Women's Conference Day

a child's view

Hawaii 2007 - Sara - 5 years old
You never know what memories will stay with your kids. I guess this day impacted Sara so much she decided to write a story about it 2 1/2 years later. I had forgotten all about this event which was so meaningful to her.


The Sand Beard...written and illustrated by Sara One hot sunny day when we were in Hawaii, my mom and I went to the beach I wonderd what I would look like with a beard. So I got my chin wet and I put it in the sand.

I thought that I looked pretty cool with a beard. My mom started to laugh. I didn't know why.

She wanted to take my picture so I thought maybe she wanted to take my picture because I looked cool or maybe I looked weird with a beard I really didn't know.

Then I washed off my beard so my mom couldn't take more pictures.

(Sara says...this is the part that's not true)
We went home and I felt something on me I looked and I looked and I still had a little sand on my face. I probably didn't wash it all off. Then we got to our condo and my sister started to laugh.

I tould her that I got myself a sand beard and she just couldn't stop laughing. She was laughing at me so I guess that I don't look good in a sand beard.

The next day I didn't put a sand beard on me because my sister would laugh at me.

Whenever I go to the beach, I'll never put a sand beard on me. But maybe sometime I will when my mom and my sister don't see me.

Five for Fighting

I had to post some pictures from one of the best concerts I have ever been to. My sister Kathy LOVES five for fighting... let's just say she has been to three of their concerts within the last six months. Being the groupie that she is, a few months ago she bought more tickets and invited us to go with her. What a treat!
The lead singer was amazing. His voice reminds me of Billy Joel and he is so talented on both piano and guitar. I really enjoyed how he would tell a story about how and why he wrote each song. He sang Superman, Changes, '65 Mustang and 100 Years. Loved IT!! Thanks Kathy for such an unforgettable time.

Madi's friend party

A few of Madi's friends came over Friday night for a belated birthday celebration. They decorated letters for the first initial of their name, ate dinner, played trampoline games, ate cake and icecream, and watched the Penelope movie. All I can say is I think they were on a sugar overload because the end of the night was much louder than the beginning. They are such a cute group of girls and had so much fun all together.

Such crazy faces. Make this picture bigger...it will crack you up.
Didn't these letters turn out so cute? I love how the ribbons and buttons added flair.

Help - I forgot something...

The other day I pulled up to my friend Kammi's house, got out of the car to drop something off and met her on the porch. We proceeded to talk for a few minutes when I noticed my car moving forward. Luckily, her porch is right by the driveway so I ran down jumped in my car and slammed on the break. It turns out - I forgot to put the car in park - Whoops! I can't believe I did that. Thank goodness everything was okay. Am I in just too big of a hurry or could this be related to age?

Frogs, Brownies and Guitars

Because of Stake Conference, we had a lot of extra time today. So this is what Sunday looked like at our house. Sara caught a frog and was so excited when she ran in the door. "Mom, I caught a frog and named him Willow." Kayli is in charge of the mingle sundays for her ward at BYU. So together we made the last hurrah of treats - 112 sheet cake brownies. We had dinner on the patio and Derek taught Kayli some guitar skills. Good Times!!

Spring Break Fun in AZ

My sister Tina and I drove the 8-hour trip from St. George to Phoenix together. A crazy- funfilled -chaotic car containing 2 Adults, 6 girls and a Dog. The reason the trip took so long was because of all the contruction at the Dam. There was so much traffic that it took an extra hour and a half. But, we tried to make the best of it by cranking up the music and singing along.
Once there, we had an awesome time swimming, going to the park, shopping, going for walks, more swimming, loving baby Brooke, making up dance performances, slip 'n sliding, sleeping outside, and enjoying the BEST weather (heard it snowed 4 inches in Salt Lake). Thanks Kim & Matt for letting us all invade your home.

Madi & Brooke. What a doll!
We all loved playing with her.
Picnic lunch @ the park.
A birthday dinner for Kim. Ladies Only.

Eating Snow Cones
An all girls "Movie night"
WATER FUN!!

Sara liked Sammy...who was not the dog we brought. I didn't get a picture of Congo but, luckily he is much smaller.

EASTER

In the morning the kids colored eggs and we watched General Conference in our pajamas. Alli worked all week creating these beautiful Russian eggs with wax and dye.
That afternoon we drove to St. George where Grandma arranged her famous Easter egg hunt. This year she had to give out specific instructions. Each age group would be looking for a certain color of eggs.

And the search was on...


Puzzle pieces were inside the eggs along with candy. When they found them, all the groups assembled their puzzles and got to pick a prize.
Some puzzles were harder than others...Grandpa jumped in and helped too. Thanks Mom and Dad for a fun Easter Celebration.

Welcome Home Jake!

From one side of the world to the other...Jake has just completed his 12-day adventure to China. His suitcase came off the plane stuffed to the brim. It was fun picking him up at the airport as we listened to all his great stories on the way home. We have seen a few videos and he has been speaking words in chinese. He had such a fantastic time and wasn't quite ready to come home.
Here he is handing out gifts to everyone. The girls just loved their crazy magic paper hats.
Alli, Madi and Sara decorated and made a welcome home sign for his room.
Now, we just hope he can get back into a normal sleeping pattern. He didn't sleep at all on the plane ride home. He's not worried and insures us that he didn't have any trouble with jet lag on the way over. So much excitement.
Thanks to Grandma Judith and Grandpa Sherm for taking him on such a wonderful trip. Also, thanks to Greg, Tracey and family for sharing their home. We know he had an unforgettable experience.

My Madi...

is no longer single digits.
Happy 10th Birthday Sweet Madi Batts

You are so loved...

Dinner out to Madi's favorite restuarant -
The Olive Garden. We missed you, Jake.
This candle represents one whole decade.
Make a Wish....
Movies with the girls!
xoxoxo Mom~

Congratulations Sara!!

Last Saturday was a wonderful day! The weather could have been a little warmer but, that didn't seem to matter much when the events started to unfold. Sara was so excited to be baptized and we were all just as excited to be there.
The program was short and sweet. Sara asked Kayli and Jacob to give the talks, Madi sang "When I am Baptized" and Alli led the music.


Sharing the day with Grandparents, Great Grandma, Aunts, Cousins and Friends. Thanks for being with us. It made the day that much more special.

Sara was baptized at 9:45am so afterwards everyone came over to our home for brunch, to visit, and to celebrate.
Grandma Karen made the traditional "Baptism Scripture Cake".
Some of the girls walking over from the church.



Sara -You're the sunshine in our lives. We love you and are so proud of your choice to be baptized.