16th Anniversary

So glad to share our lives together!

Temple Marriage FHE

Each year, around our anniversary, we do a FHE (Family Home Evening) on Temple Marriage, and why it is so important.   The highlight of the night is Mom putting on her wedding dress.  Ooooooh,  how the girls love wedding dresses!

 And yes, just like on our wedding day, it took 2 people and about 20 minutes to attach the huge train to the back of my dress.  I can't believe how long and massive my train was - but it was my DREAM dress and I do still love it.

I had to attach the train wrist strap around my wrist to walk around the room in it.  The girls loved it! For Emily, the fancier the better.

There we are on that very special day - May 27, 1995.  I have been blessed with such a wonderful companion and helpmeet.  I can't imagine my life without him, but knowing that regardless of when or how we pass from this mortal life, that we will be together for eternity brings tremendous joy, love, and peace to our lives.

And finally the "I want to wear the veil" time.  It's so fun to share this special FHE with the girls. Being married in the temple, and making those sacred covenants with Heavenly Father and their chosen companion is something that we all look forward to.

 It reminds me of  a scripture in 2 Nephi chapter 25, verse 26 in the Book of Mormon that reads, "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."  We know that all things are made possible through our Savior Jesus Christ.  He has provided the way to return back to our Heavenly home and that path is through His temples, or Holy Houses, here on Earth.  We talk of the temple, we visit the temple, we touch the temple, we take pictures at the temple, and with Aubrey we participate in sacred ordinances within the temple, so that our children will know the path that leads us to eternal life.  I can not imagine our lives without the temples and without the strength and spiritual power that comes from doing the Lord's work there.  Our girls all have atleast one dress (their blessing dress), some two (their blessing dress and baptism dress) that symbolize ordinances they have participated in during their lifetime.  One day, they will each add a beautiful white wedding dress to their collection and will receive the bountious blessings that come with that.    

Karate Girls

Oh the fun of the trampoline.

Brenna's Graduation

Brenna with her Sunshine Square classmates. She had a great group of friends this year and she will greatly miss them.

Group hugs for Miss Alyssa.

Brenna has found a great friend and teacher in Miss Alyssa. She leaves Sunshine Square a fluent reader, ready to continue learning and growing.

Brenna's Goal

Near the end of the year, the teachers asked each student what they want to be when they grow up.

Much to our surprise, Brenna responded, "When I grow up I want to be a Temple Worker."

I can think of nothing better to want to be than in the House of the Lord.  We are richly blessed to live in a city with 3 temples visible from our neighborhood.  It is a wonderful reminder of our Heavenly Father's love for each and every one of His children that has or ever will live upon this Earth.  He is loving and merciful and through the temples, His homes on Earth, ALL of his children are able to receive the ordinances and blessings necessary to return back to live in His presence again.  I know that one day Brenna will work in the temple and will continue to live close to the Lord throughout her life.  We are so very grateful to be her earthly parents!

Emi's 8th B-day

Emi loves birthdays. Hers, her sisters, her friends, the person in the booth next to us at a restaurant. Maybe it's that Emi loves any chance to celebrate. For her birthday this year she decided to go with an 'all pink wardrobe'. I love the scarf addition that she got from Grandma Miller.

New shades for the summer. And yes, still her Ragnar face tatoo.

Oh the excitement over Ham, and any pink pig item. Emi is now going to take over this post. happy Birthday babe!

This is Emily now! Love the new running capris! P.S.Very cunfy!(:

Me explaining a very good b-day!(:And it went on and on...

Running with Ed Prep

It's that time of year again. Time to get ready to do our FAVORITE race...the Running with Ed Mini-Ragnar Relay. This race requires lots of preparation.....coming up with a team name, designing team shirts, decorating the car, stocking the car with lots of food and drinks, and runners ready to run a total of 41 miles.

The day started early as we had to be in Park City by 7:00 am. We're a cheery crowd.

Kayla preparing to start the race and Emily (who will later finish the entire race) ready to activate our teams timing chip on the mat once Kayla takes off.

This year we went with Glass Chalk markers instead of the vinyl lettering. I love Brenna's squished up name and the runner girl on the back.

The Run

Kayla likes to start the relays. She gets us off to a strong and fast start.

Lindsay's run reminds me of a gazelle - light, graceful, and speedy.

Mom chugging her way up Olympic Hill.

Aubrey had a really good run and ended up passing the 'guy in the orange shirt'.

Emi ran miles 39-41. She did great out there on her own and was glad to have her leg of the race this year. She brought us in at 6 hours and 55 minutes. The girls were the only kids on the course and received a lot of support and encouragement from the other runners.

The Fun

Aubs hanging out (literally) enjoying the awesome Park City views.

Brenna finds friends wherever she goes, always. Today she made several human as well as four-legged friends.

The girls playing while waiting at a transition points for our runner to arrive.

Aubs with her 'red hot chili pepper' legs award relishing in the good run she just had.

Emi and Brenna rocked out at a make shift disco club at one the last transition points.

The Finish

Team 13 - Runs in the Family at the Start

Team shirts. Aubrey came up with the eams name and we designed the shirts together. Click on the photo to get a good view of Mom, Dad, and each of the 5 girls on the back.

Transitions.

It's so fun to come running in and pass off to your team/family member

And the finish. We did it. 41 Picturesque and sometimes difficult miles through the mountains of Park City. It is a reminder that with the Lords help and family support We CAN Do Hard Things. This is such a fun day to spend together. Love you NEC Family!

Aubrey's 14th

Aubrey's 14th birthday was very low key. Robert was in Omaha, and Aubrey had a soccer game and lots of homework. Oh the joy of growing up. We did make it to Texas Road House earlier in the week and she was total good with her birthday celebrations. (Gotta love easy going kids).

Aubrey likes to wear pearl earrings, so we got her a necklasce to match.

A special card from a special someone.

And a gift of necessity, a new laptop. There are too many computer users in our house and not enough computers. We love you so much Aubs. We are so very proud of the amazing young women that you are!!!