We love to see the Temple!

A Few weeks ago we got the opportunity to head to the temple! And this time it wasn't just Micah and I heading to the temple grounds! We wanted to make a trip before the temple closed for cleaning for a couple weeks, and Nathan and Sarah were not able to watch our kiddos while we went, so in thinking and searching for another alternative....Mom and Keith decided to go up early that Saturday morning and then meet us around ten o'clock and watch our kiddos and Ruth and Matt's two girls (Lily and Aveline) so that we could all four go together! It was great!! The only down side for them was that it was really hot outside! Luckily they were able to spend a lot of time in the visitor's center and have a picnic in the shade! I love being at the temple and we really love being able to bring our kids there too, and show them the special place that it is and share my testimony with them!

 

Our Little Adorable Threesome just after we arrived! Emily was so happy she said Mom I think we should sing a song about the temple since we are here. Then all five of us sang, I love to see the Temple right here in the parking lot! It was a priceless moment!

Picnicking in the Shade with Cousin Lily!

Ethan thought Lily was so Silly!

Cute Little Aveline having a little one on one time with Mimmi! 

 Picnic Central!

 

 Our Silly Little Buddy had a super fun time too!

Guess Who is Going to Nursery Now?

     It really is so hard for me to believe that our little buddy is 18 MONTHS OLD!! He is such a handsome, funny, kind, sweet, loveable little guy! We really can't put into words how happy we are that he got to join our family!!

      Two Sundays ago, was a monumental one for Our Family, and for Ethan in particular! As it has been each time one of our kiddos have turned the ripe old age of 18 months! When you turn 18 months you get to start going to nursery at church during the 2nd and 3rd hours of church!!  What does that mean??? Two Things......1) We have a very happy little boy who can enjoy snacks and play time and learning about The Gospel with his friends, and 2) Mommy and Daddy get to start bringing their scriptures with them to class again, because we can actually sit through a lesson:)  It's a Win/Win for Everyone really!!!

 

 

Here's our Cute, Fun Loving, Silly Little Nursery Going Boy!!

 

 

 Cheesin' even bigger (if that were possible) with his Biggest Sister!

We Love Art, Especially Holiday Art!!

     One thing I have always really enjoyed doing with my kids is art projects! Which is really funny to me, seeing that I am not artistic in any way, shape or form, but either way I love watching them bust out their creativity:)  On the eve of July 4th, The anniversary of the birth of our nation we found it very appropriate to learn more about our nation's flag! We learned about the colors, the stars and the stripes and then the girls proceeded t make their own flags! They were especially excited to attach them to "poles" when they were complete! Shortly after we took pictures, they decided they wanted to put their flags on our front windows which is where they will most likely reside throughout the rest of this month!



 

 

Our Cute Little Threesome Bursting with Patriotism!

Emily's FIRST Swim Lesson at ACAC!!

     Since Emily is getting ready for her SECOND swim lesson tonight at ACAC, I thought I should take a minute or two and share these pictures from her first class last week! She was a little timid at first (she is a little shy and emotional with change.....takes after her Mommy I guess:). But after a few minutes she was ready to hop in the pool with no fear! She had so much fun!! And I feel that for a half hour lesson she really learned quite a bit too:) In a half hour she got in and used to the water, pulled herself up and kicked from the side, floated on her back with a swim noodle and jumped in teh pool!! I think that is a lot for a 4 year old in 30 minutes!!

      She really has grown to love the water so far this summer, so we were excited to get her in some lessons to help boost her confidence a bit more! Can't wait to head over there tonight and see what else she gets to learn!! Watching my kids learn new skills and tricks is one of my favorite things as a mom:)

 



Getting ready to get into the pool!

 



Kick, Kick, Kick!!

 

 A Little More Concentration!

Sporting her goggles that she got to borrow from ACAC (because we forgot hers) as she climbs out of the pool!

 

 

 

 Haley, the Excited Little Sister!

 Emily in all her Swimming Glory!

A Quick Photo with My Girls after Emily's Swim Lesson!  So Proud of You, Emily Marie!

Remembering Grandpa Gray

     Last Saturday we all packed up and headed to Christiansburg, VA for the day. The reason we went was to attend Micah's paternal grandpa, George A. Gray (aka Grandpa Gray)'s memorial service. Grandpa passed away earlier in June and even though the news was sad, he lived a very full and very full filling life....full of experiences, love, laughter, and example.

     His memorial service was so uplifting. It was great to sit there (and even though we were missing him in our hearts) and hear so many people share so many wonderful memories of such a great man. He was truly AMAZING! And even though I was only privileged to know him for the past 8 years, I felt like he accepted me as one of his own grand daughters! He was always so kind, caring, loving and funny too! He loved when we would come to visit and he could watch the kiddos do their "thing" and he would always take us to one of his favorite small restaurants near his home! Those are memories that will not soon be forgotten for sure!

     And I think another thing I really loved about Grandpa was that he was very social. He was going and doing for everyone and with everyone up until the day that he passed away. At 92 he was still driving daily!!! Amazing, Amazing Man who will be missed, but I know that he is in a better place and it will be a great reunion one day when we can see him again! We will miss you Grandpa Gray, but your influence will be forever felt!

 

 

 





This picture is monumental because it is the FIRST time we are using our new orange cooler that we bought to take on trips, so that we can always have cold water with us! It has only been 2 weeks, but it has gone with us on 2 big trips already and has been well used!

The arrangement at the front of Grandpa Gray's Memorial Service! Such a wonderful picture of him! Really captures his personality too:)

Lots of Gray Cousin just after the service! 

All of the Gray Cousins that made it to the Memorial (we are only missed Lily and Aveline). Poor Ethan was not feeling well this day, but in spite of it all he was a real trooper!

 

 

All of the family members that we in attendance for the Memorial! The only ones missing are Micah's Dad, Matt, Lily, and Aveline~ Still a good group though!