Matt just got home from a trip to Washington DC with the Student Govt. group from UVU. Some of you may not realize that he is, along with completing his degree, studying for the LSAT and being an awesome husband and son--the "assistant to the Student Body President (same position Amber held at Utah Valley in her Senior Year)", but he is also on a National committee for which he presented a "presentation" in DC this past week. (Sorry, he keeps me in the dark as to the details) (my poor little "rural brain" probably couldn't handle them anyway..) while he was there--and in which he says the attendees all managed to stay awake and seem interested.)

Having attended my own share of "presentations " for one work/academic requirement or another--I came to appreciate those who could hold a student's interest for longer than 15 minutes...so way to go, Matt!

He says he is sending me some pictures soon of his trip, so I will share those when they arrive.

Needless to say--I am so proud of my brilliant son and of his accomplishments. (Sorry if this blog is turning into a "brag sheet" of sorts..but oh well...bite me. My kids, friggin''rock!

Seriously, though--I am so lucky to have such great kids, and I can't take all the credit---their father helped every bit as much as I did--but truthfully, we can't take too much credit--they pretty-much came that way (brilliant)....all we did was encourage them a little.

Until I get the pictures--this will have to do...

Rhett's Homecoming

What an amazing thing it is it to have a child return to you after faithfully serving our Heavenly Father for two years...two years of completely and utterly dedicating their lives to the work of the Lord? I can tell you, having experienced it twice, now, that it is one of the most wonderful and precious experiences that you can ever have in a lifetime. It truly is.
August 4th 2008 was one of those amazing days for our family. Rhett returned after serving in the Monterrey Mexico, East Mission, since Aug 2, 2006. It was a long wait, but worth every minute, because we were blessed beyond meaure, as a family, and we also got to see Rhett grow in stature, from an amazing "boy" to amazing "young Man"...That is such a life-changing process to see and be a part of. We went through the very same thing with our Matt.
Now that he is home, we are all so grateful that he made it and was such an amazing missionary. We will miss the blessings that came with his service, but we are enjoying every minute that we have with him here at home, finally. He has made the transition amazingly well--of course, I would have expected nothing less--he is, after all--our Rhett...Great things are always expected of him and great things have always been delivered. (As it has been with all our children ( Dave's and mine)---he is just following the example he has been set, by his older siblings, after all...)

Rhett, we are so happy you are home, safe and sound and good, and we love you and missed you terribly while you were gone. (Strangely, enough--however, I miss having a "missionary" out there....I really do...but I wouldn 't trade it for having you back.)

Here are some pics:

The "Sun " returns:Had to make sure it was really him!

Brothers and best friends...

Matt, I know, missed him SO much! (He found Kelly just in time!") Amber and Rhett:

Dad finally gets to hug his son, again....a "Proud Father"moment.
The rest of the family who were there to greet Rhett--Ryan, Grandpa and Janet, Julie, Doug and Lloyd. (who have this to look forward to in a few months with Kirk... (So awesome). ...Rhett--meeting Crew for the first time and seeing Lily for the first time since she was 7 1/2 months old:

Rhett and Jimmy--best buds---separated for 2 1/2 years. (Thank you, Cami for taking these pictures for me. You are great!)

Back at home:

Matt & Kelly's wedding - 05-10-08

On May 10, 2008, Matt and Kelly got married in the St. George Temple. It was such a beautiful day and a wonderful time for the whole family to get together. Kelly was a beautiful bride, and Matt was as happy as I have ever seen him....he still is--I hope they continue to be as loving and happy as they have been the past 6 months, for the rest of their lives. Also, we feel so lucky to have someone as wonderful as Kelly in our family now. We love her so much....and Matt is one lucky guy. Here are some pictures from their wedding day: (I'll try to figure out how to download a slideshow sometime soon....still learning here.)

The birth of "Crew-be-Do"

This has been a really eventful year for this family. In March, of course, we had the wonderful birth and addition of our cute little "Crew-be-do" to our family. Here are some pictures from that amazing event as well. What a sweet and wonderful little person he has turned out to be.
We are so blessed--in just the addition of these amazing little people to our family unit. You gotta love it, right?

Amber and Joni---both "big time pregnant" with "baby
Mia (who was born in July, and "Crew"---this is the night before Crew was born, Mar. 16, 2008)














This is Grandma holding Crew on his birthday.



This is Crew with Great-"Grandma Cookie". How awesome that she was able to be here for his birth!








Lily is not too sure about this little
"usurper" coming into her life
(she wouldn't even touch him for several days....not sure I blame her....
She has, however, come around)...
________________________________________
More Pictures of Crew:

April or May 2008:
May 2008:June 2008:

July 4th 2008 With Grandpa Great Palfreyman:

July 24th, 2008 in Arizona at Grandma Cookie's:

August 4th 2008 - Uncle Rhett's Homecoming:
At Grandma's house in October 2008 with Lily and Lincoln:

More to come....Matt's wedding....and Rhett's homecoming. What a year it has been! So full of great things!

Sweet Baby Lincoln

In August, I, Rhett and David went to Arizona for the birth of our sweet baby, Lincoln. He is such a sweet and amazing baby. Already, we love and adore him so much and are so happy he is a part of our family. Here are some pictures of that amazing and wonderful event in our family.

These pictures were taken within a few minutes after our Lincoln was born. He is SO cute---isn't he? (And Juls looks amazing too....considering that she just went through a C-section to get him here...) Way to go Juls. You are Awesome! I will try to add more pictures of him in the next few days, as well---as for tonight--I need to get to bed. Love you all. D

Here are a few more pictures taken later that same day:

He was so bright-eyed and alert for only being a few hours old...still is a little smarty.

On Mama's shoulder:

Lincoln's birth & Julia's visit (in October) We miss you Juls...

Little Buckaroo's first trip to Bisbee:
Uncle Rhett, Lincoln and Grandpa, in Tucson, watching the Olympics:

Lincoln and Grandma - first trip to the mountains - 4 days old:

Playing with Grandma at her house in Utah in October:

Wide awake and playing with mom and Grandma late at night on Grandma's bed:

Handsome smiley boy:

Weekend at Grandma's

It's been a fun weekend so far. Lily came over to stay with me last night for a "Slumber Party". Last night we bought and carved a Jack-O-Lantern.

Lily isn't sure if it is scary or not, for sure...the jury is still out.



Today we went over to the Pumpkin Festival at Thanksgiving point with Rhett. We had a lot of fun seeing all the animals and doing the activities. Lily is all tuckered out now and taking a nap so we can stand to be with her the rest of the evening. Here are some pictures




Notice the little "Ass" in the background...



Checking out all the animals:



Lily & Grandma riding on the wagon being pulled by two horses...

Rhett ande Lily petting the draft horses.




Balloon angel wings from a clown and face painting... (It's a black and pink spider near its web).

Playing all the games and activities:

Lily laughed so hard on the Jumpy Toys with Rhett that she peed her pants! (And she peed all over Rhett's pants.) Good thing we brought a replacement pair for her...Rhett wasn't so lucky. He just had to walk around with a big wet spot all afternoon, until it dried.

Heading home after a fun day...