March 2013

 This Spring Brody has been ailed with a dripping faucet for a nose.  Poor guy, those snot bubbles can be SO ANNOYING!

 Keegan gets more and more fun each day.  He has such a funny personality and loves to be silly.

 Here he is with one of his MANY accessories-his hat.  He is almost always found wearing a hat, sunglasses, someone's shoes or all of them at once.

 One of the rare moments where the kids all play together joyfully

 Finn is growing up so fast and he has the freckles to prove it.  He excels in school- especially reading and science. His imagination fuels his artwork as well.

 Savvy-girl is a sassy girl, although she looks sweet as pie in this picture.  She wants to be just as old as Neelah is and pretty much plays the part already. 

 Neelah is really growing and learning this year in Kindergarten.  She has a tendency to be a bit sneaky sometimes but makes up for it with her tenderness and empathy for others.

 Fun Guy Keegan

 This is what happened here in Mt Airy, MD in late March!  Just AFTER we planted all our seedlings!  Most didn't survive but it sure made for some beautiful photos.

Spring 2013 / Savvy's PreSchool Graduation

 It was a beautiful Spring this year, complete with wildlife galore.  Each morning the kids would look out on the back deck and watch the different birds come to visit the bird feeder.  They were always hoping to see a Cardinal or a Blue Bird but most were Robins and Blue Jays.  I am so lucky to have this as my backyard view.  It is so peaceful and calming. 

 Savvy graduated from PreK at St James Nursery.  She LOVED going to school and loved being with all her friends. 

 My little sunshine!

 She is such a sweetie and fun to be around.  My little graduate!

This is Savvy's "best friend" Elizabeth.  They were thick as thieves all year long!

Family pictures

We got some awesome pictures taken, care of Lyndsay's talents. We only wish that Jon could have been there. (Afghanistan). 

The kids all got along splendidly-as if it had only been 7 days since seeing each other instead of the 7 months since Lyndsay and the kids were here in MD for Christmas. One day we won't have 2100 miles in between us!

Grandma Colleen

While in Utah, we got to spend a lot of time with Grandma Colleen. It really was priceless time and memories. The kids all loved on her and we all played numerous games of Go Fish. 

Savvy and Neelah lived having Uncle Kirk's dog around to play with. 

I had to say goodbye to my Grandma. I won't see her again before her Funeral. It was a heart-wrenching experience. I could hear her talking to the kids about future things; Finn serving a mission, the girls getting married in the temple. It was horrible and awkward and one of the most precious experiences of my life. I love her so dearly, she has been such an influence for good and righteousness in my life. I strive every day to follow her example. 

Cookout

One night while we were in Utah, we met up with the Watson's and the Rossi's for a cookout up Millcreek Canyon. The kids hiked around while the Dutch oven dinner was cooking. Hotdogs and s'mores were plentiful. 

Finn had fun conquering nature. 

All my kiddies

Grandpa Rick always makes the best Dutch oven dinners and desserts. We love Grandpa Rick and Grandma Sharlene SO MUCH!!

Savvy had to model marshmallow mouth

Keegan sat with Grand ma for over 30 min, just snuggling. Grandma Sharlene soaked it up, every second!

The kids each found sticks and twine and assembled their own fishing poles. 

Camden, Sydney, Neelah and Savvy. All the kids were partially soaked before the night was through. 

These Darlings are my light!  I am so blessed as well as SO THANKFUL!

Carnival Night 2013

Tonight we went to the Mt Airy Volunteer Fire Dept. Carnival. This is our third year going and we always have a great time. The Sommerfeldt and Donovan family's went with us and the kids all had a buddy to go on the rides with. 

Benson and Finn were two peas in a pod even though they are two years apart. They rode most of the "grown up" rides and these pictures were taken while waiting in line for the Super Shot. I can't believe Finn was brave enough to ride it!!

Most of the crew...

Here are Ashton, Finn and Benson waiting for the ride to begin. Keep in mind, Ashton is THREE!

One of the first rides the kids went on was Puff the Magic Dragon. Keegan was terrified and bawled the entire ride. After that he wouldn't go on any other rides- not even the lame horse behind the buggy that moves slower than he can run. That was a waste of $12!  Other than that, fun was had by all and we ended the night with cotton candy. 

It's family nights like this that I cherish. The kids are filled with excitement and I love to see it in their faces!  These are the memories I never want to forget!

Walter Kent Williams

Here are some more pictures of Grandpa Kent's funeral and viewing. Thanks to Melissa for capturing all the emotions of the day!

Utah Trip 2013

This trip to Utah came to pass because of Grandpa Kent's passing. Along the way, we had great visits with family. We spent a lot of time with Grandma Colleen. We all played cards, colored pictures and helped her around the house. 

Grandma has said many times that she didn't think she would have a chance to meet Brody. Luckily, she did and Brody was happy to let her cuddle him!  All the kids were sweet with Grandma Colleen and I loved watching every second! 

Today, after our visit, I had to say goodbye to Grandma. It was much harder that hearing of a death. I looked into her eyes as I was hugging and kissing her and we both knew it would be the last time we would be together. My heart broke today. 

I am so blessed to have had such a close relationship with my grandparents-both sets. They were all exceptional examples to me and I love them all so much. I have one grandparent left on this earth. I am so THANKFUL for the Plan of Salvation. The thought of a reunion in Heaven comforts me. As grandpa's casket was being closed, grandma whispered "don't wait to long, come and get me soon."

I aspire to have the kind of Marriage with Eric that my grandparents had together. I want my family to be together forever!

Uncle Kirk and Aunt Pam were at Grandma's house today as well. They brought their dog Cocoa. The kids LOVED playing with him and holding him-especially Savvy!  It made the day even more special. 

Fun cousin and 2nd cousin pictures

Finn, Gabe and Keaton

Savvy, Avery and Neelah

Grandpa Kent

Today I said goodbye to Grandpa Kent. He was such an amazing person and as I grew older, I came to realize that more and more. 

Eric, the kids and I were privileged to get to come back to Utah for the funeral. I ADORED seeing all the cousins again. We reminisced and teased each other and I loved every second of it!

It was one of the best days of my life. That is so odd to say since we were saying goodby to Grandpa. I know that Grandpa was so happy to see us all together again!

The kids got to meet and play with my cousins and spend quality time with Grandma Colleen. I miss living close to family.