What a weekend!!!

We had a crazy weekend!  My sister-in-law, Christina, flew down from WA state to see her mom because she was sick and in the hospital.  After she arrived she found out that her mom was not going to make it out of the hospital.  Since Nicholas was still in WA, I went to be with Christina.  Barbara passed away on Saturday at 12:46 am.  Nicholas drove through the night so he could be there when Christina woke up that morning.  I was able to spend a day with my two beautiful nieces and my super cute nephew.  It was so fun to see them since I have missed them like crazy since they moved to WA a year ago.  These little kiddos are growing up way too fast!  I wish we had seen them under better circumstances but it was great to see them anyway!  I love you guys and am glad I was able to spend some extra time with Christina.  I am thankful for my family, especially Derrick, who has been amazing and is always such a help to me.  I am grateful for Jalene for taking my kids on short notice and making me available for Christina.

Ode to Parker...

In February I went to my brother's in WA for a week.  My cute nephew, Parker, LOVES Thomas.  This is the only time Madi has been exposed to Thomas but she has not forgotten him.  My sister, Bekka, left gifts for me to give our nieces and nephews when they come this summer but she wasn't able to get Brenton's and Parker's so she gave me money and instructions.  I bought them Thomas pj's and since I got them on such a great deal I got a couple sizes for Easton when he gets older.  Madi was SO excited about Thomas.  She wouldn't let them go until I agreed to put them on her.  So, Easton has to share his Thomas jammies with Madi.  As soon as she woke up she wanted me to wash them and then wanted to wear them again last night.  My silly girl looks like a little boy! 

As soon as she puts anything on she asks to look in the mirror.  Then she tells me "I tute!"  Yep baby, you are cute!

Annie... Madi has taken over the bottle cleaner.  She thanks you for her new brush! :D

Exhausted...

We had a wonderful time in WA.  I enjoyed playing with my nieces and nephews and spending time with my siblings.  Erin and I were able to talk some things through that we should have years ago and become better friends and sisters. I got truly spoiled while I was there and had a lot of fun!

Although I already miss everyone like crazy, I missed Derrick more and am glad to be home with him.  He had the house all clean with clean sheets on our bed, my fave!  Could I be any luckier???  I really do have the best husband in the world!

When we got home we fed Madi and went to lay her down for a nap.  She played, of course, but got quiet really quickly.  We went in to check on her and she was just too tired to play.

 She fell asleep on her ride along toy.  The poor kid was totally exhausted!  What a little angel!

Happy Birthday to me!!!

I had a great birthday! The morning started with my gift from Madi and Derrick. They gave me the Willow Tree of the mom, dad and baby. It was one that I have been wanting so it was perfect! The other thing that made this day so perfect is that it was a Saturday so I was able to spend the whole day with the two people I love most, Derrick and Madi. I was also very blessed to be able to spend time with my family and Derrick's family and Mindy. My mother and father-in-law took me to the Cheesecake Factory for lunch. Ty, Jodi and their kids were able to join us before taking the LONG drive back to OK. It was so great to see them and spend some time with them. We wish they lived closer.
Madi ate her lunch first

Olivia

Miles

Owen

Me an d my girl

Grandma and Grandpa Hawkins with Owen, Miles, Olivia and Madi

a family photo

After the Cheesecake Factory we went to visit Mindy. It was great to see her!

Mindy and Madi

Mindy's mom was there so we were able to get a picture of the three of them.

After visiting Mindy we headed to Heber Valley Girl's Camp. My grandma and grandpa are on a mission there so we go there every year for a family reunion. This was Madi's first camping trip. (Usually I wouldn't consider cabins as camping but they are worse than sleeping on the ground!)

Madi's first campfire

Sunday we went to sacrament and then Derrick and I helped Andrea and Cody do nursery in our cabin.

Playin' with daddy

Hangin' out with cousin Rachael

It was a great time and we were so glad we were able to go. I had a great birthday and am glad that I was able to spend it with so many people that I love!

Tiffany and Rick...

My sister, Tiffany, got married on August 8th to Rick Bierma. Here are some pics from the big day! Tiffany and Rick

Grandma and Madi
Caitlin and Andrew (Isn't the cake shoving for the bride and groom? :D)
Caitlin

This is a special picture for me. This is five generations. My mom and I on the back and my grandma and great grandma with Madi in the front. This is my mom's mom and my grandma's mom. I am very lucky to have such great women in my life!

An update...

We had a wonderful and BUSY weekend! It is amazing how much junk can accumualte over the years. We spent most of Saturday dejunking two rooms that REALLY needed it and rounding stuff up for our yard sale that is coming up. We had a really enjoyable evening together. We decided that with the baby coming we would just do cards for our anniversary but I splurged and bought a fondue set. We had cheese and chocolate fondue that was SO yummy! (and so much cheaper than the Melting Pot) I was able to find a bottle of sparkling peach juice (Derrick proposed with that) and I was excited about that because it is REALLY hard to find. We spent the evening listening to some of our favorite love songs and watching our wedding video. It was a great night and I am so glad for Derrick's help throughout the day!

Sunday we brought TWO car loads of stuff down to my brothers for our yard sale. We still have a ton of stuff to gather around our house. When we got there my sweet little niece, Caitlin, ran to me and said "my Lissa's home" and hugged me. She did this over and over for about five mionutes, telling her sister and her dad. She told them "my Lissa's home" over and over and would just hug me and hug me. She is such a doll! It was so sweet and TOTALLY made my day (especially since she usually says hi to me and then asks "Where's Derrick?")! Derrick went home since he didn't feel well and I stayed to have family home evening with my aunts, uncles and cousins. We do this every month and it has been awhile since I have been able to go because it is such a long drive and gas is so expensive and it is hard to justify for an hour or two. I really enjoyed it though because I miss them all!

I have to brag...

Congratulations to my older brother Nicholas, who graduated from UVU last Friday. They were so lucky to have President Thomas S. Monson speak at the commencement. Nicholas, Christina (his wife) and Whitney (his oldest daughter) watched as he left and kind of hung around a little. They decided to leave and Nicholas said "Let's walk this way" Next thing you know, they see a security guard and the door opens. Out walks Sister Monson and their daughter. Close behind was President Monson. We saw Whitney (she's four and a half) and said "Don't you have a pretty smile." He asked what her name was and she quitely told him. He asked her again and she said it louder. He asked her if she could blow him a kiss and she did. He shook her hand and continued on. What a sweet president and an amazing moment for my little niece to treasure. As they left she said to Nicholas "Dad, you tell all of your friends and I will tell all of mine!"

Uncle Derrick and Olivia

playin' patty cake

I love this picture of Olivia!!! Even with her dinner all over she is the cutest thing ever! Look at how big and beautiful her eyes are! Her parents are going to be in trouble when she's a teenager!!! :)

Our baby girl is going to have her daddy wrapped around her little finger from day one and what a lucky girl she will be. Our sweet little neices make him melt. He hopes and wishes for a little girl of his own.