A Day of Endowment

Saturday November 4th we drove to Nuavoo, Illinois where Jayden was able to receive her endowment. The covenants she made today with her Heavenly Father will connect her to Him and bless her with the strength that it will take to endure this life. Beginning first with her mission which begins just next month. Wild!

Hadley, Brennon, and Nathan were able to do baptisms while we were in the endowment session. It was a sweet thing for us to have 4 kids in the temple with us as the same time. Thankfully our fiends, the Hadry's were willing to take Logan and Anna around Nauvoo while we were all in the temple. 

Steve and Lulu came into town. I wish we had gotten more pictures. Anna calls her abuelita Lulu, "Tiny Grandma" that always makes me smile. I think Lulu likes it too. 

 

We were so grateful that Joe's dad made the trip from Jacksonville, Florida to be her with Jayden today. 

It always gives me pause when I think of living in Illinois and how just 200 years earlier my ancestors were driven out if this beautiful city. I like to imagine how they feel about me living here. They sacrified so much for me to be allowed to live here. They would have given anything to stay in this city and I recognize the privilege it is for our family to live here now. 

 

My Baby Girls' Baby Tooth

Look at that adorable smile, with those adorable little baby teeth!!!

I think it's obvious where are going with this so let me just say, that as soon as that tooth began to wiggle, I made sure I was snapping pictures of those cute little teeth every chance I got.  Now, don't get me wrong!  I LOVE toothless little grins.... it's a right of passage and a sweet little proof that my baby is growing up.  I love those smiles just as much, but as soon as your baby starts losing her baby teeth something is just never the same again.  It's like the graduation has begun and soon Hadley will be moving out and going to college....

Seriously though, the phases in a child's life just pass much too quickly and I just want to capture the essence of childhood.  I think that's what it is.... when an infant starts to crawl, the infant is gone.  When the baby starts to walk then the baby is gone.  When the toddler starts to talk then the toddler is gone. When the little one starts school the little one is gone and then when the child starts to lose teeth, it feels like the child is gone and growing up it to a big kid.  It's hard to watch and fabulous all at once.  I want to stop these kids from growing up but then in the exact moment I can't wait to see these kids grow up and start making life's decisions.  

They are such good, sweet, kids. *sigh* 

On to the post....

Of course, it wouldn't be a photo shoot with my girls, if things didn't get a little goofy :)

The cute thing about this tooth-pulling-story is Jayden's involvement.  So you all know Hadley by now, right?? Just a little on the dramatic side??  Well, she really wanted this tooth out but would. not. let me do it.  She only wanted Jayden working on her pearly whites, and so Jayden did!  Every night she would get the dentist-y look in her eye and then take Had in front of the bathroom mirror.  It really was a sweet little thing for the two of these little best friends. 

Then on one night, a few days later, we heard the *POP* and the tooth was hanging on to it's spot in Hadley's mouth by the skin of it's teeth (see what I did there??) In steps mom, aka Miss Super Duper Scary or something because the girl did. not. want me in her mouth!!!  Anywho, I got in there and pulled that baby (tooth) out! 

Jayden, inspecting my work :) 

And there you have it folks, my baby girl with a gap to fill! How cute is she?!

I just couldn't choose one :)

So these pictures look pretty much identical, but I had to post them both because of Brennon.  

Love these babies!!

Oh, the last day of school.

Jayden had a fantastic first grade year.  I can't believe that I am even able to say that?! She is headed to 2nd grade?  Where has the time been allowed to go?  Oy! I will say though, thatI love this phase of life! She is still so silly, but growing up into a very mature young lady as well. She still thinks that I'm cool, but is able to joke with me and get embarrassed a little when I am rocking out a little too excitedly in the mini van :) So far every phase of Jayden has been my favorite phase of her..... oh, my thoughtful, loving first born...... moving on. 

Mrs. Hargrove is a phenomenal teacher!! Live in TN??? Move to our city and into our school district.  Look up this woman and put your child in her class. I don't care if they are supposed to be in 5th grade!!! This woman will teach them more than any other teacher that they could possibly have.  She. is. amazing. That's all I have to say about that. I have found little notes all around my house that Jayden has been lovingly writing to Mrs. H this summer.  (Am I really so bad that she is daydreaming about that other woman who used to take care of her all day long in 1st grade?? NO. Mrs. Hargrove is simply that loved.) Move here, look her up, put your kid in her class. Seriously.

While Jay was at her last day of school we were at home painting this poster.  See the paint brush in Nate's hand??? He helped too!! 

Alright folks.  Let's honest here.  Did the kids really get to help? No. Am I really the awesome super mom that his picture kind of makes me look like? Absolutely not.  In fact, quite the opposite.  The kids wanted to help, but instead I made them watch.  Oh, and then at the end they got to hold a paint brush up for a picture so that I looked super awesome.  I'm all about the honesty here, but go ahead and continue thinking that I am the world's greatest mother.  I like that. 

After school we headed to Sonic for lunch with Jayden's little buddy and her family. Then, those same cute people came over to our house for some fun slip 'n slide action. I loved this pic! Isn't she photogenic?  Look at me begging for compliments on my kids.... I'm apparently shameless. 

Fun!!!!

Too bad I couldn't get one of Jay.... I'll have to pull out the slip 'n slide again to get her picture! What about this one of Brennon?  Man, I love this ham!

Gracie, Lilly, Hadley, Brennon, Jayden, Nate and Maggie.... we're missing Amelia. Where was that girl? hmm....

Although this picture was taken about 6 weeks ago we are still in the swing of summer! More so now that it is well into the hundred degree weather that Memphis is so willing to dish out.  I love the summer time and having my kids home!!! I can't believe how close I am to having only boys at home.... I'm going to miss my big girls when they have to go back to school. Oh, this whole time flying by thing!

It's happening again!!!

That sweet little baby that I waited for what felt like forever to arrive is growing up!!!!!! I'd like to have a little sit down with the man upstairs..... It would go something like this, "Really? Really? Is it so necessary for them to grow up so fast?! Really?" 

 

Oh, I can't believe that Nate has already hit the 6 month mark. It's all down hill from here people!! Soon he'll be crawling, then walking, then driving his date to prom! AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!

Look at that little scrumptious face. "Nate baby, please, please oh please, stay round and squishy and pasty and white forever (or at least until I've had my fill of it!!) (Ok, forever!!!)"

 The worst part about growing up, is that if he's anything like his older brother, he's going to (dare I say it out loud) stop. wanting. mommy. kisses.  I feel like crying! 

Wow.  I love him. I wouldn't let anyone else drool all over my new camera.  Just little squish! 

 Have you ever seen chubbier feet and ankles?  (If you answer 'yes' and then refer to me when I was pregnant with Nate, brace yourself my friend....)  Seriously though, check those feet out- I think that he even has chub on his heels!? Love it.

Those eyelashes, like the fan of a paint brush.  Nate baby, you melt ladies' hearts with these.  The first thing women refer to, after noting your tantalizing chub, is your lengthy eyelashes.  Hopefully someday, you'll pass those eye locks onto some beautiful little girl grandbabies for me, mmmkay??

I love you baby boy.  You are a light in our home.  Each one of us adores you to bits.  The world could never have been so wonderful with out you in it! Happy half Birthday!!!

My 5 year old princess

Since Loni was in town during the month of April, we wanted to through Hadley a party to beat all parties.  Having my sister here to help me was honestly the best part!!  She was so cute and actually wanted to "wear" Nate while she decorated! p.s. Jamming out to music, while decorating a rocking cake and a super princess-y  house with your sister has got to be one of THE best all time activities.  It is in my book at least!!! Check your's because I'm pretty sure it's in all books. ever.

This picture cracks me up! Little cinderella ;)

Glamming out all the little Princesses

The royalty and her guests: from L--->R Princess Kinzlee, Princess Avary, Princess Hadley, Princess Jayden, and Princess Dani.

Princess manicures of course!

The princesses were the picture of patience as they watched Princess Hadley open her gifts!

Lots of princess-y gifts! Perfect!

Had was sooooo excited about this cake.  (Thank you Pintrest... you have changed my life!!)

Two groups of sisters. I love this! I hope that Jayden and Hadley will always treasure what a gift it is to have a sister.  I couldn't have planned the grouping of my little family any better... 2 big girls and 2 little boys! 

Hadley, you are truly a little princess.  We love you and we are so proud of how much you are growing and learning. I am heartbroken that you are now old enough to leave and go to Kindergarten, but I am excited for all of the adventures that await you. You are such a gem in my life, my sweet.  I love you. 

My sissy

I can't even begin to explain how much I thoroughly enjoyed having Lon in town.  I always love having her come, but this time was my favorite time for sure! It was so easy.  Loni is easily the most favorite Aunt of all time... the kids think that everything she does is simply amazing.  They LOVE her!!! 

They all sat down to watch Tangled.  It was Loni's first time and she loved it.  It was kind of hilarious how it to it they all were.  

Lon spent quite a bit of time at the book store in San Diego making sure that she had the best possibly Easter book to read for Jayden's class when she came.  Isn't that so thoughtful?  I LOVE this picture!  See what I mean about the kids just thinking that she's the greatest?! Jayden idolizes her! 

When we were little kids, Loni and I thought that there was no one cooler on earth than our Aunt Denice.  Whenever she came into town she always had a fun little surprise for us.  Loni and I both remember a time that she brought us these little sun catchers for us to color using markers.  We loved it!  So Loni wanted to buy the girls these sun catchers in hopes that she would be creating some of the same memories that we had from our wonderful aunt.  (Everything she did was just so thoughtful!!)

Brennon was kind of a tough egg to crack at first and so in an effort to gain Brennon's love, Loni spent some extra time watching Thomas the Train and Diego with Brennon.  He still wasn't too sure about things :)

It wasn't until she got on the trampoline that things changed.  The girls were super jealous the whole time while Loni was on the tramp with Brennon, but I just kept telling them that it was special Lon and Brennon time.  They were seriously in the house crying!! It was kind of sad, but it was good for Brennon and Aunt Loni :)

I love this picture!

SO SWEET!!!

Lon wanted to plant some flowers with the kids while she was here so we bought some pots and here we are painting them.  They each turned out so unique :)  It was a fun memory maker, the kids loved it!

After the pots dried then we planted the flower bulbs! 

Outside watching the jumpers on the trampoline

Such an effortless beauty.  I also love this picture!

Playing with the Kinect with Jayden and Brennon

Loni and I put together a glow in the dark easter egg hunt for the kids- super fun! We hid the eggs a couple of times and then the kids got to hide the eggs for the adults.  

Aunt Lon assisting with the post-bathing-lotion-rub-down session

So cheesy, so staged, but I love it. 

Minutes before leaving to go back home :( Saying some good byes to her baby Nate.

I have honestly never had such a hard time saying goodbye to someone until I had to send Loni on her flight back home.  That's my sister! Our relationship has taken some time to mature but it has been well worth the wait.  I cried like a baby on my drive home from the airport (joe was driving... don't worry) and couldn't help but feel so robbed that we live so far away from each other.  Family is so important, especially between sisters.  I love my Lon and can't wait for her to come back!!!