Finally a Little UPDATE!

Rian and Ambra are just having a little fun at the COC (Community of Christ, formerly known as the Reorganized Churh of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. They had to drop anything with reference to the Mormon Church in order to be a part of the Christian Coalition--something like that) Try putting 5 kids in the back of a Camry! We made a little mistake when renting our car! Forgot we were actually taking Josh back with us to St. Louis! We drove from Fort Leonard Wood to St. Louis like this! Only 2 hours of throwing Michal on the floor when we saw MHP!
Thought this would interest some. This is the Temple of the COC! Directly across the street is the Visitors Center for the LDS Church. This is located in Independence, MO. All I can say is the Spirit felt in the VC of the LDS Church was very STRONG! My little Ambra is standing on the stairs that were stormed by the Mob at Carthage...WOW! I can hardly express in words the feelings that were felt here. My testimony of Joseph Smith is stronger than ever. The power that was felt here in undeniable. Undeniable.... Little Michal is standing on sacred ground. This is where Joseph, Hyrum, Emma, Lucy Mack, and Joseph Sr. are buried, along with other members of the Smith Family! Ambra and I were having a little fun in Nauvoo. We were at a cemetery in Nauvoo where Bishop Partridge is buried along with many other Saints. It was extremely cold that night. When the wind blows up from the Mississippi River cuts through to the bone!

Mikey went Trick-Or-Treating in Old Town St. Louis! It was so much fun! We walked the cobbled streets with all the other goblins! People would stop Josh and thank him for his service in the Military. It was really touching. Of course I cried! Come on. What else would you expect from me!

When we went to Adam-ondi-Ahman it was beautiful, but a little terrifying to. At first we saw a few Lady Bugs and thought "Oh! How cute they are!" until we realized that there were thousands of them and they were all over us! I think we even brought some home with us!!

Rian made us stop in the middle of no where so we could get this awesome picture of the very large steer! We were somewhere in Missouri!

When we saw the soldiers for the first time we had a really hard time finding Josh. They all had the same hair cut! The only ones we knew for sure weren't him were the darker skinned ones and the ones with the Birth Control Glasses! He is to the right on the second row! I loved the ceremony! It gave me chills. I thought a lot of the Army of Helaman. Though there are Wars with weapons and explosives, so there is the War with the Adversary...

Michal would not let Josh put her down once we found him! She was in just about every picture! I think she missed her Big Brother...

I can hardly talk and walk at the same time let alone try and post blogs and actually make them cool! JOEY! Where are you when I need you! I worked on a delightful "updated" blog for over an hour last night and, well, it is lost in Blog Space somewhere!

We went to Missouri to get Josh from Boot Camp at Fort Leonard Wood and decided we just had to go to Nauvoo. It was too close for us not to go. It was an amazing trip! My son came home from Boot Camp and then took off again to IL to see Battle Buddies and do whatever 18 yr old boys do... I seriously do not want to know Everything. But I always seem to find out!

My baby girl turns 16 this week! I can hardly believe it! Rian is an amazing young woman! We are going to play Pin the Tail on the Donkey and play Duck-Duck-Goose! She has planned it all.

We just got this pic of Joshua! He said he sent one to his family, but I don't believe him! Thank goodness for Hayleigh! She sent this to me on my phone and hopefully we will get "Ours" soon! We will share as soon as we do! He is almost finished with "Blue Phase". For those of you who don't know what that is it means he is almost done with Boot Camp and then he will begin his MOS training--military job. We are really proud of Joshie! Just want to cry a little bit!! We all miss him!

The Mikester!

Oh the Joy! Mikey took dance last winter and she LOVED it! All the curly hair is a wig! Mikey loved it so much she begged to wear it to church. I let her of course. Some lady thought I was just awesome for spending sooo much time on her hair!!

Mikey taught herself to ride her two-wheeler and every day we ride our bikes to school! She is in the first grade and loves it! So do I!! Ha, ha!

















Daddy's little Girl! We just loved her toothless smile! This girl can really dance, too!!

This is Mike's BFF! They love playing together and creating all sorts of things! Believe me, these two are going to go far!!

Joshie Graduates

Joshua Graduated! We were all doing the Happy Dance! He had nine "packets" to do in a matter of 6 weeks! But he did it and we all breathed a sigh of relief! Notice his attire for graduation! One of his teachers told him this wasn't the Village People Reunion! He is giving his "I'm too sexy for my cut off jeans" look with G&G Broadhead. And I think Grandpa Cranney is asking for fashion tips!

Michal couln't get enough hugs from her big brother.

He is now at Boot Camp in Fort Leonardwood, Missouri! He loves it! But, he hates the humidity! He said he will taked 100 degrees and dry over 70 and sweating profusely with the first step out the door! We are really proud of him and his decision to join the Army Utah National Gaurd! Soon he will be learning to blow up and rebuild bridges! That's good, because apparently he is really bad at the shooting! It doesn't matter which hand he uses! You wouldn't want him on the front lines!!! He will return the first of November.

Our Little Summer Trip

We took a little trip to San Diego this summer! Scott had to go for an Attorney's convention! WE Went to the BEACH! Rian was standing on an unstable hillside! You can see her fear!

Now we are all standing on the edge of the unstable hillside and Todd is taking our picture! This was our first day in SD!! It was great to see the ocean!

Ambra is toasting herself on the beach and in the background Rian is watching the waves!

We spent most of the time on the Beach boogie boarding! It was a Blast! When Scott was able to join us he took to the water like a true California Boy! Except he's much whiter these days!

My baby bro, Todd lives there now and he spent as much time as his busy schedule allowed! It was great spend time with him.! We were with a couple of other attorney's and their families. The Hogan's trecked around with us! Laura (the mamma), Nick (3rd grade?), Kate (Mikey's BFF, Kindergarten), and Luke (8 mos).

We hooked up with Ty, Denice, Cameron, Jared, and Nick in SD! The boys were there for Youth Conference! Yah! They go to the Beach and we go to Settlement Canyon in Tooele! It was good to see our Nephews! Man they have grown up! As you can see they are all delighted to get their picture taken! Todd came over too and we all went out for ice-cream!

Some Happenings

Mikey in her favorite place to sleep! The Floor!

This is Ambra at her 6th Grade Graduation! She is Awesome! Now my baby is in Jr. High in Grantsville and she loves it! She spent a lot of time this summer at the Bridge in Stansbury. Jumping off of it! Terrifying!

Lizethe Pendelton has been RiRi's friend since they were 3! And look at them now!!! Haven't changed a lot! We had fun shopping that day at WalMart! Some guy asked them if they were too old for that. Rian sweetly replied, "You're never too old to have fun!"

Ambi Bambi graduated from Dare and they loved the Essay she wrote. Only one person was picked from each class to read their essay! It hit home with Ambra and it was an awesome essay!