BEACH!!!

A big shoutout to Helen for taking and sending me the only pictures I have of me playing in the sand this summer. THANK YOU THANK YOU!!! Wish us luck in our tournament this week!!

Fun pics

Dora

Tyler is starting to speak so well and so much. He learns more and more everyday and I just love to hear and watch him learn. This was recorded like a month ago--Elina and Tyler were just doing their usual morning tv routine and after hearing Tyler saying something over and over I finally realized what it was: DORA. So now the latest words have become: buckle, bug, apple, owl, daddy wait, walker, tyler, etc.... He is really doing so well--we just love him and are so proud of him for all he's learning.

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY

So it seems that everything I do lately is belated, but still wanted to wish the father's in my life a wonderful father's day. I/we love all of you so much!!!

Family Time

It was so fun to have a little bit of Texas in Utah :) We packed in a ton of family time while Ryan's family from Texas was in town. Can't forget to mention Happy birthday to Grammy and Pappa (sorry it's publicly really belated (: ) We did everything from baby blessing, kangaroo zoo, haircuts, and going to the temple. We love our family and love any time that we get to spend with them!!!

Baby shower

My cousin Pauliina is about to have her first baby--a little girl, due at the end of July. So I threw her a shower and we had all the family come over for a party. It is really not that often that we all get together anymore, now that all of our families are growing. But we had a great time visiting nonetheless!!! Good Luck Pauliina!!!

Fun with friends!!

I was so glad to see my dear friend Brooke from Tucson. We saw them a couple different times during their trip here--and now everytime Elina sees Brandon's grandma's house, she just wants to go play with him. :)

The temple!!!

Even though my eyes are closed I'm posting the picture because we don't get that many family pictures taken anymore it seems :)
What a blessing it is for us to experience the opening of a second temple within the same year in the same valley. I truly feel that the Lord is pouring out blessings for us in these hard times. Being that Ryan is a business owner in South Jordan, he was invited to tour the temple during the VIP week and we were so blessed to be able to join him. The Oquirrah (no idea if it is spelled correctly) temple is absolutely stunning!!! One thing I particularly enjoyed was that they were able to point out things to us and talk more in detail throughout the various rooms of the temple, most likely the benefits of getting VIP week. I have also been recently uplifted and edified to have been able to witness the Draper Youth Temple Celebration held at the Conference Center last Friday night. Now that I am serving in the Young Women's we have had several months of rehersals in preparation for this event and it was absolutely fantastic. I was so proud of the youth and our youth who participated. The Spirit was overwhelming and I know that testimonies were strengthened, mine certainly was. It seems that the temple has been constantly on my mind since we have moved to our new area, with the Draper temple dedication, youth temple celebration, a YW lesson, and even giving a church talk all pointed to the temple--I think it's finally sinking into my mind that I/we need to go to the temple as often as we can. My little sister recently took out her endowments and it was amazing to all be in the temple together as a family for the first time. We are definitely seeing so many blessings in having the temple in our lives. I love the peace that comes when I go and just wanted to share my experiences. I love the temple!!!

Nothing better...

I think most of you will concur--absolutely nothing better/sweeter/more peaceful than sleeping children :)

Happy Birthday!!!

So I've been realizing that we are not taking any pictures lately. These are the only pics I have of Ryan's birthday. Just wanted to say how much I love you honey and I hope that you had a good weekend/birthday. We had friends and family join us for dinner and even some volleyball, which is always fun. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!