hiking and plane museum

Jake had a few days off at the end of April. It was so nice.to have him home from work with us. Among other things, we went on a hike one day and then to a plane museum another day. 

Here is our hike.

Here are some pictures at the plane museum. M had a lot of fun checking things out!

 

It is hard to see, but the writing on the plane reads, "Vittle Flights to Berlin." This is one of the planes that Col. Gail Halvorsen, the guy from Meet the Mormons, flew. We love the movie, so it was fun to see one of his planes.

wedding, part 2

Alright, one more post about my sister's wedding. I figure I better get some thoughts written down before I forget some of the fun details of the day! 

After the temple, the groom's family provided a nice wedding luncheon at the church. The food was really good and the company was wonderful. My sister's husband is from out-of-state, so this was the first time we were able to meet most of his family. They were so much fun!

After the luncheon, we finished getting ready for the reception. Everything looked so pretty. It was so nice to see and visit with family and old friends who came through the line. Towards the end of the reception, there was dancing. None of my siblings had dancing at their weddings--but it was very fitting for my baby sister's personality! It completely fits her to have had dancing at her wedding. And, I know I keep saying this, but it was SO MUCH FUN! I didn't realize how much I would enjoy it. Mainly because I had the best dance partner in the house, Mr. M! Ha, he dances around at home a lot, but wow! This kid is a natural! He just ate up the whole dancing thing. Honestly, I think that was the most fun I have ever had dancing. Ever.

These two started dancing long before the "official" dancing began. Love the friendship they share.

The lovely bride and groom.

The twins and Mary. Love these girls! They are all a year younger than me, my brother's age, and a year younger than my sister...does that confuse you?! We have known them for years. Thankful for their goodness and friendship with my sister and all of our family!

Jake and baby J. It had obviously been a long day for her!

My brother's best friend with my sister and my brother's son.

Bride and groom getting ready to leave. Here they are saying goodbye to my grandparents.

Alright, let me back up. As I mentioned, the groom's family is from out-of-state, so a lot of them were staying at my parents home for a few days during the wedding. Before we went to the luncheon, we stopped at my parent's house for a few minutes to change and freshen up. Some of his family was upstairs, so we chatted for a few minutes. I went downstairs, and whoa! The place was PACKED! I had no clue that so many people were there. (It makes sense, his family, even those not staying with my parents, don't live close by so there was no where for them to go.) I don't know why, but I thought it was really exciting to have them all there. It was like a constant party.

Here are some pictures from breakfast the morning after the wedding. There weren't as many people there that morning, but it was still a full house.

My siblings and I were so excited that one of our cousins from California flew in for the wedding. Her and her sister used to come and stay with us for 2-3 weeks every summer when we were growing up. We don't get to see each other much anymore these days, but we LOVED catching up with her. We love you, Lolly!

So thankful my sister and her husband found each other! It was a fun, fun week celebrating their new life together.

a day to remember

I am unbelievably happy for my little sister. She was married back in April. It was a beautiful day! It was such a happy and special day for them, and all of us who got to be a part of it! Here they are coming out of the temple. She looked gorgeous. (And I LOVED her dress, for the record!)

Here is the groom's family. Honestly, they were such a fun family to get to know. I'll have to write more on them later.

Love.my.siblings! Us girls were pretty excited to have our brother and his family home from Texas.

Sisters.

 

 

Cousins! Love these people!

Congrats to you two lovebirds! We are so happy for you both!

"kinder than is necessary"

Last month I finished reading the book Wonder, a young adult novel, written by R.J. Palacio.

Can I just say W.O.W. Loved it. Loved it! It was the kind of book that you can’t put down, that you just have to know what happens next. 

To begin with, I loved the story line. It is about a boy, August, who was born with a severely deformed face. Because of all of his health issues and surgeries, he has never been to a main-stream school. However, he decides to attend a main-stream school for the 5^th grade. The book is about his experiences transitioning into the school. 

The book is told from the perspective of different characters in the book. So not only do you get August’s perception of his transition, but also that of family and friends. I really thought the author did a beautiful job of weaving all of the different perspectives together to tell a great story.

My favorite thing about the book is that it really made me think. I was constantly thinking what character I am most like in the book, and what character I would like to be like. (And, in case you are wondering, I totally want to be like Summer!) It made me think about how mean people can be—often times not meaning to be. It also made me think about being kind to others, and just how much good I can do by simply being nice to someone. It also made me realize that when I see someone with a disability, instead of looking away because I don’t want to come off as being rude, look them in the eye and smile at them. Most likely, they see themselves as a “normal” person, and would appreciate being treated as such.

Towards the end of the book the school August attended for 5^th grade has a graduation/award type ceremony. At the event the principal, Mr. Tushman, is speaking to the crowd. This is the last part of his little speech: 

“If every single person…made it a rule to act a little kinder than is necessary—the world really would be a better place. And if you do this, if you act just a little kinder than is necessary, someone else, somewhere, someday, may recognize in you, in every single one of you, the face of God." 

By far, that was my favorite quote and lesson from the book—not just to be kind, but to be “kinder than is necessary.” It is such a simple, yet beautiful, concept.  Yet, I truly believe it has the power to change lives.  

the month of april randomness

Our neighbors have a bunny that roams the yard freely. Every day or so the kids will see it out and about. They love it! I thought I would take a picture to remember when they are older.

We went for a hike. There was a playground there, so the kids played on it for awhile. 

Miss E and Mr. K got to come spend a few days with us while their mom was at a convention. One morning while we were doing chores. M and Mr. K were more interested in playing. In an effort to keep them on task, I told M, "Teach K how to do the bed." He replied, "Okay," then ran off. Before I knew it, he was back with one of his canes. He then proceeded to explain to K how to make the bed, pointing his "pointer stick" when necessary. I was dying! The kid cracks me up! I figure his teacher at school must use a pointer stick, so he went to get one when I asked him to teach K something.  K was a good student!
Here is M explaining that the corners need to come all the way to the top of the bed.

Cousin D came to visit us while the other cousins were at our house! The kids loved having him around! Here he is with baby J. 

Uncle B pushing the kids in the swings. 

It snowed!!