Our wonderful neighbors...

When we bought our first home, 11 years ago, we moved next to the world's greatest neighbors...
The Whittens.
At that house we experienced a lot as neighbors-
A car crashing into our car and the Whitten's car while they were parked in the front yard (no garages!), they helped us fix, build, improve our home and yard, and they have pretty much adopted all of our children. They even let us borrow their Excursion last month so we could drive our family to the mountains!
We have known them since McKay was 1 and get together a couple of times a year.
The kids just adore them!
We are so grateful to have such wonderful people in our lives!

What a good sport Robin is sitting at Savannah's
little table being served her "dinner".

Robin and Hailey

Tim and Hailey

Our little missionary...

Last year Ashley had a best friend, Avery, from school who didn't belong to any particular church so Ashley decided she would invite her to go to church with us.

Avery came to church, Ashley gave her a Book of Mormon and
one of my music CD's and then she had to move away.
We kind of lost contact with them until we received a phone call last night
and they informed us
their whole family was baptized!
Ashley thought nothing would come of her desire to share the gospel, but indeed it planted a seed for their family. It goes to show you anyone can be a missionary no matter your age or circumstance. We can't imagine not having the gospel in our lives, it brings such peace and happiness to us! Thanks Ashley for being a great example and showing us the importance of sharing the gospel!

Dirt bike fun...

McKay and Carson were able to learn how to ride a dirt bike for the first time thanks to our favorite neighbors the Blakes. They rode all over their back yard with no reported injuries!
(except to the grass!)
Now they say all they want for their next 5 birthdays and Christmases is a dirt bike. (ha)

Here Jason helps get the bike ready for the boys,
I think he secretly wishes he could hop on like the good old days!

McKay loving it!

Carson making sure he doesn't run over any kids...

Our favorite neighbor, Suzanne, with Savvy who adores her and calls her 'Azanne'...

A bunch of women gone CRAZY!

My friend Brooke McLay who is extremely creative and fun decided us crazy, busy, over worked mothers needed a night on the town,
but not just an ordinary night on the town...an UGLY sweater night on the town
and boy were there some UG sweaters!
We went caroling (and even managed to carol at a member of the Stake Presidency's home!), laughed a lot and then finished the evening eating pie at Village Inn.
Thanks ladies!

My angel friend....

My dear friend Trinette took me out to dinner for my birthday and gave me a one hour gift certificate for service in my home.
So after me saying, "Oh, you don't need to," and after her giving me
'the look'
and saying,
"You don't have a choice!"
I gave in and she loaded my dishwasher, straightened my kitchen, cleaned my bathrooms and kept me company...I couldn't ask for a better friend.
Maybe I should have birthdays more often!
Thanks again you angel you!

The lost art of home canning....

My friend Brooke and I decided to welcome in the first day of Autumn by canning a ton of peaches. It was a lovely morning and it amazed us what an abundance of peaches can make. Everything from peach salsa, spiced peach butter, peach syrup and peach pie filling! I wish we had the time to can more!

Celebrate Hailey Baby Shower

My sweet friends threw a baby shower for Hailey and I last Thursday! It was so much fun to be with everyone. They spoiled Hailey with adorable clothes and spoiled me with a free housecleaning certificate! A big thanks to the most wonderful friends!