mmm..

I LOVE this time of year!

mmm.. warm zucchini bread. I'm so glad my husband loves to garden!

2 births, 2 funerals, 2 months

Austin was born May 8^th. It was a wonderful day filled with joy and celebration. One day later my grandmother passed away. That was hard.

(This picture is really old, that is Linsey she is holding.)

Nearly 2 months later, my brother, Doug’s wife had their first child. Again, we celebrated and welcomed a healthy, pure, innocent baby into our hearts. 10 days later, our other grandmother passed away. Again, our hearts ached.

Grandma Stacey

It’s been a bit of an emotional rollercoaster ride, but I’m so grateful for the timing of these babies coming to our family.

(Aleck, Austin)

They have brought such joy and comfort to all of us at a time of need. I’m so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who knows us so well.

I was able to attend my Grandma Stacey's funeral this past weekend. She would have loved how beautiful the ceremony went and how happy the reunion with all of the family was. She had 6 children, 38 grandchildren, and 64 great-grandchildren. Many of my cousins I hadn't seen in years, I was amazed that all but 2 were at Grandma's funeral. She was very well loved.

Somehow, a man with shaky hands was asked to take pictures of our family. He couldn't figure out how to zoom my camera so lucky me, I got three. Here we all are.



While we were in Logan, we stopped by the temple where my parents were married 35 years ago. Aren't they cute?

Notice the 3 and the 5.... Clever hu?

I took Austin with me on our marathon road trip to Tri-cities, Utah, Ogden, Logan, Ogden, Provo, back to Tri-Cities, and then home again. He was a champion traveler and charmed everyone with his smiles.

(Austin and cousin Savannah)

My little brother Anthony also blessed us with his presence. The road trip just wouldn't have been the same without him. Glad he's home from the mission, he's lots of fun!

It was fun to introduce Austin to his newest cousin Aleck. He's such an adorable, sweet little guy and we love him so much already.

My parents came to be with us the first few days we were home from the hospital with Austin. My dad said, “Holding Austin in my arms pacing the floor at night and pondering the loss of mother humbled me to ponder and appreciate life and death and how happy people are on the receiving end.”

We love these 2 new babies and have welcomed them into our family with loving arms. I know that my grandmothers were also welcomed with loving arms by loved ones that have gone before them. I'm so grateful for my testimony of the gospel and for the understanding I have about life and death. We will miss my two grandmas dearly, but know that they are near.