Miller's - The High Life

Climbing at The Red with Family and Friends

2011-11-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

This is us totally checking out the guy next to us because he was the most ripped man any of us has ever seen. He had to be 0% body fat, you could climb his abs. Even the guys couldn't stop checking him out.

This is me climbing a 5.10b, yea that's right.

I put this one in here for Jay, look closely and you'll see why.

I love this picture because it shows off how beautiful the leaves were that weekend, and the weather was perfect too.

Brooklyn lost her first tooth while we were out there, it was ridiculously loose so Andy told her if she wasn't going to pull it out then he will so she grabbed it and pulled it out all on her own. She was crying, but she did it.

We start them climbing early, they all loved this jungle gym my dad built for them. The first day down there my mom and dad were kind enough to take the kids while we go climbing. My parents were awesome they took the kids through the woods and taught them survival techniques and took them canoeing.

Both my mom's and my brother's birthdays were on this weekend, so in true camping fashion we made them a birthday cake out of dutch oven cobbler.

The Natural Bridge, one of my favorite hikes.

Jay just jumped into this shot Mel was taking of Andy and I, it was funny yet awkward.

I am not that heavy you punk!!

They were being bad so we punished them by hanging them from a tree over a cliff, they were good the whole rest of the trip.

Love this picture of Andy and his ladies.

This is my new sister in law, we all love her.

Beautiful sunset

Via Ferada

Bouldering

This was all of us on this climb, not one of us made it up. I hate this climb.

Civil War Reenactment

2011-10-03T16:19:00.000-07:00

Ohiopyle, PA Trip

2011-09-28T13:44:00.000-07:00

First Day of Kindergarden

2011-09-28T13:36:00.001-07:00

Brooklyn learns to ride her bike with no training wheels

2011-09-28T13:31:00.000-07:00

Hocking Hills with the Talbots

2011-09-28T11:03:00.000-07:00

This was Benson's first camping trip and he obviously loved it. He actually did do good despite the picture.

We normally stay in the old cabin on this land, but it was full of spiders this time, so we decided to take all the kids and sleep under the stars. These are all the kids waiting in the back of mel and Jays car for us to set up the beds on the ground outside. The girls loved sleeping under the stars. It was a perfectly clear night too, so the stars were beautiful, they even saw a few shooting stars. Benson slept in the van beside us with the windows cracked. It was an awesome family moment, Maddy said it was her most favorite thing we have ever done.

Funny Mel, she was not going to let those spiders get her while she slept. With that face I dont think anything out there would have messed with her. haha

I love this picutre. They both look so cute.

FHE at the Temple

2011-09-27T07:42:00.000-07:00

Kings Island Trip with Grandfather and Grandma

2011-09-23T10:13:00.000-07:00

Good Bye Faithful Jeep

2011-09-23T09:51:00.001-07:00

We finally sold the black beauty our old 1993 jeep. It has been our one and only faithful car for 6 1/2 years. Four kids later we finally have to get a new car. We purchased our first car together in our marriage, we got a honda odyssey. Andy needed a car too and because of our forever love for jeeps we bought another one. A lot newer nicer one of course. By the time we sold the beast these were the things broken on it or missing completely:

rear view mirror gone

material lining on the inside ceiling was ripped open and hanging down

break lights

reverse lights

cruise control

under the carpet on the floor the bottom was rusted out, their was no floor in the back basically

radio was stolen

odometer

gas gage

tacometer (RPM)

muffler

speedometer (yes, we did not know how fast we were going)

middle console top

rust on the hubcaps

back side bumper gone

inside radio and ac/heater light

Im sure I forgot some, there were too many.

It worked because we did not know any better, I still kind of miss the Jeep, but I feel a whole lot safer now.

Benson's Blessing Day

2011-09-23T09:10:00.000-07:00

Andy and Duffys Rockclimbing Trip to The Red

2011-09-08T11:07:00.000-07:00

Adventures with Kay Kay and Rachel

2011-08-17T12:39:00.000-07:00

Watching the Columbus Clippers

2011-08-17T12:24:00.000-07:00

The Scioto Mile in Columbus

2011-08-17T12:00:00.000-07:00

Spending the Day with Grandma

2011-08-02T13:47:00.000-07:00

4th of July Weekend

2011-08-02T12:55:00.000-07:00

Josalyn and Kenzie and Carolyn were all there to share the 4th with us, it was so much fun. This is the beavercreek 4th of July parade.

