Trip To Boise

We drove down to Boise so we could welcome Jared's youngest brother home. He has spent the last two years in Brazil serving as a full time missionary for our church. Here he is being welcomed home by his parents.

Here is a happy, but very tired Elder Collett.

Nathan trying on Kevin's Brazilian hat while he hangs out with his Uncle Bryan.

The girls had a fun trip to the zoo with their cousin Courtney. The Boise zoo isn't very big compared to Philly, but it was just the right size for kids this age. The girls had a lot of fun looking at all the birds, lions, giraffes, and monkeys.

Here they are exploring a tunnel with the ground hogs.

Nathan's first trip to the zoo.

These aren't real elephants, but the girls enjoyed the cool shower on such a hot day.

Aunt Jessica and Courtney trying out the tiger.

Abby pretending to be a turtle.

Of course Maddy had to try it too.

Jared's mom cooked a nice birthday dinner for Jared.

She also made him a delicious German chocolate cake.

The weather was perfect all weekend. Here are the girls enjoying some shade.

Nathan hanging out with his cousin William.

William teething on the table.

Abby had lots of fun on the tramp with her cousins and Uncle Bryan.

At church on Sunday Kevin gave an amazing homecoming talk, and Jared and his brothers sang a beautiful musical number. Afterwards we had a nice family dinner outside.

We loved our trip. It was fun to see Kevin and catch up with family. Good times.

Mother's Day and other May pictures

On Saturday morning Jared decided that we should go down to Boise to see one of his good friends who had just gotten married. I told the girls that we had to hurry and pack so that we could go. Five minutes later Abby shows me this pile and proudly announces, "Mom, I'm all packed!"

Abby was sweet and made me a little mother's day cake out of play dough.

After finishing up some mending, I came out of my room to find that the girls playing Peter Pan. Abby was Tinkerbell and Maddy was playing Captain Hook and trying to lock Abby up.

Here I am with my kids on Mother's day morning. Jared and the girls got up early and made me pancakes. The girls are sitting on my mother's day present, which was a step stool for my kitchen. It was very nice, although the highlight of my day was Abby singing with the Primary in sacrament meeting for the first time. She was very excited about the performance and had spent the night before practicing mother's day songs in her bed at the top of her lungs. Every Mother's day I am reminded of what a blessing it is to be a mom of such sweet children.