Happy Valentine's Day

I was trying to get a shot of the debris (and Rachel and who has finally started to stand and walk- a little). Can you spot my favorite Valentine that Luke got?! Made me laugh.




The kids came home from school with shouts of Happy Valentine's Day! And then they dumped out their loot. You'd think it was Halloween. No one was complaining though. I am sad that I missed the shot of Rachel with a sucker in each hand while trying to scoop up mini M&M with her little fingers.

Tonight is mutual and the youth are hosting a romantic dinner with child care included. We are all excited about that. :)

Death of a great friend...

I came home this evening to Joy and Allie who were crying. I found out one of my best college friends, Andre Peterson, died in his sleep. He was apparently had been ill for a week and was found in his bead by the missionaries who had planned to meet with him. Andre leaves behind a little 8 year old girl (Allie's age) who lives with Andre's former wife in Mesa, AZ. Andre was living in Battle Creek, MI working for Kellogg as accountant.

(best men at Andre's wedding in San Diego)

Andre had many friends and was an incredible guy. Super smart, UNC Chapel Hill wanted to give him scholarships based on his race. He told the school he would attend but only if they would give him the highest academic scholarships which they readily did. He was quite a complex guy who overcame immense odds emerging from a very rough childhood. I learned a lot from Andre and am a better person for the privilege.

He had a lot of old photos from his Facebook page from his Las Cruces days. Here are some great memories.

(games @ Bp. Ficklin's home in Las Cruces)

(@ college house in LC)

(goofing off in backyard, LC house)

(best men, San Diego)

Goodbye friend.

Eight is GREAT!

Allie told me the shape she wanted for her birthday was a wedding cake shape. That much cake sounded... bleh... yuck. So I thought I would just do the top tier with cake but that idea went out the window. I thought I would at least frost it to surprise her. Frosting sounded gross too. So here you have it- just plain rice crispy treat.

Happy Eighth Birthday Allie!

Allie's Baptism Day

Allie wore the same dress that my sisters and I wore after our baptism. It was so fun to see it again and to see her in it. Allie felt very loved by all of those who were able to come to her baptism to celebrate with her.
Cousin Haley was baptized 3 months ago. We are glad they made the quick trip from AZ to come and be apart of the celebration.

"My day was A.W.E.S.O.M.E!!!!!!!!!!!!When I was in the water I felt fat.The soot [suit] just barely fit.
I felt like nothing before when I came out of the water.  I felt as an angel.  I felt soooo astonished of how many people came [to my baptism].  I am glad that there is the Holy Ghost and Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ."       - Allie Payne

We like Allie's description of feeling weighted by sin and then clean and pure and LIGHT when coming out of the water- totally new.  It really was a very special day and we were so grateful to family and friends who were able to come and witness and celebrate her big day.

It's a Big DAY!

Once Again

It keeps happening. They just keep getting older! Wesley turned 4 on the 12th. He requested a car cake. I hope this was what he had in mind. As usual, it wasn't exactly what I had in mind. Oh well.

He sang Happy Birthday with us this year- so cute!
Trick candles! He had to blow them out several times!

Holiday Fun

Here is a glimpse of how we spent the rest of our holiday season. Grandpa and Grandma Jackson came to town. We went on lots of adventures (hiking, rode the train to Santa Fe, River of Lights) and played and played. A lot!