Goodbye cute house!

August 2004
June 2009


We moved out of our house this past week! With the addition of baby Blake to the family and with Mike working from home, we decided it was time to move into a bigger house. It took us 4 months to sell it, we took less than we wanted, but in this economy we are glad it sold! It is hard to say goodbye to this home of ours. It is packed full of so many memories. We also put a lot of work into the house and yard. I had to put up these before and after pictures. What a difference almost 5 years makes! That little weeping cherry next to the house went crazy and is huge. We also planted trees in front and along the side, which you can't see--but they have grown so much. The lawn looks tons better. We put in the back yard while we were living there. We planted strawberries and raspberries back there. They were finally just coming in and producing lots of fruit. The kids had great friends close by that they played with everyday, jumping on the tramp in the back or kicking around a soccer ball. We had lots of fun barbeques, hanging out in the shade of the house, in the summer. Neighbors all around were great, too!


I have to say thank-you to great ward members and neighbors that helped us pack up our PODS and clean the house. That helped us so much! I haven't been able to do as much, having a nursing baby. Thank you also to friends and family that watched my kiddos so that I could pack!


We have loved living in that house! We are excited to spend the summer with Mike's parents and then hopefully get into a new place in August.

Soccer player, Dylan!

Dylan played his first season of soccer this Spring. On a team with some kids from our ward, he really loved it. He has watched Taylor play for a few years and was actually crying that he didn't get to play. So, we were so glad we could get him on a team. He would tell everyone that his team was gray and was excited to show off his uniform, which he, himself kept hung on a hanger in the closet.

Best Ward Ever

Today was our last Sunday, going to church in our ward! Such a sad day. I feel so, so attached to this ward. I think, that is, for many reasons...probably the number one reason was that I served as Relief Society President for a time. I cared (and still do) so much about every sister. I visited everyone except maybe one or two in their home with my presidency. I can think of a memory with almost every single lady in the ward. I feel such a connection to everyone--I realize they might not feel the same for me. But, I think that happens when you worry and think about, pray for, and love someone. And I really did that for all the sisters in the ward. I am honestly so impressed with all the ladies in the ward, too. They are always caring about and serving each other. Everyone is so friendly and inclusive. There isn't too much gossiping or people holding grudges. Everyone is pretty laid back and easy going. Anyway, I've just loved living here and watching these wonderful ladies raise their families and be such good examples to me. Thank you all. Thank you also to all of those who have loved and taught my children in primary. I thank you for helping build their little testimonies. I love you all and really hope we will find our new home nearby! Here is a slideshow of some pictures I took back from '06 during a couple of our Enrichment activities. It's fun to see how we've changed since then!

Big Sis

Gretchen has been such a big help with baby Blake! She asks everyday, several times a day, if she can hold Blake. It helps me, especially when I'm making dinner or trying to get something done. She can't wait for the day she can just pick Blake up and walk around with him. I keep saying, I'll let her know when I think Blake is big enough!

Last Day of school

Here is the scooter brigade. Ready to ride on the last day of school. The kids would ride to school when the weather was warm enough, which is mostly downhill, then they would be picked up from school, putting their scooters in the back of the car.

Gretchen went from K-3rd grade and Taylor K and 1st. It was a great school. I know the kids will miss all of the friends they made over the years.

Taylor turns 7

Okay, I love that first picture. Taylor looks so handsome and grown-up and I love that smile! For his birthday this year, all he wanted to do was go fishing, he even missed his soccer game and forgoed having a birthday party with his friends so that he could go fishing with his Dad the whole day. The Friday before his birthday, Dylan and I went to the school and brought him Subway for lunch. Taylor was sure he could eat a whole footlong himself. Well, he made it through half and I said he could finish the rest at home. He also brought Blow-Pops for all the kids in his class as his birthday treat.

The next day was Saturday, the big day. As soon as T and Mike were awake they were out the door. They went fishing first at the pond near where we live. After a couple of hours they stopped by home so Taylor could open his presents. Then they headed up to Midway, picked up Grandpa Don and hit the river. It was a long and fun day. Taylor caught about 6 fish. They had lunch at Grandma and Grandpa's house and then some cake there too. Then they made their way back home and fished some more at the pond, until it was dark. Taylor had a great time! We love him so much and we're so glad he's part of our family. He can be so cute with Dylan and Blake, a good big brother. He and Gretchen are becoming good friends too. He is very smart, especially with numbers. He is growing up so fast!

This picture says it all!! The big smile and the big fish!