Family River Hike

There is a small stream that goes into farmington pond that we hiked up tonight.  It was nice to be together as a family.  Molly loved wearing the water shoes aunt Jess bought for her.  You can see that I have been wearing a wrist brace.  Its been hurting.  I think from holding Avey.  I'm weak.

Weekend Fun

Nick left us for 4 days to go to Lake Powell with my brother John and brother-in-law Lance and the older nephews.  (Which he LOVED and had an AWESOME time...too bad no women were there to take pictures.  I'll have to see if anyone actually took any.:)) I wondered how I would manage with out him to be honest, but it worked out and I found out that even though I missed him a ton, it was nice to catch up on some cleaning and projects I wanted to do.  On Saturday our friends Cari and Jordan came for a visit.  They brought their new puppy Mya and both the girls were in heaven.  We went out to dinner and then the girls and I headed to Lehi to watch my niece Desiree in a play.  She did a very cute job and it was fun to see everyone.  When we got back to John and Julia's Nick and the boys came home.  It was fun to be together as a family again!!  Cari and Jordan had gone to a concert so when they got back we stayed up and talked way too late.  Then yesterday they came to church with us and we enjoyed dinner and a walk at the pond.  It was so nice and relaxing!  Cari and Jordan are so good to our girls and they love them so much!
  

Love these pics. of Avey crawling up the stairs.  Her new trick. :)

Happy 24th of July

I'll have to get pictures from my mother in law of our festivities because I didn't have my camera, but on Monday they invited us to the parade preview party but because we have been going, and going and going, I wanted Avey to get a nap.  So instead we met them at Energy Solutions where they had some free pony rides and native American activities.  Then yesterday we went to Heritage Park with Ali, Kim and the kids.  The kids rode the ponies again, got candy from the cannon and got some gold.  Avey had her first pretty major allergic reaction to either a BBQ potato chip or broccoli.  He eye got all swollen and she had red blotches all over her face and neck.  I put the girls to bed early last night.  They didn't see any fireworks.  We have some sparklers to do so hopefully we will get to do them tonight.

Lagoon and Cowabunga Bay

Between the reunions mom and dad invited us to  cowabunga bay with Joseph's family and Jessica's family.  I was proud that Molly would go on the kid slides.  She loves the water!  It was fun to be with the niece and nephews and my parents.  We are always so spoiled.  Jess stayed the night that night and on  Thursday morning we took the kids to Lagoon for a few hours.  Man we know how to play!!  It was hot and we were exhausted by about 2pm but it was fun!

Atticus Jack Cox

Last Wednesday a friend of mine sent her son up to check on her 4 month old baby who was taking a longer than usual nap.  To Ben's horror he found his little brother blue.  Atticus had died of SIDS.  They tried to revive him but to no avail.  John and Julia are very close to them and were some of the first people there.  They stayed while Jenny and Ryan had to be interviewed and everything was treated as a crime scene.  What a nightmare.  My poor friends.  That night I couldn't sleep.  My heart broke for them and felt kind of scared.  I think I check on my girls 5 times that night...and gave more kisses.  These babies that God gives us on loan are just that...on loan.  We are blessed to Love them in a way comparable to the way God loves us.  It is a blessing.  The temple and sealings are also such a blessing.  God gives us a way to be together forever.  I don't know what I would do without that knowledge and without my forever family.  Thanks be to God!

Sleeping Beauty

So I can remember who she looks when she is sleeping.  So Sweet!  And yes that is drool.  :)  She has that blanket wrapped around her fingers.

One Year Old!

My Little Ladybug is officially ONE!  I can't belive how quickly time has past.  I still remember being pregnant all too well and all the hard things that come with a newborn, but I wish I could freeze time when I think about her being one!  She has been the sweetest baby!!

At One Year Old:
*Avey has 4 teeth.  2 on bottom 2 on top.
*Climbs on everything she can.
*Nurses only 3 times a day (morning, nap and night) and sometimes a few others.
*Eating other foods better.
*Size 3 diaper
*Loves her blankie still and wants to take it wherever she crawls to
*Is so easy going in public.  She just looks around at people and smiles at everyone
*Smiles at others yes, but she won't go to just anyone...espeically if mom is around.
*She is a momma's girl!
*Loves her bath
*Likes peek a boo, wheels on the bus and if your happy and you know it.
*Just starting to get into books more
*Hates being in the carseat.

