At Elizabeth's ~ maybe sometime in August

Note to self from the author:  Try to keep up on your blogs a little better.  By the time you get around to doing one, you've forgotten most of everything you would say about it. With that being said....

I went to spend some time with Elizabeth's family this summer.  Honestly, I don't remember what month it was in and I can't even find an old calendar that might hint of when I was there.  But I went from Laura's to Elizabeth's so it was sometime around then.  And, I do know I went that way because Will was doing one of his fantastic 100 mile adventure races right there in the Cascades; not far from his house.

So, whenever that was, I was there and like I said, I spent a few days with Elizabeth and James before the race.  It was so fun.  I took over some dresses that Alisha bought the girls so of course they had to try them on.  That's when they decided to wear them to their family beach photo shoot.

Arent't the just gorgeous girls? 

 

Like I said, they had a family beach photo shoot which was really fun.  I took pictures of just about everything since I miss any beach bunches.

Since that was so long ago, I hope I'm not posting any surprises at this point but here are a few of the family, too.

Aren't they just a FUN family.  At that point, they were soon to be a BIGGER family.

 

Gracie and I must have made something chocolatey - but I just can't remember what.  At least we have pictures to show that whatever it was, it was yummy.

The next day we met up with Jenni, Preston and Taylor and all went to see the show "Planes".  It was so fun and I think we all enjoyed it.

They discourage us from taking pictures in the theatres so here's a picture of the ticket stub.

Afterwards I went with Jenni and the boys up to their place where I spent the night before Will's big race. 

More to come....

 

Mikaiella's Baptism Day

Mika's baptism day started about a month before her birthday for me.  She asked me to make her baptism dress ~ meaning the dress she would wear when her dad baptized her.  She sent me some pictures of what she would like it to look like.

 

 

and I went to work.  I found some materials that would be nice even when wet and some trim that resembled the flowers she requested on it.

And this is what it started like.

This is what it ended up like...

 

 

Alisha went to visit Laura and Mark for a week and then flew from Denver to Baltimore and we met up with her at the airport there.

Dalynn folks, Tim and Cindy came in the next day and Daniel treated us all to a ride on one of his boats.

We ate lunch at the Amish market...

and played with the kids in the store.

Luke and Jenn's family drove up from Atlanta to be with us for the baptism/birthday party.  Mika was going to be baptized on her birthday; also Saturday of October Conference.

 

We all got ready for the big day and went to the Church.  There were lots of famil and friends there for Mika.  We took pictures in the yard of the Church and then all went inside. 

Luke and Jenn gave the talk on Baptism and Tim and Cindy gave the talk on  the Holy Ghost.  Daniel baptized Mika and many Melchezidek Priesthood holders stood in the circle to confirm her.
When we returned home there was a great backyard BBQ and birthday party for Mika.

 What a great day for all of us.  Thank you Mika.  We are so grateful for your decision to be baptised and for inviting us to be there with you.  Happy 8!!

 

 

 

At Mark and Laura's Place

I was given a full week off of the pharmacy starting Monday, August 19th (actually they let me leave early on Sunday so I could drive to Orem for the night.)  Dan decided he didn't want to go with me so I took off alone.  I spent Sunday night with Kristi and the kids. Haini was working and Kristi was sewing seat folders for her classroom so I stayed up with her and we talked till about 1:30 AM.  I loved it.  She is so kind and fun to talk with.

I got up at 3:15 and headed to the airport.  My vacation was starting.  I was able to get on the 6:00 flight to Denver where Laura and the kids picked me up.  Then we headed straight for the Denver Zoo.  It was so fun.  I was amazed at all the animals they had there. 













We even saw a baby zebra that was just a few hours old.  He was just then trying out his legs.  He was a little wobbly but so cute.

We rode the train

and the carousel, watched the seal show and the elephant show. Before we went home we even got some cotton candy. What a great way to start a vacation.

Mark and Laura live in a wonderful, new community with parks, recreation center, pool and lots and lots of running/walking trails everywhere.

 

Jace and Annie had their last T-ball practice at one of the parks so we spent some time there watching them. I tried to walk back to the house but ended up missing the right turn and Laura and Brooklyn came looking for me. It made me want to explore the "whole place" even more.
Later that night they treated me to a baby-back rib dinner from Chili's delivered to the house by Mark. SOO good. Thank you!

Tuesday morning Laura went for a run very early. I have to say I didn't even hear her leave the house. When she got back I went for one, too. I went around the rec. center/pool and down to the end of the park where there were new homes being built. It was so fun, I just kept running and running around this neighborhood and that neighborhood looking at the beautiful homes. I came back to the park and took a different trail through it and then back up to the rec. center. I made my way back to Laura's but wasn't quite through running so I ran in and out of her neighborhood a couple of times. It was getting late and I had been gone for an hour so I went on back to the house where Jace and Annie met me.

After a shower we got ready and walked over to the pool. It was wonderful. There was a slide area, a shallow area, a swim area and a spray area all together in one huge pool. Laura and the kids got in the water but I just sat and enjoyed the view.

Needless to say we all took naps that afternoon and then Mark and Laura got some time to go to the temple and I got to spend some time with the kids. We made bread in a "little loaf" pan that held 8 loaves, had dinner and read books. Brooklyn is so sweet! She wasn't quite ready for bed when Jace and Annie were so she stayed up with me and just let me hold her till she fell asleep. They were all in bed when Dad and Mom got home but it had been a good night.



The next morning we walked to the park for one last play time together and then we loaded up the car and they took me back to the airport. 

 So long Nelson's. I'll see you again another time.