Memorial Day

We wanted to teach our children about patriotism and help them feel how blessed we are to live in our country, with all of the freedoms that we have. We walked along Waterfront Park in Portland, and saw the flag memorial they put up to remind us of the many people in OR that have given their lives in the armed forces. It was good to have a visual reminder of the sacrifices so many people have made in their families, for us.

We had fun playing with the Pabst's at the Waterfront and seeing Chris and Steph for dinner. Family is the best way to remember any holiday!




Emma was our scribe for our flag



Did I mention that Thane is a synonym for warrior?!

We loved family night as we talked about the American Flag and what it means, and then about the Title of Liberty that Captain Moroni raised to remind the Nephites of what was worth fighting to protect. We made our own title of liberty and armed the kids with swords and shields to let them act the story out. Family night digressed from there...something about our kids and weapons...
Still family night was a success because we did it together, or at least that is our hope!
We are fortunate we are to live in this land and to have the choices we do and recognize that our freedom comes with a heavy cost and responsibility. We are grateful for all that we have and that we live in the USA.

popsicles and tree climbs

Sunshine has forced it's way through a few times in the past few weeks and we have made the most of it! Emma loves climbing the tree in our front patch of grass, each time climbing higher than before.




Thane also enjoyed his first Popsicle thanks to Aunt Karyn's visit last year when she brought otter pops.

birthday wishes

We surprised Daddy with Voodoo Donuts at school.



Thane felt right at home.

He wished to go to Famous Dave's BBQ




He wished for a night away so we went to the Oregon Coast.












We had a really fun time at the coast...it felt more like a beach than usual since the sun was out and the wind wasn't gusting. We had a starlit bond fire on the beach at night, we went running in the morning and collected shells for the kids. We even made it out to Haystack Rock while it was low tide! We saw starfish , anemones, and crawfish-it was a blast!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you, Nana & Papa ( Mom and Dad), for watching the kiddos so we could play together. The kids had a terrific time with you. They love you so much they don't even miss us!

More sleep

Emmie takes a long time to go to sleep, but when she does she is out!
Spence got her up to take her to the bathroom. She was falling asleep on the toilet. He took her off to wash her hands with her and she melted to the floor and stayed asleep.
How could we not laugh and take a picture???

We saw..., Visit to NY-Part IV

The wood shop where Joseph was prompted to hide the plates from angry mobs.

The log cabin the Smith Family built after an unusually awful 7 years of farming in Vermont.

Grandpa and Thane outside the Smith Home.

Joseph's older brother Alvin was one of his heroes. His love for his brother brought a lot of questions about what happens after we die which were answered in time with many chapters of the Doctrine and Covenants revealing the plan of salvation. Alvin's tree was planted after he died.



The Palmyra Temple, Grandpa's second home

I loved showing my kids some of the important places for me. It was a great blessing to grow up learning about the restoration with several personal experiences.

They loved climbing into this hollowed out tree in front of the Sacred Grove.

The kitchen in the Smith Home where Joseph forgave
Martin Harris for losing the original manuscript.



The upstairs loft where all of the smith family slept when Joseph was visited by the angel Moroni. (They are not very big beds. Emma liked that they had to share like she shares a room with her brother.)


On top of the Hill Cumorah


Thane and Grampa at hearth of the Smith Cabin.

Emma climbed her first tree! She was ecstatic! And a little scared.


Walking Ace, the crazy and sweet beagle.


Logan Monkey

Jake Monkey

3 Little Monkeys Swinging in the tree

2 Cowboys and 1 Cowgirl riding into the sun on horsey swings