Two new additions to the family...

May I introduce Juan ( the white one) and Pablo ( the black one), our new bunnies.  A friend of ours had these adorable baby bunnies that we would go visit and hold.  When they told us they were looking for homes for the bunnies I decided we should take them!  Russ was okay with the idea, so we now have these two cute bunnies.  The children love chasing them around the yard and feeding them fruits and vegetables.  

First Day of School 2013

It's that time of year!!!   

  Summer flew by so fast......and here we are loading up the backpacks once again.

Hannah has finally broken free from elementary school and joined the ranks of middle schoolers!  

She is in 7th grade at Warren Junior High School.

Haley has entered the world of high school, and along with that the privilege of going to early morning seminary!!!  Haley is in 9th grade at Stockdale High School.

Ben is entering his final year of formal education at ABLE. 

He is excited to be graduating this year.

Sister Emily Judd

Sister Judd gave a beautiful farewell talk in church on August 11, 2013.  Her subject was the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  Her message was uplifting and inspiring.  As her mother, it was one of those special moments where you look at your child and think, wow she is amazing!  I know Emily will be a great missionary and I am so happy that she decided to put her personal life on hold for a bit and focus on serving others. 

 We were so happy to have Allison, Tyler, Connor, Uncle Brian, Grandpa and Grandma Sullivan, Aunt Stacy and Abby join us for the weekend!!

On Sunday evening we had an open house so that Emily's friends could come over and say goodbye.  Two wonderful friends of mine, Mia Brooks and Heidi Hunt made this cute cake for the occasion.

On Monday evening, Emily dropped her cell phone into the garbage can.  She was ready to put the things of the world aside, and believe me this was not an easy thing for her to do...but it does show just how dedicated she is to being obedient and doing her best. That night we all headed over to the stake center for her to be set apart as a missionary.  What a special experience that was.  The spirit was so strong.  President Thompson asked everyone to go around the room and state one blessing that they would like for Heavenly Father to bless Emily with.  Everyones answers were so heartfelt! Then President Thompson laid his hands on her head and set her apart as a full time missionary.  

Sister Judd and I flew to Salt Lake City on Tuesday. It was late by the time we got there.  We slept at Grandma and Grandpa Judd's house.  The next morning we had brunch with several of Emily's friends.  It was so nice to see the love and support from them!  Then she and I drove to the MTC.  It was surreal! They have quite a drop off system there....you pull up along the curb and get out while a missionary gathers your luggage. We had time for one last hug and I was ushered back into my car and off I went.
The tears that fell from my eyes were full of mixed emotions. Tears of joy that my daughter was choosing to do something so wonderful and selfless, knowing that she will learn and grow so much in the next eighteen months.  But also tears of sadness because I will miss being able to call her on the phone whenever I want to, and I will miss her smiling face..especially during the holidays when everyone is home. It is wonderful to have a missionary.   I feel incredibly blessed!!

Bahamas Family Vacation

We took a fabulous family vacation to the Atlantis Resort in the Bahamas.  

The ocean water was warm, the sand was soft and white, the water park was fabulous, the food was delicious and the company was superb!!! 

           Connor and I hung out quite a bit so that the others could have some big kid kind of fun...
                              plus little guys and their grandmas do need naps once in awhile!

 There was no shortage of food...the picture above is from the barbecue place that gave you a large dishtowel instead of a napkin.  The one below is from an all you can eat restaurant where Tyler thought it would be funny to tease Connor with this fish.  But Connor really wanted to take a bite of it and became very upset when Tyler took it away!  Then Ben was coaxed into eating the eyeballs of that fish...ewwweee!! He ate them and proudly showed everyone that he did indeed swallow them. Afterwards, Haley gave him a sour gummy worm to eat  (Ben does not like candy) and Ben acted as if he were going to die after putting it into his mouth.  He was so dramatic, it was hilarious!!