Adoption Update

Here's a little update on where we are in the adoption process. After a lot of research and ground work, we've decided to use LDS Social Services for the adoption agency. We've meet with our coordinator and had a great one on one meeting with her. We are currently in the 'filling out all the paperwork' phase. She told us it takes the average couple 6 month to finish the process and now that I'm doing it, I understand why. Once we complete the paperwork, then we have the home study and interviews. After the home study, we have to complete our profile and then we're officially approved and on the waiting list. From there, it's just a matter of time before we get the phone call! With some much going on the last few months, we got a little off track. We're hoping to get back on track and finish the paperwork in the next few months. So stay tuned for more updates.

Lizzy's Married!!!

I can't believe my baby sister is married!! What a beautiful wedding and reception! And we couldn't ask for a better brother-in-law then Brandon. Lizzy has some wonderful friends that came down for the wedding and they were a huge help. Without them, we won't have been able to pull it off. Everything turned out perfect and Lizzy looked amazing. It makes me sad/relieved to think that this the last wedding we'll have. I can't believe how fast time is going by and old we're all getting!! Congrats to the new Mr. and Mrs. Simon!!!



Our new family:

My brothers and Lizzy:

Grandma Funeral and Lizzy Wedding

April was a pretty crazy month. My sister was getting married on April 30th in San Antonio. Lizzy and Brandon were scheduled to arrive on Sunday the 26th, Tuesday the out of town guests started arriving, Wednesday she was taking out her endowments, Thursday was the wedding and Friday was the reception. The week of her wedding was going to be very busy! To make things even more fun, my Grandma's funeral was taking place on Saturday April 25th in Oregon.

So Wednesday evening, my parents and my 2 brothers and I packed up our neighbors van and started the 36 hour drive to Oregon. Did I mention we drove 36 hours straight?!! It was quit the trip, with the car trying to overheat, the electrical systems going haywire and all of us packed into the van. But we did get to see some of the most beautiful scenery! It was also the first time I'd been back to Portland in 7 years and it's been almost 10 years since I've seen some of my extended family. Surprisingly, we didn't kill each other after being in the car for so long.

We drove for 36 hours, made only a few stops along the way and we made it just in time for the family gathering Friday afternoon. We meet up with my sister Katie and her daughter Bryleigh (they flew in). My Uncle made the casket and my Aunt made the lining. It was beautiful and matched my Grandpa's. The service and brunch afterward was also beautiful and you really got to see the impact my Grandma had on people. Sadly we only got to spend 36 hours there for the funeral services and left again Sunday morning for the drive home. This time my Mom flew home to meet Lizzy and Brandon and start preparing for the wedding. So it was just me and boys! It was a crazy trip, but well worth it! Now I can't wait to see the family together again for our family reunion this summer.

Isn't this fun?!!

Look at all that caffeine!

This is how we really felt.....

We came up over a ridge and suddenly found ourselves looking down the barrel of a tank! They were driving down the highway!

This was just after sunrise in Eastern Oregon

The whole family.....what a legacy she left behind!

Grandma Summers

Unfortunately, during the beginning of April my Grandmother's health took a turn for worse. On April 18th, 2009 she re-joined her husband and countless other friends and family members. My Grandma will truly be missed by so many people. She was a wonderful person and someone who was always serving others. She was so knowledgeable about the church and was always studying to learn more. She was even sealed by David O. McKay when she got married! She was also a wonderful cake decorator and was able to come here and make 3 of my siblings wedding cakes. I was very blessed to grow-up 5 miles from them and I really got to know and love my grandparents. I'm so glad she was able to spend time here in Texas last year! I love my Grandma and I'm sad she's not here with us anymore. But I'm so glad she's able to see my Grandpa and many of her family members again. She leaves behind 8 kids, 40 grand children and over 50 great grandchildren. What a legacy! And I can only hope to follow in her footsteps.

This is one of my favorite pictures; this is how we drove back from Utah last summer:


Taken at Temple Square last year:

Utah Visit

In the beginning of April and 2 weeks after Lizzy was here for her shower, my Mom and I flew to Utah to help her with her last minute planning and final dress fitting. I had no idea it could be so cold in April!! It snowed all most the time we were there and my Mom and I were pretty much covered in 4 layers of clothes the whole time. We stayed with my cousin and her family and really had a great time seeing them again and seeing her new baby! My future brother in law took us for a drive up the canyon and we got to see lots of wildlife; including a Moose that walked 10 feet from us! Overall, it was a great trip and we had a really good time with Lizzy and each other.



