Best Buddies

These two are so cute together. Kate loves her friend Natalie.

Wild and Wonderful

We do a preschool co-op group in our area and Abby LOVES it. It has been a fun experience and she looks forward to everyday she has with her friends.

Checking her heartbeat.

Richmond Day Trip

Life has been crazy lately. We decided to take a quick break from it all and travel to Richmond for the day to visit Dave and Alissa. It was really nice to get out. The drive was even great to just have a few hours to chat with Brett while the kids slept in the back. Richmond was a happenin' place on a Saturday and Dave and Alissa are always fun to be with. We first hiked around Belle Island, which has some awesome Civil War sites. Abby was in heaven running around playing with rocks and sticks. We also ate some yummy BBQ that Brett can't stop talking about. The night ended at the dollar theatre with a very entertaining organ performance by the famous, Bob. The man literally rises from the stage floor sitting on an old organ and plays his heart out with a disco ball sparkling up the stage. He has quite the fan club. The show concluded with the movie Tangled.

It couldn't have been a more perfect day.

The famous 'Zed and Ned's BBQ'.

Kate drooling over the BBQ.

Overlooking the river. I love Belle Island.

Collecting rocks.

Abby at the wall remaining from the Civil War. Richmond was burnt down as the Union began to overtake the War.

Baby Kate giving a little smile.

Abby loving every minute playing dress-up with Alissa's jewelry.

Friends

"A friend is one of the nicest things you can have, and one of the best things you can be. "

~Douglas Pagels

Abby has great friends and she LOVES them!

Thanks Steph!

My good friend Stephanie was awesome and took pictures of the girls for me. She is an amazing photographer, I love them. Thanks Steph! You are so talented.

Temple

When I was 20 years old I have the opportunity to go live in Russia to teach English to little children. My time there was something that has changed the way I see things. I am so grateful for my time with the Russian people. I was so blessed to be able to get to know them. They will always have a place in my heart.

When I heard there was a temple being built in Ukraine it brought tears to my eyes because that meant they would have a temple close by and make it much more accessible. The people there would sacrifice so much to be able to make it to the Sweden Temple, which was the closest temple at the time. Some would be lucky to even make it once in their life. There was an elderly sister in our branch that had been saving her whole life to visit the temple. She had a jar at home collecting her ruebles. All this made me realize how blessed we are to have temples on the earth and even more grateful for temples that were close by. I am so happy for the many people that will be BLESSED by this temple.

Kyiv Ukraine Temple Cultural Celebration

https://lds.org/youth/video/kyiv-ukraine-temple-cultural-celebration?lang=eng

The Throne

CONQUERED!

After some tears, a whole lot of Resolve Carpet Cleaner, many loads of laundry, books galore and a bit of chocolate, Miss Abby is now a Big Girl! She loves to model her new princess panties from Grandma.

Way to go Abby!

It's a beautiful day.