Labor Day Weekend 2011

The family in front of the Statue of Liberty.

Liv and Allie

The Lady

Liv and I in front of Ellis Island Museum.

Elijah, Juliana, and Vincent on the ferry to Ellis Island.

Joe on the Ferry.

Allie, Sam, Scott, and Alivia on the ferry to Ellis Island.

All of us before we got on the ferry to Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. I'm taking the picture. (Allie, Joe, Alivia, Sam, Erika, Scott, Juliana, Vincent, Elijah, and Robert)

Scott and Liv in front of the new WTC memorial. It was pretty awesome to see where they would be standing.

Inside Ellis Island Museum.

WHAT A GREAT DAY!!!!

Animal Kingdom

Just a few pictures of some of the kids with their cousins at the little petting zoo. It was kind of a fun place. I don't know if we will ever go back, but it was fun to see.

Bird In The Hand, PA

My future quilt.

Shopping

Scott and I went on a all day date. We told the kids it was an "Old" people kind of day...and off we went. We drove 2 hours, and we were in the middle of Amish Country. It was so beautiful. We went shopping, ate at an awesome place called "Miller's", and saw some beautiful country. It was such an enjoyable day, and I can't wait to go back!

Midnight Movie Harry Potter 7:2

The Wagoner's invited us to dinner at their house, and then the midnight movie of Harry Potter. We had so much fun. We were misinformed, by the theater, that people were already lining up at 9:00 in the morning for the movie, so we hurried and ate, and got to the theater by 5:00PM. We were surprised to find out that we were 1st in line. We had a great time playing games, visiting, and watching all the "crazy" fans, who dressed up, put on wand dualing wars, etc. Very entertaining. We got the best seats in the theater, and totally LOVED the movie! What a great memory!

July 4th 2011

Our ward had a pancake breakfast, with a bike parade for the kiddos, this year. Elijah had a great time riding like a crazy man all over the parking lot. After breakfast we went to the Ortiz' house. We hung out at the pool, ate awesome food, enjoyed even better company, and went to see the fireworks on the base. We had a blast! One of the best 4th of July's we've ever had!!

Dogs, Dogs, and more DOGS!

A BOY AND HIS DOGS!!!

Last year Sam won, at Six Flags, a huge Curious George and banana stuffed animal. Everytime we go there we would see a gigantic "PUG" stuffed animal, and Sam would ask if he could have $5 to win it. We of course said "NO", you already won a huge stuffed animal and just considered him lucky to have won once. When we went for Liv's birthday, we wanted to play some games, and Sam said, "Give me $5 so I can win my pug." I had no idea that the boy has such luck and skill!!! It's good we waited to the end of the day to play games, because that GINORMOUS pug is NOT fun to pack around. Now if I can only figure out WHERE to put it!! IT's going in HIS room, I hope he'll be able to walk around...

Happy 12th Birthday!!

Watch out Young Women's Program, here comes Alivia!!! FINALLY!!! Liv is so excited to finally get out of primary, and on to older girls and older things. I think we all remember singing primary songs when you are so ready not to....I on the other hand am wishing she were stuck in time, and would stop growing so darn fast.

She amazes me everyday! She is SO funny, has a great sense of humor, so kind, very outgoing, awesome style, and has a heart of gold. Everyday is a new adventure... She is so much fun to be around, and she is just a delightful person....

She had a great birthday party. Actually, she is kind of having 2 parties this year. For her birthday, day, she had her friend Kyra spend the night, and then we went to Six Flags. Played games, won prizes, rode rides and just had a blast. On July 13th, she invited four more friends to go back to Six Flags, and do the same thing. Maybe we'll try out Hurricane Harbor, for a change.

Mom and Dad gave her a new cell phone. Brothers and sister gave her collectable erasers, Grandma gave her an itunes card, she has already spent, and Kyra gave her a gift card to Claire's, her favorite store. Thanks everyone!!

Liv, I am so proud of the person you are and are becoming. Keep up the good work...I love you so much.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Alivia's New Haircut

Alivia's hair at Easter time. She has been trying to grow out her bangs.

Her new Summer haircut. She loves it! She said she wanted something drastic!

So I gave her layers, and blended the bangs. It looks a little uneven in this picture, but it isn't, it is just how it is laying. It looks really cute on her. She looks a lot older, so I'm having second thoughts. Where has my baby girl gone? Just for my own information, this took me about 2 hours to do. I was very cautious, and am hoping that my speed increases...It was a lot of fun to cut her hair, and she was so patient. Thanks Liv for being such a great Lab Rat! You're AWESOME!!