Mom, Me and Lizzy:

Lizzy's Bridal Shower

In March my little sister Lizzy came down from Utah so we could give her a bridal shower. We had a great time and were so glad she was able to come, even thou it was a short visit! Our dear family friend opened up her house and helped with all the planning. I still can't believe my little sister is getting married!

Julie and My Mom



Lots of goodies

Me and Bryleigh

Lizzy and Sam

Only a few months behind!!

So it's been a while since I've posted anything. Even I was getting tired of seeing that stupid Valentine's Day post! Here are the highlights of the last several months.

Happy Valentine's Day

Valentine's day was a little different for us this year. We decided not to spend any money on gifts and to just enjoy the day and each others company. That's why I was so surprised when Chris showed up at my office and brought me a beautiful bouquet of roses on Friday. He's such a sweet and loving husband and he knows how to spoil his wife!! He picked out the most beautiful pink and red roses I have ever seen. He's such a romantic and I'm lucky to have him!

Cute kiddos

I stole this picture from my sister's page. I couldn't help it; it's such a cute picture of my niece and nephew!! I can't believe how big they're getting.

Engagements and LASIK

Wow! These last few weeks have been exciting!! Starting with the engagement of my little sister. Lizzy will be getting married to Brandon on April 30th in the San Antonio temple and we couldn't be happier. He is a wonderful guy and we enjoyed meeting him at Christmas. We look forward to adding him into the family. It's a little sad that Lizzy, my little sister, is getting married. I feel so old!

The other exciting news is that I finally had LASIK done!!! After 20 years of wearing contacts/glasses I can finally see 20/20. I'm still in shock that I can actually see things far away and see them with such detail and clarity! For those that don't know how blind I was, my vision prior to LASIK was 20/800. That means I couldn't see anything past my elbow; my own hand was blurry. Now I can see things more clearly then I could with my contacts in. I'm truly amazed! My eyes still look scary and my up close vision is a little hazy, but each day I can see better and better. I can't wait to see how much better my vision is in the coming weeks and months.

Have you seen me?

I really need to find a money tree!!! Does anyone know where I can find one?

Family Pictures

I finally got the disc that has the family pictures from Christmas on it. I love seeing our family get bigger every year!

The whole family

The Girls: Katie, Mom, SIL Wendy, Me, Lizzy and SIL Maggie

The Boys: Brad, Dad, Chris, Tom and BIL Bryan

The Parents

Best Buddies (Chancho posing for the camera)

Happy 3rd Birthday Chancho!!

I can't believe little Bradley (aka Chancho) is already 3 years old! He's such a sweet boy who has the best manners and always says please and thank you. He loves to play games and always makes sure that everyone plays and no one is left out. He's totally a boy because he loves to play guns (with the Nerf darts, Wii and play bball with Chris. He loves to snuggle and will go to pretty much anyone for comfort. We love him and enjoy his visits when he comes to play. Happy Birthday!!

Happy 30th Birthday Brad!

Sunday was Brad's big 30 birthday. We had a "Thomas the Tank Engine" themed party complete with games, a train cake and train hats. We all had a great time. (To bad Brad was sick.) Brad also got a really fun game for the Xbox called Scene It and we played that for a few hours.

I stole these pictures from Maggie's site....thanks Maggs!

Samuel's Blessing

Brad got to bless Sam on Sunday. Maggie spent a lot of time making his blessing outfit and it turned out really cute! Bradley thinks Sam looks really cute in his new dress Mommy made. The blessing was really nice and pretty much the whole family (minus Lizzy and Chis) were there. Afterward, we all gathered at Brad and Maggie's house and had brunch. Maggie, her mom and aunt cooked up some very delicious food!! We had a great time and I'm so proud of my family that lives righteously and are able to bless their families and their children.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Wow, I can't believe it's already 2009! So much time has gone by since I posted last. I'll try to be brief and not put to many pictures, but I apologize if this one is long.

Highlights of December: Decorating for Christmas, both inside and out, colder weather, the brief amount of snow, cooking and decorating cookies and candy, spending time with family, playing games, Lizzy coming home for Christmas, meeting Lizzy's boyfriend Brandon, Trail of lights, lots and lots of great food from my Mom, time off from work, Christmas parties, Nerf wars with Mom and Lizzy, family progressive dinner, enjoying the spirit of Christmas and all the joy that brings.

Happy New Year and may everyone with blessed with a safe, healthy, happy and prosperous 2009.

Nerf wars with Mom, Liz and Bradley:


Me and Lizzy:

Bradley playing with Dad and his new Christmas toy:

Bryce and Bradley helping us make cookies:

Trail of Lights:


Lizzy and Brandon, what a cute couple:

Singing "Rudolf" with our newly-made candy cane reindeer:

The 3 Wisemen:

Baby Sam isn't so little any more: