a visit from sala

here is my brother's little girl sala. isn't she beautiful! they came for thanksgiving and i got to see them nearly a whole week. here are some fun pictures of this darling girl.





love you guys. thanks for coming. mi, j, e, and s

welcome home sister allen

the kids anxiously waiting for brynn (sister allen) to come off the plane. brynn gets to meet two new kids - sam and taylorann. they were both born while she was serving her mission in portland, oregon. oh and to tell you the truth the adults were just as anxious and excited. it was a fun and happy day to be able to welcome her home safe and sound.

welcome home brynn. we are so happy to have you back. we hope you find reasons to come visit us or save time for us to come see you. you look great!! we love you.

leaves in the fall

it's interesting to me how many emotions one can feel in one week. i was so stressed and bummed out earlier this week with the kids and then with home, almost to the point of despair. then jeffrey got a call for an interview in atlanta, georgia with owens corning for a job next summer and i was filled with so much excitement i could hardly contain myself. then i got little sleep and although i was happy, i felt drugged. then another kind of excitement rushed over me as we welcomed brynn home from her mission in portland, oregon. then today despite being tired and wired from being excited, i felt peaceful. the reason was friends. we hung out with our friends beef and karie and just did simple things. we ate lunch, went shopping at ross, raked some leaves, played in the leaves with our kids, ate dinner, etc. i just love that it is the simple things in life that bring us calm and peaceful moments. feelings of being ok and happy with your life. thanks friends!