Travis the Missionary

I was in Utah for 2 weeks between my Sister's wedding and Travis going into the MTC. Ben wasn't able to stay the whole time, but I was glad to have some extra time with Travis. It was good for Josh to have some extra time with Travis also. Travis is going to Prague, Czech Republic. I am so excited for him. I was able to visit Prague when I did study abroad. I loved it, and who knows maybe I will get to go back and pick him up :). It was weird to say goodbye to my baby brother for 2 years. He was so ready and excited. I am sure he will do great!

Josh trying on Travis' headphones

Mom, Josh, Travis, and Jeni at the MTC

The family at the MTC (minus Cody and significant others)

Puppy Love

Josh has absolutely no fear of anything, especially animals. He loved the dogs. I don't have a picture of him with Maximus but he was actually saying Maximus when we left Ben's parents house. Here he is hugging Sammy.

Jeni's Wedding

it is pretty bad that I don't even have a picture of the bride and groom. They are coming soon and then I will post one. The wedding went really well. It was beautiful, and Travis was even able to be there for the sealing. Always such a neat experience. I love feeling Cameron's presence at these important moments.

And one last tiny post...

I am pregnant.

And we are so excited. I am already starting to show and only 12 weeks along. I am due December 12th...which with my track record could end up being a Christmas baby.

My Little Brother the Elder...

Already miss him. He was so cute and excited to get into the MTC today. I can't believe he is gone for 2 whole years. I will post more details and photos later, but for today just had to say, "Love you Trav!"

Happy Mothers Day!

For my Mom

In the small moments of my day I remember how you played with me.
I remember your smile and enthusiasm for life
How a simple couch could transform into a magical fortress…all you had to do was crawl behind it and once on the other side everything was brighter.
The world outside was full of wonder. Diddle dawdling was encouraged and curiosity praised.
The kitchen wasn’t just your domain but a shared place of invention.
That is how it has always been. You gave me the ingredients and let me go…to create my own way.
Now as I play with my children I remember your example. I remember how blessed I am to have you as my Mom, and I want my children to feel the same way.
So in those small moments I ignore the dishes and the “to do list” and I play.
The couch becomes a giant ship surrounded by alligators, and pillows the islands.
We make cookies with a few eggshells and sugar spilled on the floor.
We stop to examine every bug, stick, and rock along our path.
And I remember I am doing the most important job in the world.
Thanks for showing me how to be a good Mom and for being the best Mom for me. Your touch is far reaching.

Hoosiers

Cameron's favorite movie was Hoosiers. It really was. We would watch it once a day, and he would dunk his basketball and shoot right along with the movie. He even started dunking in slow motion complete with background crowd noise.

So today I decided maybe Josh would like it. After I put it in (Josh had no interest) I realized the last time I watched it was with Cameron. I sat and watched it and was crying by the time it was over, thinking of my little basketball star, Cameron. He loved life and sometimes I feel that he was jipped (and me too for that matter). As I was feeling this I realized his time will come. He will be reunited with his body again and he will play basketball again. There must be basketball during the millenium...specially for somebody who loved it so much. :)

This isn't the best video. The better ones are on our real video camera which I don't know how to upload here. Keep in mind he is only 18 months here. At one point, Ben actually moved the hoop up to 5 ft. and Cameron sat and made it all day. This kid loved to play ball!