Christmas 2013

 Christmas Eve at Granny's house this year had a couple of extra kids waiting anxiously for Santa. Fortunately, he found us alright and delivered the kids presents just in time (5am).

Noelle had two of her cousins that are nearly exactly the same age as her come in to town to visit so that was a lot of fun to let these three little girls all play together and squawk at each other.

Family Pictures 2013

Noelle at 6 Months

High Fives

This was from just before Halloween, and I'm not sure why Noelle thought this was so funny but this was the first thing we could do get her to giggle like this...

Happy Halloween!

Halloween was pretty awesome this year. We had a couple of Super Heroes (each showing their super powers in these action shots), a Lord of the Rings archer (don't tell him he looks like Robin Hood), and a lamb.

The boys have certainly figured out the trick or treating now. They should have candy until next year, but somehow it will disappear by next week.

Lots of Love

We couldn't ask for a sweeter little girl and these boys are still so excited to play with her and try to make her laugh. We've got lots of years of fun ahead...

Silver Dollar City

I lived in Springfield from around age 5 until I went to college at 18 and then a few summers afterward, but I had never been to Silver Dollar City until this week.

We weren't planning on making a trip to MO this year with Noelle being so young, but when we found out that Jeff was bringing his two youngest to visit we decided that just me and the boys would make the trip.

Beau and Carter (both 8) and Pierce, Cash, and Clarie (all 6) had a blast together. This was enough fun it may have to become an annual trip.

Nauvoo

The last time I was in Nauvoo was on a Youth Conference when I was probably 13. It has changed a lot since then. We ended our cross-country trek with a couple days taking in the pageant and exploring the old city.

It's really amazing what the early saints accomplished despite the many trials they endured. Brigham Young (who's home we're visiting in picture #2) said that after we pass to the other side if we want to visit places that once existed and see how the people lived he thinks we'll be permitted to do it (Journal of Discourses, 4:231). Add Nauvoo in the 1840s to my list of places I'll go to see.

Dickerson Park Zoo

One of the must-do's on every trip to Springfield is the zoo.

With the petting zoo and being able to feed the giraffes this zoo lets you get much more up close and personal with the animals than our zoo in Salt Lake. Not to mention all the space and trees it feels like these animals actually have a little wilderness.

New Cousin Cora

We got to meet Cora this week as Marta's sister and brother in-law came into town and had Cora's baby blessing in Orem. Noelle is just a few weeks older so it was fun to see these two little girls side-by-side.

It's pretty amazing that on Marta's side of the family we all had 7 boys in a row. Then this year the trend was broken and a new one has begun - 3 girls in a row.

Noelle's Baby Blessing

 

Noelle's baby blessing was today.  She wore the same dress that Marta was blessed in as a child. It was a pretty exciting day and great to see a lot of friends and family.

The boys have spent a lot of the summer so far on the trampoline, so I had to include this one.

First Smile

Look what I got for Father's Day! Despite our prior best efforts, Noelle waited until Father's Day to give me a solicited smile. Fortunately, I had my camera close and all geared up with flash and 50mm lens so I could capture the moment.

Six Weeks Old!

One Month Old

Bald Bros

School is almost out and Beau was determined to get rid of all his hair. He was also able to convince Pierce to come along for the ride. Cash apparently has the most foresight of the group and opted out of joining the bald bros...

2 Weeks Old