our first 2 attempts, so we got stuff in late and we'll see how it goes...next year we'll do better (we've finally put up fencing around it, LOL.
Alanna was in a big Spanish Immersion Dance Festival the end of May...Isn't she pretty? She did a GREAT job dancing and it was fun to watch her....unfortunately I didn't get a good pic of her dancing...Mario got stuck at work, and so I had two little ones on my lap while I was trying to take pictures.
A reminder each evening of the presence of a higher being. I am SO grateful for the beginnings and the endings. Sometimes they really keep me going.
Gabby and Ellie celebrated their 3rd and 6th birthdays. They went to dinner with mom and dad and had cupcakes with the cousins the following Sunday.
Sometimes I can be grateful that they don't look like me.
Mario and I celebrated our 9th wedding anniversary in April. He took me to the Tulip Festival at Thanksgiving Point, where we walked around and took pictures...lots of fun!
Part of our stay in St. George was spent in Zion's National Park...the first time there for all of us. We hiked the Pa'rus Trail...the only one that allows strollers and dogs. The kids had a wonderful time, and I was just grateful that I wasn't the one ready to turn back first.
Van Gogh made a friend on the Pa'rus Trail...Dakota. Van Gogh is the one sporting a bandana.
Again at Zions....Aren't they cute?
This is Mel and Ellie....Mel's fam and ours went to the park while they were here in May. I know Mel is really hard on her "suitability" as a mom....but I have to say...How many moms would do this???? Certainly not me..so KUDOS to MEL!
I don't think I really need to explain this....those of you who know her, won't need any explanation.
The girls on easter....where is Sophia? She's pulling a "don't take MY picture".
Some kids play Legos, some kids play sports. My kids play Statue of Liberty, LOL....they all took turns this day dressing up as Lady Liberty. So funny.
Van Gogh is no longer this little puppy. He's 50 lbs at last check and a LUG...but a lovable one.
A beginning, for which I'm continually thankful.
Sophia went to Prom in May, and although the wedding has been cancelled, she got some good pics out of it.
WOW! Thanks for hanging in here this long.
Me? I'm still selling my Digital scrapbooking products and keeping the homefires burning. Well, ok, they burn out every once in a while, but I'm doing better most of the time.
One last note. Anybody know of a good job anywhere? Mario was "let go" on Tuesday rather suddenly. We're lookin' if anybody knows of anything.
LOVE you all!
