Our first trip to Nauvoo!

What a perfect weekend this was for our family! The weather could not have been better, no crowds, beautiful 5 hour drive, cute little condo, fun restaurants, and the best part was that we could be with Joey and Ashley Orme just before they moved to Pennsylvania. It was the best and I can't wait to go back again. I am going to have to let the pictures do the talking because I took too many. (However, I am still kicking myself for not getting Baby Eliza and Ash in any pictures!) We love you guys! Thanks for making it all possible.

Hyrum on the left, Joseph on the right.
The Nauvoo Temple....truly stunning.

Bring out the wagon...

It is a miracle, I actually got some pictures of Josh on this trip.

(I usually have to bribe him with money to get a picture of him! It is pathetic!)

Is he cute, or is he cute??!

This may have been Maddie's favorite part of the trip; playing house, "pioneer style."

You may think this below is Dave, no, it is his almost look alike younger bro.

Dave makes this face when he is trying his absolute hardest. Joey just laughs.

Maddie took this picture, but I just love that "sly" face!

So much to say, but so little time...

I will say that sometimes I truly think I should have or would have liked to have been born in the early days of the church better than modern times. I would have loved to be a pioneer, lived off the land, and been a part of that great trek to Utah. But most of all, I long to have heard Joseph Smith teach and to have known him personally. To me, that would make all the hardships worth it. Nauvoo is a beautiful place. One day I will be able to know personally those great leaders and my ancestors who paved the way.

Happy 4th of July...

From the Orme's!

This past week we spent a day in Gettysburg and since then I have reflected a lot about what this country means to me. I love our great American leader Abraham Lincoln. I really needed to draw upon his strength of character and inspiration this week. I am grateful for this country we live in. This freedom did not come with out a cost. All the soldiers who have fought, and still fight for our rights, safety and freedom have blessed my life and I feel indebted to them.

GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Cute friends!

Maddie has decided that all she wants to do is play with friends. As soon as I pick her up from a friend's house, she is already begging me to play with another friend. It is sad to see that look of disappointment in Maddie's eyes when I come to the door. "Oh no, there is my mom again, coming to spoil all the fun!"

These are two of Maddie's best friends from her preschool, Ella and Lilly Chimbanda. Tyler is just trying to be one of the big kids!

This was the last day of school, out on the playground with Mrs. Robinson.

Summer time is the best! We are loving it!

Princess Time!

Maddie turned 4 on May 29th!

She told her daddy she wanted a princess castle cake.

Barbie and Ken...
Oh my goodness...so beautiful!

Maddie's new best friend is named Saba. She lives directly behind us and is from Iran. Their family may be the new best thing about our neighborhood.

And here is Maddie's new big girl bike!

Hot pink knee pads!

Daddy loves Maddie...

and Mommy loves Maddie!

Happy Birthday Princess!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

To a SMOKING HOT father!

O.K. girls, don't get too excited....he's mine!

(Red bandanna and all.)

Father and Son Camping.

I asked Dave to write a blog about his weekend camping trip with Josh last week. This is what he said to me, "Kristine, there are 3 things you do not blog about: Funerals, Sex, and Camping!" So, (because of that very important rule that Dave made up on the spot) we will only share a few pictures, but no stories.

slip and slide!

Tonight, Dave and the kids had a little too much fun in the rain.

Dave especially.....as you will see!!!

Sports!

These pictures were taken a while back when we saw a Jazz verses Pacers game with the whole family. As you can see below, Dave made Utah Jazz shirts for him and Josh. They look pretty professional. (Do you ever wonder how Dave has time to do these projects with everything else going on as a first year resident? I do.)

There was great anticipation before the game. Josh on Dave's shoulders...a monkey hanging on Josh's shoulders.

We were ready to cheer on the Jazz!

The Jazz were up the majority of the game and Josh was loving every second of it. In the last quarter, when the Jazz got down, Josh's spirits suddenly changed. I watched Josh go through a wave of emotions...sad...angry...disappointed...frustrated....and finally the game ended with Josh in tears. I couldn't believe my son was crying over a basketball game. That is something I don't think I have ever done.

Maddie, on the other hand was being a goof ball the whole time and thoroughly enjoyed her chocolate ice cream.

Sometimes I really wonder what is going on inside that head of hers.

So, about sports, I am realizing more and more even after all these years of being married,(almost 11) that sports mean a whole lot more to Dave than I will ever comprehend. The other day I was talking to my brother about Dave and his passion for playing sports and Dan said in all honesty, "Dave has the heart of a champion!" I don't know where his life would be without sports, and I am so grateful for the ways in which sports have shaped him. Anyway, this is just something I have been thinking about lately. As much as I absolutely love being involved in a variety of sports, I think I could be able to function in life without them. Dave could not.

So now I can say that my 6 year old son knows more than me about professional basket ball, baseball, soccer, and football teams. He has passed me up in my knowledge this year when it comes to following players and teams. (It isn't too hard to do. ha,ha!) It is cute to see Dave and Josh bonding when talking basket ball and now.....WORLD CUP!

It is midnight right now. Dave just got home a few minutes ago and he is now watching the U.S. verses England soccer game that he recorded while he was working. He is recording every game and has been as giddy as a school boy. We ordered cable for this month only.

Every 4 years...........good times!