A 5K for A Good Cause!

Last Saturday the kids and I participated in a 5K to benefit
Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance. Our good friends baby was diagnosed 6 weeks ago when he was born. He is their 7th child and his name is Nash....hence the "Team Nash" and number 7! We raised money for them to find a cure. It was such an incredible and fun experience. We joined many walkers along with their friends and family and walked! Thanks Merrills for letting us be a part of this.

The back of the shirts....

Getting ready to start the walk.

Anney loved the balloons, she didn't quite understand that the balloons were there to mark the course.

"team Nash!"

the Merrill Family

after the walk we got to play at the park, and Anney was in heaven!

WEEEEE! She calls the slides the wees!

Meg with her capri sun drink

Anney climbing up the rock wall to go down the slide

taylor hanging from the monkey bars

Travis and a friend walking.....

Meg pushing Taylor, shouldn't it be the other way around?

Wonderful Day!

Today and yesterday was general conference and it was incredible like always. I enjoyed every bit of it, and I feel like my testimony has been strengthened even more. I am so grateful that we have a true and living prophet who leads and guides us and speaks to us. All the speakers were so good and my kids were incredibly well behaved. They sat and listened so well, I think travis got so much out of conference. Today at dinner he was talking to my dad and grandparents about the speakers and what they talked about. I couldn't believe how much he remembered. I always make my kids sit and listen to the morning session and then the afternoon I make them watch it but they can bring a blanket or pillow and lie down. I always have high hopes that they will fall asleep so I can watch in peace and they never do, but today they actually did! The three girls were crashed and Travis just sat and watched conference. We had a great day and I know the spirit was in our home as we listened to the words of our leaders. After conference we enjoyed a great dinner with my parents and grandparents at our house.


Travis taking notes.....

taylor crashed!

Megan slept for 3 hours!

he is growing up so fast!

12 YEARS Of PURE BLISS!

I know some of you are probably laughing at my title, but I would be lying if I didn't say these past 12 years have been pure bliss! Today is our 12th Anniversary and I couldn't be happier with the man I chose to marry and be the father of my children. He is the greatest thing ever, we are so happy and so in love! Here are some recent fun pictures!

We went to Chicago last year for our anniversary....this was taken in front of Wrigley Field.



Part of our trip included Miller Park in Milwaukee!

This is at a Chicago White Sox Game. We went to 3 different stadiums in 3 days! Some think we are crazy, but it really is our favorite thing to do. We joke and say we want to of visited all of the baseball stadiums before we die! We've actually seen most of the West Coast ....we just need to hit the East Coast. We are hoping New York is our next trip!

Randy and I participated in the Ragnar Relay. Along with 12 others we ran from Prescott to Phoenix. (204 miles!) We had a great time training together and being with each other. Randy has continued to keep running, and me not so much!

We have 4 beautiful children together and I am so grateful for the wonderful father he is to our kids, he is their best friend!

Thanks babe for 12 wonderful years, you are the best and I love you!

Here are 12 things I love about him:

1. He is my best friend

2. Our Date nights.....we've always been so good about weekly sometimes twice a week date nights)

3. Vacations together....we go somewhere at LEAST 4 times a year.......our next one is HAWAII!

4. His ability to fix anything and build anything.....

5. Watching and going to Baseball games together..

6. He works so hard to provide for our family.

7. His ability to teach me and our children the gospel...

8. His example of Christ Like Service

9. His SMILE

10. His CALFS and ARMS!

11. His ability to never give up....once he committs to something, he gives 110%

12. The last 12 years.......thanks babe for everything...I love you!

Planting and Receiving Flowers!

my sweet hunny sent me flowers for my anniversary! 12 years tomorrow! The card said Happy Anniversary. I love you. Love Randy. Well travis looks at it for a few minutes and says, "mom, who sent you these flowers?" He couldn't figure it out. I've been teasing him all night about it!

Beautiful Flowers that smell so good!

I spent my afternoon planting some new flowers, trimming some older ones and weeding the flower bed. They look so pretty now!

Good Luck Elder Tate!

Our family (minus our daddy) with Elder TATE!


Bill and Julie and their family

I don't' know what we were laughing about but something sure was funny. I love anney and megan's expressions!

Rob and Jen and their kids

Tommy and Anney.

Grandpa and Grandma with the first grandson entering the mission field!

The whole gang!

Bye Bye grandpa, thanks for everything!

Anney ran up to Daniel and said Bye Bye Daniel as she was patting him on the back. It was so stinkin cute.

Travis (with a black eye from baseball) and Daniel.

Taylor KNEW Aunt Shari needed a hug! Taylor is always good for a hug, she's awesome!

One last hug from the crying girls! I think they will be okay!

Good Luck Elder Tate and we will see you in 2 years!

Cousin Daniel's Setting Apart

Last Night was Daniel's setting apart. It was really good......I have no doubt he will be an incredible missionary, he is so ready to go. Pres. Thornock gave him a great blessing and explained the "mantel" as missionary wears for the next two years. I know my kids listened quite a bit and were really impressed. We are excited for Daniel and his family these next two years. Good Luck Daniel!

Zack, shari, daniel and Sean

Oh these girls are so cute! They are so tender hearted and will miss Daniel so much. They were pretty emotional and they love him so much. I'm sure he will get lots of pictures and nice letters from them!

Daniel and President Thornock

We called this the "crying couch" These girls cried so hard the whole night. At one point my Brother In Law had to come tell them that it is "OKAY" Daniel is NOT DYING and you will see him again. "this is supposed to be a happy thing not a sad thing!" Poor things. You'll notice Taylor is fine. She told me "mom, I"m so used to my uncles leaving on their missions and I know Daniel will be happy and have a fun time!" guess me having three brothers serve missions in the last 7 years has helped!

Happy Boy ready to serve!

cousin Ashlee and Anney