Wedding Bells

Sweet!

Congrats Ben and Emilee McMurdy. The happy couple...
My Mom with her kids, and one grandson, Thomas!
My Dad with his kids, at the reception.

My sweet, beautiful, kind, loving niece, got married this month. I flew out to Florida to see her and Ben get married in the Orlando Temple for time and all eternity. Everything about it was absolutely beautiful. Emilee and Ben looked so happy. We went to the temple, then to a really neat place called Vino's for the Dinner. We then drove to Amy and John's house for the reception the next day. After the reception, Ben and Emilee went to Miami, to get on a ship for a 7 day honeymoon cruise! LUCKY!!

It was a lot of fun to see my family too. I haven't seen some of them since before GTMO, so it was really good to see them! I wish that there was a way to make time go by slower than it does. It was such a fast weekend. It felt like it was over before it began.

Thanks to John and Amy! They sure know how to throw a party. It all turned out wonderful... I miss you all already!!

Beauty School!

I have always wanted to cut hair (and actually know how to do it right). About 6 months ago, Scott came home from work, and told me he thought I should quit my job (which I hated), and go to Cosmotology School. So here I am in week 5 of my 9 month program, and I LOVE IT! My graduation date is January 2, 2012. If you need a haircut, color, facial, manicure, pedicure, makeup, perm or a relaxer, give me a call!! I need the practice!

Happy Mother's Day

As I sit here writing this, I am at a loss for words, to describe my Mom. I feel very blessed that I have such a great one. She is and always has been my best friend. She really is SO much fun to be around. She has taught me so much about life, love, and the importance of faith. I honestly have NEVER heard her be mean to another person. My Mom has been through so many trials, and yet her faith stands strong. She is positive, kind, forgiving, loving, and truly has the best sense of humor. I thank Heavenly Father everyday for sending me to her. I love you Mom. Happy Mother's Day! You ARE the BEST!

Here Comes the Sun!!

Jack, Molly and Baby H

I think this is how we all feel. It looks like warm weather is FINALLY here. We made it through our first really cold weather in over a decade. It was a little bit fun, but we are all ready to bask in the sun!

A Boy and His Dog...

This is one of my favorite pictures. Samuel thinks "Molly" is the greatest dog ever. She would rather be with him than anyone else. He has several nick names for her. Here are just a few of them... Puggapiggle, Pegasus, and Beautiful. I find myself calling her Moo, Moo. There is just nothing like a "Boy and his dog"

Happy Birthday Scott!

Happy Birthday to the best husband, father, and friend. Hope you know how much we love and appreciate all you do to take care of us. You are AWESOME!!! Love, Sara, Allie, Joe, Sam, Alivia, and Elijah

GROOVY!!

Here are some pictures of Elijah that someday will really embarrass him. I was going through my High School box, and found this great "Sandra Dee" outfit! He just HAD to try it on!! I love this boy!! He is the funniest 8 year old I know!!!

What is real? What is Sci-fy?

We were doing our family scripture reading the other night. We were reading about King Benjamin, and how he gathered the people together, to speak to them one more time, before he died.

After we read the verse that he had died, Elijah, very seriously asked..."Did this happen before or after Star Wars times?

I wonder how he pictures the stories in the scriptures? I LOVE this sweet, funny boy....

Snow Days Are Grand!!

There has been so much snow! We have had 2 snow days so far this year. The first snow day it was so cold outside that we couldn't do much with it. This last snow day, it warmed up nicely, so we went outside, shoveled snow, had a snowball fight, built a couple snowmen, and made snow angels! I LOVE it!! Bring on MORE snow!!!

Birthday Time!!

Joseph, Allie and Samuel getting ready to blow out their candles. Coldstone cakes "ROCK".

We have a picture like this every year. Someone always blows the candles out first. Can you guess who it was? Ha, Ha!

Samuel, our reader, and his "Nook"

Joe and his dog "Rowan"

Allie and her birthday present "Les Miserables"

Overall, a VERY good 15th Birthday! I was OK with them turning 15, but I am not making any promises on how I'll take them turning 16....Time flies to quickly...I love you Allie, Joe and Sam! Happy Birthday!