Universal Studios

 

Porter is living his best life! He got to go to Universal Studios this weekend with some of his buddies! 

 

 

Gatlin, Jack, Porter, Bridger, Carter, TJ

 

They spent some time on the beach and also got to do some shopping! I think he's having a great time. He should be home tonight and I can't wait for the report.

Happy 18th Birthday, Leighna!

And just like that, I have another adult in the house!

I don't think this should be real. 

Leighna is such funny, spunky, and just so fun to be around! She is very helpful and thoughtful of others! 

 

Addie, Leighna, Jack and I got up early and went on a hike out at Red Cliffs. It was a good hike and one I haven't done before. 

 This is just a weed, but I love the way this picture turned out!

 

We had lunch at Freddy's. It was good. I haven't eaten there before either. It was pretty good. It's a lot like Culvers.

 

Colten (our neighbor spent the day with us too.) After Freddy's we went glow-in-the-dark minature golfing. The Babe met us there and had 30 minutes for a quick round before his next meeting. 

 

Hartley, Sarah, Grandma, and Grandpa Allred joined us for cake and ice cream. 

 

We had a great day celebrating our girl! She's such a joy to have in our family, I'm so grateful for her!

 

Aunt Mary Lou surprised us with a few extra tickets to Tuacauhn, We were so happy to get to go! We got to see Anastasia and it was fantastic! It was hot, but still a great time! 

 

Veyo Pool

 

Tuesday and Thursday mornings I get up and walk with my RS ladies! It was a beautiful morning this morning! The clouds were beautiful and provided a much needed reprieve from the burning sun. I genuinely love the ladies in my ward and I love spending time with them. 

 

Chrystal held up her fan to compare with the fan in the clouds. :-)

The rest of the day we spent at Veyo Pool! One of our favorite traditions! We were having so much fun I didn't take any pictures until it was almost time to go. 

 

The Lord has blessed me with the best people! 

Shawna, Jodi, Amy, and Danielle were all there, we usually get a picture, but we didn't do it this year. We missed Lisa, she's off vacationing with her family! 

 

Leighna, Tylee

Shelbie, Ty, Kambrielle, Tritan, Izzy, Trexton, Will

 

Leighna, Rylee, Tylee

It was fun watching one of the boys flirt with these cuties! He was no dummy! 

 

When we got home, I tried to be a real grown up and I watched the presidential debate. It was painful. I hate politics. I can't believe that these two men are our only choices....again! I don't know what I'm going to do. 

 

Summer Days

 

Baptisms for the Dead

 

 

 

Will is learning how to mow the lawn. He really wants to buy a cirkul bottle...it's a water bottle that you can add flavoring too or something. He's working hard, trying to earn enough money to buy one. He wants to mow the lawn every other day instead of once a week! I wonder what will happen when he finally has enough for his water bottle. He probably won't want to mow anymore after that! We'll see. 

And snow cones with Hartley girl! 

Date with Ty

 

Lunch date with Ty! He had to go to the doctor for his 7th grade immunizations. The doctor (our bishop) froze off some of his warts and he had to get 3 shots. We celebrated with lunch afterwards! It was super fun to have some one on one time with Ty. He didn't appreciate the first half of our date, but the second half made up for it!

 

Such a cutie! Or in today's terms what a rizzler!

It's my mom and dad's anniversary! 45 years! (I think, it might be 46)

They are serving their mission, and I'm not sure I've ever seen them so happy! It's really cute to watch them! Love you Mom and Dad! I'm blessed with the best!

 

Girls Camp

Another Girls Camp in the books! 

I think this makes 13, but I've lost count. I got to go with the Stake to be a Quilt Queen!

 

Of course we had to stop and smell the trees on the way up to camp! The ponderosa pines smell like, strawberry, chocolate, or vanilla. Or Neopolotan ice cream! If you don't believe me, stop and smell them for yourself!!!

 

It's Leighna's last camp and I'm glad I got to be there for that! 

 

Airika Hansgen! She's my neighbor, I can't believe she's old enough to be here! 

 

Evidence that Emily tied a quilt at least once! 

We had some fun with Ralph! We got a few good reactions! I didn't do too much with him this year. I had a terrible tooth ache and I was sick one of the days up there. It was a bit of a rough year for me on the mountain! 

 

All of the girls painted a paint by number and then they put them all together. This was the final picture. It was very cool.

 

Sam and I were first years together! It was fun to see her up there for the Friday dinner! Brought back a lot of memories. 

 

Birth Day

 

A few months ago, Sarah invited me to be at the hospital for her baby's birth. I felt very honored to receive such an invitation. I have never seen a baby be born. My babies were all born by c-section and sometimes I feel like I missed out on the experience. I know my experience isn't any less of a miracle, but it's different.

At 6:15 Zach called me and said they were on their way to the hospital, but not to come yet. They were going to get settled and find out where she was at and then let me know when to come. I layed in bed thinking about how exciting this day was going to be because our little guy was coming today! I thought I would have at least an hour before they called for me to come. 15 minutes later, I got another message from Zach. "You better come over". Followed right after by, "she's at a 10"! And a final, "HURRY" I thought he had to be kidding until I read HURRY! I quickly threw on my clothes and headed out the door. I sped all the way to the hospital, but before I could get there, I got the call. He's here! Sarah arrived at the hospital at 6:29, sweet Wesley was born at 6:55! I arrived at the hospital at 7:04. I missed the birth, but I'm so grateful I got there when I did. When I walked into the room, the nurse and Zach were weighing the baby and Sarah was sitting in the bed shaking like a leaf. I wrapped my arms around her and we cried together. I spent the whole day with Sarah and Zach and it was a beautiful day! Giving birth is not for the faint of heart. It's emotionally and physically taxing, but it is beautiful! When I got home, I let my own tears flow. I can't adequately describe why. There were lots of reasons. 

The gift of my own babies. 

The loss of my other babies. 

The sting of not being there when I was needed most. 

Being there. 

Watching my sister hurt.

Being loved and wanted myself.

Being able to hold this baby.

Wanting to.

 Perhaps there was another layer of healing that I didn't know I needed.

Sarah and Zach, thank you from the bottom of my heart, for letting me be there! 

 

Finally Here

 

Oh, we have been waiting and praying for this little guy for a long time!!! 

He's finally here, safe and sound! 

 

7 pounds 20 inches

 

It was so cute to watch this little family blossom and grow! 

 

 

So grateful I got to be here today. 

 

Welcome to the family Wesley Philip!