Constitution Fair 2011

We LOVE the Constitution Fair! Mel and I went in the fall of 2011 with some good friends (Quinns, Dennisons, and the Linfords) to Gilbert's Constitution Fair. It was fun to see the kids learn and have fun at the same time. A lot of work goes into this fair and the we spent a couple hours checking out all the booths and playing games too. I loved all the characters walking around. I only got one picture of them though, don't know what I was thinking, but it was fun to see the kids recognize George and Martha Washington. Each character had a collectible card they passed out that had information about them on it. There was also a new display, a piece of a beam from one of the World Trade Centers in New York that was hit September 11, 2001. It is here so we don't forget and I was glad for a chance to talk to Melody about what had happened. Once it was dark, there was entertainment and fireworks and the kids loved hearing David Archuleta preform (ok and the adults too :) We are going to make this an annual event!

First week of 3rd grade 2011

Melody got pictures taken a few days in a row, including Sunday, for the first week of school. Melody got to have Ms. Roberts for her 3rd grade teacher. Melody loves school and was really excited to be in 3rd grade.  I was happy to see her big smile! I love this girl!

My back to school note from Mel

Mel likes to leave me notes and little cards all over the house. I love finding them and have them all saved up. (I have read them a million times this summer since she has been gone for half of it!). Before school started in 2011, I found the dry erase board one morning with this note on it so I had to make her hold in and get a picture of it...otherwise, we wouldn't have been able to erase it,lol. It says, "I love you Mom! I will miss you at school. I will be thinking about you all day. I think you're the best mom in the world. Wait, actually, I know you you are the best mom in the world. I love you soooo much. You are the best mom I would ever want. Love, Mel.

So sweet. She is such a great girl and I am so lucky to be her mom. I thank God multiple times everyday that she is in my life and I get this opportunity to be her mother. I love you Melody!

Aubrey's Girls

I had to post this picture of Macie and Lanie. I love Macie's cheeks! She was about 4 months old in this picture and was such a chunk and so much fun. Melody and I made a quick trip to Safford before summer 2011 ended and got to spend time with the Safford/Thatcher cousins and I got to hold Macie (I was already missing Kinsey!). I love that my sisters share their babies with me :)

Utah Trip Summer 2011

Last summer, Melody and I drove up to Utah with my mom and dad, Amber and Analyse to see Andrea, Jared, Kylie and to meet Kinsey for the first time and be there for her blessing. We drove up through LasVegas....after we took a detour through Flagstaff. My dad missed the turn off we needed to take the new bridge to Vegas, and instead of turning around we went to Flagstaff, and since we had a room reserved in Vegas we drove all the way to Vegas instead of just staying in Flagstaff. I just had to write about this for posterity. Papa does not ever turn around :).

We stayed at Andrea and Jared's house and it was so fun to spend time with them and the girls. Kylie had grown up a lot in just a few months and Melody loved playing with her. We all loved to hold and cuddle sweet Kinsey and we all got a kick out of making her smile. The Sunday we were there, Jared blessed Kinsey and I am so glad we got to be there for that. 

We got to do so many things and stayed up way too late visiting since we were only going to be there a few days. I can't remember the order we did everything in but we set off fireworks and let the kids have fun with some sparklers 2 different nights and we went to Lagoon one day (and I didn't take my camera!) and then we went to Temple Square right after Lagoon (hence why we look so beautiful in the temple square pics). Melody had never got to go to Temple Square before and I was so excited to take her. We got to see the Temple, the Beehive house, the Conference Center,  Tabernacle, visitor's center and we watched the Joseph Smith movie and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. I love the movie; I can't help the emotions that overwhelm me and how much I have re-affirmed to me that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. I was excited to see it with Melody and it was such a great experience for us both. I hope it is one she remembers forever.

We also got to go up the Canyon in Bountiful behind Andrea and Jared's house. The weather was fabulous and it rained lightly off and on. We cooked hot dogs over a fire (that Jared got started even with a little rain :) and enjoyed being outside and just relaxing.

It was a great trip, lots of fun memories. Melody had a blast and still wants to go back. She did great on the drive, she just hung out with me in the back of the van and we played some games, watched some great Disney movies and got lots of talk time in with the fam. We are so lucky to be part of such a great family. We love you guys!