charlie

It's really amazing-

the love

the hope

the joy

{grandma & charlie}

that come from a new baby in the family.

{grandpa & charlie}

we made it

We got to Megan's house after Charlie had gone to bed...

We were pretty wiped out anyway & bunked down.

Megan & Tony's new house is so darling- they gave us all the tour.

But the best part-

was sleeping away...

Chloe was so worried she wouldn't get a turn with her bossy older brothers around- to hold the baby. But- morning proved to be the best time since they slept the mornings away.

I wonder what Charlie was thinking-

he went to bed, then woke up the next day with 3 uncles, 2 aunts

and GRandma & Grandpa in his house!?

He sure handled it well!

He was all smiles all the time.

He's the kind of baby that smiles so hard & so cute.

Gosh- he's lovable...

Grandpa & his boy

It was so nice to have some real time off.
We slept in- played & played.
It was great to just be together.

Trent spent some time here...
but really fell in love exploring the neighborhood with dad (there is a pond just down the street)

and playing with Charlie.

gee- I wonder what Charlie was thinking?

One morning Trent helped me get Charlie dressed. Trent was so funny- he kept saying "Charlie, please move your foot over.

Charlie move your foot a little..."

so cute.

I can't even explain how much we miss them.

more to come...

St. George to Vegas to Arkansas... backwards

I uploaded these photos in reverse on accident.

Dang- I hate when I do that....

We arrived in Bentonville, Arkansas around 9:00 PM

It's a cute little airport.
Really smart & clean & nice & you get out of the plane
outside-
which is kind of cool if you ask me.

The 3 hour ride seemed like 12.
We traveled on Allegiant Air, a fairly new airlines that does not offer perks, but low prices instead. When I say - no perks- I'm serious.
I'm talking NO drink- NO peanuts- NO snacks with out $$
That was okay.

The Vegas Airport has changed so much since the last time I was there, which was I don't remember when.. but I've been there. Jack was born in Vegas. We lived there for only 9 months during their "family period" and boy-- have things changed.

Now- what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas.

Pretty airport though.

My mom warned us there were long lines & she was right on the money!

Take a look at all these Bentley's & limos here waiting to pick up people!

There were just as many if not more out of view!!

wow

The drive to Vegas from St. George is such a pretty one, especially in spring & this canyon.

My parents were so great to let us come & visit & crash at their house.

ARen't the cute!?

They had pizza & soda for us when we got there--

it had been a long drive & that was so nice!

Thanks for having us mom & dad!

Hopefully we will see you again really soon.

more to come on the trip...

soon

right now- I'm working on getting things back in order, a cub troop field trip & getting jack out the door- he leaves exactly one week from now...

-ONE WEEK-

His VISA & travel plans came while we were away.

so he heads straight to the BRazilian MTC

next tuesday at 2:45

BRAZIL is going to LOVE him!

road trip quotes

Day one- we left a little late & drove to provo & picked up some In & OUt burgers (they are as good as i remember!) then we picked up brian & were off. Most of the trip was uneventful with Newsies playing on the portable DVD... but near Cedar City this conversion started up & I wrote as fast as I could- in between belly laughing & tears.
dad- turn it, that's dirty song
trent- wait, I wanna hear it.
trent- stop it you overgrown idiot
brian- if you tickle me one more time, your nipple's comin' off.
trent- is this brian's street?
jack- ya it's dumb crap avenue.
trent- do they call it that because he farts a lot at school?
brian (he sat next to trent & poor chloe)- stop it! He's stickin his hand up my butt! that's it one more time & your nipples are mine... ya that's what I thought.
stop touching me. I'm gonna kill him. That's it, I'm twistin' this time.
trent- dad! Pull over, I'm getting out!
brian- he's rolling his heely up my back.jack move over, I'm sittin with you.
Jack- Get off me (wrestling) brian you have no idea- get off of me.
brian- hailey do you want to sit in the back?
dad- okay this is getting out of control
Brian- you guys are trying to make me look like the bad guy.
brian- trent, I have enough oil, thanks
screaming...
trent- chloe punched me (ya right? and wouldn't he have deserved it?) He's trying to fart on me.
brian- I'm just gonna butter cup him.Never do that again.
Things got better with some EArth Wind & Fire, the King of Pop & the rubberband man- mixed in with Bread & I'm just a Love Machine.
On the Way to Vegas... it's thursday early afternoon. We spent a great night with my parents (photos to come, I'm on the road ya know?)
Trent upon waking up- I didn't even puke last night!
jack to brian- when I get home from my mission do you want to grow a mustache with me?
brian- ya, we can get coon skin caps & go shootin' on the weekends.
trent- how long is the flight to Arkansas?
jack- it depends on whether or not we crash. trent- if we crash we're gonna die
trent- brian what's the speed limit?
mom- 75
trent- brian you are speeding.
brian- no I'm not.
trent - look at it! we are going 80! we are going to die...

well- that's all for now- I hope we make it ;)

getting ready

*we are getting ready to leave for Arkansas today.
*a ticket from SLC is $450
*a ticket from Vegas... $200
*there are seven of us, you do the math
*my parents live near there so we are driving down & spending the night
*then heading for In & Out Burger
* then heading for the airport
*priorities
*driving in the car with 5 kids is not much better than driving in the car with 6 kids
*it is much better- MUCH better- than driving in the car with 6 kids & 2 dogs
*not that we are stupid enough to ever do that? (no we are not)
*When 2 of the kids are adults it's easier... right.
*I'm almost positive we have never gotten out of the house for a trip on time.
*I hope we do today!?
*I guess I need to get off the computer?

What makes a road trip easier in your family?

any ideas?

quick... I've gotta go soon!!!

**leave me a comment & I will send you a post card**

"they keep calling me muffin- stud muffin!"

Tomorrow we leave for our last family vacay before jack becomes a full time missionary in Brazil. I am so happy we are doing this even though we are pulling 4 kids out of school- just a week 1/2 before a week long spring break.

Today - my house is still clean from our get together Sunday so I am thrilled to be getting things done that I never seem to get around to.

Although- I just can't seem to concentrate.

All I keep thinking about is I get to see this stud muffin soon!

and his parents

I can't wait

jack's day

Yesterday was Jack's big day.

The day he spoke to our congregation & guests (loads of friends there) before he leaves for his mission to Brazil on April 6th.

His topic:

the Worth of Souls

I am his mother... but I think he hit it out of the ballpark.

It was beautiful to hear him speak of Christ, the potential in all of us, the gift of this life, and how we should be more like Him by loving one another.

a mother pay day- for sure.

Man I love this kid.

AFter ward, we had a load of teens, family & friend over to eat.

Many had come from college etc. with a drive back awaiting them.

It was great to have Ruthie & Greg here & their family.

You just can't believe h0w many sweet friends brought food & well wishes.

These two seriously saved my bacon.

Brittany has skills- catering skills, people skills, hard working dish washing skills & even mopping my floor skills. I couldn't have made it all happen without her- well, I could but it would have been so much harder! thanks brittany- I love you.

friends

cousins

brenna-

I love brenna
she's one of jack's oldest friends

The peanut & brian.

the peanut did not like brian even though brian tried really hard to get on his good side.

(the peanut loves me... I am so proud)

more friends

cousins

cousins

dudes

more dudes

lauren & adam

the peanut & his favorite guy...

his big brother.

It was a great day!

I wish you could have been here.