The horses were the favorite part for the girls of course

This is the Bloomin Bus, clever ehh

This is Jared with his own special pink glasses and his own special sparkly glasses, Jared is our special brother.

Watching the fireworks

This is Benson's first firework show, he was thrilled.

Baby Benson is here

2011-07-13T17:59:00.001-07:00

I always told myself that if I could ever go into labor on my own then I would go all natural, thinking in the back of my head that it probably would never happen, I am always induced. Well a whole day early my body actually started doing it on its own. I went into the hospital at 1am on Sunday morning and didn't have that baby until 4:18pm. That's right I labored for 15 hours all on my own, no epidural. Why did I decide to go natural with my longest and hardest labor? These pictures I show are ruff, but that is because this was definitely the hardest thing I have ever done , but also the most spiritual and wonderful thing I have ever done at the same time.
I am so glad I was able to experience doing this on my own. It wasn't a smooth ride though, when I started pushing the doctors realized he was face up coming out, so they had to turn him as he came out, which hurt a lot, and then after an hour of pushing I finally got his head out as the doctor yelled stop pushing, she had quickly realized that he had the umbilical cord wrapped around his neck three times, which explains why I had to push for so long when it normally takes me only ten minutes to push my babies out. They had me stop pushing and then tried to unwrap the cord but it was too tight so they cut it, which made blood spurt all over my mom. It was very intense there at the end, but I finally got him out and when I finally got to hold him after all of that work, I just held him and cried. I have never had to work so hard to get a baby here before and I was just so happy to have been able to do it that I just cried. Its all worth it in the end, but whether I will go all natural again is still up for debate, it really hurt.

I forgot to put this
Benson Robert Miller

7lbs 12oz

20in. long

Born at 4:18pm on June 26, 2011

We found a new metro park

2011-07-13T17:10:00.000-07:00

Tennessee Trip to Papa and Kay kay's House

2011-06-23T11:52:00.000-07:00

Young Family Reunion 2011

2011-06-20T15:03:00.001-07:00

FHE fun at the creek

2011-06-20T11:58:00.000-07:00

Tabby's Baby Shower for Baby Benson

2011-06-20T06:16:00.000-07:00

Lois Mars and Kayce Johnson

Kacey Bassett and her girls

Cami Miller and Carolyn Murry

Shantel England, Lydnzi Johnson, and Stephanie Innes

Sherrida Urling, Stephanie Chapman, and Liz Perry

Liz Perry and Laura Fisher

Brienna and Kelly Quinlan

Suzanne Cox and Rebekah Anderson

Brittney Harper and Brittney Fullmer

Kacey made me a car seat cover.

Lyndzi made me a hat.

Mel made me a blanket.

Mel decorated for the shower and helped a bit with everything else. And of course she created something adorable out of cheap things that she made and found because she is a creative genius when it comes to decorating.

Me and my best friend Mel, maybe someday we will actually take a picture together where one of us is not pregnant.

Suzanne is my best friend from growing up and she surprised me by driving an hour to come to my shower, love you suanne.

Thanks to Rebekah, Brittney and Mel who put this shower on for me and made it awesome. And Thank you to all me friends who came I love you all and thanks for the gifts.

Brooklyn Preschool Graduation

2011-06-19T18:46:00.000-07:00

Duffy's Friends Show Choir Finale 2011

2011-06-19T18:28:00.000-07:00

Tabby is 25. YEA!!

2011-06-19T18:08:00.000-07:00

Easter Weekend 2011

2011-05-17T20:47:00.000-07:00

Man trip to Red River Gorge.

Happy 31st Birthday Andy

2011-05-11T18:11:00.000-07:00

Andy's Birthday landed on Easter this year, so we had our Easter fun on Saturday and then made Easter a birthdya party for him. We were at my parents house and everyone was there so it was a good time for a birthday. Andy wanted a guitar for his birthday, which he did eneded up getting, but that is why I bought him a guitar book. Andy wants to become more musical, I am so proud of him.

