Finley's: May 2009

Friday, May 29, 2009

The Move

The Monday back from Utah started our next journey...

packing to move out of the short lived small condo to a house.

Thankfully most everything was already packed and in storage,

just being way over tired from my trip, having the condo empty and clean by Wednesday was going to be a big chore. It came too quick!

Everything of course went well.

We are excited to be back to a house, have all of our own furniture, a place for the kids to really play and run, ride bikes. Even a park and a pool just down the street. Friends close by.

Just the hard part of leaving all of the Young Women and the girls I served with, starting in a new ward/Branch, giving in to reality that we have to stay in this school district.

But I know it will all be good and turn out alright.

Change is sometimes a good thing.

We had quite a few unwelcome guests in and around our home upon moving in...

This being one of them.

And of course Alyssa found it early in the morning while Justin was at work.

So I got a big 2x4 from the garage and the bug killer spray and whacked it hard and drenched it.

It's creepy.

Then there is the other outsiders we get to watch and play with...

We kept this one for a day. It's always fun to just find a turtle hanging out in your back yard.

We fed it some cranberries and blackberries.

A Lined snake living by our AC unit. It's harmless besides it's foul smell it lets off.

As the kids explore and are thoroughly enjoying the outside play time, the house is very slowly coming together... If only the unpacking and organizing etc... can be done as fast as the packing.

Dad's 70th, Temple Square

Happy 70th Dad!

This is kind of surreal that my dad can actually be that old?

I don't see him as that age. It's crazy how time goes by!

My mom was so great at planning a surprise party for him Saturday night.

He had no clue. He just thought that us girls were here for Women's conference.

He actually made comments about Dan being the only one that wasn't there and kept saying he should call him to see if he could some how be there.

Little did he know, he showed up Saturday afternoon.

Dad was so happy to see him. I think he just enjoys seeing all of his family together.

This was such a great night spent together.

I had asked a lot of questions earlier about things I never knew about him.

It was so fun to hear new stories.

Then everyone shared memories they have had about him.

Liz made an amazing video from pictures she has of him from a baby up until now.

We had a good time and lots of laughs.

I believe there were really 70 candles on that cake! And he blew them all out!

I think this is temple square at it's best in the Spring.

It is always gorgeous, but the spring flowers are just amazing.

We spent our Sunday morning here before Becca and I headed to the airport.

My almost not so little sis. The very much lack of sleep shows on us:).

Thanks for all of the memories, way too late nights, laughs, and everything!

It was a wonderful 3 days much needed!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Utah, visiting friends, family and activities

This was the best to have our entire family all together at once!

Flying to Utah

I love the view from the plane. You just don't get to see this very often.

(at least if your me)

I Finally got to meet my Niece!

It was so fun watching my little brother be a dad.

The little family

I was so sad I had just missed Lillie's blessing,

but was happy to still be able to say hi to everyone real quick.

Sleeping Ethan. He so perfect.

It was so wonderful to see Heather!

It was fun to visit at late hours of the night without interuptions from kids on both of our ends.

It's always good to talk with you.

The view of the Salt lake valley

and Heather and I attacking Mike.

Heather (blue shorts, gray shirt) practicing with ALL of the youth from

her stake for The Youth Temple Celebration broadcast May 29th & 30th

For the Oquirrh Mtn. Temple and Draper Temple.

This was so fun to watch.

Her stake is doing the charleston and will be

dressed up in clothes back when that dance was popular.

This huge gym was completely full of youth.

Dan and his cool video cam.

Women's Conference 2009

Thanks to my awesome sister Liz, my absolutely wonderful husband, and the few friends that helped with my children I was able to attend

BYU's Women's Conference

with my two older sisters and Mom.

It was a rare occasion to have us all there together because it just does not happen very often living in all separate directions.

I only attended Friday, but, it was wonderful and uplifting.

The theme for this year was:

In The Strength of The Lord

I love the beautiful mountains and miss them so much!

Liz, Me, Mom & Becca

You just expect to run into people you know with that big of a crowd, I didn't expect to see my cousin Sheri. It was good to see her.

The cute little ducklings that were everywhere.

The whole campus was just blooming with spring flowers, it was beautiful!

This was such a long day. But that was a good thing. It was good to hear great speakers such as Julie Beck, and L. Tom Perry and of course quite a few others, and have fun and laugh with just us girls.