Jackson Reunion 2012

On the weekend of June 9 Kora and I went to the Jackson Reunion in Indiana with my Mom, Dad, and Kolette.  I wish Dustin and Shelby could have come, but plane tickets were expensive and Shelby got the flu anyway.  We missed them.  

We had a great trip.  We flew into South Bend, a smaller airport, and went to the lodge the next day.  As usual, Pokagon State Park/Potawatomi Inn was very nice and relaxing.  The grass wasn't as green - it appears the entire country could use some rain, but it was still beautiful.  We did a lot of shopping while on vacation, and we also spent time with family.  It was a wonderful trip.

Kora's first flight.  She did great.  She finally fell asleep about a half hour before landing (after feeding her for about 2 hours on the plane)

Happy to get to the hotel.  Let's go eat at Olive Garden now!

Shoe shopping with Papa

Tuckered out

Another shopping trip - getting ready to go to the outlets

Hiking at the State Park with Kolette

Killing time while waiting for our flight back.  This was a little spot  by the river in South Bend

4 generation - Kora, me, Mom, and Nonny.  It was wonderful being together

Kora turns 1!

On June 3 Kora turned 1.  I can't believe she is already a year old.  To celebrate we had family come over and we had dinner and a big cookie and ice cream.  Kora plays, dances, runs around, explores, laughs and cries (sometimes in the same minute), and eats a lot. She is so much fun!

The birthday girl

Abagail, the rabbit that reads, was a big hit with both the girls.  We read each night and this is one of the favorites.  Thanks Grandma Christy and Grandpa Ken.

A glow sea horse for bed from Papa and Grandma Rogers.  She's not sure what to think of it here, but she likes it now.

Hmmm, what is this?  Cake? No - it's a giant cookie.

I think she likes it :)

Shelby, me and Kora

Welcome home

On May 9, after a few months of searching for a new home and going back and forth with the bank, we closed on our new home on Meseto Ave.  It is a 4 bedroom, 2 1/2 bath, 2600 sq ft home in Mesa.  We feel so comfortable here and love the neighborhood.  It's a big home, and the prior owners remodeled it back in 2003.  It was clean and basically move-in ready even though it was bank owned.  We moved in on May 15 and we love it!  

Shelby turns 3!

Shelby turned 3 on May 13!  Her only wish: a pink birthday cake.  Dustin and I were pretty excited to hear that - that is something we can do!  As time got closer we decided to have a little party for her - a princess/tea party theme.  She delivered the invitations and was so excited to have a party.  When the big day came she had a great day.  Her friends included: Makellen, Kannin, Jack and Kindin Parry, Tucker Stokes, Calista and Kenly.  We had a lot of family attend too.  Thanks so much to everyone for coming!  Happy birthday Shelby!

Our birthday girl!

Everyone playing before lunch

Kora crying because we took the camera away from her.  Is it nap time?

Shelby's pink birthday cake - yum!  She also said she wanted flowers on it -  thank  you Kala for decorating it.

Enjoying cake and ice cream after opening presents.  

Rogers Family Pictures

On May 5 we took Rogers family pictures at the Mesa Temple grounds.  My parents were married there 35 years ago.  It was a special place to take pictures and I am grateful for the chance to all be together.

The girls

The whole family!  I think this turned out great!

Pat's Run

On April 21 Kala and I are participated in Pat's Run, a 4.2 mile run/walk for the Pat Tillman Foundation.  It was a sold out event, and it was very crowded.  We attempted to jog the entire course, but between getting around people and me being out of shape - we just had fun and walked/jogged.  We completed it in 55 minutes, nothing to brag about but we had a great time.  After our "run" we enjoyed spending time with Dustin, Shelby, Kora, Jera, Chelsea, and Alysa's family.   

Kora's first step

Kora took her first step on 4/14!  She is still only taking one or two steps at a time, but she is getting braver.  She gets so excited when we get excited about it, then she starts laughing and just falls or sits down.  Dustin and I were both home; I was very happy to see it and be a part of her big moment.

Easter 2012

This Easter we went to Taylor to visit my family.  We had a great time relaxing, decorating Easter eggs, eating wonderful food, going to church, hiding eggs and watching Shelby and Jordyn find them, playing basketball (the boys), and visiting everyone.  It was a very nice Easter.

Yucky surprises

This past month Shelby had her first nose bleed and first throw-up (the real stuff, not the spit up stuff) .  

Bloody nose - She woke up early one morning and I heard her sniffing and wiping her nose.  As she tried to climb into bed with me I was shocked to see blood on her face.  She had her first bloody nose.  The proof is below - she obviously wiped it all over her face instead of getting a tissue.  In her defense, she was tired, and she's only 2 :).

Throw up - We were all getting sick at the end of March.  One morning Shelby woke up screaming and crying.  She didn't know what was all over her face/hair/bed.  She had thrown up during the night and it had dried on her (so gross).  Anyway, we got it all cleaned up.  (I'm probably a horrible mom for taking a picture before cleaning it, but it only took a second and then I cleaned it...I promise.)

Tommy Vance - my little nephew

I have a new nephew!  My brother (Alec) and his wife (Brecka) had their baby on 3/23/12.  His name is Thomas Vance Rogers.  Congrats!

The girls on the way into the hospital

Kala and Vance

Kolette and Vance

Here is the little guy.  So small and cute.

Holding my new nephew

A picture of the happy family

Dustin and Kora waiting in the waiting room (no children allowed)

My parent's 35th Anniversary Weekend

My parent's 35th Anniversary was on February 18th and to celebrate we spent the weekend in Payson.  We had the whole family together, which was a special treat now that we are getting so big and have so many different schedules.  We rented a beautiful home and enjoyed all being together.  Unfortunately I didn't get a picture of everyone together, but we had a great time and I'll always remember it. 

The 3 Amigos (Shelby, Makellen, and Jordyn)

All the kids (Jordyn (holding Kora),
Brixton laying down, Makellen, Shelby and Kannin

Kora and Brixton

Phoenix Children's Museum

On January 28 Dustin, Jera, and I took Shelby and Kora to the Children's Museum.  They had a lot of great activities for the kids and we had a fun time.  Here are a few pictures from our adventure.  We can't wait to go again.

I wonder who was having more fun on the bike? :)

Shelby was clingy at first, until she realized all the fun things to do

Shelby and Jera had a lot of fun shopping and measuring.