Happy Birthday Logan!

 

Happy 19th Birthday Logan!

 

 

 He enjoyed "mushroom surprise" which really isn't the name, but rather oreos, fudge, and ice cream frozen......delicious!

 Got Logan a cool watch for his mission.

 Hit "Goodwood" for a birthday lunch..Yummy.

My first born has turned 19. How has this happened? Well, I do not truly know, but I do know that he has grown, matured physically as well as spiritually. He is a grown man and I am so very proud to call him my son. As he prepares to serve a mission, I have been speechless at his devotion to his family. He is home more, is more considerate, and is always working to be our family peacemaker. Happy Birthday Logan. I love you and am excited for this next chapter of your life!!!!! Love you!

My Four Men going to Priesthood Session

 

 

Priesthood Session with ALL THREE BOYS

 

 

So, this is the first and last time for a couple years that ALL 3 of my boys went with their dad to priesthood session. It really was pretty cool seeing them all getting ready and walking out the door. I cried a little as I took these pictures. Logan will be going on a mission soon, and won't be back until spring session of conference 2015! How have they grown up so quickly......time does fly. It's a good thing, a real good thing..

More South Carolina pics

More South Carolina Pics!

 The beginning of our long vacation!

 My house I grew up in. My parents luckily still live there.

 The boys in front of the famous "Rainbow Row".

 One of the many plantations on the battery of downtown Charleston.

 This is the scene of the Lowcountry.

 Logan and Hayden taking the beach cruisers for a drive.

 Riding the beach cruiser!

 Hanging in the water.

 July 4th parade.

 Sitting around playing games.

 Happy 4th of July!!!

 Looking up as they start the climb.

 Uncle Josh with my boys.

 The boys at the top of the lighthouse.

 What a beautiful lighthouse!

This just says it all.......

South Carolina

South Carolina

 Our beach house on Fripp Island. I could live there.

 Saw this sign. Isn't that funny? Don't know them, but should have gotten a discount!

 Hayden and Garrett in front of the Columbia South Carolina Temple

 Hayden and Garrett with my parents the President and Matron of the temple.

Our trip to South Carolina was dreamy and fabulous and relaxing and nostalgic and memorable. The kids haven't been back since 2007 and were so anxious to get there. We first headed to downtown Charleston which EVERYONE needs to experience at least once in their lives. It never gets old going down there and seeing all the history and the old buildings. The kids bought some souveniers and we enjoyed driving down many of the old streets. We even hit up the famous "Wild Wings" which serves the best wings I've ever had. It was soooo yummy and I don't even like wings. The boys put down 50 wings. Wow. :) We then spent the first week in a rented beach house with my whole family on Fripp Island. It is right outside of Beufort which is where many movies including Forrest Gump, The Notebook, and Prince of Tides were filmed. It is picture perfect of what the "Lowcountry" is. Just stunning. The spanish moss hanging down from the trees as they hang down over the roads making almost a tunnel to drive through. I LOVE IT. I actually really miss it. How have I lived away for so long. Being southern runs through my veins......only if your from the south can you truly get it. We enjoyed watching a 4th of July parade made up of golf carts decorated on Fripp Island. It was a blast. We watched fireworks overlooking the marsh that night, and spent time each day either hanging at the beach or one of the many pools available. We then hit the veterans cemetary in Beufort. It was one of the first cementary's dedicated by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War. AWESOME. Logan got some incredible photos. However, the humidity was killing me. How have I forgotten. Yuck. Jeff and Logan came back after a week to get back to work and Hayden, Garrett and I stayed an extra week up in Columbia at their temple house. It was just lovely. We were able to go as a whole family to do some sealings on Wednesday night with my parents, and then the next night the boys were able to do baptisms and my dad did the work! It was a great experience. The Columbia temple is just beautiful. SMALL but beautiful. Same inside but miniature. They are enjoying serving and we are loving seeing them so happy. It was so fun to hang with my "sisters" and letting the grandkids getting to know eachother. So much fun. It was one of the best trips ever we all agreed. I'm ready to go back. Any shortage of teachers? It's quite tempting. :)

GARRETT'S 12TH BIRTHDAY

Garrett and his friends hanging before heading to Extreme Air Sports

 Garrett wanted a "purple" cake....it looks awfully pink. Sorry Garrett. They sure loved it!

 Opening presents. Sitting with his friends Aaron and Kaden.

 Garrett sure enjoyed doing some trapeze moves at the gym. Little monkey.

 Everyone hanging from the rock wall.

 This truly was a boys "Disneyland" being able to jump, swing, hop, and leap. AWESOME.

Garrett did some sweet moves. Out of an 1 1/2 there, he probably was on this trapeze rope for an hour. He LOVED it. I can't believe my baby is 12. He is growing up so quickly and turning into a little teenager. Does the baby ever get to really be their age? I don't believe so. He never got to watch Barney, or look at little books or play with little toys because his older brothers would make fun of him. He has always acted older than his age and enjoyes hanging out with kids older than himself. He is such a tender boy. He is such a good mix of Jeff and I. He is calm and tender spirited like Jeff, and very much a people person like his mom. He is enjoying evolving into his own person and it was so fun to be able to teach him at school this year and watch his interaction with his peers. It truly was priceless as I have never worked with my other boys in elementary. This next year, Garrett will be in Junior High and will continue to grow. I love you Garrett and appreciate everything you are and represent. Thank you for knowing who you are and for staying loyal to that. You are a great example to others. Thank you for continueing to be "my baby" and allowing me to snuggle you still. Here's to another birthday. I hope it was a great one. I love you.

My Marathon.....26.2

MY MARATHON.....26.2

 Shellie and I stopped to take a pic with 5 miles to go. We ran the entire lake behind us.

 Running up the hill......4 miles left. Ugh.

 5 mile marker aid station.

 Coming in to the finish line. I can do it!!!!!

 Push it, push it, push it.

 I did it. I did it.

 Yes! Hardest thing I've ever done. Honestly.

My family who came to support me. Thanks guys. We missed Logan......I trained for 4 months, putting in very long runs. I didn't think I could do it. It's amazing that I can do hard things. I did hard things. I am very proud of myself and that I finished. I realized how long 26.2 miles really is, and how athletic people really are. I was amazed how many people were there on their 3rd marathon in a week, or trying to hit a marathon in every state. I knew I was out of my league, especially with only 140 people that ran the marathon. But, I also realized that that is an elite group and I was honored to be able to be a part of it. I can mark this off the bucket list of items to do this year! I don't have a desire as of now to do another one, but you never know. ;) Time will tell...........what a ride.