Utah Trip

June 12-15
The first month of summer has gone sooooo fast but now July hit I feel like we are in slow mooooo. I'm not quite sure what we should do now but we definitely plan on having fun. So here's my catch of for June. The day school got out I took Sierra, Kaila, Alyssa, and Tessa to an Andersen Family Reunion in Utah. We drove to Las Vegas picked up my mom and drove on to St. George where we met up with my sister Christine and we all stayed with my Aunt Rhea and Uncle Evan(the kids love their house, who wouldn't.) We spent Friday, Sat, Sun, and Monday doing all kinds of fun family reunion stuff. I wrote it all down somewhere but all I remember now is it was all kinds of fun. I had camera probs but my sister Christine emailed me some pictures which I will attempt to put on now.
We went ice blocking and I had to keep chasing after Tessa who didn't understand that the people that were sliding down the hill had ice under them so she kept trying to go herself. Once I caught up to her she decided to take me down and pounce on me.

The kids looooved playing with their cousins, here's just a couple shots of the fun at the park we went ice blocking and my grandma's backyard.

My Grandpa Asay isn't doing very well and had to go to a assisted living center. All the cousins went to see him and sang songs. It was really great to see him and to feel all the love with these awesome kids.

Shirlyn-Christine-Tammy-Glen-Mary-Me

Memorial Day

Kids with Ribs

Matt on the Smoker

Heather with her water babies

Emma with her adorable smile enjoying ribs.

Kaila and Alyssa chil'laxin

Sierra splashin'

We had so much fun all weekend. The Heywoods came over Friday night for some swimmin and fun. The Carters came for the rest of the weekend and hung out. We swam all day Saturday and Monday. It was so fun having friends over. It's been a while. We enjoyed it so much. It made life feel normal with everything we've had going on. I loved it.

Breakfast for Dinner Sunday Tradition

We did this every Sunday before me moved. We've only snuck it in a few times but tonight was fun. Each kid chose what shape they wanted. Emma wanted Mickey and Minnie. Alyssa had a snowman. Kaila had a flower and Sierra had a Mickey Mouse Snowman. Matthew ate Kaila's horse head she requested which turned into a round of 'He swallowed the horse to catch the fly who.....I don't why he swollowed the fly'. It was a fun night. Everyone's nervous about this week so it was nice to just chill and have fun and even though Tessa and Matthew both looked disgusted they ate everything on their plate.
I really felt the spirit today. Thanks so much for all those that fasted and prayed with us. I know that everything will be ok. Whatever they say I know the Lords in control and will bless us. Love you all

Emma's Angiogram

I'll be updating Emma's blog with any news about her exploratory surgery. emmarebekah.blogspot.com. Please keep her in your prayers this day...April 22.

Easter

Easter came and went so fast this year but I loved it. Kids woke up and found were the Easter Bunny hid there baskets outside. It happened so fast I only got the younger kids looking for them. Before we got baskets they each got a small present from Matt and I that would help them think about what Easter is and we talked about the Atonement and Resurrection, I enjoyed it so much I want to make it a new tradition.

Notice how we've included other holidays as to not hurt there feelings. Above we have a forth of July shirt on Sierra and below we have Christmas lights next to Alyssa. Oh, and I believe Matthews pjs might be halloween. Aren't we festive.

Aren't these the best expression? I love the joy young children can't help but show on there faces. I wish adult were so readable.

We attempted to do a family picture as to replace the Christmas one we have at the top of our blog but Emma and Tessa fell asleep on the way home from church. I did everything I could to wake up Emma but she was spent so you'll just have to continue to enjoy our Christmas picture at the top of our blog until we have another occasion to all dress up.

Emma's Birthday!

We had such a fun birthday week for Emma. I posted a bunch of pictures on her website, emmarebekah.blogspot.com. Above is one of my favorites. I can't believe she's four. Every birthday is such a miracle to me, especially when I look back at all that she has been through. We are all hanging in there thanks to the awesome support from family and friends. We are axiously awaiting Emma's angiogram April 22. Please continue to pray that her heart will be strong enough for the surgery she so desperately needs. We love and miss you all.

My trip to Utah

Jerilyn, Me, and Kari...both friends that I grew up with. We all lived on the same street. It was so much fun to catch up.

My beautiful Mom and sisters.
Christine, Mary,
Shirlyn, Mom, Me,
Tammy

Me and my sister

My Grandma and Grandpa Asay, my moms parents

Me and my Grandma Andersen, my dad's mom.

It's so hard for me to find the time to blog anymore but I'm attempting to get back on the band wagon. I got to go up to Utah for a womens type conference that the Andersen Family does every year called Legacy. It kind of links the generations of women together. It's always very inspirational and fun to see all my cousins and aunts and grandma. I got to see all my sisters and my mom. It was a great energized to want to be a better mom and have a little break.

Celebrating Tessa's Birthday with Friends.

We went to a park in Upland with our friends the Carters and Heywoods for Tessa's birthday Saturday. I'm a dork about taking pictures of everyone so you can't really see who all was there but we filled the park with 13 kids and 6 adults and only 2 families. It was nice to just enjoy the day and play. Tessa started her party off asleep from the ride there and ended it asleep in Daddy's arms. We went to the Carters after the park for cake and play- thank you Mike and Beck! I'm feeling very emotional about my baby turning one. I've never thought I'd be that way...I always thought those women were saps...I guess I'm a sap now.

Happy First Birthday Chunkers!
On Tessa's Birthday I took her to Burger King for lunch just to get her out. Amy had the idea and came with Emily and I brought Emma and Matthew. It was fun since we weren't celebrating until the next day with friends and next week with family.

Just Chil'laxin'

Feb. 8
I was realaxing in my bed and slowly each kid came and joined
me until we were all hangin' out just chil'laxin'.

We've been all tired out around here. We are far from moved in and settled but we are all happy. This has been by far our most interesting move. Thanks so much to everyone who helped. We started moving Thanksgiving weekend and crashed down the week before Christmas. Our stuff is still everywhere but we have a place to sleep and get dressed. It's been great to be with family. I'm learning to get over my personal space issues. I've always known I was a little weird this way but it's nice to know I can adjust when needed. I wouldn't say I'm a home body but I like my own space to get away from it all. The kids did really great at first and still love being near grandma and grandpa, they are also getting close to Aunt Kelli. I can tell it's starting to wear on them in other ways but they've been terrific overall. I'm so grateful to a Heavenly Father who can see the big picture and give me patience and comfort until I do. I feel a weird sense of calm here, I know were in the right place even though I'm sleeping in a formal dinning room. I can't get over how generous mom and dad cobb and aunt kelli have been. Well, not much to report but we are alive and well. Emma had an appointment last week which I put an update on her blog emmarebekah.blogspot.com I'll be keeping everyone updated on her progress. Please continue to pray for her. Much Love!

Mykaila's Baptism

We had Mykaila's baptism yesterday. It was so awesome to watch her make such an important step in her life. She had such a sweet spirit about it with a little bit of nervousness. I'm so proud of her. You'd think that since we postponed it from last month we would have had a it together better but I didn't. It all came together great but I felt bad we didn't let more people know. She was happy and enjoyed it all so I guess that's all that matters. I'm so grateful for such a sweet, beautiful daughter. She also bore her testimony the next day in church and I was so impressed with her sincerity. She really felt the spirit and knew that her baptism was the right thing to do because of the joy that she felt. She also already has such a strong love of the Savior. I learn so much from her everyday.