I have got some cute girls

2011-05-10T12:00:00.000-07:00

Just having fun taking pictures.

Mud FHE Night

We decided to embrace the rain and make it a fun Family Home Evening.

This is Maddy on her first day of ballet class. It is a class that we have actually gotten Maddy to participate in so she must love it a lot.

Free blow up house. Mel was given this free blow up house from a family in the ward that is moving. It is the new neighborhood hit.

My Dad in Afghanistan

2011-03-30T11:55:00.000-07:00

Maddy's 4th Birthday in Pittsburgh

2011-03-01T13:23:00.000-08:00

Tangled Theme

This was a trio party for Lydie, Kenna, and Maddy

Th pinata

This is a disturbing picture I apologize, but I just had to put it.

My mom sent Maddy money to buy what ever she wanted and this is what she picked out later at toys r us, Rapunzel hair. Even Jared had a good time with this one.

Christmas Pictures 2011

2011-03-01T13:15:00.000-08:00

Christmas Eve!!

This is acting out the nativity on Christmas eve at the Young's house, I know its wrong but its tradition, please don't judge us.

She took her part as an angel very seriously, she is deeply in character right now.

My best buddy growing up, SUANNE!! Love you girl!!

OK, Evie kind of looks like a little boy in this picture.

Christmas Eve gift exchange.

Of course my dad had to get me back packing gear of some kind, its our thing, I know if my dad draws my name I am getting something outdoorsy. Luv you dad.

We got this sign for Tyson for his basement, which if you could see it, it really is the ultimate man cave.

Christmas Day!!

She was in princess heaven.

Do you think there was enough presents this year, now in our defense this was for three families, we do not spoil our children.

Barbies are always a winner.

Yes I had to sport my new workout outfit, but please don't make fun of me I am pregnant in this picture and after just a few weeks I grew out of this outfit. It will have to be the motivating outfit that I want to fit into after the baby.

Megan's Grandma bought all the girls snow white shirts from Disney world, it made Christmas morning for these girls.

My dad bought my mom a little air force solder bear to cuddle with while he is in Afghanistan. Of course she cried, but I think she cried at every gift my dad gave her this Christmas.

Do you think Maddy got enough jewelry for Christmas, but its all she wants right now.

Playing with the new merchandise, they are in heaven. They have new shirts, new skirts, a barbie house and car, a bucket of animals, and lots of candy what else does a girl need.

Duffy sporting new Christmas clothes and shoes.

Andy and his hunting knife, he doesn't really need anything else.

It's a Miracle!!

2011-02-03T11:47:00.000-08:00

Miracles can happen. We are finally having our first boy!!!!!

Yeaaaaaahhhhhh!!!!!!

Happy Anniversary, 6 years and going strong!!

2011-01-10T11:16:00.000-08:00

6 years and 3 1/2 kids later and we still like each other, I think I would call that a success. Life is good. I have loved being married to this man and making three little girls with him. I wouldn't change a thing, I am very blessed. I am a little behind on posting our anniversary was actually December 4th.

Happy Anniversary Andy, I love you!!

Andy's Buck

2010-12-30T12:15:00.000-08:00

They got some crazy looks from people driving down the road like this.

This is Andy's first buck of the season, he was so excited. Jay and Andy had gone out of few times before they finally got something. It was a perfect shot, right through the heart I think he only ran a few yards before he just dropped down dead, no tracking necessary. Andy even saved the heart so he could show people how perfect his shot was. That's my man.

He isn't the biggest buck, but we are proud of our 6 pointer. Andy was just happy to get something.

Anybody have some good venison recipes?

The girls watched them do the whole thing in fascination. They actually thought it was pretty cool. They even took turns picking up the head because they thought it was crazy how heavy it was, that's my girls.

Evie's 2nd Birthday Party

2010-12-29T12:33:00.000-08:00

Evie got to pick out what ever she wanted to wear for the day and of course it was her pinkest most twirliest dress, she said she was a princess.

Brooklyn and Maddy were in charge of decorating for the party. And their idea od decorating was putting a balloon on everything they saw.

And after a long day of decorating the girls decided to dance around the house while listening to their disney princess CD.

This is the life of a all girl household.

