Called To Serve

Today Grandma & Grandpa Banks are on their way to missouri

Specifically, Adam-ondi-ahman to serve a mission for 18 months.

I am sooooo proud of them and for the example they are setting for me & my family of serving a mission. It's a little bitter sweet being without them for 18 months but I know the sacrifice to worth it.

To send them off, last night we had dinner at Mom & Dad's

We sang Happy Birthday to Emily & Landon & Happy Farewell to Grandma & Grandpa.

I think, maybe, just maybe Katelyn & Mack liked the cake :)

One last group photo

Our little family with Grandma & Grandpa

(who knows maybe 1 more will be added to the group once they return)

The hardest part for me is thinking about my kids being w/out their great grandparents.

However, even though they may not quit understand everything about missions this is such a fun way to teach them about service & about the gospel.

Travel safely Grandma & Grandpa.

We love you!!!!!!!!

A little bit of this, A little bit of that

Yesterday we spent some time with Grandma & Grandpa Banks. They leave monday for their Mission to Missouri.

Of course we had to feed the ducks. This kids favorite thing to do with Grandma.

Mack actually fed them this time. Last time he wanted to keep the bread for himself and was not willing to share :)

Of course splashing in the pond is a MUST!

Then Grandma Nicoll came and as we were leaving she found a duck egg and Katelyn was thrilled.

After Mack's nap we dropped Katelyn off at Brig & Em's to go see Tangled (more on that another day) and we ran some errands.

We ran to Homedepot and Mack thought he was the coolest kid around walking in such a manly store with his Daddy.

I love these new cheesy smiles he gives me when i get the camera out :)

Scott had a little fun with the cheesy smiles too :)

Lots of puppy playing took place that evening.

DID I MENTION WE ARE TAKING OFFERS

GO AHEAD, THROW ONE OUT THERE:)

Mack is learning how to run away from the puppies, but eventually they win and he is tackled to the ground yelling for help.

So i put him up on the slide and the puppies still tried to get at him.

Shower demo has begun & oh what a mess!

I hate living in a construction zone.

Last night:

This morning:

Night came & I gave shots to all the puppies.

What an event!

Thanks to Brig & Em for helping to keep them all separated.

To end the night, Cami & Ammon came over so Scott & I could go on a "date"/errand to Walmart to pick up birthday presents for the next day's events.

Oh can I just b honest and say that I am so tired of life. I wish it was always easy, and that I always had my head on straight, and wasn't clumsy in my daily routine. It's sure makes things that much harder when i feel like I can't functions correctly :(

Sometimes I just wish we lived in the middle of nowhere, naked, ate with our hands and peed in the dirt. Sounds like a whole lot easier than reality.

Annual Banks Family Talent Show

Last night all the Banks family got together to show off our talents.

Here was Katelyn's...

Isn't she so stinkin cute :)

Yummy food and surrounded by tons of family always makes for loads of fun!

I love our traditions!

Mack's Great Grandpa

This pic was taken Thanksgiving day.

Mack adores his great grandparents & I feel so blessed that we live so close to our family and are able to raise our children surrounded by so many loved ones.

Love you Grandpa!

Feeding Grandma's Ducks

Today we went to Grandma Banks' house to feed the ducks. Katelyn has been saving her bread for a few days now getting prepared.

These ducks are certainly not afraid of people, & they come right up to you and snatch the bread right out of your hands.

Katelyn broke off pieces of bread off as fast as she could but it usually wasn't fast enough.

Mack really didn't want to share his bread and got really agitated when the ducks would try to steal it away from him. So he walked off by himself to snack away :)

Thank you Grandma for spending the afternoon with us and creating memories:)

Just another day

Last night we ran some errands.

The 1st included Deseret Book. While Scott & I looked around, Katelyn made herself comfy with a good book- How cute is she?

Our next stop was Joann's to pick out a bird house. Katelyn was so excited to paint one to give to Grandma & Grandpa Banks.

Our final stop was Yougurtland where we finshed up a gift card on some yummy frozen yogurt.

It was late when we returned home but Katelyn hadn't stopped talking about painting her bird house.

I set her all up and she concentrated so hard to make sure she didn't miss a spot.

This morning we went over to help Grandpa Banks with yard work.

Scott & Grandpa worked so hard and accomplished a lot.

I supervised ;)

Then Katelyn presented them with her prized bird house.

Now it hangs proudly in their back yard.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa for letting us come over to play this morning.