Pictures from July

Monday, August 13, 2012

Pictures from July

While we were moving I kept thinking I should be taking pictures.

But I didn't.

So Ammon and Andrew changing out the fan in Ammon's room represents the transition to a new home.

Two years ago we moved on June 30 and by the 4th of July we were exhausted.

I swore to never do it again.

And then I had to eat my words completely.

We moved on the exact same date.

Still, we were able to have a fun holiday.

We spent the morning with my sister in Riverton enjoying their festivities.

That evening, my brother invited us to his house for fireworks.

We live so close to him that we rode our bikes there.

After we came home from his house, we found an awesome neighborhood firework show.

Then that ended, and we ran into some OTHER neighbors doing fireworks.

It doesn't quite feel like a holiday to me when I don't cook.

And I didn't.

Andrew had to work that day, so we didn't even grill.

But it turned out to be a fun day of celebration despite it not quite feeling like a holiday.

We enjoyed a lot of firsts in our new home.

The first time the lawn was mowed,

the first time we used the new grill,

the first time we had people (my parents) over for breakfast,

the first time I made fudgy oatmeal bars.

It was fun to start making this home really feel like ours as we started to really LIVE in it.

As a parent I have had massive library fail.

It is a secret guilt of mine.

I grew up loving to read and I attribute a lot of that to the time my mom spent taking me to the library.

Somehow, in our new home, the library seems more accessible than ever.

The drive is easy and inviting.

We have spent so much time at the library in the last month and it has been awesome!

One evening we went and inadvertently discovered the parrot show.

We have also gone to various libraries for the magician, the reptile show, crafts and more.

It's been a fun change in our lives.

In July we had swimming lessons.
(I'm not sure why I don't have any of those pictures made into a collage yet.)
My niece was in the lesson before us.
Then we arrived and Ammon had his lesson with another niece of mine - the cousin he is closest in age to.

The next lesson was two other cousins from the Shadel side of the family.

After they were done, Peter had his lesson with two more cousins that are his age, and another cousin (the niece of mine who had the very first lesson) who was the class helper.

A time or two we were invited to a swimming party with the Shadel cousins after lessons were over.

I spent one of those afternoons playing with my camera and the baby while the older kids swam.

For the 24th of July we spent the evening with - you guessed it - COUSINS!

Can you tell we are loving being so close to family?

We have gone on group outings and run into my sister-in-law with her kids.

We have driven down the road, only to see my brother driving up the street the other direction.

We have been able to trade kids, have play dates, and help babysit.

It's been a blast!

We are loving our new home, enjoying our neighborhood and ward, and having so much fun being able to spend tons of time with family, and then have the quickest and easiest drive home afterwards!

Despite not having any big trip or vacation this year, July was a fun month!

1 comment:

Chad And AmberAugust 19, 2012 at 9:56 PM
Jen, I hope you're enjoying your new home! I sure miss having you as my neighbor! If you get a chance, post come pics of the new house!
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Family Proclamation

The First Presidency and Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

We, the First Presidency and the Council of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator's plan for the eternal destiny of His children.All human beings—male and female—are created in the image of God. Each is a beloved spirit son or daughter of heavenly parents, and, as such, each has a divine nature and destiny. Gender is an essential characteristic of individual premortal, mortal, and eternal identity and purpose.In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshiped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize his or her divine destiny as an heir of eternal life. The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave. Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife. We declare that God's commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force. We further declare that God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.We declare the means by which mortal life is created to be divinely appointed. We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God's eternal plan.Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. "Children are an heritage of the Lord" (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation. Extended families should lend support when needed.We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God. Further, we warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.We call upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society.

This proclamation was read by President Gordon B. Hinckley as part of his message at the General Relief Society Meeting held September 23, 1995, in Salt Lake City, Utah.