Thursday with Family.

It's Thursday and that means we got together with family today {we've been doing it all month because SF Quinn's are intown}.

Everybody loves uncle Nate - especially when he has just flown in from a foreign country with treats for everyone.

This time he is just coming back from Brazil and he brought these treats that were a favorite of his on his mission.

We also did a little celebration for Jean's 5th birthday.

These two are best buddies.

Easter bunny cake for the celebration.

I meant to take pictures of all the families, but I only ended up taking pictures of the SF Quinn's.

Taggart Quinn

I think he is cute!

Just chilin' mom.

Until I decided to get mad ... and this kid has a set of lungs!

What a cute family - I am so glad we got to spend so much time together this month.

Nate, Lauren and Tagg.

One Month.

I took Pete in for a one month check up today, we are keeping a close eye on him {as in going to the doctors once a week} since he hasn't been gaining weight.

but

today I am happy to report that he has surpassed his birth weight {whoot, whoot} and is now 6 pounds 9 ounces.  

Good job mama, and Pete.

Visitor Day.

Today for the letter "V" Truman had visitor day at preschool.  He invited grandma Lynn.

They made this cute vase full of violets together with their finger prints.  Thanks grandma.

Book Club.

I missed my monthly book club on Saturday because of my trip to Idaho.  This month we read My Story by Elizabeth Smart.  I was really bummed I didn't get to discuss it with my friends - after reading it I had so many questions and was curious what everyone else thought of the book.  

My mom had read the book and recommended it to me so on our drive up to Idaho we talked about it - then once I got to Idaho my aunt and cousin and I all sat around and talked about it, so I guess in a way I still had my own little 'discussion group' about it.

It is a very interesting story.  I was on my mission when she was found so I didn't see or hear any of the stuff swirling around in the media about her ordeal - my mission president did give us an article about it to read just so we knew the basics of what was going on.

I found there were some great lessons to be learned from Elizabeth and her strength, she is pretty remarkable.  It seems like this book could really help others who are trying to overcome life's large obstacles.

 Next we are reading Blackmoore by Julianne Donaldson.

I also recently got together one night with some of the girls from our book club and watched The Book Theif - which we read last month.

Good Movie - I highly recommend it.

Sister Trent.

Another reason for our quick trip to Idaho was to see this cute cousin of mine speak in church - she is leaving on a mission to Wisconsin!

Sister Trent.

Follow her blog HERE

The Trent Family

{minus Abe who couldn't be there}

These nieces and nephews are going to miss their Aunt Anne.

Future missionary boys.

The family.

Jake, Joel, Ilene

Molly, Anne and Lindsey

Jake and his sisters.

 The proud parents ...

... who aren't excited at all :)

 Molly and Liam

 This was the pose he gave me when I asked him to smile for his picture!  So funny.

 Liam.

 Sawyer.

 Alaura.

 Dallin.

 Crew.

 Mackenzie.

 From one return missionary to a future missionary, there is no doubt in my mind that you are going to be great.  I am so excited for you Anne and the things you will learn.  Wisconsin is lucky to get you.

{Thanks Trent family for letting me take your pictures!  I had fun}

Road Trip.

This weekend my mom and I and Pete are road tripping to Idaho for a really quick visit.

I wanted my grandpa and grandma Quinn to meet Pete.

Pete's great grandpa and grandma Quinn.

 4 generation picture ... without my dad!
My dad was planning to be with us but woke up sick so he stayed back in Utah in bed.

 While I was at my grandparents house I took pictures of their basement for the memories, just going down there brings back SO many childhood memories.

My grandma also let me choose something from her china cabinet to have.  I chose a big crystal candy dish with gold accents.  It was my grandpa Quinn's mothers, Clara Quinn {my great grandma Quinn}.

I also spoke dibs on some furniture items and books from my grandparents basement!  I am excited to have some memories from their house in my own home.

Brothers.

Everyone wants some bedtime snuggles.

Bodie and Pete.

Truman and Pete.

Family.

We have been getting together at my house on Thursday for some family time - and crafting!  Nathan and Lauren are in town for a month long extended stay and today my grandparents stopped on their way from St. George back to Idaho Falls.  They wanted to meet all the new boys in the family.

My mom with her dad and little Pete.

Grandma Arave reading to her great granddaughter Anna.

My mom and Tagg.

Grandpa Arave and his great grandson Pete.

My mom with her mom.

Bodie and his great grandmother.

My mom and I decided to introduce Nelson to Cheerios.  We had a great laugh and loved these pictures of his reaction!

"mmm..."

"eww ... what is this thing"

All better ... until I put another one in is mouth!

The older cousins made a HUGE treasure hunt for the little kids - they were hunting all over the house inside and out!

Grandma and Pete.

Tagg

Lauren, Tagg and grandma.

{Nate flew in later from Korea}.

I kept looking out the window to see this, cousins playing, love it!

Taggart Quinn

His cute smile!

Nelson Hopkinson

Nelson Hopkinson {6 months} and Taggart Quinn {7 weeks}

He just might be a football player some day, and then Tiff will thank me for this picture!

Pete {the runt, 3 weeks} and Tagg {7 weeks}.

The three amigos!

Pete, Tagg and Nelson

{it looks like Tagg is about to get really mad!}

Nope, just Pete - Tagg was pulling his hair!

They are so cute with their animal binkies.

Then we took away their favorite binkies and tried to make them suck these stash binkies ... they were not to happy about that!

Pete does not like to be cold - I usually have him wrapped in three blankets.  He takes the best afternoon nap right here on the sofa in the sun almost every afternoon.  Today he slept here forever!

Anna asked if I would take her picture.

After straightening her dress she said, "make sure you get my dress in the picture"

Love her!

 Grandma heaven right here - just chilling with two babies in hand!

I know this isn't the greatest photo but I LOVE it - Pete's hair is getting better and better everyday.