Happy Birthday Ruth!

We celebrated Ruth's 1st birthday on July 29th. I can't believe that she is already one year old. We are so delighted to have this little angel in our family. She is such a people person and will smile at or hug almost anyone. She especially loves Daddy, and he, of course, can't bear to hear her cry, so she's extra dramatic when he's around. Though she is quite feminine, she manages to hold her own with the boys.

Our day was quite average until about 6:00 when the party started. We had the usual crowd of grandparents and cousins show up. Ruthie was given plenty of kisses and had more than enough help with opening her presents. By 7:00 she was exhausted and relieved to see her bed.

Nothing beats a pink cupcake!

Hard to believe that she was once this tiny:

Grandma Larsen gave her this cute car. She loves it! If James dares to sit on it, she gets really angry. So far, she really loves her new baby dolls too! It is so nice to have a few traces of femininity around the house!

Happy Birthday Joseph

32 Candles!!

Gone in one blow!

We had an enjoyable party... with Joseph's sister, parents, and lots of cousins!

Eight Years Ago...

Lately

After a solid week of no naps, this boys is finally asleep. What's important to James? Monkey, blankie, and Lightning McQueen.

First family bike-ride of the summer!

Ruthie cried the whole time! Maybe she was afraid of being in such tight quarters with the 2 year old (I would be nervous too!)

David's request: bumble bee rocks (to remind us of Gordon B Hinckley's 6 Bs)

I am feeling a bit sad today as I've contemplated the future effects of the gay-lesbian history teaching law that passed in California yesterday. Looks like I've got one more thing to navigate my kids around in this morally confused world. I am so amazed at how scarce virtue has become... it's almost scary! Anyone want to move to Iceland?!

Bad Parenting

When David showed up with an "ouchy" on his finger, I thought, "no big deal.. just needs a bandaid. By the way, stop crying, son!". Two days later, this is what showed up, a swollen black and blue finger. Next time I guess I'll be a little more sympathetic!

Family Vacation, part 3

I don't have very many pictures of this, but one day, we took a break from Nauvoo and drove 3 hours to Springfield to visit Abraham Lincoln's home. The drive was well worth it because the museum there was incredible. I learned so much about his life and presidency.

Lucky me! President Lincoln happened to be strolling through the museum the same time as me! His tall and slender physique reminds me a lot of my Joseph.

Our vacation concluded with a trip to Carthage. I loved this quote by Joseph Smith

David in front of the window where Joseph Smith fell

Door with bullets

view of Carthage jail.

We found ourselves with a whole day in St. Louis before our flight back home was scheduled to leave. Feeling amitious, we drove to the St. Louis arch and took a "pod" to the top. The "pod" part was not quite what we expected, especially when dealing with 2 crying kids inside tiny pod with no standing room...I am so glad it didn't break down on us!

The kids were sooo tired our last day of vacation. I was especially glad to come home to our own beds. I do feel lucky that we were able to explore some new places and see new things. Most of all, I am filled with gratitude for my pioneer ancestors who sacrificed everything so that I can enjoy the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Nauvoo, IL

to be a pioneer...

The brothers in front of Joseph and Hyrum. Notice the beautiful Nauvoo temple in the background.
The highlight of Nauvoo was walking through the old Nauvoo cemetery, where one of my ancestors is buried. There was such a sacred spirit there.

This is my ancestor Israel Barlow, with his own statue..

Overlooking the Mississippi from the Smith cemetery

Ruthie found a friend: cousin Ashlyn

more cousin fun...

Nauvoo was such an incredible experience for our family. David especially really understood the importance of his pioneer ancestry. I loved the scenery: rolling hills, lush trees, and farmland as far as the eye can see.