Day 8 - Family Home Evening

When I was growing up, we probably only had family home evening a handful of times.  Once I had children, I decided to make a goal to have FHE every week.  Let me tell you, it has been SO much fun!!  You hear it in conference ALL the time - teach your children the Gospel.  It is the most important thing you can do.  And our family has been so blessed because of family home evening.  We have had lessons on prayer:

articles of faith:

running from sin:

lots of service:

choosing the right:

we've made crafts:

gone to Temple open houses:

reenacted the stripling warriors:

had lessons up the canyon:

and so much more.  I look forward to FHE every week.  We've played games, read scriptures, gone on treasure hunts, made crafts, seen temples, the list goes on and on.  The possibilities are endless and so rewarding.  It truly is the best thing you can do for family and I am so glad that we have incorporated in our family's schedule.  I am grateful for my family and I value every minute we get to spend together.

Day 9 - The Kiddos

Not ever knowing what it was like to have little babies around, I wasn't quite sure what to expect when I found out I was pregnant.  We became a family four rather quick.  This little guy came first:
 
 
He was such a cute little guy.  Less than two years later this little cutie arrived:


I quickly learned how to change diapers, and tend to a fever.  Then I blinked and this happened:

then this happened:

and this:

and this:

I turned around and they're going to school, reading, and pretty much taking care of themselves.



7 years has just flown by.  I love my little ones more than anything and I would do anything for them.  They are great kids and they are so much fun.  I love you Jeremy and Bailee.

Day 10 - Grandma Garrett

When I was growing up, my Grandma Garrett was one of my best friends.  We would have sleep overs and stay up late drinking Tab and watching the love boat.  Whenever we would play board games, she would always let me win.  She was a super Grandma:

I would sit on the top of the fridge and watch her cook dinner.  We would make modge podge crafts to take home and give to my mom.  She would let me play with all the stuff in her Japanese Jewelry box.  We would spend hours looking at pictures of her clogging all over the world with my Grandpa.  I would listen to her stories and picture myself over in Japan dancing with my future husband.  We would sit and watch Jeopardy while we ate dinner at 4:30 PM (hey they were grandparents).  She always had some kind of dessert whenever I would sleep over: ice cream, German chocolate cake (her favorite) or cookies.  For lunch, she would toast a "Grandma Sandwich" and we would plan our next sleep over. 

Those were the best times.  I miss my Grandma so much, but because of some extremely spiritual experiences I have had, I know that she is always there for me even on the other side.  I love you Grandma.

Day 11 - The Honeymoon

After Matt and I got married:

We had a dinner:

Then we left for our honeymoon:

We hopped on a cruise ship for the Mexican Riviera:

We stopped in Cabo San Lucas:
 
We had a little Mexican Cab Driver take us on a tour of Old Mazatlan:

and New Mazatlan:

Then we went on a Unimog Tour of Puerto Vallarta:

We played on the beach:

and watched the sun set:

It was a great honeymoon and the perfect start to our marriage.

Day 12 – Grandpa Bailey

My Grandpa Bailey died when I was relatively young, but when I think about Grandpa Bailey:

I always think about those summer nights when all the cousins would gather on my Grandparents porch and play night games. All the grown-ups would gather in the house except for my Grandpa. He would sit on the green chair and watch all of us play. Endless games, over the can, Cowboys and Indians, and even hide and seek. It was a blast and the best part was Grandpa would always tell me where everyone was hiding. It was great. He died when I was 12, but whenever I feel that warm summer night breeze I think of my Grandpa sitting on the porch laughing and smiling.