HELP! Ok so we took pictures of the girls today for our Christmas and Oh my goodness!Seriously she's not even 10 yet! Did I blink? Cause for some reason she looks really old to me. Please somebody get me a gun! Cause I think I am going to have a fight on my hands keeping the boys away! Not only that, she is as sweet as she is beautiful! Again...... HELP!

No seriously though I want to tell everyone how much I love these two girls! I feel very blessed to be their mom and I am so proud of them. I can't believe my Heavenly Father found me fit enough to take care of these amazing spirits and I only pray that I can continue to live up to that calling! And thanks to all of you
who help us too! We couldn't do it with out you.

Happy Halloween

Hello friends and family, just wishing you all a Happy Halloween! It was beautiful here! And we had so much fun!

Sorry I haven't kept this updated lately, so to help catch everyone up on the happenings here in our life I am posting a few pictures.

T took a spill and this is what happens when you go head first into cement.



Havasupai or Heaven!
My favorite trip of the summer.
This is the warning sign leading down to one of the falls. I love this pic cause believe me it is a climb. Sorry dad I don't think you could do it. :)


Mooney Falls

Havasu Falls

Rocky Falls. This one we could jump from the top. It was amazing.

A small reminder that the church is everywhere.


Iron County fair and petting Zoo


Cedar Breaks.... and another testament that we truly live in the most beautiful part of the world


The New Harmony Mountain on fire.


My little angles and the best soccer players in southern Utah (what can I say they take after there mom:))

Friends

Life is better when you have a friend to share it with! This week T got her tonsils out, but not to worry so did her best friend Kelley! Here they are playing a little before the surgery. The surgery went well and she is recovering great! And she is even taking her medicine! The Doc said it was a cure-all, it would stop the snoring, she would sleep better and be less grumpy because she got sleep and probably just be a new kid altogether... I will let you all know if this cure-all surgery really works! LOL Life is good.

Over the 4th of July before the girls got back from their summer trip my brother and his kids and I went to Southern Utah's best kept secrets, Kanarraville Falls. It is a beautiful hike with three waterfalls. We hiked for about 3 1/2 hrs. and the most interesting part was when it started to rain. Kanarraville is part slot canyon and as many of you know you shouldn't be in slot canyons during rain storms. The water rose quickly in the river and we had find different routes back. We spent the last mile climbing deer trails and sliding down mud hills trying to get back to the truck. But it was a blast none the less! Any way we miss you all and hope your summer is going wonderful!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Just thought I would add this to my blog. Some of my family have not seen it in a long time.for those that don't know this home was my (i believe) great great Grandfathers, Alonzo Russel. It stands in a ghost town in Southern Utah near Zions Park. The town is called Grafton.

T the all-star T-ball player! I have to admit it is a little slow for her taste. But not to worry T always makes the best out of a slow situation so she performed for us while she ran the bases. First she would do the Egyptian walk or the Chicken walk from base to base, and then to top off the performance she did the "sprinkler" (her newest dance move). She had the whole crowd laughing. And of coarse in T-ball everyone wins so it was a good time for all!

Bryce Canyon

Bryce Canyon 2009, again I think this world is amazing. For Memorial Day mom and dad came down. We went to Bryce Canyon for one of the days. And my happy little hikers were thrilled to hike with their grandpa! They sure are good hikers!

His name is Fred, we just met today. You see my dating life hasn't been going very well, so I decided to take things into my own hands. Create my own fairy tale......
however unlike in the books, he didn't turn into my prince charming and and after a very short time I new we were not ment for one another. Sadly to say I had to leave Fred on the mountain where I first laid eyes on him. And with lonely hearts we went our separate ways... Fred will always have a special place in my heart.... The girls loved him so! but alas it wasn't ment to be. Good Bye Fred!

So anyway.... we had a great time hiking today in the Red Cliff area... we did catch Fred.. and he was one of a kind. but we couldn't bring him home. We did however climb waterfalls and play in the sun. Really I don't think we could have asked for a better day!

Talent Show

This week Lou, T and K (friend and baby sitters daughter) preformed the Three Billy Goats Gruff at the schools talent show. They did a wonderful job. The baby sitter, KD, was the narrator, her husband J was the troll, Lou was the biggest billy goat, T was the middle billy goat and Kelly was the little billy goat. It was so cute and funny, we painted the back drop for FHE. its been loads of fun. you can view the show on the Degraafs blog - joeykristyandkids.blogspot.com - oh yeah instead of coming up with goat costumes we let them just dress up how they wanted... they are some very excentric goats... LOL

Time Flys!

We have now been here for three and a half months. We loved getting to see our family and friends this month! I thought I would share some of the pics we took while in Zions National Park this spring.

The Wave

We Got permits to The Wave this weekend. For all those who don't know The Wave is a hike in southern Utah. It is just about three mile back to the Wave, and you hike through sand and on sand stone. The scenery was absolutely beautiful! Here are just a few of the fabulous pictures that we took.

This weekend we went up to Cedar Breaks and tried out our snow shoes!
Lou had a blast! While T and I struggled. But we couldn't ask for a more beautiful backyard. We are also very excited to see all of our family again soon! Mom and Dad at the end of the month, and Army Dr. and the fam, the month after that!!!! We love you all and can't wait to see you again.

Snow Adventure

Before we left we got to go sledding with some friends. We all had a great time, unfortunately it ended when one of our friends met a burr tree.

Jan. 10, 2009

Well we made it! We are so excited to be here. The girls first day of school went so much better then we ever could have prayed for, I can see we are truly being blessed! Lou found her class first thing in the morning and met many little friends. T went and hung out at her new baby sitters house and found a little girl who is her age and would you believe it in her same kindergarten class. I tell you, we are blessed. My first days of work have been great! There is lots for me to do, and remember but it feels good to be doing it!
Last night we had pizza and a movie and had cousins come over! We had so much fun! Poor Cal, gets lots of loves from my two little girls who just adore him, I hope he can survive the kisses!