Family Luuuuv

Celeste, Jakey, and I were able to take a trip to Utah this month for a family reunion and we had a blast! Here are a few pictures of the fun:

These are some of Celeste's second cousins. She doesn't have any first cousins yet... so it was fun for her to develop a relationship with these sweet girls.

Museum near BYU

These are my cousins Madison Nicole and Mackenzie Kathleen. I LOVE these girls. They are both so beautiful... inside and out!

We had so much fun making bows together! I am totally hooked on this new hobby. Thanks again Julie for being so generous with all your supplies.

The results of my labors

While we were busy making bows, the boys were doing what they do best. ;)

Here we are playing games together

My mom, my aunt Terri, and my Irish cousin Janice.

This is everyone minus us, my Dad, and the Moore family. We'll definitely have to do this again.

I love all my family and I miss them already. I sure wish we were closer, but the distance between us makes these visits really special.


The sweetest thing was when we got to the airport, Daddy, Benny and Charity were waiting for us... and the kids ran to each other. They could not contain their excitement and they just kept hugging each other. Then much to everyone's amusement and delight, Jakey ran around the airport hugging everyone's legs. I love how they love each other. Unfortunately, they started bickering a little before we made it to the car. But I know they love each other and it makes me happy. The pure love of a child is a beautiful thing.

“Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?
And Jesus called a little child unto him, and set him in the midst of them,
And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 18: 1-4

FHE idea

Here is a fun family home evening idea on service. We've found that unless we make the lessons interactive, the kids lose interest in what we're trying to teach.

Sing "Love One Another"

Have the kids build a tent in the living room (this was their favorite part) and in your own words share verses 5-7 from the Book of Mosiah.

Explain that you're going to pretend they're the people from the Book of Mormon and have them build a tent so they can listen to the words of their King.

Have King Benjamin read verses 9-19 of this inspiring address to his people:

Give everyone a chance to pretend to be King Benjamin and share their testimony about the importance of serving one another.

Even the little ones...
Lastly, take turns serving a special treat to each other and enjoy the rest of the evening together.

Birthday Beauty

Happy Birthday to our sweet Celeste. I can't believe she's already 6 years old! We went back to ChuckECheese (ugh) at her request and the kids had a blast. We invited our neighbors this time (the nicest people ever!) They have a daughter Celeste's age named... Nicole. I'm so glad the kids have someone so close that they can befriend. Celeste had a wonderful birthday! She got a really special present from Nana and Papa this year... she is going to Utah with me next month! We're so excited to spend time with our family and Celeste is absolutely thrilled to fly on the plane with me. She is so grown up... I can't believe it.

Here are some pictures of her through the years...

She has always had such a happy and friendly disposition. As you can see, that smile has lit up our home and our lives for the past 6 years! Happy Birthday Celeste!

Where the wild things are...

One thing I love about our new home is the backyard. It's very private, it's spacious enough for the kids to burn off their endless energy, and there's even a hot tub slab. (I'm soo looking forward to that in the wintertime) But I especially love that we get to discover all sorts of wildlife. It seems we find something new to gather around and gawk at on a daily basis. Over the past couple weeks we've seen:

All sorts of exotic looking birdsFrogs of all sizes

Some beautiful deer,

and some cute bunny rabbits!

But I have to admit, the wildest things of all are the rare specimens living INSIDE the house...

Yes, I seriously found the kids dressed this way today when I went downstairs after my shower. The girls were having way too much fun dressing up their brothers in princess outfits... so I just had to capture the moment. I can't wait to whip out these pictures someday when the boys go on their first date or something. ha ha!

What a wild and crazy bunch they are! A rare breed indeed.

"Chocolate" Cheese Party!

Our little Charity turned 3 a few days after we moved. Here are some pictures from our family party at what she called "Chocolate" Cheese (ChuckE Cheese) to celebrate our sweet sweet girl.

Ok, so I know I'm a little biased, but isn't she just adorable?

Recently she has developed a pretty serious stutter. And I don't think it's a coincidence that it began right during the most stressful period of our move. She seems to thrive on structure and routine, and there hasn't been much of that lately. It has been a tough adjustment for her. So it was nice to have a special night to take a break from the craziness of getting unpacked and simply celebrate her. I just hope her stress and stutter go away as we get more settled in our new home.

She's definitely her mommy's girl. I get equally as excited about cake.

Here they are on the rides... poor baby Jakey hated all of them!

Except this one. :)

Love my little Charity Lynn! Happy Birthday sweet girl. We are so glad you are part of our family!

First Impression

So on Jon's first day of work, he insisted on sporting a foam cheese tie. It was a little risky, but that's never stopped him before. I guess it's better that they know who he is right off the bat anyway!




Here he is trying to make me laugh by posing for the camera. OH man... he cracks me up.

Thankfully, everyone in the office loved it and they didn't write him off as a complete goof-off nut job (at least I hope not). Hopefully they'll give him a chance to prove how brilliant he is. I sure love my wacky hubby who doesn't take himself too seriously and lives life to the fullest!

Moving Day!

Us Cheeseheads are headed off to a new adventure in Wisconsin! We'll sure miss Ohio, and all the wonderful people we've met, but we're excited for what the future will bring. In the words of a wise church leader that has become my favorite quote recently, "Come what may, and love it, baby!" (minus the baby part) Joseph B. Wirthlin

A HUGE Thank you!!

We finally got internet access here (I've been living like a hermit for the past two weeks) so I thought I'd update this neglected blog with some pictures of our recent adventures.


Moving with 4 young kids is insane. It's especially crazy to make multiple home improvements and run a home business at the same time. Luckily, my parents and my little brother came to the rescue and stayed with us for 2 weeks and worked tirelessly to help us. We also have some wonderful friends here who rushed to help us in our time of need by watching our kids, bringing us meals, and helping us pack the moving truck. Thank you again to everyone who was able to help!


We repainted almost the entire house, had new carpet installed upstairs, put in laminate hardwood flooring in the living room, and did some landscaping in the front and backyards. What an ordeal!



Here is a picture of true love and charity... It's hard to see in this picture, but my mom had a cast on her arm from when she broke her wrist a few weeks ago in Bulgaria. She was still sore all over from her injuries (which included a concussion which made her dizzy at times), but she didn't let it stop her from working every day, ALL day.



And then there's my dad. He is the hardest worker I know. I think the floor turned out beautifully under the tutalge of our friend "Trekky Man".

Whew! I'm so glad that fiasco is over... and that we're finally getting settled in our new home in WI. And as far as I'm concerned we're staying put for good! I'm determined that I won't put our kids through that again!

P.S. Anyone want to buy a house? ;)

My Testimony

I found this video on a friend's blog, and I thought I'd post it here to help clear up any misconceptions out there.

I am so grateful to be a member of this church that has brought so much JOY into my life! I know the doctrine is TRUE, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God. We believe that the book is another testament of Jesus Christ. We also believe the Bible to be the word of God. I am grateful beyond expression to be a part of this church that has been such a blessing to me and my family! I invite any and all to read the Book and find out for themselves.

I testify that if you read the Book of Mormon, and sincerely ask in prayer if it is true, that God will manifest the truthfulness of it to you by the power of the Holy Ghost, and it will bless your life as it has mine.

For more info, go to http://www.mormon.org/.