And she is...4

I cannot believe I now have a 4 year old. It just doesn't seem possible. All Bailey wanted for her birthday was a BIG cake, friends dressed as princesses, and a Pink Party. Well, that we did. It was a lot of fun...





I'm not sure why in all her pictures she was so shy, but it was cute. She had a great Birthday, and was so glad that it finally came. It was all she talked about for weeks.
This little girl is an absolute blessing in our family. She has some struggles, but continues to work so hard. I am grateful for that. She has come such a long way, and she is my sweet, big, 4 year old.

We love you Bailey!

HaLLoWeEN

We didn't get too many pictures this year of Halloween, but we had a lot of fun. We spent this year in Show Low. I'm glad we did, and it wasn't even too cold. The girls loved it. Bailey had it down pat, and Gracie just followed her lead. They were too cute!
A few days before Halloween we had a little halloween party for a few of the girls little friends. It was fun! Full of costumes, cookie making, and "spooky" foods.

Just a little something...

My sweet sister has reminded me of how long it has been since I last posted. I promised her I would get caught up. So until then (that's my goal tonight, check back), her is a little something to tide her over!
Check back tonight Whit... much more to come... I promise!

Small Town USA

This song makes me heart sick for home. I have lived in the Valley for 8 years, but yet somehow it still doesn't feel like "home". Home is small, everybody knows everybody, houses aren't on top of each other. I want my girls to have the kind of life that I did. Out in the country. We rode horses, went spotlighting for fun, shot paintballs with a slingshot as we drove through town in Taralee's "Wild Thang". I know our time will come when we can do that again, but here is to hoping it is sooner rather than later. I am a country girl, and that's the life I want. I'm feeling the need for a trip "home"... anyone want to go on a road trip?

Back to School, Back To School...

Bailey went Back to preschool today. All week I have been talking to her about going back, and she has adamantly insisted that she was NOT going, and she was NOT riding the bus. I was a little worried, but this morning came and at 6:00 she came in our room dressed and ready to catch the bus. She was sad she had to wait another 3 hours! She was so excited, and when the bus finally came she hopped right on, gave the bus driver a little pat on the hand, and excitedly told him, "I AM SO HAPPY". I knew it would be a great day!!!

Camping 2009

Last weekend we went camping with two of my sisters, and their families. It was so fun! We could have done without the wind (Show Low is notorious), but all in all it was a good time. Are these not the faces of true campers!?
Addisyn
Brooklyn
Brinlyn
Bailey
Gracie

Have You Met This Little Lady?

You Totally should... she's a riot!

Train Trip 2009: Part 5

Our last and final leg of the trip was a visit to Kirtland, OH. There we toured the Kirtland Temple, and the Newel K. Whitney Store. The Kirtland Temple is owned by the Community of Christ Church (reformed LDS), so there was definitely a different feeling there. But it was really neat to see it and know that is where the prophet stood.



The N.K. Whitney store and home was awesome. In the top of the store is the "School of the Prophets", and where Joseph and Emma lived while in Kirtland. That was amazing to sit in that room knowing who all walked those floors before and the great revelations (Word of Wisdom) that took place there. Newel K. Whitney and his family were great people, who supported the prophet whole heartedly, and I am grateful to them for that.
N. K. Whitney Home
Kirtland Visitors Center
Top of the store where Joseph and Emma lived with twins and new son
Inside of Whitney Store
N. K. Whitney store
Sawmill that was built in order to build the Temple


From there we went to the train station for a 4 hour wait until we caught our train for Chicago. Boarded... arrived in Chicago... waited another 5 hours... then boarded for the train back to Winslow. It was an unforgettable trip. I am so thankful to my grandparents for taking us all. My testimony has been incredibly strengthened. I know without a doubt that Joseph Smith was and is a prophet of God. He endured tremendous heartache and trials on behalf of this Gospel that I am blessed to have today. I am humbled by is faith and perseverance. I am blessed.

Train Trip 2009: Part 4

From Pittsburg, we traveled to Palmyra. On our way we stopped at the Peter Whitmer Farm. It is so pretty there, and the visitors center is really neat.



Then we arrived in Palmyra. There is nothing like it. Atleast not that I have seen:) It is beautiful beyond description, seriously! There we visited the GRanin Printshop (where the first Book of Mormon was printed), Saw the TEmple and Hill Cummorah, and visited the Smith Family Homestead and the Sacred Grove.















The Sacred Grove truly should be a post in it's own, but it is so amazing. Walking through is so peaceful, and you just know that something amazing happened there. The spirit is so strong. My testimony of Josepg Smith has benn strengthened tenfold because of this trip, and because of the Sacred Grove in particular. He truly is a man and Prophet of God. I am humbled my all that he did so that we could have the Gospel today. I am blessed.

Train Trip 2009: Part 3

From Nauvoo we then drove our vans back to Chicago and boarded another train for the 18 hour ride to Washington DC. We stayed two nights in DC, and were there over the 4th of July which was pretty exciting. They have a HUGE fireworks show. We opted to stay at our hotel and avoid the millions of people, but we still heard them and had a prefect view from the TV:)
I had been to DC a very long time ago, so it was so fun to go back. We saw all the monuments, went to the top of the Washington monument, the Holocaust museum, went to Georgetown. It was a lot of fun. Makes me so grateful for all those who have and are fighting for our country. A lot of sacrifice has been given for our freedoms.
Capitol
World WarII Memorial
Washington Monument
White House
Whitney & Chelsea in front of Abe Lincoln Memorial

After our two days in DC, we got on a "commuter" train and headed to Philadelphia for one night. I didn't really care for Philadelphia itself. Kind of dirty, nasty subway, weird people, but it is rich with history. We saw the Betsy Ross home, Toured Independence Hall (Where Declaration of Independence was signed), saw the Liberty Bell, and went on a "duck tour". The tour took us all through historic Philly, and then it turns into a boat and took us on the Delaware river. It really was a lot of fun! We also went to a Phillies game that night. SO FUN!!!
Chelsea at Phillies Game
Delaware river
Independence Hall
Whitney and Kaitlin "Ben Franklin" look
All the granddaughters that went with Grandma and Grandpa