Singing happy birthday and scarfing down some cupcakes

Opening Presents.

Even though I told everyone not bring presents everybody did and they made some of the cutest things for her. Sherrida made her play do, Kacey made her a hair bow, Stephanie brought a bunch of random fun toys in a bag, and Mael bought her the cutest dress. Thanks guys for all of your thougtful gifts.

This was the only present Evie really wanted. She kept pretending everything was a horse and riding it around the house, we even caught her riding the plunger around the house once(yuck). So we had to break down and buy her a horse to ride. She was thrilled.

Brooklyn turned 5!! Happy Birthday!!

2010-12-15T18:01:00.000-08:00

Brooklyn had her birthday on the best weekend ever. She turned 5 on the same weekend that my brother Jared came home from his mission. Laina had turned 5 a few weeks before, but they waited to have a joint birthday party with Brooklyn so Jared could be there. So the whole family was in town, even our friends the Talbots drove down from Columbus to enjoy the fun. The whole party was a dragon theme, because Brooklyn was going to get the movie "How to Train Your Dragon" and all the action figures from us as a gift. Laina got the movie too. We found a sweet Dragon piniata and the kids loved it.

Brooklyn

Makenna

Lennix

Jensen

Jared finally had to finish off the dragon so the kids could enjoy the candy so with one shot I think he broke it into 4 pieces, it was crazy.

I know they have one year old candles on their cupcakes but I forgot the candles and these were all my mom had so just pretend they are 5s OK.

Opening gifts

Everyone said it felt like coming to a boys party because all Brooklyn got from people were dragons and animals, but that is just Brooklyn she's our little animal lover.

She loved all her gifts, everyone there knew her very well, because she still to this day plays with every toy she got all the time.

Jared's Homecoming

2010-11-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

We were just a little excited could you tell?

The girls getting all ready with their signs and bells, we are not a quiet family the whole airport knew we were there.

The big reunion. He came out earlier then we thought and he surprised us so I didn't get any good first hug pictures.

The whole gang

I think my mom hugged him over fifty times, between everybody Else's hugs she got a hug.

Saying hey to the girls, they were so excited to see him.

Jared's old crew, his buddies Jeff, Kyle, and Tyson.

Me and my best buddy.

Evie stealing Jared's balloons, I actually don't know if she ever let him have them.

Being nice to his sisters and letting us take a picture with him, he couldn't even smile for us. Oh well we were lucky to get the picture at all.

Duffy couldn't come to the airport because he had show choir practice so we took Jared over to the high school to come in and surprise Duffy, Duffy had no idea he flipped out.

Jared calls these girls his little fetuses, because that is what they were when he left on his mission, and now they are almost 2. It was fun watching him meet them for the first time. They adore each other already.

Our little garden at Golf Pointe

2010-11-17T13:17:00.000-08:00

It was a mulch pile so we had to dig it all out, it was a lot of work, we had to dig deep to find good dirt under all the clay. The dirt was so bad we thought for sure that nothing would grow, but we decided to try it anyways.

It looked pretty good after it was all done. We planted corn, pumpkins, cucumbers, and squash.

Before

After

After it was all said and done we had tomatoes, basil, lettuce, beans, and peppers added to the mix. Except for maybe one thing it all ended up producing food so we were thrilled. It was way more then we ever expected.

"How to Host a Murder" 2010, The Western

2010-11-09T10:57:00.000-08:00

Andy made this belt buckle, pretty impressive.

That is one hot cowboy

First Attempt
We had two attempts at this party, at the first one we had to cancel right in the middle of it because Maddy busted her eye open and we had to take her to the hospital. So these are the pictures taken at the first attempt.

P'Elvis Swaggerin and Butch Chastity

Tabitha and Andy Miller

Chief Breaking Wind and Elvira Lynn Fek-Shin
Trinette and Nate Hayslip

Helena Handcart and Wyatt Hurts

Mel and Jay Talbot

Adela Muerte (as in death) and Elias Truist Heath
Sherrida and Peter Urling

Second Attempt

P'Elvis Swaggerin and Butch Chastity

Wyatt Hurts and Helena Handcart

Chief Breaking Wind and Elvira Lynn Fek-Shin

Character picture. The Malevolent 7, plus Andy.

