Sneak Peek

I'm too excited for words about our new family pictures - we had them taken a week ago, and our photographer has some of them up on her blog. I CRIED my little eyes out the first time I looked at them they turned out so good! Can't wait to see the rest of them (and to spend a small fortune putting them all over my house!

Here's the link to our pictures on her blog - and let's just remind you all that my skin is not that flawless.....Sheryll just knows how to edit EXTREMELY well :)

http://sheryll-lynne.com/blog/?p=349

Separation Anxiety???? I Think Not!

Today was Lauren's little preschool "Mommy & Me Meet & Greet". I explained to her that we were going to drop Mya off at Shara's house and she and I would be going to preschool for a little bit.
The whole time we were driving she was telling me that Mya was going to Shara's house, and Mommy was going to take her to preschool then Mommy was going home. When I would tell her that I was going to preschool with her, she would just tell me again that I was going home.
You'd think she would be at least a little nervous to go to school with a bunch of kids and a teacher that she doesn't know.......no. Not so much.
I think she was generally annoyed with my presence at the school.
The moms went outside for a bit so their teacher could tell us about what they would be learning, etc., and we could hear some of the kids crying inside, wanting their mommies.
Mine was the one trying not to cry as we were LEAVING because she didn't want to go home.
Ready for preschool?
Um, yeah.

Funeral

Just wanted to post a few pictures from the day of my Grandpa's funeral (all stolen from my cousin - thanks Suz). My dad had said that it should be a celebration of his life, and it was. I learned so much about the man that he was as a father, bishop, patriarch, and sealer. His life truly was centered around Christ and family. He was such a great example.

The family at the grave site

My Grandma Strong - she's so strong, and has maintained her wonderful sense of humor throughout the whole thing. I love her so much!

My dad and uncles were the pall bearers

A beautiful picture of my grandparents outside the temple

The funeral services were amazing - my grandpa was amazing. He impacted the lives of so many people, and I am privileged to have known him, let alone be a part of his wonderful family.

Ronald Davis Strong

08/06/21 - 08/18/09

Goodbye.

I got a phone call from my sister last night at 10:00 telling me that my Grandpa Strong had passed away. He was 88 years old. I am 28 and this is the first grandparent that I am losing. Later my dad called and told me he had a heart attack around 8:30 and they were never able to revive him. He wasn't sick, this was extremely sudden.

I have so many memories of my Grandpa Strong

Weenie roasts after the egg hunt the day before Easter

BBQ's for every summer holiday

Always wearing dress pants and a button down shirt

Wheat germ for breakfast

Buttering his bread before putting anything on it

Telling the best stories

Pruning the apple trees

Taking me down into the scary root cellar

Giving me my Patriarchal Blessing

Pink Wintergreen Necco candies & circus peanuts

Sitting in "his" chair

Playing the piano & organ

Telling me all about the differnet kinds of apples in the orchard

Letting me help in the garden

Sealing me, Bryan, and Lauren together

I am so proud to be related to him, to have even known him. He was a spiritual giant, and never missed an opportunity to let others know how he felt about the Gospel. He had tremendous faith, and it showed in everything he did. He dedicated so much of his time to the Lord, working in the temple and the MTC. He loved my grandma so much, and told us constantly. He was the greatest example of everything I want to be.

At his birthday celebration on Aug. 8, I will always remember saying goodbye to him. He gave me a hug and said "I love you, my dear". He always called us that. I'm so glad I have that last memory of him, and that I was able to be a part of that celebration of his & my grandma's lives. I'm so happy that he got to see all of his kids together for the first time in 16 years.

I've cried so much, but it is so comforting to know that he lived his life as good as one can, and he is free from the stresses of this world. I know that he is in a better place.

Open your doors please Grandpa dearest and I'll love you forever and ever.

#6

With our anniversary also now being the birthdate of our second child, we do realize that the actual day, August 14th, is really no longer our anniversary. At least for the next, oh, 17 years or so. This year we celebrated on the 15th. Bryan's mom & dad were so awesome to take the girls overnight so that we could have an actual date night and get some good sleep.

My favorite flowers are lilies - Bryan brought some home on Friday for me, a total surprise. He usually has flowers delivered, so I was pretty shocked. Then I cried a little bit because I had forgotten to get him a card while I was out & about that day. He really doesn't care - the card would just go in his junk drawer in the kitchen, and eventually make its way to the manila envelope where he keeps all of the useless junk I've given him over the last 8 years. And I know he only has a manila junk gift envelope because he thinks I will get mad if he throws any of those treasures away. Actually, I wouldn't care, but I think it's sweet of him.

For our date we went to dinner, then miniature golfing at Mulligans - hello, we felt so old! All other people of our age that were there had their kids with them. But we had fun - it was beautiful weather, and there was no lack of people watching, our favorite past time. All I can say is, teenage girls need to put their boobs away, and creepy guys in their mid to late thirties shouldn't be miniature golfing alone (and taking it very seriously).

Then we went and got a Red Mango and enjoyed the weather some more outside. It was fun, we got to feel like a couple of young crazy kids again.....until about midnight when we both fell asleep on the couch watching a movie.

Thanks, Bryan - it was a blasty blast!!!

And thanks again, Ma & Pa Kinyon for taking our littles, it was a much needed and even more appreciated break. I'm just glad that Mya's cold turned into an ear infection on Sunday and not while they had her. But enough about sick babies.

I love you, honey, and I'm so excited to spend forever with you!

B-Day Partay

Poor birthday girl woke up not feeling very well - it's hard getting teeth! It was a day of screaming, crying, and not taking very good/long naps. Not fair for a kid on her first birthday!

We had our families over for the big day - here Mya is with a couple of her presents.

At first she was concentrating only on the frosting dots.....

It didn't take long for her to figure out what to do - in her excitement also flinging cake/frosting everywhere. I had covered the floor with a tablecloth....I didn't think I needed to cover the walls as well.

Love this picture of B and Shara - she had a very long day, and was so super sweet after a quick frosting removal bath and got all snuggled in her new jammies.

Oh, and Bryan brought me home some gorgeous flowers for our anniversary - lilies are my fave!

Happy B-Day, B!

My B is 1 today!

So far, it's been an interesting ride with this kid. I went through and read some of the posts I wrote right before I had her last summer - it seems so long ago!

I just love this kid.

We all know what a pain she can be, but she's also such a sweet heart.

She's scooting all over the place, loves to get on the hardwood and spin in circles on her tummy.

She gives me kisses without asking for them, slobbery though they may be, I love it.

She has quite the mischievous grin......I've always said, I'm going to have to keep an eye on her.

She jabbers constantly, is starting to dance along with Lo (and me), and loves music like the rest of the girls in our little family.

We just can't imagine our lives without her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYA!!

Oh, and on a side note...

Happy Anniversary, Bryan, I love you!