The Red Shirts are Coming!

So we have the good ol' family reunion coming up in a few weeks. What are everyones plans? Who is arriving when and all that good stuff. I can't wait to se everyone -- and we really need to take a family photo !

Here is mama. Isn't she cute! Happy Mothers Day Mom! I love your guts!

I know this is so cliche but my mom really is one of my best friends. I love to talk to her on the phone -- which we do at least once a week. I only wish we lived closer so I could stop by at any given moment. She is an amazing cook and has created many memorable meals for me through the years. She also is a fantastic seamstress. You should see all the great things she has made from doll clothes to beautiful smocked dresses for my girls -- and everything always looks like I bought it at a boutique. I am grateful for all time she has taken to make these kinds of things for me. Then there is her house keeping. Martha Stewart has nothing on Mary! Growing up the house was always clean the laundry done and the house organized. She never had a sock basket! She even ironed our t-shirts!


But most importantly she was a mom. She was there for me when I woke up for early morning seminary and when I got home from school. She waited up for me until who knows when while I was hanging out with friends or dating. I even appreciate all the quotes and notes I found on my mirror when I was in high school. She has answered I don't know how many parenting questions and has loved my children. Her strength has carried me through difficult times and she has made me laugh pretty hard too. I am grateful for her testimony which she was always willing to share. My brothers and I are lucky to have been raised by her. I love you Mom!

The Nerds

We took pictures this morning before church -- here are a few

Flashback

Birthday Boy

Today is Barry's third birthday. I can hardly believe it! He is the cute stubborn one in the family -- well maybe that is Cord -- but Barry runs a close second. We had a small family party. Barry chose hamburgers, red Jell-o, Cheetos and "chocolate coconut cake" (German chocolate) for his birthday dinner. I bet you wish you were here!

When it came time to open presents there was one dominating toy -- POWER RANGERS! He got one from Grandma Risa & Grandpa Barry, a pack of 6 from his siblings, and one from our friends the Ericksons. Will also got one from mom & dad (to avoid some fighting). Oh and he got a scooter too!

Dress up Time!!!

After church, we were talking about the one time when Cole, Lily and I had dressed Will up in a dress when we lived in our old house. So I decided to do it again with Will and Barry. They're wearing some of Lily's Dresses. Here they are: (sorry the first two pictures are sideways. It wouldn't let me do them right side up....) My mom wants to know if it reminds you of when she used to dress up Chris, Joe, and Dan!?!?!

Photos

Rachel as a Munchkin in a Stake production of Wizard of Oz.(Oct 2007)

Dan and Rachel being silly at the Museum of Flight.(Mar 2008)

Chase blowing bubbles in the backyard.(Feb 2008)

Dan and the kids Christmas morning. ( Dec 2007)