Together Again

After six very long months, the girls got to see Jordan again! Although Jason and I have visited Jordan, this was the first time since January 1 that the girls had seen (other than pictures) or talked to Jordan. I don't know who was more excited, Jordan or the girls.

I was admittedly nervous to see how our day together would unfold since so much time had passed, and since the kids hadn't gotten along so great before Jordan left for Utah. I needn't have worried, because not only did the kids get along better than they ever had, they actually LIKE eachother!

We spent our time off campus at Quail Creek (since Sand Hollow had swimmers itch). I lost count of how many times Jordan said, "This is such a great day." He was right, it WAS a great day.

I had more glimpses on our two-day visit of what an eternal family can be than I ever imagined. One of my favorite pictures from the weekend is of all the kids running off the end of the dock. I love the picture for so many reasons. First, they are holding hands. Second, they are doing something together. Third, they are truly happy. The picture is kind of a metaphor--they are running off into something deep, cold, and kind of unknown, but as long as they are together and happy, it doesn't matter--all is well.

New Years

As many of you know, our 2009 Holidays were pretty rough, to say the least. I just wanted to post a few pictures to show that, as of New Years 2010, our family is doing better every day. We rang in the New Year with Grandma and Grandpa Pulsipher, and Uncle Dave and Aunt Bobo's family in St. George. It was a welcome break with loved ones.

Kacey's Back!

After her first road trip without us, Kacey is finally home! She spent a week in California at a swimming meet (with just a little extra time for Magic Mountain, of course). Every day Kami commented on how much she missed Kacey, and when exactly Kacey would return home. Kami asked constantly if she could call her big sister.

The best part of Kacey's return was what she brought with her--a cooler full of Chick-Fil-A chicken! My mother-on-law knows how much I love Chick-Fil-A and that we don't have one in Vegas, so she bought a ton of nuggets, carefully packed them in dry ice, and sent them home with Kacey! It made doing all of Kacey's dirty laundry and cleaning out her cooler worth it!

My Awesome Sister

Last week was crazy busy! The best part of the whole week was when my sister and her family visited from St. Louis. THEY DROVE!!! She must really love me...


I love that Kennadi and Sophie are such good friends, and the Maddie and Kami could hardly get enough of each other. I love that Ryan fits himself in wherever the girls will let him! His personality is so refreshing, and he never fails to put a smile on my face.



PJ (I insist on that being my nickname for him even though everyone else calls him Phillip) was especially fun this trip because he can really communicate. I forgive him for calling me "Uncle Sissy." I got to the point where I could even understand him through his binky. My favorite part about Phillip is that when he is tired, he curls the hair on the top of his head around his finger.



I'm so grateful my sister wanted to spend her birthday here. We had so much fun going to see Steve Wyrick (an awesome magician) and eating at an old-time Vegas Italian joint. Jason and Dave managed to keep us laughing.


We played "Cities and Knights" (not the benevolent kind, Nenn) which I don't think I won once. I'm going back to playing with Kami and Kennadi so I can win once in awhile!


Even though it took Bobo and Dave something like two days longer to get home than they planned, I know they'll make the drive again! I miss you already, Bobo!

Snow in Vegas!

We heard a "winter avisory" on the radio this morning and braced ourselves for the usual Vegas storm of cold rain. What a fun surprise when REAL snow fell! The girls talked all morning about playing in the snow as I sipped my hot chocolate and explained that the snow wouldn't "stick" because, after all, we're not in Utah anymore. Not the least bit discouraged, Kami and Kennadi dragged out the dusty winter box from the garage and proceeded to dress themselves as if they were planning a ski trip.

Here I am on my third cup of hot cocoa and, sure enough, the girls are enjoying every flake of snow that is indeed sticking. I braved the cold long enough to take a few pictures so as to share this winter miracle with you!

Little Miss Livvy

My sister, Nenn (aka Jen), had her fifth baby on November 13. My other sister and I had our tickets purchased and everything in place to be there for the blessed event...which was supposed to happen the following week! As soon as we received the call that Nenn's water broke, Kennadi, Kami and I packed up our stuff and hit the road. Sweet Livvy didn't wait for us to get there, but we hardly noticed the 5 1/2 hour car ride because we were so excited to meet her! I remember thinking for much of the car ride that a sweet little angel was at that very moment saying her "see you laters" to friends and loved ones in heaven. The photographer that took this picture is so talented! You can see more of Livvy on her blog: http://onthetreetopphoto.blogspot.com/2008/12/little-miss-livvy-12-days-newborn.html.

Girls Night Out with The Jonas Brothers

We surprised Kennadi with an early birthday present last Saturday--tickets to the Jonas Brothers concert. I underestimated the power of thousands of screaming girls and neglected to bring earplugs. Despite the three hour fest (which included two opening bands), the ringing in my ears that finally quit sometime yesterday afternoon, and the hour spent trying to escape the parking garage afterward, we had a great time! REALLY! We passed on the $35 t-shirts and $6 cotton candy because it was more fun using our binoculars (which we fortunately had the forsight to bring since they would have been another $10 to rent...) to scan the MGM Garden Arena for several of Kennadi's friends.

My favorite song was "Love Bug"--go download it!

A Good Read

As part of homeschool, we read the scriptures together every morning. It is one of Jovie's (our cocker spaniel) favorite times of the day. Like clockwork, Jovie races up to wherever Kennadi has perched and snuggles in as close as she can and settles in for a good read...

WISDOM...

...teeth. Kacey went in to have her wisdom teeth pulled yesterday. After nearly two hours of pulling, tugging, sweating and swearing the Dr. finally got ONE tooth out. Kacey was awake the entire time! The Dr. said it was the hardest one he had ever tried to get out. Needless to say, after the workout, the Dr. rescheduled for another time to get the other three out--with anesthesia.

Cheese!

My very talented and patient friend, Brittney Dye, spent hours with us last weekend in an attempt to capture the essence of our family... It only took 252 photos!!! Here are a few of my favorites: