FFF= Summer Memories

Wow I can't believe its Fall already. It seems like this summer just flew by.

We stayed pretty close to home this year, no big vacations. But we did try to do something each weekend. In looking back at the summer pics we really did have a blast!!

Luke being a boy, exploring logs

Kolby lovin the water
Our July 4Th Snowbird visit
I think my favorites are these pics of the boys soaking wet from us playing with the hose

As always I hate to see the summer go but I love the Fall. Its my favorite season, the smells, sights sounds everything, love it!!

Have a great weekend!!!

Check out http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/ for more cute Summer Memories pics!!

Smiling boys!!!!

Luke LOVES Policemen, Police cars, Firemen, Fire trucks and all things related. Pretty much like most kids his age.

As luck would have it, I had to have my fingerprints taken for my CASA background check.

The easiest place to have them taken is our local Sheriffs office. Luke was beside himself excited when I told him we were going.

I didn't bother to explain the difference between a Sheriff Deputy and a Police man. To him they are the same and worthy of his awe :)

Once we parked he pointed out all the cars and asked at least 12 times "when are we going to see a policeman?"

We live in a small town so we were the only ones there. There was a Deputy on duty that was so nice to the boys. He took the time to come out and talk to them. Of course when Luke saw him he just stared without saying a word. The Deputy hooked the boys up with an "official Jr. Deputy" pin. (Kolby lost his before we even made it back to the car) They each got a cup and a coloring book.

Luke showing off his prizes
Who knew getting fingerprints taken would be so fun..

A few weekends ago our Friends, Kim, Tim and Drew came over for a Friday night game night.

I love this pic of the boys and their happy little faces.

Munching on the ever yummy rice crispy treats.

Congrats Kirsten & Jeremy!!!!

Congratulations Kirsten and Jeremy!!

Dewey's sister Kirsten got married last Fri in Las Vegas (at the same chapel Dewey and I did)

Her and her new husband are both in the Air Force. They both spent a year in Iraq and are now stationed in England.

We are so excited for them and wish them all the best in their new life together!!

We had a party for them Saturday night, it was a casual fun get together with family and friends.

One of our neighbors Mike has this tricked out Golf cart. Because of this he is one of Luke's favorite people. Its hard to see Luke's face in these pictures but he is smiling ear to ear.


Yep that's Luke driving. Mike pushed on the gas but Luke was doing the steering (well most of it) A happier kid you have never seen.

Congratulations Samantha & Steve!!!!

My cousin Samantha was married yesterday.

Aren't they a beautiful couple?

We woke up at 4am to drive to Salt Lake City for the all day celebration. They were married at the LDS Temple. We met them after for family pictures. The Temple grounds are spectacular, beautiful landscaping. The perfect place for me to get tons of cute pics of the boys all dressed up. What I should have taken into account was the fact that they are 1 1/2 and 3 1/2 boys.... There was to be no cute posed pics for them, there was way to much going on and way to much to explore.

Its kind of hard to tell But Dewey and Luke are in the picture. (Kolby is too just don't know where :)
Yea a family picture. Everyone is here except Cassidi. We took this at the reception. My aunt took a bunch more I'm hoping they turn out a little better.

This is my brother Steve and his girlfriend Mickey (top row) And her two girls (front middle). My sister Liz and her husband Gary (left side) and his two girls. And Dewey and I and the boys. (right side)

I was so excited to have us all together so we could take a group shot. Its the first one we have.

The reception was BEAUTIFUL , the food DELICIOUS!!! It was the perfect night for Samantha and Steve. We wish them all the best in their new life together.

Family Hike....

Sunday was a beautiful perfect nearly fall day. Unfortunately I was not feeling well so I didn't get to enjoy it. But look how much fun my family had on this amazing new hike they found.

I love this picture!!

They started out with Luke walking and Dew carrying Kolby
From what I'm told Luke did great for a 3 year old but was soon up on Dews shoulders. So Grandpa carried Kolby. Isn't this the cutest pic of Grandma and Grandpa?
It looks like it was a beautiful hike, I can't wait to go.
I swear Kolby falls asleep doing anything. He is fast asleep in this pic, with his little head to the side. He cracks me up.
Luke was so excited to tell me all about their adventure when he got home. His pockets were full of acorns and he saw a real snake.

It doesn't get any better then that for a boy.

FFF=Hope

Today's FFF is "HOPE"

I tried to decide which picture we have that most represents hope. And I kept coming back to these two. I can't remember a time that I have felt more hope. After waiting 15 years we were finally going to meet our son.

As far back as I can remember I planned on being a mother, I dreamed of 2 or 3 children.

After years of Infertility I was afraid that I had no hope left in me.

Adoption gave it back.

You can see in my face I'm just glowing, to me that's hope.

Its a time I will remember forever in my heart.

This one is Dewey and I at our wonderful friend Irene and Brads house in Las Vegas. Their car is packed with everything we are taking to Kazakhstan and we are getting ready to leave for the airport.

This is us at the Las Vegas Airport right before the first leg of our journey started. (slot machines in the back might have given away our location) It was a Tues we didn't arrive in Kyzylorda until Fri. (time changes) Needless to say the pics of us arriving.... not so cute :)

Things that bring me hope now.....

I have volunteered to become a CASA, I'm a few weeks into the training now. It really is an amazing organization. And its something I felt like I could do to help the children in my community.This is their website, its a national organization, check it out.

http://www.nationalcasa.org/

To give a child a CASA is to give them a voice. To give them a voice is to give them hope. And to give them hope is to give them the world.
—Pamela Butler, former foster youth

We are lucky to live within an hour of the countries largest no kill animal sanctuary

There website is http://www.bestfriends.org/

We have volunteered a few times for them over the years. It such an amazing place, if the animals are unable to be placed in homes for any reason they are able to spend the rest of their lives living in this beautiful happy place.

Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

And check out Sarah at http://kissthefrog4me.blogspot.com/ For more Hope FFF

How would you like your eggs?

I'll take mine scrambled on the floor thanks!!!

This post also could have been called "Fun things to do while mom is vacuuming the bedrooms", or "Look at me, I learned how to open up the refrigerator door, lots of fun stuff in here to play with"

Pay no attention to the shoes but no shorts. This kid LOVES shoes, he has to have them on ALL the time. Clothes are a different matter, he would happily run around buck naked. Anything I do get on him I consider a success.
Happy Wednesday!!!