Cow Appreciation Day 2011

Called To Serve

My brother has been called  to serve an LDS Mission to Washington, Everett for two years. He leaves to the Mission Training Center June 8th and we are so excited for him. This last Sunday was his last time speaking in church and so we had gotten a plane ticket for me to go out there along with Lincoln (lap rider) and see him one last time. I was so surprised when the day before we were leaving, an amazing friend-you know who you are Sarah :) posted on facebook that she had four tickets to Utah the exact days I was going and wondered if anyone could use them. Uh yeah....I immediately called Damone to tell him and see if he wanted me to get them, that way our whole family could go and say goodbye to Todd. Needless to say we booked them and the trip was amazing. What a blessing.
I flew in and then a few hours later Damone flew in with the rest of the kids. We kept it a secret from everyone that they were coming. So when Damone pulled up in the driveway in a rental, my brother said, "Someone is in our driveway in a van." My dad got up to look and see who it was, while my mom was asking who it was and his reply was, "I think it looks like Damone" as he turned to look at my just as surprised look :) Then the sliding door slid open and out jumped Cooper, Lydia and Kyler. My parents were so shocked and Todd couldn't get over that all of us were there. It was awesome, it truly was a blessing for all of us to be there. The last time all my siblings, spouses and our children were all together was 6 years ago.
Todd spoke in church on the Atonement and the spirit was so strong, so many family came up to see him who I haven't seen in years. He will be one amazing missionary as he shares his testimony and the love he has for our Savior. Good luck Todd!

Top L-R: Lincoln, Damone, Cooper, Tanna, Grandma (Denise), Grandpa (Boyd), Todd, Ryan, Jamie

Bottom L-R: Lydia, Kyler, Hanne, Ylena, Cohen and Kaeden

 I love this kid!

We were also able to meet up with Damone's sister and her family.

Lincoln, Jovie, Lydia, Cooper, Ella, Mia, Kyler

Holiday Express Train

We leared about the Holiday Express Train in Richardson, and decided to go and check it out with some friends. This guy on Richardson, decks his back yard out and has this train that he built that he lets people come and ride for FREE. The kids loved it, they just kept getting back in line and riding it over and over.

 In fact we were waiting in line one time and all of a sudden we hear a little familiar voice coming from the train, "Hi Mom and Dad"- come to find out Cooper butted in front and got on the train by himself. We could not get him off, he thought that once the train stopped the people were getting off because they wanted to, well he wanted to stay.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Lydia had the opportunity to be a Cheetah as one of Aslan's followers in The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe with the Wylie Acting Group for Children. She LOVED it!

These are pictures from the "Curtain Call." When we were driving home after the first of three performances she turned to me and said, "Mom when I came running out to bow I was so happy for myself I wanted to cry, I just loved it so much."

The audience got to meet and congratulate the cast in the receiving line after the show.

and Nana got to come out and see the play.

Lydia enjoyed everything about the play and working with WAG and already plans to audition for the next one. We are so proud of you Lydia!

Beautiful Pictures

These pictures were taken by my friend Mandie. They are so amazing. It is hard to choose which ones we will print. I just made my new blog header using the pictures from this shoot-it took me forever because I couldn't remember how to merge the photos. But I finally got it and I love it, I also put a picture of Maloree's hand prints on it. Check out Mandie's photography blog here. Thanks again Mandie.

Easter

We were blessed this Easter to have Nana come and visit, and then later Grandma and Grandpa and Uncle Todd got to come.

Nana made sure we colored eggs. Kyler spilled the "yellow" and reconfirmed to Damone, that is why we don't color eggs. At least it was the yellow and not the red or purple.