Trinette was the killer, so this is our tribute picture to her.

This picture does have some significance. Mel's character supposedly has blackouts where she does things that she can't remember that she did. And one Easter morning at church she had one of these "black outs" and she came to church running around with nothing but her bonnet on. You go girl, yeee haw!!

Taking a picture in character, Andy the gay cowboy, Peter the pansy Quaker cowboy, Nate the gassy Indian, and Jay the depressed cowboy.

Those are some fine country boys right there.

Jay's character got shot in his tender parts, hence his name Wyatt Hurts. So this in Andy and Jay just acting that out for ya.

Don't mess with Western women, we may look sweet and and innocent but we would gun ya down in a second.

The ladies and Butch

Thank you to everyone that made these nights possible, and a special thanks to Mel who had to plan this party twice, you are awesome. This was one of the funniest parties I have ever been to.

Surprise, I am Pregnant

2010-11-01T11:42:00.000-07:00

I wrote that story not even thinking about it, so sorry everyone had to find out this way. I am pregnant, but I am only like 7 weeks along. So no one was out of the loop for long. We are super excited. Thanks for all the best wishes. Here we go number Four!! I couldn't let Marianne out do me for long.

Maddy's Little Accident

2010-10-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

Last Friday was the night we were invited to go to a "How to Host a Murder" party. You are given a character to dress up as and everyone in the party has to participate or the game won't work. All of our kids were being babysat next store. In the middle of our game we get a call from the babysitters saying that Maddy's head had been cut and we might want to go check on it. She had hit her face on Lennix's head. When we saw her we immediately knew this was no little cut, she had a huge open gash on her eye brow and she definitely was going to need stitches. We all had to stop the game and reschedule it for next week, which is horrible in its self, everyone had spent hours planning for that night. But everyone understood, and off we were to the emergency room dressed as cowboys. Maddy was pretty scared but we talked her through everything and prepared her enough we thought she would be OK and she seemed calm, but once she got in there with the doctors she cried and cried, she was so scared. Maddy is already so shy that all this attention would have been hard anyways, but on top of that she was going to get stitches in her face. We all had to hold her down, I had her arms and legs and Andy had her head. They had to put stitiches on the inside and out because it was so deep. Then half through the stitching I started to get dizzy and I warned the doctors that I was going to black out. The nurse had to carry me to my chair, Andy took over Maddy's arms and legs the nurse took her head and then Maddy freaked out even more because I was gone. I hadn't eaten since lunch and I am newly pregnant and I was watching a doctor sew up my daughters insides and it all came crashing down. Once I got some orange juice down me I was able to lean against Andy and hold Maddy's hand. Even though Maddy had numbing gel on the wound she had major bruising and so she still felt a lot of pain, so basically it was a horrible night for Maddy. We had left at 8pm and didn't get home until 12:30am, but she is fine now and doesn't seem to be too scarred. It was the craziest night ever.

Trick or Treating

2010-10-31T14:18:00.000-07:00

This house does an amazing haunted house every year and the kids love it, actually it scares the kids to death but the parents enjoy watching the kids get scared. That random guy in the mask walks around just scaring people and playing with the kids.

Westland Trunk or Treat 2010

2010-10-27T18:13:00.000-07:00

Spider Woman, Wonder Woman, and Cat Woman

They are there to defend the weak, except for Cat Woman she was kind of bad, but whatever.

Spider Woman

Maddie made the cutest Wonder Woman in the World.

The boots were a little too long, but it did make her more modest.

Cat Woman

This is Evie trying to hiss and growl like a kitty.

And this is her trying to put her hands on her hips and look like a strong super hero but it turned out looking awkward.

Those are some awesome crime fighting chicks.

Lennix and Brooklyn had to match, of course.

She took on her role very seriously.

The whole crime fighting team.

There were a lot of spidermans there that night. This is 3 out of four of the students in our preschool class, crazy huh.

Wonderful prizes from the fishing carnival game.

"Trunk or treat"
And Brooklyn was not needing to pee she said she was trying to pose cute.

