HOME AGAIN

Funny things that happened today.

On the plane....

Random Tough Older Guy: Where are your smiles today?
CC: (Glared hard at the man.)
Me: You have to forgive her she just said goodbye to her grandma.
Random Tough Older Guy: Ahh, you just left your grandma?
CC: (Starts to cry.)
Random Tough Older Guy: (Eyes get wet.) Can't look at her she is going to make me cry.

Me: I guess we are home again.
CC: Not fair.
Me: No more grandma for a little while.
CC: Ahhh. Now what?

Later that day at the Pittsburgh airport, going to the bathroom before picking up our luggage...

CC insisted on using the handicap potty. She likes a lot of room in her stall. Who can blame her?
Me: CC just use the potty I just used.
CC: No, I want to use this potty.
Me: Well, there is a lady in that potty. Just use the potty I just used.
CC: No.
Random lady walks out of the handicap bathroom stall and proceeds to wash her hands. CC zooms right in to the stall and then zooms right back out. She is waving her hand flambountly across her nose. CC says at the top of her voice, "Wooooooooooo. Mom that bathroom sticks bad. I will just use your potty."
Random lady shruggs and say quietly, "Yeah, I bet it does."

We are home. The trip went really well. The girls are both asleep. I am back with the man I love. Pure bliss.

LET'S GET US ONE OF THOSE MOM

Nate's cousin Paul took Sierra horseback riding on his horse Ronnie. She loved it and thought it was the funniest thing she has ever done. She said, "Mom we got to get one of those. Paul has lots of horses can we just buy one of his?" Paul doesn't have lots of horses he just keeps his horse at a corral with a lot of other horses. She was so funny.

FALL with GRANDMA & GRANDPA

Sierra has had so much fun with her Grandparents and her Aunts and Uncles and cousins. She doesn't want to go back to Pittsburgh. She says we should just stay. I keep telling her I miss her father. She says, "Okay, we can go to Pittsburgh for two days and then we need to come back." I think she is going to be disappointed when she realizes that isn't going to happen. Every time someone brings up the fact that we are leaving tomorrow she cries. I think there is going to be a few tears at the goodbye.

DESERT SUNSETS

My mother loves sunsets and every time she sees a beautiful one she says, "Lisa run quick go take a picture." Here are a few pictures of the sunset from this past week from our front porch.

PROVO, UTAH TEMPLE

I love the temples. This picture brings to mind a scripture found in Isaiah. Isaiah 2:2 And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the LORD's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted about the hills; and and all nations shall flow unto it.
I love this picture. My father is carrying MJ and my mother is a little further ahead holding CC's hand. CC wanted to see the temple on Sunday, so Grandpa drove her up to the Provo temple and we all walked around. This isn't the temple Nate and I were married in, but it is the temple my mother and father were married in.
MJ wasn't feeling well. She has been sick for the last three days with a high fever. This is why she is sporting her Pajamas.
CC looking at the temple.
CC wanted to jump into the fountain.
For all of my friends who don't know why Mormon's build temples, here is a great blurb the Church did and posted to YouTube.

CAYLYN's FAREWELL

Caylyn and his following. The one thing I miss the most about living far away is missing out on all the family get together. I feel really blessed to have come to Utah at the same time as my cousin's missionary farewell. I think there are a few young ladies that are going to miss him over the next two years. He will be serving in Peoria, Illinois.
My grandfather. Isn't he handsome. He is such an amazing man. I love and admire him so much. His beautiful wife was there too. I love my grandma and grandpa Craven.
My brother and sister-in-law and beautiful Kate. She is 10 weeks along with her second and doesn't even look it. Cute family.

Aunt Kim and CC.
My father and my Uncle talking to this new missionary.
My cousin Amy's oldest daughter. Can you believe how gorgeous she is and how much she has grown?
Phillip you handsome man you!
My sister Karalee and brother Phillip hanging out at the table having a post Sunday church meeting lunch. The food was good. The company was better.

GOODBYE FRIENDS

CC was sad to say goodbye to her cousins on Saturday. I love this picture of Ty Ty.

PHILLIP WORKING HIS MAGIC

MJ seems to have a special bond with her uncle. She has really taken to him. Since Em left he and Grandpa are the only ones she will go to, besides me.

PARK with COUSINS

Sierra had a really fun time at the park with her cousins. We got a special suprise and got to see Mom again. CC was really excited to hold her hand and walk around the park. (Sorry most of the pictures are awful. If you find one you like maybe (B) can photoshop it or maybe the pictures are beyond hope.)

PICKIN' TOMATOES

Sierra woke up early this morning and grandpa said, "Sierra can you do something for me?" She said, "No." He said, "Come on Sierra." She said, "What do you want me to do?" He said, "I have a tomatoe plant that needs picked." She was so excited. I think at first she thought he wanted her to do what I would have asked her to do, grab a diaper or run a simple errand. Tomatoe picking is way better than that! She ran out and helped pick the plant clean. Lovin' bein' at home.

TEXAS, WE ARE GOING TO MISS YOU

Emily was MJ's second mother while I have been here. I really, really, am going to miss her. She is the only one of my sisters that MJ really took to. There were times when MJ would choose her over me. I have felt free this entire vacation... until today. Now I am back to the old MJ before Emily came into her life. Today Emily went back to Texas. Although I am sure Paul is so happy, we are so sad. Missing you.

UTAH, WE LOVE THEE.

Tessie Sue. She is so chubby I just want to eat her up.Emma loves her little sister Tessie Sue.
Grace. Wow, ever time I see her I swear she doubles in size. She turned eight and was baptized and we missed it all, but it is good to see her now. She is so beautiful.
The cousins. I wish I could get my little pumpkin head to smile but she has a mind of her own. I haven't heard a peep out of her since her cousins arrived. They have played barbies, dress ups, mermaids, and ballerinas. It is so much fun to see them play.
I love this pic. Look at CC's hair. Perfect day.

VACTION YEAH

Favorite things since I arrived.

Shopping at a huge Shade clothing sale on the lawn of UVU. Everything less than $5.00.I bought two super cute bathing suits and a bunch of t-shirts.

Napping for two hours every day while my sissy's take care of MJ and CC.

Beautiful blue skies.

The cool mountain breeze in the evening.

Seeing my grandpa and grandma Hair ride their bikes infront of our house in the early morning.

Seeing my grandpa and grandma Craven at church. Big hugs and kisses.

Listening to my brother Philip speak at church.

Swimming at my brother's warm outdoor pool with CC and my twin sisters.

Riding on Derrick and Jenn's wave runners on Utah lake with CC.

MY HAPPY PLACE

Nothing better than sinking your teeth into a fresh juicy peach and letting it drip down your fingers.
Looking at the beautiful Cascade Mountains under a clear blue sky on a sunny day.
Watching your daughter learn to stand on her own.
Enjoying the company of two of the sweetest, kindest, most righteous, beautiful girls in the world.
Looking on as your daughter takes to your brother just the way you hoped she would.

The leach now thinks her Aunt Emily is her mother. She cries when I try to take her from her Aunt. Loving the freedom. Emily is hating it. Sorry Em. No, not really. ;)

TRIP to UTAH

The trip went really well. The girls were great. CC proclaimed as we climbed off the plane and entered the Utah airport. "Mom, it's a beautiful world!"