Happy Birthday Natalie!

My one and only little girl turned two today! She had so much fun and loved all of the attention. This is a picture of the second time we lit the candles, the first time she blew them out before we even had a chance to sing!!


It is official, Natalie has more shoes than I do!


Thank you for the dress up clothes Grandma!

Back to School

Ok, enrollment is today for our school district. In other words, I have got to get down to the school with my checkbook. Just wondering what fees the rest of you across the country have to pay. I have already shelled out over $20.00 each for the two boys fulfilling the school's supply list. I have to pay enrollment fees of $40 for half day Kindergarten and $55 for my second grader. It costs $9 for Kindergarten milk money. The bus costs $193.60 for the first rider and $154.88 for the second (third is free- isn't that nice?). Clothes? Shoes? Please!!! Tell me I am not the only one paying more than just taxes for school!

Kanesville Tabernacle

The last stop was at the Kanesville Tabernacle. It was the only place on our trip that I had never been to. We had seen many movies on our trip but my favorite was a film about the Mormon Battalion that we saw at the Tabernacle's Visitor's Center. It was so powerful and I learned a lot about the Battalion that I never knew.





Harker and Grandma outside the Tabernacle.

Winter Quarters

After our visit to Independence, we drove to Omaha. We checked into our hotel and enjoyed a nice evening by the pool. The next morning we were at Winter Quarters where we met up with some old friends. We enjoyed seeing the visitor's center, the cemetery, and the temple. The kids really enjoyed dressing up like pioneers.


Pioneer children sang as they walked and walked and walked and walked.....









Tami and her mother Beverly met us there. We were so happy to have them join us.


This is Tami's daughter Nicki stopping for picture with Natalie.

Independence Visitor's Center

Our second stop was at the Independence Visitor's Center. I had not been there since the remodel. They have quite a few interactive features that the kids had fun with. We took a history tour and watched a few movies. This first picture was on the history tour. Harker got a chance to show off his reading skills.


Harker was interested in "The Battle Stuff."


A little twisted!


"How many of these books are there?" Hyrum was amazed at all of the different languages.



Natalie LOVED the wagon that was just the right size.

Liberty Jail

As I was uploading the pictures from our little church history trip I realized that today is Pioneer Day. How fitting. Most of the trip was spent learning about the trek west. We really had a great time and learned a lot about church history. The most powerful experience for me was at our first stop, Liberty Jail. I remember having the same feelings there as a child visiting with my family. I am happy that my children were given the same opportunity. The whole trip was a great way to spend time with Brad's parents and strengthen our knowledge of Church History and reaffirm our convictions.




"My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment..."

A Blessed Day

We had Nathan's Baby Blessing at church today. He was a doll baby and was really quiet so we could all hear the wonderful blessing and the gentle quiver of his daddy's voice. It was so sweet. Grandma and Grandpa Mangum, as well as Brad's cousin Jessica, are here visiting so they were able to share in the experience.

Cow Appreciation Day!

"I am NOT going to dress up like a cow and ask for free food!" Brad was unrelenting and even brought me to tears laughing at all the weird scenarios that could play out. "What if it is all a joke and you show up dressed like a cow.. joke's on you!" Etc Etc Etc... Well, problem was, I had made the huge mommy mistake of opening my big mouth to the kids already. They were stoked. Ugh, what the heck, I'm not too proud... bring on the cow costume! I must admit I called the place to make sure it was legit and then we set to work. The kids had a blast cutting and pinning and taping. Once we got there we were an instant hit. We got lots of attention and over $20 worth of free food. On the ride home all I could think about was that scene in "The Sound of Music" where the good Caption comes back from his trip to find his children dressed in curtains and playing in the trees. Well, I am the mom, and if I want to dress my kids (and myself!) up like cows and go out into public then the good Captain Brad should just be happy I did it while he was at work and no one we know (I think) saw us!

Post Script: On the way home, I stopped at a yard sale. The three ladies running the sale took one look at my get-up and asked, "Hey, did you go to Chick-fil-A? We just heard about that on the radio! We were wondering if it was really legit!!!!

First Bath!

Nathan before his first bath.


Nathan during his first bath. He did not like the experience so much.

4 Kiddos in My Bed!