Sidwell Family Reunion

This last weekend we had the opportunity to go to Brighton Girls Camp for a family reunion.  This place is very special to Allison, and while sharing Faith Stories we learned this was the place Ali got her testimony and where she prayed if she should marry Keith.  It was neat to share this place with her. On Friday when we arrived we just unpacked and hung out for a while.  We shared some family storied while dinner was cooking.  (Lasagna made by Keith and Allison)  Aunt Camille came up for dinner and Avey's birthday party.  We let her open presents and have some cake.  Then we headed to Silver Lake for a walk and some fishing.  Nick was the only one to catch a fish but it was really little so it went back in.  We also saw two moose there.  When we got back we enjoyed smores around the campfire and then when the kids were in bed we told Faith stories.  It was neat to hear of times that helped build everyones testimonies.

Saturday I had to go to Lehi for a funeral, but the rest of the family hung out and played games.  When I returned we ate lunch at the cafe close by and then did some crafts.  Tin can lanterns again and some crayon art.  Allison brought rub on and clipboards to decorate too.  We went up hernia hill and went on a zipline next.  Even Molly did it and she loved it until the end.  We finished the night telling service stories and eating a yummy chicken salad dinner made by Kim.

It was great to be together!  We have been SO BLESSED in that we LOVE both of our families so much!  

Family Reunion Part 2c

(I've been waiting to get more pictures from family members for the next 2 days, because i didn't have my camera, but here is the journaling)

Friday morning we woke up to breakfast burritos by the Hatch family.  We then started making tin can lanterns for our craft.  While we ate and crafted we told our fun stories.  Then on to catch the bus for Lagoon.  We spent the whole day there and at the water park.  The kids switched off with who was together.  Avey even went on a few rides which she LOVED.  We ate lunch of taquitos by Johns family and mom and dad got pizza for dinner.  That night Dallin and Matthew did their talent in the dark, a dance with glowsticks taped to them.

Saturday we ate bagels and cream cheese from Jospehs family.  Then we were off to the Church for our service project.  I tried so hard to think of everything I would need for the lemonade stand, but forgot a change box and at the last minute we were scrambling.  We sold lemonade, Popsicles, and capri-suns.  (Unfortunately it was a cold rainy day, so they didn't sell out, but it was still a great experience to sell them during the Farmington day parade.)  The girls were inside making blankets for Share Parents.  We got 16 made of 3 different sizes.  Before lunch we did our talent show.  Molly did her articles of faith 1-4.  Desi and Nathan did a kid history.  Cara and Nathan did a dance.  Will played the piano and sang while Desi and John acted the song out.  Sherstins family did a spoof on Studio C and made a very funny, clever movie.  Mom and dad sang "Sweet Violets."  Lunch was provided by the Jensen family.  We ate sandwiches and many really enjoyed the peanut butter nutella ones.  We told our service stories and I was really able to feel the spirit of service and was reminded of the important part it should play in our lives.  Then we did some family games.  Missionary tag and "never have I ever."  We did family charades too.  The new red t-shirts say PTSP to remind us this year, Play Together, Stay Together, Pray Together, Serve Together.

Lady in Red

Family Reunion Part 1

This weekend we were in charge of our Whitehead Family Reunion.  We started Thursday night when everyone came to our house and we left the kids with Jessica Beths mom and the older kids and we all went to the bountiful temple to do sealings.  It was great to all be in the temple together.  When we got back home everyone set up their tents in the backyard.  Then Nick introduced the theme "Family, it's what FUN is."  We talked about what makes a great family and shared FAITH stories.  Then we ate birthday cake (a smores cake for Julia and a ladybug cake for Avey) and ice cream.

Our Little Ladybug

It's true...my baby is almost ONE!!  (sniff sniff)  She had her first cupcake at an early party with the Whitehead clan.  She LOVED it!!!

Lazzzzy Summer Dayzzzz!

I love that her daddy reads to her!!

Parade Time

This morning we went to the Kaysville 4th of July Parade.  It was HOTT!  Fun getting candy with the Millers.