Quick trip to New Orleans

Brian and I have been talking for years about going to New Orleans together. He lived there for 2 years while serving his mission. It was fun to have a personal tour guide with me and to see all the places he lived and served. We also did a lot of the tourist type activities while we were there.

 We walked around the French Quarter and had lunch at The Gumbo Pot. Delicious!

We ate beignets and hot chocolate at Cafe Du Monde, ate lunch on a steam boat on the Mississippi river, and listened to some very talented jazz musicians. 

What a great trip I had with Brian! I loved every minute of it! So thankful for these little opportunities to get away as a couple! And I am also thankful for my best friend who watched our kids while we were gone. Thank you Liz!

September

On September 8th, a new baby was born into our family! My brother and his wife had tier 2nd child child and she is a cutie!

Welcome Elsie June (with big brother, Nolan).

We also reflected on the floods that took place 1 year ago this month...

There are not many days when I feel strong emotionally or physically... but in this photo I felt strong and capable of doing anything! My best friend was there minutes after my house flooded and stayed until the very end of the clean up. With her help, God's help, and the help of so many others, we were able to accomplish so many things! We retook that picture today on the year anniversary, just so we could be reminded that we were given this life because we are strong enough to live it. Thank you Liz for sticking by my side through all the ups and downs.

 I love looking at this before photo and the after photo of my neighbors house. They felt helpless and like no one cared, but God had other plans and sent angels to their rescue. Thank you to everyone that made a difference and served during that time.

August

Most of the first part of our August consisted on driving down to Colorado Springs daily to visit Sharon (My mother-in-law), who had a heart attack while visiting family there. We are so thankful that she was okay and got the care she needed!

We also had back to school time for the kids. They are so cute and I love how each of them are continuing to improve in school and make good choices. 

July

This July was filled with so many great things!

We celebrated the 4th of July by watching the local parade and spending the rest of the day with our best friends swimming and lighting fireworks. 

We went to a Rockies game together, and although it rained while we were there, we saw a beautiful rainbow afterwards!

We did some service projects for our friends.

We went to Utah for our annual fishing and camping trip with Uncle Gerald and his 2 girls. On the way there, we stopped by the Vernal Temple and took a few pictures.

May/June

May was a busy month, but a fun month! My little sister got married, school activities, a trip to Utah, and Mother's Day! The pictures with my kids are what really amaze me. They are really growing up so fast! My oldest is already so much taller than me!

Looking back, I think June was such a fun month too! We spent the first little bit of the month visiting with family in Utah. We play lots of games, the kids love hanging out with cousins, and we eat yummy food.. Like pancake apple pie, right Amy?
I also was able to go on my first hot air balloon ride with my mother in law. We had gotten her tickets over a year earlier, and with many failed attempts to go, we finally did it! It was amazing and so much fun! The perfect person to go with too!

 We celebrated Father's Day, did a car wash fundraiser, and had lots of play dates with friends!

 Another highlight of June was being able to go to girls camp with Courtney! This was her first year and I was so lucky to be one of her leaders along with my best friend, Liz! What a great time we had all together! Other than it being super cold at night, it was the best camp ever! Hope I get to go with her again sometime!