Better late than never?!? - Hilton Head

Finally! A family vacation, with ALL of us.... since Tanton is leaving to go on his mission soon, we thought it would be the perfect time to get everyone together, spend some quality family time, and get the much needed family picture taken.

Brad and I searched the internet and found this fabulous 5 bedroom, 5 bathroom home to rent on Hilton Head Island ~ which is just off the coast of South Carolina. The house was so nice and so perfect. One of the biggest "hits" of the house was the swimming pool out back.

The island was so beautiful and amazing. It was lush green with biking paths everywhere, we rented some bikes and took several bike rides. I do think, however, that we were there during the hottest week of the the summer. The heat and humidity were nothing like I have ever felt. I do admit that I loved it...but after a few weeks it would get old. That is how hot and humid it was.

We drove close to an hour away back to Savannah, Georgia to check out the city. It is an old city with much history. We foolishly decided to take the "Trolley Tour", which was interesting and we learned and saw quite a bit. But the heat about killed off everyone, especially the young kids.
Savannah's pebble street, down by the the river and near some quaint little shops.

The STEEP stairs, now those could be dangerous and break a hip or two!
Fun on the beach..

Abby and Sophie doing some tumbling moves
Tanton, Abby, Greg and Kristina
Tim and Melissa's familyAunt Abby and her shadow ~ little Miss Sophie
Doug and Krista's family
Greg & Tanton throwing, twisting and twirling Abby into the pool Abby, Trey and Sophie
Krista, Krew, Melissa and Dylan

The pool, so much fun and such a great time for the kids. It was great to be able to get everyone together for a week of hanging out. Sadly, the time goes by so fast and we are always busy doing so many things that we didn't even spend much time just sitting around catching up with one another. We did get our family photographs taken out on the beach by the ocean. A local photographer took them. We are still waiting for them to arrive... I will post them when they arrive. They turned out fantastic!!

The time is flying by.... so fast!!

Life continues to unravel before me and I don't quite feel like I have my feet on the ground or control of my own surroundings. When Tanton got his mission call on June 30, it says that he is to report the the MTC on November 10.... okay, a little over 4 months, I can handle that. Well, it seems like he just barely got his call and 2 months are already gone! AHHHH!!

I honestly cannot believe how quickly the time is going. But, since he got his call he was ordained an Elder (pictures below) and he received his endowments at the temple. That was such a great experience. I continue to be so proud of him and the choices that he has made this far in his life. But mostly I am happy because he is so happy, and genuinely happy. What more could a mother ask for?

He was ordained by his dad, Sil, and we were lucky to have Greg and Kristina in town. It was on the 25th of July and Brad's brother, Blake, had just arrived in town for a week ~ so he as well as Brad's other brother Todd came over for the ordination. The following Friday, on July 30, (one month after receiving his call) we were all able to attend the temple together for Tanton's first time.

I am kinda freaking out because the time is going by so quickly. But, for Tanton I am sure the time is crawling. He is ready to go and he is ready to get to Spain...and he is so excited and proud that he wears his Spain belt buckle whether it matches what he is wearing or not! I love it!

AbbyJade is finally 12!!

The time is moving so fast, my head is spinning and I cannot believe that Abby is going to be starting school this Thursday. What?!? Where did the summer go?? Honestly. Well, here is my baby girl, holding her youngest niece (Natalie). She is finally 12. NO MORE PRIMARY. Hooray!

Abby has grown into such a super fun, spunky and beautiful young lady. She is very thoughtful to those around her and although we are just reaching those "fun" teenage years, I am loving every minute of having her as my daughter and sharing her life with her. The ups and the downs. I am sure there will be plenty. Being a young teenage girl is not what I would choose to be again, especially these days. But Abby is doing such a great job. I love her just so much!!

So, it was the day after Tanton got his Mission Call that we hopped on an airplane. It was July 1, and it was Abby's birthday. We flew out to North Carolina to see Tim/Melissa and Dylan, Sophie and Natalie. Natalie's blessing was on Sunday, July 4 and we wanted to be there for that. She looked so beautiful in her blessing dress. Natalie is a little angel and she is just an extra special little girl. We spent some time with the family, went to an interactive museum, went to Natalie's blessing on Sunday -- which went very well and we were glad that we could be there.

After the blessing some of Tim and Melissa's friends had a 4th of July BBQ. It was a perfect day in Charlotte, NC. The temp was great, not very humid, what a beautiful day. Aunt Abby is always a favorite amongst the nephews and nieces. I don't know what it is but they sure do love her!! And I must say ~ she sure is a great Aunt. I would choose her for my aunt also if I were 2 or 4 years old.

After the BBQ we went to a local golf course for fireworks. The kids sure enjoyed that. But of course, after about 5 minutes they are all the same ~ and the kids just want to run around.
On Monday we headed for home. It sure was fun to see everyone. Dylan and Sophie warmed up to us really quickly considering they don't get to see us very often. We do try to Skype with them so they can remember who we are! ;) What a fun time, what great weather, and what a cute little family. ♥

Madrid Spain

Tanton got his Mission Call!! He will be serving in the Madrid, Spain mission.