Kori, Tori, and I. Tori looks really scary and Kori doesn't look that different actually, who were you trying to be again? ha ha

Andy and his YM. This is Hyrum and James, but you would not know that by just looking at them their costumes were crazy, especially Hyrums, his Avatar costume was awesome.

Austin and Andy just being themselves.

Halloween Party at the Hayslips

2010-10-26T18:50:00.000-07:00

Group Shot

Jack Looks really scary in this picture.

Spiderman and Bat Girl

Witch and Frankenstein (Lyndzi and Jeff)

Christmas Story Lamp and Box (Nate and Trinette)

Jack and Sally (Jay and Mel)
They won best costume, and they deserved it.

Hunter and Deer aka Rudolph (Stephanie and Aaron)

Peter Pan, Wendy and Tinkerbell (Ben, Kacey, and Khloe)

The Witch Doctors (Peter and Sherrida)

A different twist on twister. You go body to body trying to hold up the rings, instead of body to mat. It was quite entertaining watching everyone do this. It almost looked like a dirty game, that's why I liked it though.

The hottest chicks at the party, Sally and a gender confused Robin.

Beau was too pregnant so Shannon had to get spiderman to help her play the game. Wow that was confusing.

The hunter and the deer gettin personal.

Batman and Jack just hangin out

The big mac and fries (the Crowleys)

The bumble bee and her flower (Sunni and Tyler)

Beau and Shannon (Shannon and Beau)
I have to say Shannon, during this pregnancy you have really let yourself go, I have heard of woman growing a little facial hair while their pregnant but this is just sad.

Batman and Robin the coolest duo at the party. Whoever came as batman looks really fine in that costume, I'm just sayin.

Batman was called away to help a damsel in distress and so he called his faithful side kick Robin and off they went to save the day.

Batman, Robin, Sally and Jack

Evie is potty trained, no more kids in diapers!!!

2010-10-26T18:37:00.000-07:00

Evie practically made me potty train her at 22 mths. That is a record for us, she is the earliest potty trainer yet. I am so excited.

She had been showing signs for months; she hated her diaper, whenever she went poo she would try to rip her diaper off and say yucky poo poo. Everywhere she went she was trying to strip her clothes off. She begged me to wear pannies. Finally I gave in once and let her sit on the potty and she went so that was the day I started potty training her. Evie has always been a fast learner, she was crawling at 6mths, talking at 10mths, walking at 10mths, and now this. I hope she doesn't do everything too fast she is still my baby.

We are so proud of you Evie.

Climbing and Young's Dairy with the Family

2010-09-16T20:22:00.000-07:00

More Hocking Hills Family Reunion Pics

2010-09-16T10:39:00.001-07:00

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2010-09-16T10:13:00.000-07:00

This is where we were almost everyday this summer. Brooklyn learned to swim by herself without floaties and Maddie learned to swim by herself with floaties, so basically I didn't have to do anything, I actually got a really nice tan while laying out most of the time, it was a good summer. We would go while Evie napped most of the time, so swimming was actually a nice break for me.

Since we went swimming so much Brooklyn just got better and better, she became a really good swimmer this summer. She could swim under water half way across the pool, she could jump in really far, she jumped off a huge diving board by herself, and she learned how to dive. She is pretty much obsessed with it now.

Ballerina Day. They got up one morning and didn't want to wear normal clothes they wanted to be ballerinas so they went everywhere that day dressed like this.

Maddie Dancing

Brooklyn Dancing They recently learned the kissing pose for pictures from Isabelle, this is all of them trying it, Evie's pic is my favorite, she cracks me up.

Our little ballerina rock climbing, now that's my girl.

Family Reunion Hocking Hills

2010-09-08T12:44:00.000-07:00

Hiking Cantwell Cliffs

Almost the whole gang in front of the cabin minus Jo, Ty and Lana.

This was our sweet secluded cabin we got to enjoy all weekend. It is on 7 acres of land that was all ours.

You know your kid is use to camping and being outdoors when she has to pee and right in front of everyone she finds a log and pops a squat like its no big deal.

Evie's full time job while we are outdoors is playing in the dirt and she has become an expert.

Chillin

Duffy finishing a sweet climb.

They were pretending that the stick was a horse.

Tabby Climbing

Evie's horse, she kept yelling at it and telling it to go.

Andy rockin that wallAnd of course Brooklyn is in a tree, where else would she be.

Andy again.

Brooklyn has a good eye for cool insects she normally catches at least a couple frogs and an occasional snake whenever we camp, but this time she found the biggest Caterpillar I have ever seen.

That's right, this is my mom, she is a 51 year old grandma that can still rock climb, I am so proud.

Mandy rock climbing right after having her appendix taken out, you go girl.

She is a barbarian, who raised this girl.

And this is me making a long reach to the next hold.Almost there.

That is one sexy beast, nice head band

Duffy as the belayer having some fun.

Ahhh, aren't they cute.

Best Friends Forever. I love these two when they get together, they are so much alike. They are both girly and prissy and emotional and a big handful for their mothers, but we love them. We fear the day when they become teenagers. Their conversations sound like they already are. All they talk about is clothes and hair and princesses.

At the end of the trail by the cars we saw a bunch of horses coming off the trail and they saw all our girls and how mesmerized they were. One lady got off her horse and let the girls pet her horse, she said that her horse is 26 years old and is very gentle, and then asked if our girls would like to ride her. So of course our girls were thrilled and they all got to ride her except Makenna and Maddie who were still hiking, they were so sad.

Duffy, Megan, and Tabby

fun videos.

2010-08-31T11:07:00.000-07:00

"The Elders Quorum Dessert Making Contest"

2010-08-31T10:27:00.000-07:00

The Elders Quorum put on an end of summer party for all the men and their families. The requirement though is that the men had to make the dessert with with no help from their wives.
They made it a contest and the wives were the judges. They had sign up sheets where you cast your votes for different categories.

At the beginning of the day, while Andy was shopping for his dessert he started texting Jay and telling him how he better watch out because he is going to kick his trash at the contest that night. And then after texting for like an hour back and forth bashing each other they ended up deciding to join forces to make one gourmet dessert. So here they are cooking away.

This was their texting conversation!

Andy: "Going to get my ingredients for my dessert tonight. Oh yeah! need anything, I mean besides help because thats what your going to need to beat me. Bring it on!"

Jay: "You mean you are just starting? Oh man, I have remade mine 3 times just to get it perfect. Your done for!"

Andy: When your the best perfection only takes once. You better bring your "A" game."
Andy: "What no come back. I knew it, your already scared."

Jay: "Sorry, once mine was set to perfection, I decided to relax and take a shower, thus the delayed response from me. You better stop wasting your time texting and work on that food of yours."

Andy: "Tabby said that mel likes to get things done early, hope you didnt get and help."

Jay: "That would be cheating! I would never do such a thing. Did you take tabby with you to the store to buy supplies?"

Andy: "Tabby had other stuff to get. I looked up my own recipe, and gathered my own ingredients, Heck I even got up this morning and milked a cow for my cream."

Jay: "Thats cool. I raised a cow and then milked it. And I gathered my own cocoa butter to make chocolate. "

Andy: "I plowed the fields and planted the grass for the cows to eat, and harvested the wheat to make the grain for the cows and your flower. "

Jay: "Ok , I concede. You win,... you win, you always win!"

Andy: "I almost gave in with your rasing the cow. But....never. "

Jay: "Im actually going to the store in the next few minutes. "

Andy: "If you want you can come over and join me"

Jay: "What do you mean? Join forces and produce one gourmet dessert?"

Andy: "Precisely!"

Jay: "Done!! I'll be over in just a minute. "

And that is how it all began.

Mel and I sat on the couch and chatted while they cooked, it was the best moment of my whole week, I could get use to that.

The Results
"The Sublime Key Lime Pie"
Ain't it pretty y'all

And then after a tight competition, and a little crowd work from Jay which involved going around to each person making sure they had tried their pie,

That's Right, They Won!!!!

Don't you love the trophy from the Elders Quorum, its a ping pong trophy. It is so pretty that the boys insist on surprising each other with it by sneaking it into each others houses. Ahhh, Good Times.

The Bunny Park

2010-08-26T18:43:00.001-07:00

Jensen and Evie

Jensen, Brooklyn, Maddie, Evie, and Lennix

That is one funny face Brooklyn is making, where did that come from.