Chase and Brittany's Wedding Shower

My mom is such a great host. I was supposed to help her plan a wedding shower for my new sister-in-law Brittany. When I got into town I went straight to my mom's to help and she had already made five cheese cakes and had everything ready to go the day before the shower. It was such a fun shower because not only was our family invited but most of Brittany's family was able to attend. Brittany and Chase got into town after picking up her grandma in Canada just in time for the shower. Everything turned out perfect...including the upcoming bride and groom to be. :)

Chase and Brittany

Brittany's sister-in-law, sisters, and her new little niece

Brittany and baby Eleanor, Chase, mom, Alyssa

Brittany's mom Laurel and her new husband Bruce, Brittany and Chase, mom and dad

Chase, Alyssa, Brittany

"Mom, is this what happens if you have a dog??"

Sweet little Kai was playing with my parents two dachshund aka "weiner" dogs our first day in Utah. They started to chase him around the deck when suddenly he "whacked" into the back of one of their patio chairs. He had a black eye the entire time we were in Utah...meaning it lasted about three weeks. When he finally stopped crying he asked, "Mom, if we get a dog am I always going to get black eyes?" "No Kai, if we "were" to get a dog you would not get a black eye but, we are not getting a dog anytime soon so you don't have to worry." :-)

Snowbird, Utah

Every June and August Brandon's family has a time share up Snowbird Canyon at the Iron Blossom Lodge. For the past eight years we have tried to make it at least once during the year. This year was beautiful. The boys absolutely loved hiking, swimming, riding the Alpine Slide, and going on adventures while we were there.

Swimming at Snowbird

Grayson, Jace, Kai, Gabi, Aunt Wendy, Emira

Brandon and I found it very entertaining to watch our boys with their newest cousin Emira. You would have thought that they would have spent most of their playtime with their cousin Gabi (7 years old), or their cousin Grayson who is smack dab in the middle (age 4), but no...they spent most of their time playing with baby Emira.

The Alpine Slide

Brandon's mom is such a fun grandma. One of our traditions at Snowbird is such an exciting one for all of the grand kids. One of the days we are up there she takes all of the grand kids to the general store where every and all treats are very expensive (some candy bars are in the five dollar range.) She lets everyone pick out whatever treat they want in the entire store and then we hike down to the river to enjoy our yummy treats and to play in the river when we are finished.

Grandma, Aunt Wendy and Emira, Alyssa

Gabi, Alyssa, Kai, Aunt Kristin (grandma's sister), Jace, Grayson

Brandon off in his own world building a bridge for the kids to walk on. Little does he know that the kids are already walking in the water and they don't care if their feet get wet. :)

Anything turns into a Light Saber with these two. :-)

We're back...

and when I say that it has been a crazy month it has. The past three weeks our family spent time in Snowbird Utah, Salt Lake City, Park City, San Francisco (without the kiddos), and the Tetons. During our trip to SLC Brandon gave me a camera for my b-day but, I am actively in the process of figuring out how to download pics. to my computer and not just my pics but, supposedly I have to download some fancy dancy software first. Anyways, we are alive and back. As for pictures and postings??? Hopefully in the next few days. Thanks family and friends in Utah for a wonderful vacation...it was the best trip yet. :-)

Stephen JACE Walker

Jace turned five a little while ago and before too much time passes I wanted to post a few things about him.

Jace,

1. The first word I think of when you come to mind is "love." You love life and everyone around you. In everyone of your prayers to Heavenly Father you ask that everyone in the world will be happy and have fun. You have such a need for physical love. You remind me on a daily basis if we have not snuggled yet. You love to curl up in my arms on my bed and are completely satisfied laying there minutes on end. Everyday you tell me this is the best day ever even if all we do is go to the gym and run a few errands at the mall. You are so much more social than I ever imagined being (if that's possible). You say "hi" to everyone in public and you start conversations with strangers on a daily basis.
2. You were born with the desire to learn. From day one you have always been so eager to grasp any knowledge whether it be about the gospel, the world, outer space, if there are good guys and bad guys in the world and how to conquer them, and anything and everything academically related.
3. You love electronics and you have since day one. Your favorite toys were the DVD player (not watching but pushing buttons), telephones, computers, and now any type of video game but you always make sure before you become interested in a game that it is rated "E" or "C". If I let you play games all day you would.
4. You have always had the desire to choose the right. All I have to do is sit and talk with you and let you know that you could make better choices and immediately you change.
5. You have a way of capturing any kids imagination. When I pick you up from school you tell me that you not only got all of the boys in your class but, all of the girls to play Star Wars. One day I asked you how you got the girls to play and you said, "I just told them they could be Princess Leah and we would save them. If they didn't wanted to be rescued they could come down and look for Darth Vader with us." According to you they all agreed.

Jace, we feel so blessed to have you in our family. Most importantly thank you for all of the love you have brought into our lives. We love you!!

Love, Mama

Farewell Party for the Martin's

Our good friends the Martin's are moving to Dubai for the next three years so we decided to have a "Texan" themed going away party of roughly 120 people before they left at the Richard's home.

Brandon, Alyssa, Andrea and Brandon Martin

The Brandon's

Lauren Martin with our silly boys

And, of Course the pArTy...

Laura And Ashley life-guarding

So many fun activities going on all at once...

Monkeying around

A brutal soccer game...

My favorite, the intense basketball game...

They look pretty sweaty, but remember we are in humid tExAs!!

Avery and Kai got a little tired of cheer-leading on the side...isn't hugging more fun??

And of course a little eating and socializing...

We miss you already and can't wait to see you again. :-)

Finished and "SHOCKED"

DON'T WORRY I DON'T GIVE ANYTHING AWAY IN THIS POST!!

Late Friday night I was supposed to attend a party at midnight to pick up this book. Do you think I stayed up long enough to attend?? No, I feel asleep and did not waken until morning which now is probably a good thing considering how late I stayed up the past two nights to finish this book.

I must say going into this I was a little concerned as to how Meyer's would make everything okay. If Bella turned into a vampire it wouldn't be a completely happy ending because she would be leaving Charlie, Renee, and Jacob (not to mention becoming Jacobs enemy.) If she picks Jacob yes, should would be with a human and be able to have children which is a wonderful offer but, there would always be the "what if" about Edward. Finally, if she stayed human, would she ever be able to be intimate with Edward? And, how many mortal and especially "immortal" enemies would she acquire as she got old and eventually died?

To me, I couldn't comprehend being satisfied with this final book, but I must say that Meyer's pulled it off in a way I never ever imagined. The first half I did not love this book I was just completely and utterly "shocked." But, she pulled it off. Of course she would if she wanted to sell more books in the future. It is just too good and perfect how it turns out. PLEASE CALL ME WHEN YOU FINISH. I HAVE FOUND THAT I HAVE NO ONE TO TALK TO ABOUT THIS BOOK YET.

Enjoy!!