Family Pics 2014

{Roo's Special Day}

Sienna's baptism brought pretty much every emotion in the book.

Travis was missed.

Dearly, dearly missed.

We all were heartbroken he wasn't there,

and the void was felt awfully heavily.

And Sienna felt it....

she wanted him there so much and was heartbroken he couln't be.

I prayed and prayed that she would feel special.

That she would be happy.

And she would know her Dad was there and proud of her.

And she was so happy. 

She beamed with joy all day long,

and I couldn't be more proud of this strong,

joyful, amazing girl,

who is like her Dad in so many ways.

She gave him a pretty awesome b-day gift this year!

I adore this kid.

I am so proud of her for smiling through a hard day and letting herself feel happy through it all.

Simon got baptized in the morning, about an hour before Roo.

We loved sharing the day with him, and pretty much adore this boy.

But, I wont lie,

the reality of Travis not being there hit me most when all the men went to stand in the circle 

when he was confirmed.

It just didn't seem real, or right, that my Travis wasn't standing there with them.
Oh we miss him!

These two shared a blessing day,

and now a baptism.

Wonder if they will get married the same day...?

I love them both!

And I like her too...

Travis wanted to be here for Sienna's baptism,

and really, when it came right down to it,

that was probably the thing he was saddest about.

About a week before he passed he wrote her a letter to be read at the baptism.

I was so glad she had words from him,

a reminder that he is still watching over her,

and that he wont stop loving her.

And that he really hated not being there too!

I treasure these simple words.

Dear Sienna,

I am so proud of you today  for the choice you made to be baptized and to be an example to all of your family and your friends.  You don’t know how much I wish I could be there with you physically, but I promise you, I’m watching you and smiling down with the Angels of heaven.  I am so glad of the choices you’ve been making in your young life.  I ask you Sienna, to please make more good decisions.  I remember a little girl who told me once she wanted to be the best soccer player, and how hard you tried to make that goal, and you did it, because you tried so hard.  Sienna, your family loves you, very, very much.  I promise you I will be watching over you as much as I can.  As you get the Holy Ghost you will have another friend to help you and guide you.  Please ask for his help.  Please continue to be a good girl.  Help your mom.  Be friends with your sister.  And remember that we all want the best for you.  Please don’t lose your smile.

I love you.

Dad

I told Sienna to pick whoever she wanted to baptize her,
and she asked her Uncle Jody.

He did a beautiful job.
The spirit was there, strong, and sweet.
I'm not going to pretend it felt ok,
watching her go into the font with someone other then Travis.
I wanted him there.
I hated him not being there,
but as soon as I saw the beaming smile,
and felt the room full of love,
I knew it didn't matter who did it,
Travis wouldn't have missed that day for anything,
and I hope Sienna never forgets it.
Thank you Uncle Jody for being such a good uncle,
and for loving Roo so much.
It was lovely.

My dad confirmed her,
and why I didn't get a pic I have no idea?
But it was a beautiful way to end her special day,
and I loved seeing her smile and hug some of the men who will step in
and help her any way they can-any time, for Travis.
(And wont forget her shaking the Bishop's hand instead of giving him a hug...it was darling.)

Our weekend ended with a Birthday party for my mom,

Sinco de linda!

She was surrounded by her favorite humans...

her grand kids.

I love my mom.

She is always serving,

thinking of others,

and would drop anything (and often does),

to help me out and take care of us.

Happy Birthday mom!

The latest family pics.

 (new post below)

From the fabulous jeniso photography.

Family Pics

Our latest family pictures from the amazing

Jeniso Photography.

 

A day at the Cemetery

Last week I took the ladies to the Cemetery in Ogden

to visit my Grandparents grave.

They were very, very close to my Grandma before

she passed away and still talk about her often.

She was something beyond special.

 

They were very sweet

and reverent while we were there.

 

 My mom came with us and told the ladies

a little about some of our relatives buried there too.

Adyson was very interested in all the history of these people.

 

My Dad's parent's are also buried in the same cemetary.

My Grandpa passed away when my Dad was just 12 years old,

leaving my Grandma with twin 12 year old boys and an 11 year old girl.

My Grandma must have been a Saint to raise them all alone!

So obviously I never met my Grandpa,

but my Dad still misses him and I wish I could have met him

because he sounds like a wonderful-amazing person.

Someday.

 

  

I did know my Grandma though.

I was only 9 when she passed away,

but I do remember her.

She was very-very English.

And she always  had hard candy.

And I loved playing on her excersize bike

and looking for slugs in her flower boxes in their house

in Downtown SLC.

 Strange memories I guess,

but that's what stuck with me.

Yes, her name was Dorcas.

What an unfortunate name!

 It was lovely to take the girls

and talk a bit about those who came before us.

Oh...Hello Blog...

Remember me?

I used to document our entire life here.

I miss it.

And am making it a goal to make you a priority in my life again.

Forgive me?

Let's play a little catch up.

 Since we've taken a break-here's what's been happening.

I was able to help in Sienna's field day at school.

You remember playing with the parachute don't you?

(I was a little jealous inside.)

I loved the parachute.

 And then she went and graduated Kindergarten!!

Oh Roo.

Stop with the growing.

I am gonna miss our half day bonding sessions next year.

She was my bud this year.

So sad it's over.

 

And then her sister,

my sweet Adyson,

went and had her last day of 2nd grade.

You do realize-blog, that this makes me old enough 

for a 3rd grader...

Seriously?

  

Goodness I love this kid.

 

The last day of school she brought home something she wrote on the

first day of school.

If this doesn't tug at your heart,

well then you don't have one.

 

We've spent a little time with cousins.

(Happy Birthday to Rheagen!)

  

Been on oodles of bike rides.

(Yes-blog, I'm sexy.)

Don't be jealous.

 

 Played in the water.

Cutest neighborhood award goes to us.

Pretty sure.

 Spent a whole lot of time at the good old public library.

20 minutes a day!

 Took them for cupcakes.

And was pretty happy when Sienna didn't want to finish hers.

Goodness-it was delicious.

 

Spent some time at good ol' Willow Park.

 And guess what blog? 

No cavities!

 The ladies have jobs to do each day.

And when they are done we make them up...

like this day where I told them to water the flowers.

(Mother of they year award?)

(It kept them outside for over an hour.)

Don't judge.

 

Adyson had a church activity-so I gave Sienna the option

of doing WHATEVER she wanted..

She chose to hit balls on the range.

Oh her daddy was proud!

 We've been here.

Have you?

No?

Go now.

YUM!

 Saw Brave.

I give it a 7.

Trav gave it a 4.

Tangled spoiled us.

 And blog,

guess what?

Trav's new meds have started turning his hair WHITE.

Really white.

It began with the beard,

(Sienna drew this on her ipod),

but it's working it's way up quickly to the rest of his head.

He's still a handsome devil though.

Trust me.

 

The ladies had a neighborhood sleepout.

They loved it!

 And we are currently in swimming lessons.

They are big fans.

 

And the fireworks have come and gone.

My my how time has flown by!

We went to our usual park and met up with 

our usual friends.

We love this tradition!

We passed the time by playing Yahtzee.

 

Adyson got her 1st Yahtzee on Roll 1 and her second on Roll 2.

 I was a little jealous.

 

The ladies pretended they love each other all the time for this shot.

 I adore them.

 And him!

I like him too.

 

The fourth we spent a little golfing time together.

(The ladies took lessons a few weeks ago.)

(They may-or may not- hit farther then me.)

 And then we went to my parents for a good old BBQ and some fireworks.

It was lovely.

I really love this Holiday.

 Oh and Blog,

we got some family pictures taken by the lovely Jeniso Photography.

Love her,

and love them.

See them here.

Phew.

It feels good to be caught up.

I will try harder blog,

but please forgive me if I ignore you again.

I'll do my best.

xoxo