Elise's 1st Birthday!

Our little Princess turned one years old on Friday Aug 22.

I can't believe that a year ago Elise McKenna jointed our family. We don't know what we did without her smiles, her giggles-she completes our family in such a special way. We love you Lissy with all our hearts! This picture is when she was 3 months old.

Elise had a wonderful first birthday. She had a princess party with some girls from the ward. Elise would NOT leave her crown on-she doesn't like anything on her head.

All the kids loved playing with the balloons-they're one of Elise's favorite toys.




We were so happy to have Grandpa, Grandma, Aunt Candace, Shaun, and baby Grace (who drove 8hrs) for Elise's birthday. (Grandpa, Grandma, & Candace hate their pictures taken).




Elise didn't know what to think about us putting a burning flame on top of her cake-she stared at it for a few seconds-then Mason helped her blow it out.




Lissy was so funney eating her cake. At first she ate it very daintily, eating one small bite at a time. By about 1/3 through eating her little cake either she realized that it was really good or that we were going to let her eat it however she wanted...I don't know,


but she picked up the whole cake and took a big bite-about another 1/3 of the cake, then finished it off with one more bite.








Lissy loved all her presents!



She loves her panda bear from Uncle Will & Aunt Anna-she just stared at it for a second then grabbed it and hugged it.

Lissy also loved all the books and looks forward to mommie reading all of them to her and brother.

Thank you everyone for your gifts!

Keep Your Fork

I received this email and thought I would share it on my blog.
It made me cry and gave me greater hope.

Woman and a Fork
There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her things 'in order,' she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.

She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be buried in. Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.

'There's one more thing,' she said excitedly. 'What's that?' came the Pastor's reply. 'This is very important,' the young woman continued. 'I want to be buried with a fork in my right hand.'

The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to say. That surprises you, doesn't it?' the young woman asked. 'Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request,' said the Pastor.

The young woman explained. 'My grandmother once told me this story, and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.'

It was my favorite part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with substance!' So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in my hand and I want them to wonder 'What's with the fork?' Then I want you to tell them: 'Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.'

The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was coming.
At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, 'What's with the fork?' And o over and over he smiled. During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was right.

So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come.

My Baby Sister Married!?

Stephanie Opal and Travis Mark Partridge were married on Aug 2nd.

We are SO proud of them. They are working towards going to the Temple next year-We know you will make it!

Other than the wind the Ceremony went perfectly.

It was a gorgeous wedding, Steph you did a awesome job with the colors, planning, etc-sorry I couldn't help like I wanted to.

We finally got a nice family photo of my entire family (my family aren't so big on getting their pictures taken). Next year we hope to have at least one more addition from Will and Anna (they are determined this year they are getting a baby-one way or another).

Isn't that the most hansome ringbearer (is that a word?) you have ever seen? He actually made me cry when he walked down the aisle, because I know that the day when he walks down the aisle to get married himself will be a day far too soon for me. I adore my little man and can't believe how fast he is growing up.

Elise adores her newest uncle, she liked him the first time she met him (when she was about one month old)-that's saying something for Elise. Lissy takes awhile to warm up to most people and she has strong opinions on who she likes and who she doesn't. The adoration goes two ways-Travis adores Lissy like his own daughter (he'd take her off my hands any day of the week).

We wish you the very best life together and just hope you'll remember it's the small moments that overwhelm you with joy that make all the hard times worth it.

The 24th of July & Mason's Birthday

On the 25th & 26th Our stake had a big celebration for Pioneer Days.


We had a great time. There was games, food, live music, and big fireworks. Mason's favorite was the bouncing tent and the slide. We got there too late to do the water stuff (we'll know for next year). Elise got scared when the first firework went off, but once Daddy had her she just sat there with her arms up, hands in fists, and little expression on her face-she's such a silly girl.

Mason had a great 4th birthday. He got to have a pool party with some friends

Mason started a gymnastic's class twice a week. At first he would have the teacher help him do everything, but with Mommie helping him at home he's starting to do the somersalts, cartwheels, jumps, etc by himself.

I just had to add these pictures-Lissy LOVES spegetti...and she loves makeing messes with it too! When she's finished eating she starts pulling her hair and putting lots of food in it. Daddy loves cleaning it up.

Lissy is now climbing stairs.

Elise loves to 'sing', though it sounds more like an annoying exotic bird.

Lissy's new favorite thing is to throw stuff out of her crib and then look for it.