Randomness...(Is that a word?)

 

Happy Birthday, Josh and Joe

 When we got home from the cruise, the day after the boys' birthday, Granny and Grandpa were waiting with a birthday cake for them.

Another Cruise.....

At the beginning of October, Tony and I took Joseph and Joshua and Samantha on a cruise.  It was the same cruise that Tony and I took on our own in January.  We only took those three because each of the older girls had gotten their own cruises earlier in the year.  It was the boys' birthday on Oct. 3, our last night on the ship, and all of the kids had a ball.  We have decided that cruises are a great bang for your buck.  All inclusive and not too expensive for what you get.  We'll definitely be doing another one, but this time going somewhere else!

Dancing Queen

 Kathleen went to Priest/Laurel Prom this year.  She looked beautiful.

 This is her date, Wesley Rogers.  Isn't he a cutie??

He left an "I Spy" type of book on the front porch that he had made that asked her to be his date.  It was so cute!

 Off they go....

Just clowning around...

And a great time was had by all.

In The Hollow Of Thy Hand

Just sitting here this morning thinking about how grateful I am for the gospel and the example that is being set for my kids. One of Kathleen's best friends, (who has become part of our family) is leaving this morning to report to the MTC tomorrow to serve a mission in the Dominican Republic.
We have grown very close to him over the past year or so and will miss him very much but I'm so very proud of him and his desire to serve.

He is setting such a great example for our boys. They love him to death. I think it's really making me think about what it's going to be like in less than 7 years when my boys are that age and preparing to serve also. It's very difficult knowing it will be 2 years. Half of me is so proud, and the other half is so sad. Hard to explain. I'm sure those of you who have sent off a missionary know exactly how I feel.

This past Sunday was his last Sunday in his ward and we were there. Kathleen and Makala sang the song "In the Hollow of Thy Hand." They did such a wonderful job even though it was so difficult for Kathleen. She is going to miss him terribly. It's difficult watching her realize how much. I remember vividly the day my sisters and cousins and I sang that same song when our cousin, Lee, left for his mission. It's such a beautiful song.
Jonathan, you will be in our thoughts and prayers. We love you.

Just Hold Still!!

These are just a few of my attempts at getting ONE
decent picture of the kids to put on our Christmas card.
(This was Thanksgiving Day, by the way.)

Not as easy as you might think.