January - February 2016

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

 

Taken on Christmas Eve morning 2015

 Jimmy turned 11 on February 1.  Huge Patriots fan!

 

 Christie and Jason share a moment at church.  Precious.

 

 We celebrated 15 years of marriage.  This was taken on Thanksgiving Day 2015.

 

Christiana is our resident ballerina.  Always twirling.  Beautiful daughter.

 

 One of my favorite pictures of Christiana.

 

 Jacob earned another ranking in Boy Scouts.  Headed towards his Eagle now!

 True love!

 

 Christmas in St. George with Grandma and Grandpa.

 

 Jimmy chopping down trees on our property.

 

And Amy and I having lunch after a trip to the Dallas Temple.  Sisters are the best!

Ready for School

Sometimes I just follow Christie around and take pictures of her wickedly hilarious personality.

 

 

Jacob heads into 8th grade. 

Christie and Jim-Jim are in K and 5th, respectively!!! 

 

 

I love these kids.  It's tough to watch them head out the door but it's good for them.  And me.

The Dog Days of Summer

Donuts. 

 

Date night.

Swimming with the youth in our ward.

Selfies in the kitchen.

 

 Making Christie's room perfectly pink.

Dinner in Dallas with my sister and my cousin, Tag.

Ward Pioneer Day celebration.  Christie in her Davy Crockett costume.

Carousel ride at one of the many malls in Dallas.

Movies.

Baking banana/oatmeal/peanut butter/white chocolate chip muffins.

 

 

Modeling her new flower crown I made with matching bouquet.

When they talk about the Dog Days of Summer, they are referring to summer in East Texas.  It is so hot and sticky here that there's absolutely nothing to do except sit in your house with your face in front of the air conditioner.  ha!  Fortunately, we've been able to do a few things, most of which entail going to Dallas to play with cousins and see my equally bored sister.

The longest July ever! 

June and Some July ... Mixed In With a Little May and Even Some April

The end of May and all of June was spent with family in Utah.  We visited St. George and toured the new Payson Temple.  A few weeks later we saw our cute nephew, JJ, marry his sweetheart, Megan, in the Salt Lake Temple.  We loved being with so many family members and squeezing in as much adventure as we could.  Now that we're home in Texas, we are resting comfortably and enjoying looking at all the pictures we took, which somehow seem to be out of order in this blog post.  I think my computer is on its last leg. 

 

 

These shots were taken in Kolob Canyon which is near Cedar City, Utah.  Stunning, magical, and immensely beautiful.  Quite extraordinary!

It's always a party with my parents around -- Grandma Joan and Grandpa Jim always show us a good time.  And, of course, the St. George Temple is definitely one of my faves.

In Salt Lake City, for the wedding.  Salt Lake Temple -- be still my soul!

This is Christie and her horse, Annabelle.  Christie explained to me that her horse is "pregnick," and that she was going to have her baby soon.  Then she placed the horse on her back and showed me the belly button area where the new horse would be born.  I died.  This little girl melts my heart with her preciousness.

This picture was taken the day after Father's Day because Jason had a conference in Vail, Colorado.  I mean, seriously???  Ha ha

I see my sweet sister Amy in Dallas a lot!  And it makes me soooo happy.

Christie wanted to try on my wedding dress.  Such a sweet thing.

The kids at a local park that has a train caboose.  My kids are growing up and they are wonderful little people.

We bought a piece of property (60 acres!) and are going to build a home and have a farm.  Cannot wait!

These were taken in St. George.  Out of order!

Payson Utah Temple -- I mean, are you kidding me?  The most gorgeous of all gorgeousness.  I was floored!  The kids and me had the best day seeing this magnificent temple.  The best!

Last but not least, my mommy with her mama kitty that she's had for TWENTY years.  The cat that won't die!  Ha ha ha!  No seriously, she is a sweet kitty cat and, of course, I love love love my mom.  She's pretty much the greatest lady around.  Her 76th birthday was yesterday and I miss her and love her so much.  (Dear Mom:  Please move to Tyler, Texas so I can see you every day!  I'll build you a house next door!)