Welcome to the 801

We had a beautifully PLAIN cement wall.  What to do, what to do.  

We did a little research and definitely over estimated our abilities.  

We did take a few extra minutes to make sure we weren't missing anything with this grand plan that would make us regret this moment.  And came up with nothing, so we proceeded with the plan. 

We made sure to get the kiddies involved of course.

You can see a part of Drew's "I love you . . . Dad."

And all you had to do when you went about the imaginary boundary line is say an audible "opps" - per Drew.  

Dirt will be here soon.  

Just think, I would have never had the opportunity to come up with my tag signature. 

And Drew would not have his.

He become a master a tagging . . . just ask the smiley face with gun shots. 

And we just kept it going . . . Kate left her mark.

Euphoria

My beloved hospital stay was cut short.  I love the hospital stay because there is a euphoria of love and gratitude that is a feeling I'm only able to produce in a {maternity} hospital room.

Love for your husband, for the marriage and for the family you have.  Love for this hew little bundle that you never really can conceptualize will bring you some much happiness until they're here.

Gratefulness for the life you have and the opportunity to be a mother. 

I'm sure it does not hurt either that food, water, ice, meds, your baby for that matter, all just magically show up as needed.  Your bed will produce ANY position you deem comfortable and the only thing you have to do . . . is sleep and hold your perfect baby.

Ruby passed her carseat test and her heart test and we got the heck out of dodge.  

We chose to leave early because dang it, it was Christmas Eve and we had 3 more kids we love.

And these are the only pictures I got of Christmas 2015.

But it was a good day complete with all the traditions . . .

and a real baby Jesus for the nativity.

Labor Day

Labor Day began as our traditional breakfast up the canyon or at the park  . . .

 

But the power kept tripping, 1/2 the outlets didn't work, Dad had already ran to Walmart twice for extension cords and such, and we just couldn't cook our planned feast . . .
 

 

so we abandoned the park and came to our new - only in for 2 days - house.  And good thing Mom had brought everything prepared to cook at the park because my kitchen amenities were just as helpful as the park's would have been. 
 

Miss President

We call her Prez now.

 

Addie was elected as sixth grade class President.

 

It was a little tense and there were a few tears, but all experiences are good experiences.  We learned that no ever succeeds that doesn't try. 

 

She was just following in her Mom's footstepts -

who was also Sixth grade class president. 

 



 

Grandma Sharp sent congraulatory balloons!

 

AND . . .  Addie and Olivia got to go to Women's Conference this year, so Banna came over and we made it a date.

 

Addie is a hard worker and I love how motivated she is!

 

 

 

 

 



Lake Powell 2014

I knew the trip was going to go well, when Mom and Dad needed to stop at the gas station for a drink.  This is a real rarity to begin with, but when Mom came out with a drink too, I knew it was going to be a party. 

 

 

Traditional stop in Beaver for a picture and some Dairy Queen. 

 

It was a mini goal of mine to learn how to captain the boat this year.  Or at least become more experienced.  I exceuted some ins, outs and deck hover (really professional captain terminology - the average reader wouldn't understand). 

PA (a.k.a. Michael Anne) came with us.  There were a few times we almost let it slip that we weren't a true boating family - I'm not sure if she noticed, but those sunglasses made her bring her A game anyway.    

My little crew.  

 

Tubing.

 

 

Dance Break.

 

Tubing again. 

 

 

It got a little "chilly" when the sun went down or we were in the shadows, but the never ever stopped these 3 from getting in.   

And Drew learned to swim on his own . . . swimming means floating in a life jacket, not clinging for dear life to some one's neck.

 



Unfortunately, our life jackets were buried in the storage unit somewhere so we had to buy 3 new life jackets in the exact same sizes . . .

 

But it was all worth it (obviously). 

 

She has embraced that she gets sun burned easy - so she is my hat wearing princess.

 

 

Dinner with Sherman and Addie.

Lake Powell 2014

Wendy's Steak Sandwich and Matt's food poisoning
"Oh, Drew's out there?" - Ashleigh
Olivia only liked the carmel popcorn
Future invitations will be based on PA's towel care
The Paige Boy Resort - A newly remodeled Motel
Oliva's yummy cookies
Ashleigh's moment of claustrophobia
He's Breach! (Dad)
Finding a good shady spot in the overcast weather to swim
Jeff - the waffle king won't show his face around here again
Do you know why that lady's voice sounds like that? - She's a smoker
The Bully on the boat
The best chimmis ever
Attractive people have ugly children
"We've been doing this for 13 years - when you've done this for 13 years . . . " - Jeff
HoHungry
"I've been nothing but pleasant this whole trip" - Micheal Ann
The ashtray Diet Coke
Just a little "battery" troubles
"I don't need a styrofoam cup - it won't last that long" - Dad (about his soda)
A "dip in" = a pee break
Clown Pockets - Matt
Just how we like it - ladder down
Trying not to let PA catch onto us NOT being a boating family
Dad does not take orders from Liv 

And all good things come to an end. 

 

Fourth of July

Fourth of July started with the Provo Parade . . . Fourth of July always starts with the Provo Parade. 

This year we found some good parking in the church parking lot, but it wasn't open parking (there was a sign) . . . so we figured Micheal Ann's temple recommend would do as a parking pass if there was any questions. 

Of course Zoey came - it was her first Fourth of July celebration after all.

Jeff, Addie and Micheal Ann (behind Jeff). 

Jeff - Always the camera hog . . . 

And onto craft time - 

A variation of Tied Dyed shirts that Olivia learned how to do from Jackie and Diane while she was in Maine.  Definitely a hit. 

Olivia is quite the photo bomber. 

And of course Ansen went with Yankees. 

We went to Lehi to watch the Thanksgiving Point fireworks and had some in impromptu smore's . . .  

 . . . in our new shirts of course.