Family Heritage...and more!

(This is me in the dress in 1984)

This is the dress, the dress that has been in our family for 10 generations and is 126 years old.  I thought my Grandmother Sharon made it, but found out it's true history after making that mistake on my blog.  My grandmother added new lace to the bottom of the dress and the slip due to the fact that the old lace was falling apart. The slip as you can see from the picture, has a family tree stitched in of the generations who have worn it.

 You can see my little family's branches right here it this picture with little miss Adelle's name added not to long ago.  Now some of you maybe wondering, do the boys wear the dress too?  Originally yes, but that wasn't uncommon.  As it has become different in society today, my Grandmother Sharon has made a little boys tuxedo that the little boys wear, but their names are added too, because they would have worn it if it wasn't so weird to see a boy in a dress.

Well, this last week was blessing week for our family.  We were so lucky to have two blessings back to back so my parents could be at both!  Jen and Covey's little miss Ella was first.  She was blessed on Sunday, May 22.  She was so beautiful in the dress, and Covey did a wonderful job at being so calm with his very first baby blessing.  We were so glad to be there.

(baby ella)

We were lucky enough to get permission from our bishop to do Adelle's blessing on a Tuesday.  Randy and Sue were in Cuba with the Young Ambassadors.  They got off the plane and drove to our house for the blessing.  It was perfect timing!  Unfortunately none of our brothers or brothers in law could make it so it was a very small circle and group.  I would have LOVED to have Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins there, but it seems the church is encouraging smaller groups for these ordinances so we went with immediate family only. (In case some of you are wondering how you missed it--we missed you!)

 (Those in the blessing left to right: Bishop Babcock, Grandpa Bradshaw, Daddy, and Pa Pa Boothe)

 (Some of Addie's Priesthood Heritage)

I feel so blessed to have a family here on earth and to have such rich traditions surrounding it.  It's wonderful to have things, like a dress, to remind us that we are all part of a heritage here on earth.  I am grateful to have such a wonderful heritage on both sides of my family, and both sides of Ross's family.  Thinking on this turned my mind towards people I know who might feel they are in a different boat. Whether we are in the middle of rerooting our heritage, or building upon a firm heritage, it doesn't matter.  What truly matters is the fact that we are all part of a divine heritage that has been, and will be for all eternity.  That is the family heritage that I am truly grateful to be a part of, and to be adding to with these little ones.

Here is the AND MORE...

First I have to write this funny story:

We have been trying to teach Ethan how to ask for things with words instead of wine for them.  For example "Mommy, can I have some crackers?" or "Mommy, can I have a drink?"

This was his latest:

Ethan: "Mommy,"

Me: "Yes?"

Ethan: "Can I have Christmas?"

Me: "You can!  In December..."

Kids say the darnedest things.

We took Ethan on an adventure today.  We were going to bring Addie with us, but she has an ear infection so she went to hang out with Nana and Papa.  Ethan was so excited to take an adventure with Mommy and Daddy, but even more excited when he saw where we were going...

We went to the Heber Valley's Day out with Thomas.  I had called and they said they had a lot of open spots for the 1:30 train, but when we got there they were sold out until 3:45.  Ethan was already in the middle of nap time, so we decided to just take some pictures and pick out a prize from the gift shop, and actually, I think it was the better way to go.  He LOVED it!

 (I could not get him to look away from the train!  This was his best picture looking at the camera)

(Sir Topham Hat was there too)

(This is why we did not wait until 3:45!)

 (Blowing his Thomas Train Whistle)

 (cool wooden train cars at the station)

We got a flat tire on the way home so when we stopped to change it we had a little fun in the parking lot.

 (Pointing out a bird he wanted to see)

( Daddy takes him to see the bird)

 (Bird flies away, let's wrestle)

 (So fun with Daddy)

(Time for a nap)

Weeks Fly When We Are Having FUN!!!

So much has happened in the last couple of weeks, that I can't believe we are already to the middle of May.    On May 7th we did the Susan G. Comen Race for the Cure.  We do it to celebrate Ross's Mother, Sue, and her survival of cancer, and to remember Ross's Grandmother, Elaine, who lost her battle to cancer.  This is truly becoming one of my favorite traditions of the year. 

( The whole gang.  Team Care2cure.)

 (Signs that Ross's Aunt Lecia made.)

 (We passed this on the walk and I loved it.)

                                                 (Ross's cousin Landon)              

 (Diane and Janalee)

 (Sharing surviving stories with strangers, although when you have been through the same thing, somehow you are not strangers.  This women had it at 18, 25, and 48 years old.)

 (Mark and Erin)

 (Walking with Nanna)

 (Look how many people!)

 (Love that Ethan Boy, even with a finger in the nose.  Yes we are to that age.)

    (Our cousin's little boy Nash, such a stud) 

 (Javi, who ran it twice-once for Sue and once for his mom, and Mark)

 (Riding on Daddy's Shoulders)                  (We Love Aunt Annie)

 (Adelle: Pretty in Pink)

 (We are so proud of our survivor!)

That next week I flew to Arizona so my family down there could meet Addie.  It was super fun, and I have to admit it was very nice to escape the cold for a few days.  We did, however, miss our Daddy .

(Addie sees Grandma again)

(Addie's coos-  aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh      ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhh        ooooooooooooooooo)

(Addie meets Grandpa-it was love at first sight)

(Addie meets Grandma and Grandpa Bradshaw)

(Addie meets Grandmother Sharon)

(We had to go swimming.  Ethan LOVES the pool)

(Addie in her swim suit)

(Loves the water)

(Ethan LOVES the trampoline)

(Shea)

 While we were there, I got to go and see Brik and Ashley, who are on their way to move to Hawaii.  They stopped in Arizona for awhile because they just had their new baby girl Emery.  She is so precious, and looks so much like her daddy.  I just couldn't believe the luck that we got to cross paths, because it is going to be a while before I will be able to see them.  They are such great friends and we love them so much.

(The girls loungin around)

(The boys hard at play)

(Look at that smile on Trey)

(Baby Emery)

 I also happened to be there for Baylie's dance recital and couldn't help but do a little photo shoot of her in her costume.
  

My cousin Kirsten and her husband Sam had their baby right before I came down so I did a photo shoot of her kids, and my other cousin Eric and his wife Des and their kids.  It was super fun, and SOOOO great to see their families.  I also got to see my aunt Donna and Uncle Lauren.  They live in Florida so I  rarely see them.  Anyway, here are some pics.

Kirsten and Sam's Kids

 (Kaden)

Eric and Desiree's kids 

Baby Laney!  So cute!

(The blessing dress my Grandmother Sharon made that all of our family wears)         (Liam)

 (Kale)

(Has those brothers wrapped around her finger)

 (Best Buddies)

(Grandma and Grandpa Fields and their grandkids)

We left back to Utah on my Dad's Birthday.  He is such an amazing Father, Grandfather, and Man.  I am super lucky to have him in my life.  I love you Dad.