{where in the world is chase going?}

Today the highly anticipated mission call came in the mail.  Our mail usually comes late so when we heard the mailman around lunchtime it was a surprise.  We were in the garage at the time so we saw our mail lady put the mail in the mailbox.  We knew we were looking for a large white envelope so when we only saw regular size mail we knew it wasn't there.  I asked kaidee to go and get the mail as she was looking through it she yelled "Mom it's here!"  We were all so excited.  Chase was supposed to be off of work but someone had called him to work for them so he was at work.  Darian immediately texted him a picture of the envelope and then we began calling everyone to meet at our house at 6pm.  Chase was supposed to get home sometime after 6pm.

Garrett just happened to be flying in at 7:45pm but Darian had to be at work at 8:30pm so we decided to open it as soon as Chase got home from work.  Darian checked work and they moved his train back to 10:30pm.  I called Chase to see if we could move it to 8:30pm so that Garrett could be there.  He wasn't very excited to move it back but he wanted Garrett to be there so we decided to wait.  I texted everyone and told them to come at 8:00pm instead.

The waiting was hard for Chase.  The little boys were so excited, Cole was especially excited.  As soon as someone came over he wanted to know there guesses on where Chase was going.  Chase helped the boys put peoples guesses on the globe.

Chase waiting for everyone to get their phones ready.

It's time.

Everyone's guesses.

Cole was so excited.

He is called to serve in the Salt Lake City Utah Central mission.  He reports on January 7th and will speak the English language.

I was a little surprised to hear he was going to Utah.

Chase was trying hard to be excited but I could tell he was disappointed.  He just kept saying Utah? Really?

That night after everyone left he went to his room and I went to talk to him.  We had a nice talk and he felt a lot better after that.  His mission is the highest baptizing mission.  He will be close to the prophet and church leaders.  On his mission he will need a bike too.  I am so proud of him, Chase will be the first grandchild to serve a mission, what a great example he is to all the other cousins.

{amelia's baby shower}

Can you believe Amelia's baby is less than a month away from making her debut.  Today we celebrated Amelia and baby quinn`tessa`tatum.  She still doesn't have a name but these three are in the running.  The shower was hald at Missy's house and was thrown by Missy, Amanda, Katie and I.  It turned out so cute.

Missy made this strawberry cake.

Amelia made each of us those cute picture stands and we each bot a nothing bundt cake cupcake.

Mason jars tied with pink bakers twine and gray and white straws completed the drink station.

Everyone was asked to sign a frame mat with a special note for the baby.

I made that bunting with the same fabric that Amelia used to make the crib bedding.

This was so clever.  Everyone was asked to stamp and address an envelope for thank you notes.

Katie made a headband station.  We all made the baby a cute headband.

The food was all delicious.  We had cheese and crackers, chicken salad croissant sandwiches, macaroni salad, chips, quiche, tomato mozzarella basil salad, chips and dips.

This baby has lots of cousins to love on her.

And one big sister that wants her all to herself.  We will see how long that lasts.

Lots of Aunts...

and friends too.

Missy and Amelia.

At the end of the shower Kaidee did a toast for a healthy baby.

{july 4th}

It never fails that when I bring my camera to any sort of gathering a tell myself to remember to take pictures and I do in the beginning but then I forget.  This happened again on the 4th of July.  We did our annual party at Tad and Amelia's.  Everyone brought their own meat and some side dishes to share.  I made my traditional strawberries, I have been making these every year since Darian and I have been married.

This year Paisley helped me can you tell?

We spent the day swimming, playing soccer, watching soccer, and eating.  It was fun.  It was hot and humid outside but it didn't seem to stop the kids from playing outside.  To cool off they just jumped in the pool.  I didn't buy any fireworks because we were in Roanoke last night watching their firework show.

{Colorado day 5}

Today was our last full day here at the resort. We will be leaving early tomorrow morning.  I'm so glad we decided to come we had so much fun.  Today was our trail ride.  I wasn't sure if I was going to go or not but I decided to go last minute and I am so glad I did.

If you were 5 or younger you got to ride a pony.  Paisley and Cody rode ponies.  Darian, Uncle Mike, and my mom let them around.

Before we went on our horses the lady in charge assigned each of us a horse depending on our experience.  My horse was named Dixie and that is a pictures of her backside.  She was a beautiful light brown with a dark mane and tail. When we were waiting in line I mentioned to Lynda that maybe she was my horse not knowing which horse was ours.

Cale was first in line to get his horse.

My cousin Cale has autism and I was nervous to see how he would act on the horse.  He did amazing!  He was calm the entire time it was so cool to see him that way.

Jill loves horses she couldn't wait to do the ride.

Craig told us they went to slow for him.  He's used to going fast.

Go Miles.

Kaidee's horse kept wandering off the trail to eat.  She ended up being in different spots throughout the line it made us laugh.

We learned on the way out that Livee's horse was ready to be a mom.  As we were leaving we had to ride by two male horses.  Livee's horse went right to the pen and didn't want to leave even though Livee was kicking her.  Finally the wrangler came and whacked her on the bottom.  On our way back in that same male horse ran over to the fence as soon as Livee's horse got close but Livee didn't let her get close this time.

Chloe was a natural and loved being in the horse.  She had ridden horses last year at girls camp.

I was nervous at first but once we got going I had fun.  I just wish it could have been longer.

Lynda was two horses behind me.  We had fun laughing and talking about all the other horses.  We were in the back so we could see everyone in front of us.

Here we are all waiting for everyone to get on their horses.  I gave my camera to my mom so she could take the pictures.

There we go!

Later that night after dinner a group went down to the pool.  From our cabins back porch I was able to get these pictures.

After calling them for a long time and no response someone finally whistled and got their attention.  Hello down there.

This was the main cabin that the christian family stayed in.  Our cabin was 4 cabins away.

I can't wait until June 2016.