I'm Back Again...With Lots of Pictures!

Sorry, I have not updated in a while. Things have been a bit hectic and then we all (minus Cody but plus my mom) went out of town for ten days. But we are back for the moment, except that Cody is in NYC and I will be heading there this Friday. So here is what you've missed.

Pepper has the cutest pigtails.

And scrunchy face smile.

And as of the beginning of March this is what our backyard still looked like. Very depressing but thankfully it does not look that way anymore. Now it is just brown and wet from a lot of rain. Got to love March.

A rare moment of catching Pepper sleeping at 23mos.

On March 2nd my mother flew in from Florida and on Friday the 4th she helped me drive down to Alabama to visit my sister Kim and family. It took us about 12 hrs with two hour or so stops. Thank goodness for dvd players built into vans nowadays and nice ladies at McDonald's who gave my kids free toys with their breakfast!

The first weekend we were there we were all celebrating my nephew Joshua's baptism. On Saturday my mom, sister Kim, and I did a lot baking for the after-party.

Pepper got away with having her binky all the time, since we were on vacation and I didn't feel like hearing her whine from lack of sleep.

Mikayla was such a great big cousin to Pepper and let her play with all her toys and constantly destroy her room.

My sister's big, new, beautiful home. I told her it looks like she's lived there for years while my house still looks like I just moved in. I need her to come help me decorate!

Unfortunately, the weather did not realize we were in the south and should be sunny and warm. It was pretty wet and cold most of the time. But luckily there was a lot of space and people to play with.

Jacob modeling the stairs for me.

Papa being a bad influence and putting on a movie on his laptop. Eventually all of the grandkids where sitting around him and he moved the movie to the big tv, much to the annoyance of my sister who is not a fan of the tv.

Mikayla, Pepper, Benny and Morgan getting ready for church and the baptism afterwards.

All of the kids in their Sunday finest.

Joshua 8, Mikayla 5, Ben 3, Jacob 9 and Nathan 12

Jester boys. Good looking bunch.

Jacob is also a great big cousin who loves little kids. Actually, all the kids were great with Morgan and Pepper and my kids had a fabulous time running around with everyone.

Morgan checking out the baptismal font. Pepper kept calling it a tub and tried to take her clothes off so she could go in. She was not happy when she realized that she was not going to get to join Joshua and Uncle Mike in the water.

It was a fantastic baptism with tons and tons of people there to support Joshua. They asked me to give a talk on baptism and my dad spoke on the Holy Ghost. It was great to be a part of Joshua's big day and to feel the Spirit so strong with my family.

Pepper and Nathan.

I need a 12 yr old around my house. So helpful having a built in babysitter and guardian of small children. Nathan was such a trooper helping out all the time.

Best buddies Ben and Morgan

Twice while we were there we got to see Nathan play ice hockey. The first night his team won and made it to the semi-finals. The next night they were not so fortunate but it was still a great game. I totally want Morgan to play hockey now!

Nathan in action.

The proud spectators.

One morning while most of the kids were in school, Kim took us and the little ones to a bouncy castle place.

We all got in on the action. Mainly because Pepper needed help and then just cause it was fun.

My not so graceful dismount.

Kim did a much better job.

Pepper watching Auntie Kim come down the slide.

Gramma taking a plunge.

And attempting to get over the mountain.

Wed. night the big boys went to boy scouts so we had a bath and movie night for the little ones.

Pepper loves popcorn!

Thursday afternoon Mikayla had a dance class at a big Baptist church. They have an awesome playplace/area for moms and kids to hang out while they're waiting for the kids in classes.

Too fun.

Mikayla the prettiest little ballerina.

Later that night we went to an open house at the brand-new, amazing Elementary school the kids get to go to.

Ben and Morgan sporting their new pirate jeans.

Friday night was girls night out for Kim, my mom and I. We all got pedicures and eyebrow waxes then went to a steakhouse for dinner. So fun. Thanks, Mike for being an awesome and willing babysitter.

Saturday morning the sun finally came out and we all went to a big playground and had a picnic before going to Jacob's soccer game. I got a bit of a sunburn but it was worth it to be outside. That night Kim, Mike, Nathan and Joshua went to a Predators/Avalanche hockey game in Nashville so Gramma and I watched the rest of the kids. Kim asked me to do Mikayla's hair before she went to a birthday party.

My braiding skills are a little rusty but I'm excited for Pepper's hair to grow more so I can do more than just pigtails.

Earlier that morning, Mike and Kim bought this air hockey table off of craigslist. They set it up in their front room that was currently the piano room. Needless to say we had a few neighborhood boys over to play that afternoon/evening.

It was a long but fun trip and we're so glad we were able to be their to celebrate Joshua's baptism and to see their new house. The kids keep asking about going to see their cousins so hopefully it won't be too long before we all get together again.

Also, a big, huge thanks to my mom for making the long drive both ways with me so that we could make this trip.

And another big thanks to Kim and Mike for letting us stay with them and help break in their beautiful home:)