Wow! This is so exciting. The anticipation wondering where my son would be living and serving for the next two years. I am really happy about his call. I was super nervous that he would be called somewhere very unsafe (not that Spain can't be unsafe), I feel calm and happy inside.

Tanton was such a super sport when he received his call. I have always dreamed of him opening it with everyone gathered around ~ like you hear about. And that is how it happened! Brad, myself, and Abby were here. Sil and Marnie came over. Krista drove down from girl's camp -- just to be here when he opened it -- so Krista and Doug were here. My sis Stac came, my niece Kortni and her son Haiden. Tanton's girlfriend, Kylie, was right by his side, and one of Tanton's very good friends, Austin, got somebody to stay to work late so he could be here while Tanton opened it. ~~ and that is just in person- we had Tim and Melissa, who live in North Carolina on Skype, Greg on speaker phone from Salt Lake City and Colby (Tanton's brother) and Taylor (Tanton's cousin) on speaker phone. What great support! THANK YOU, THANK YOU! To everyone that came or phoned to support Tanton in this exciting huge new phase of his life. I know it meant a lot to him, as it did to me. :)

Tanton, Kylie & Austin

Tanton and AbbyDoug and Krista
Kortni, Haiden, Stacy

Everyone keeps asking me how I feel about Tanton going to Spain, leaving for 2 years!! You know, I am going to miss him like crazy, but I can honestly say that I have not ever seen a young man so excited, and prepared to go out and serve. That is where Tanton's heart is and that is what he is ready for and wanting to do. How can I not be just so happy and beamingly proud of him. He is going for all of the right reasons, for himself and for the people of Spain. Right now he is adding strength and spirit in our home, it feels great. The people in Spain will be blessed to have him for 2 years.... Now, check with me again after he leaves and I am sure I will be a mess!! :)

**on another note ~ the day after Tanton got his mission call Abby had a birthday - Big #12 and we went out to North Carolina for 5 days.... so I do have a few more posts to catch up. Slowly but surely.

About time for an Update....

Time just seems to be flying by so quickly, it seems that I have a hard time getting my blog updated lately... and the sad thing is that some of the most exciting things are happening. I hope I can stay on top of my updates a little bit better.

STATE CHAMP!!

Yes, our Abby has done it again. State Champion on Trampoline for her 4th year in a row. Now that is quite an accomplishment. I am so proud of her and all the time she puts in at the gym practicing and preparing herself to do such a great job. She must love it too, because she never complains. Gotta love that!!

Tanton graduated!! I honestly can't believe that he has gotten this old so quickly. I can still vividly remember when he was only a couple days old and I was taking him for a walk around the block in my arms. Now he could probably carry me in his arms (mind you, it wouldn't be too far). Ü He is such a handsome young man and I could not be more proud of him and the decisions that he has and is making in his life. I am very honored and grateful to have been chosen to be his mom.Doug, Brad, Krista, Abby, T, me and GregAunts Kathy, Stacy and KimMarnie's mom, Gavin, Marnie, T, Sil, Grandma Jeppson and Caden.

A kiss from both moms

We also had a new precious addition to our family. Little Natalie was born in March. She is so darling and sweet. She was born without the sense of hearing. Through the wonderful miracles of modern technology and medicine Tim and Melissa are hoping that she will be able to have her first cochlear implant by the time she turns one. We are flying out to North Carolina on Thursday to meet Natalie for our first time and be there for her blessing. We are so excited to see the whole family. It seems that so much time passes between each visit. I will keep you updated on Natalie's progression.

AND...coming up we are going to be having a BIG BIRTHDAY. Abby is going to be turning 12. Hooooray. Today was her last day of Primary. She was thrilled about that. We are also expecting Tanton's MISSION CALL this Wednesday. Oh, the suspense. I will post about these exciting and important events coming up in our family.

Surprise!!

Brad totally surprised me with a surprise birthday party for my 40th birthday! I thought I was going to dinner with a girlfriend, but lo and behold, I was going to dinner with about 60 friends and family from various areas of my life. It was such a surprise and so much fun.

Birthday girl ~ with "over the hill" hat on. I think over the hill is at 50? Because I'm not quite feeling it yet!Surprised!

Thank you so much to my hubby. It was truly an awesome night.

Family, childhood friends, work friends, neighborhood friends & just friends...

from all different areas of my life. Now this took some work to get them all together!
With 3 of my childhood/highschool/adult friends. We have been friends for 35 yrs!

Brad had a band (a very, very good band), and we danced after the dinner. Good times.
We even did the Hokey Pokey!
Later that weekend, Brad made me another cake.

40 was a great birthday! Thanks for everyone that came and a huge Thanks to you babe for planning it. Love you.

Tumble Princess

The tumbling season is going well. Abby has added a variety of harder skills to her routines, so she continues to advance in her difficulty. She is preparing herself for the National meet in Virginia Beach at the end of June. But next up is the state meet in Heber in a few weeks. She should be very proud, she pushes herself pretty hard and she really is amazing!