Ryanne got this PINK scooter for her birthday. She loves it. It does seem a little dangerous, but hopefully she will get the hang of it before anyone loses a limb. Ryanne is such a cute kid. We had the family over for cake and ice cream last night. I had to put this other picture of Ryanne in because it makes me so proud. Check out the look on her face. I love that kid!!!!

Isn't It Great? Ryanne is Eight!!!!

Wooo Hoooo. Ryanne is 8 years old today! Ryanne is such a fun kid! We love her BIG personality! Ryanne loves to read, dance, sing, and play with her sister Emmie. She and Emmie are besties. Ryanne can't wait to get baptized. We just love her!!!!

WELCOME HOME BROTHER JAXSON!!!

JAXSON DID IT!!! He survived the Trek and he is still speaking to me! I missed and worried about him so much. I am so proud of him. Not to mention so grateful he is home safe! We filled his room with balloons and made a "Welcome home" poster. Each of us put a hand print on the poster and wrote something we missed about Jaxson in our hand print. I won't bore you with many of the details, but sweet Ryanne wrote, "I just miss my brother!" That pretty much summed up all of our feelings! I knew he would be so excited to sleep in his own bed. I put clean sheets on his bed and made it the way that he likes. I also made him his favorite dinner: Navajo Taco's. I am so happy he is home. He has been so cute since he walked in the door. This is another day I hope I always remember. He has said the neatest things. He learned so much about why family is important. Jaxson said he was so sad when the girls had to do the wagons by themselves. He said all of the boys wanted to help so bad. His comment was, "Mom they weren't just girls, they were our friends and sisters. I love that!!!! I asked him if he would take a minute to write his feelings in his journal right now why he was feeling so good. Do you know what he said? He said, "YES!" That never happens!

This has been the best couple of days. Usually I am a lot more crazy the last two days that Tim is gone! But so many fun things have been going on. We all miss Tim so much and I wish he were here to share these moments. We had a girls night out last night. My friend helped me take the girls and a few friends to see the movie Hairspray. It was so good. The whole night was all girls and I loved it! Ryanne is dancing around the house singing all the songs from the movie. With Jaxson coming home today I couldn't ask for more!!! (Except Tim being here too!)

A Couple More of Ryanne's Pics

Here's a Quick preview of Ryanne's baptism pics! They all came out soooo cute. I can't get the vertical ones to pull up right. So, you will just have to trust me! I hope I remember the day these were taken for the rest of my life. Ryanne was so cute and so happy to go with just me. (We had planned on getting family pictures that day too. But the whole family never seems to be in the same place at the same time.) Ryanne kept saying, "Thank you for spending the afternoon with me." I just love her sweet little spirit. She is such a wonderful kid. I am so grateful that Ryanne is my daughter.

Our friend Carin, from Barefeet Photography, took these pictures. I can't begin to thank her enough. They came out so nice. More than that, I loved watching her with Ryanne. Carin was so good to her. She walked Ryanne through the park and asked her what she wanted to do and where she wanted her picture taken. I loved that she really listened to Ryanne. It was such a neat day. I am so glad that we have so many wonderful friends that truly love our kids. Tim and I feel so blessed to have lived here so long and to have formed so many wonderful friendships.

When I was talking to the girls about Carin and how much she loves them. Morgan reminded me of a time right before Tim and I had left for Hawaii. We were going to be traveling with my sister, who would "inherit" our children if anything were to happen to us. I went back and forth considering who we should have raise them if something were to happen to all of us. I really couldn't sleep at night. I was so worried about it. Tim told me to talk to my friend Marnae. So I called and told Marnae that I had a huge favor to ask and that she could have a couple of days to think about it. (Because I am generous!!) I asked if she would talk to Todd and if they would be willing to take our kids in case something happened to Tim and I. Marnae said, "Kari, I don't need to think about it. Nothing would make us happier than to raise your children." Morgan had been listening to the whole conversation. When I looked over at her, tears were streaming down her cheeks and she said, "Mom, Marnae must really love us! That is so cool."

It is so cool!! We feel so blessed to have so many people that our children can look up to and know they love them!!!!

Happy Birthday Kallie!!!

Today, Kallie, our friend/nanny/neighbor turned the big 18! Isn't she cute. My kids love her more than they love me! (Shannon do you recognize the blanket?) We spent the day with her at Seven Peaks. She is such a sweetie to my kids. I just love it!!! Happy Birthday Kal!!!


We've also had sleep overs, french toast eating contests and movie nights. Not to mention friends, friends and more friends! I am missing Jaxson SOOOOO much! He is on the Trek with our stake. Walking in this weather. I think about him all the time and hope he is having fun!!!!

Another Make Up Blog!

July 4, 2007

We had planned to go to St. George to spend the 4th with Tim's dad. Unfortunately, my leg had been hurting and I didn't want to sit in the car forever. We decided to barbecue with some families in our ward instead. We had a great time and got to know some of out neighbors a little better. Later Kate and Scott brought their family down to do fire works. All the kids were so cute. They loved staying up late and playing with fire.

We are so grateful to live in this country and have the freedoms that we enjoy. We are also so glad that Kate and Scott live close so that we can spend these fun holidays together.