September 2011: Mitt Romney fundraiser, Marriott Resort, homecoming parade, Jane's baby blessing,

Mitt Romney Fundraiser

Mitt Romney and Jane

We went to Mitt's Arizona fundraiser. Pretty cool. Hope he wins the republican nomination. Then Jane will be famous :)

Marriott resort for memorial day weekend with the sand fam. 

Thanks dad, for the awesome weekend! Our girls had a blast! The hotel had so many activities for them - cupcake class, pizza making class, smores night, arizona reptiles show, movie in the pool, lazy river, water slide, and the things they enjoyed most...chocolate shakes by the pool, playing with plastic cups and pitchers in the pool, and the irresistible reading lights attached to the headboards.

funny story... Alan was teaching them how they could order food by the poolside. The girl helping them said "last name?" and Alan replied "Sandstrom." So Mae emphatically blurted out "no, our last name is Soelberg." So Alan had to explain to both of them that they were charging to grandpa's name. Good thing to learn :) I learned that from a young age to - "charge it to Dr. Walker, please." :)

 Homecoming parade

We went to Mt. View's homecoming parade because Mark was homecoming royalty and Ashlyn was in the parade for one of her classes. The girls loved it. What kid doesn't like sitting on the side of the road waiting for people to throw candy at them?

 Jane Carol's baby blessing

One of my favorite things about being a mom is hearing Alan bless our children. He gave Jane a very sweet blessing. We did the blessing in our sacrament meeting in Thayer Park ward/ Mt. View Stake. The men in the circle were Alan, grandpa Glade Soelberg, grandpa Paul Sandstrom, great-grandpa Oakley Ray, uncles Dave Soelberg, Kirk Adams, Mckay Marriott, John Gochnour, and B.J Gremillion. Of course Jane wore the same dress that all her sisters have worn - the beautiful dress that great-grandma Donna Sandstrom made. That night we had all our family over for dinner. We have so much family! It's so neat to always be loved and supported by so many. 

Random pictures

Dad thinks he's so funny. I love this picture of him. He's cracking up at something he said.

happy family night!

August 2011

Sandstrom Family picture before Walker left

Our four beauties

 Bye Bye Walker!

Walker was called to the El Salvador, San Salvador mission. He reported to the MTC on Aug, 10.

We're going to miss you like CRAZY!

Walker and Jane

Walker, Ashlyn and the 6 neices

Walker's setting apart as an Elder
B.J. Gremillion, Alan Soelberg, Walker Sandstrom, Paul Sandstrom, Ryan Sandstrom, Bob Sandstrom

Walker packing for 2 years!

The morning walker left. Happy birthday to me :) We went over there early in the morning to say goodbye one more time. 

We'll miss you, Walker!!!

Back to School!

Our back to school, fancy dinner and fathers blessings. Alan brought home greek food take-out this year (since I was not functioning well enough yet to cook a fancy meal). We set it on our nice china and it looked and tasted wonderful.
Fathers blessings were really special this year. The girls were reverent and the spirit was so strong in our home. When it was Claire's turn, she hopped right up on that chair, folded her arms, closed her eyes and listened the during the entire blessing. The Rhotons happened to knock on the door to bring something over right before Claire's blessing so we invited them in to be a part of it. They have played a huge role in Claire's life. They are like her second family. Claire's blessing brought us all to tears. I'm so grateful that these girls have such a good dad.  Father's blessings are the best.

First day of school.
Grace - 2nd Grace with Mrs. Babos
Mae - Kindergarten with Mrs. Ide

Mae Mae - 5

Gracie - 7

Claire - I bet this is what she was wearing on the first day of school - or something similar :)
We're into the dress-up stage. She changes about every 5 minutes. Makes for a very messy room!

Big sister, Claire
with
Little sister, Jane

one month