still updating- Joseph's mission farewell

Well first of all this is probably the best family picture we have ever had taken....thanks Krystalyn!!  Well Joseph, the baby of the family had his mission farewell in September and then off to the M.T.C.  This was so hard for me because Joseph had become such a good friend to me since Dan died.  I am really going to miss our midnight runs to Taco Bell and our Rock Band jam sessions...although since he left I have saved alot of money on food since I am now on a diet and have lost weight since cutting out the soda as well.  I know Joseph  will be a great Missionary. 

Joseph ended up having some physical problems in the M.T.C, making him have to be there two weeks beyond the time orginally scheduled.  He had some problems with his legs...inflamation and then internal bleeding, but I think it was good for him because he learned just how much he really wanted to do this.  Ironically he ended up leaving for Canada on the two year mark of Dan's death.  Joseph has had a strange link to Dan ever since the day he died.  This may seem REALLY strange, but he actually heard Dan scream the night of the death and he has seen him several times since.

Joseph has been out for about a month now and is loving it.  There has been some trying things happen, but they are dealing with them as they come.  They have closed the mission right next to them so they are pretty much very secluded where they are.  I would imagine the holidays will be hard for him but he will get through it just fine.

More Updates-Shelby's Birthday and Back to School

Ok so now I am up to August...moving right along!  Shelby turned ten this year...holy smokes do kids grow up fast.  We decided to go up to Park City for a few days and hang out with Uncle Joe...we got to go swimming and go the Olympic Park and watch the athletes train...it was alot of fun.  We also took a nice long drive through Provo Canyon and stopped at one of our favorite places: Bridal Veil Falls...so wonderfull there...Mark took us there last year so we were able to feel like he was a part of Shelby's birthday where he is so far away.  We went to downtown Park City where they were having the arts festival and the girls sat on the same bench that Mark and I had sat on last year and we took their picture.  Its interesting to see the change in Shelby she has made over the last year.  Because of them loosing their dad they have had to grow up a little bit faster but I think considering it all they are doing very well.

We also started the new school year..Shelby in fifth grade and Shaylee in third grade.  The girls both love school, which is so good.  We all aggree summer is way to long and the kids get boerd and are ready to go back.  The funny thing is I took the girls back to school shopping and I didnt even realize it but they picked out the exact same shirt...funny!

Well Shaylee my baby turned 8 on the fourth of July this year and I am very proud to say she chose to be baptized.  My dad "Grandpa Bruce" did the honors and then Unlce Jo Jo was able to do the confirmation.  Jackie and her kids were able to be here during that time and spend some time here with us.  We got to go to Antelope Island, learn how to ride bikes, see Cousin Connie and Uncle Bill and go and see Dispicable Me.  I am so glad that we are all so close and get to hang out together with our kids.  Mary made the BEST cupcakes ever...yummy!  The only ones we miss not having around is Adam, Stacie and Chrisitan....but soon enough they will be here for a short time as well.

Updates- part one-the cruise & Oregon

Ok so I know it has been a long time when I am writting about things that happened in May...my bad!!! Ok so Mark and I went on a cruise to the eastern carribean and it was so beautifull! We went to the bahamas, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk. Grand Turk was somewhat of a dive due to damage from hurricanes that they have yet to recover from. The islands were beautifull and the time alone was much needed. We left out of Miami, which is somewhere I had never been before so that was fun to get to see as well. I knew that once we got home from the cruise that Mark would be leaving for 3 years within 6 weeks and that I was not ready for at all so I had a sense of sadness but we got through it.

Next, we went to Oregon....one of the most wonderfull places on this earth. The girls got to meet Marks family and we had so much fun! So many kids for them to get to play with! They still talk about hiking with Jeff and Julies family as well as rock band with Tami and their kids and then going to farmers market with Lauri and her kids. We didnt get to see much of Lisa and family because they were gone to a family reunion...next time for sure! We got to go and visit with Marks grandparents on his moms side as well, I just love them! My grandparents have been gone for so long and I miss them so much so to be around them is so great. They welcome you in as if you are family...makes me miss my grandparents alot. Then it was time to say goodbye to everyone and head back to boise and say our goodbyes to Mark. Thank you Barbers for making us feel so welcome, we had so much fun and cant wait to come and visit again next summer...we love you all!!! As I have learned in life goodbyes are hard and I really dont like them but I should be used to them by now cause we have them so often with mark. But for now on I think we will just say see you later. But we survived another tearfull see you soon and I cried the whole way back to Utah.

He is finally home!!!

Ok after a very long six and a half months Mark finally made it home. The last week my nerves have been shot. Everytime I heard from Mark his flight had been pushed back due to the volcano. Finally he got to the United States and then missed his flight from Baltimore to Boise....but finally late last night he got in...yea!!!! Shaylee was doing her "happy dance" up and down the aisles in the waiting room and everyone was being entertained it was really cute. When they saw him coming they both started running towards him and the picture up above was the end result: the Shaylee sandwich....sooo cute!

Spring

Well it's Finally here: Mark is coming home (given this stupid volcano cooperates). I have so many feelings going into this week: excited, nervous, totall butterflies! We have been waiting sooo long for this. The girls made a countdown and it hangs on our wall and they pull one of everyday leading up to what the girls call "Mark Day". What I realize through all this is that it's not just me that have fallen in love with this man the girls have to and for them to open up their little hearts is so exciting. WE LOVE HIM!!!

The weather has finally changed and is warm and we LOVE it! We got to go to the park today and it was so nice....I even took a nap in the swing out back today. Let's all pray that Mark can make it home safe this week despite the volcano.