We're Going on a Daddy Hunt....

Yesterday was Andy's first day off in 10 days and he decided to go fishing early in the morning. I was scheduled to work in the library at Porter's school at 8:45 so the girls and I were up and going first thing. When we finished our library duties we decided to go and try to find Andy on the river. I went over to Rocky River and took a left turn straight down into the Metroparks. The metroparks are amazing, it is a big forest in the middle of Cleveland. After a little driving around I spotted the rolla, and then I spotted Andy on the river. I had to smile because I knew he was so happy to be out in his element, away from normal life. Carlee immediately jumped out of the van when she spotted two geese on the running path. That girl has no fear of animals and approached the two geese even though I was telling her to stop (of course she couldn't hear me right).

A Big Day for Marin....

Last Friday (the 18th) Marin had a busy day which involved getting a haircut, folding laundry, and being in the swing for her first time. So yes, I finally caved to the pressures around me to cut her hair. Andy was pretty set on Marin getting a trim so I got out the scissors. The first cut was pretty traumatic for me, I thought it was so much hair, but Andy just laughed at me telling me I needed to cut more "here and here and here!" I think the end result is good and I am satisfied with my mad hair cutting skills, but I still have a weak spot in my heart for that long baby hair in her eyes.









After her haircut was done, it was time for me to get busy with the laundry. Normally I can set Marin on the bed with me to fold and she will just sit there and play. Well, not anymore, she has had one too many lessons on being a rascal from her big sis Tessa. I only left the room for a moment and I could hear Marin laughing to herself. When I returned I found this....









She is such a funny baby. She had pulled Porter's pile and the towels onto herself. Andy was outside working on the fence so to distract Marin I put her in the swing. It was finally warm enough for her to be outside so I had to take advantage.

The Spring Scene....

Today has been long awaited, we hit about 65 degrees today, it has been a delight. When it was time to get Porter from the bus stop I almost loaded the kids up in the van out of habit but then I realized that would be crazy. So instead Carlee rode her bike and I pushed the stroller. It has been many months since we have been out and enjoyed fresh air, crazy I know.

This has been the scene for the past hour...the kids are out playing in the back yard, swing set is in play, there is dirt and shovels, Andy scooping Molly's winter poo, all with a light breeze in the background that takes Marin's breath away every time it blows. If I wasn't heading to the church for the Relief Society birthday dinner I would say it is a fire and smore night. I am just craving the summer sun, I need it to come right away.




Marin now has two teeth, and her top two front ones are on their way, what is going on here?!?!

Utah trip review....

Thanks to my amazing in-laws we were all able to fly to Utah and be a part of Grandma Great's funeral services. We arrived at 12:30 a.m. on Sunday and I was so surprised Andy's sister's and his brother there, it was awesome!


D and La La.


Even Mike came!!


Abby and Carlee waiting to go the funeral home after church. The girls looked so pretty in their matching dresses.


La La and myself with Marin, just catching up.


Grandma Great got each girl a wonderful surprise that KayLee gave to them before the funeral. (I love how Tessa is covering up Amelia's eyes for her.)


Carlee got the Molly doll and Tessa got Felicity. Look at Carlee's face!


The girls were not the only ones with a surprise waiting.


The boys each got a 22!


Me and Madison at Russon Brothers, I love this girl.


KayLee and Andy. I love this picture of Kaylee, she looks so beautiful.


Porter, Preston, and Luke. These three were inseparable.


They are all so good lookin' and happy to be together!


Carlee, Abby, Sam, and Tessa were having so much fun dancing and spinning in their dresses.

*The funeral was so amazing, there really are no words for how wonderful it was. Everyone who participated and shared something did an amazing job. Lauren made a great movie of Grandma's life and had each of the kids say something on it about her, it was so touching. I am so lucky and grateful to be a part of such a great and close family.

On Monday morning we woke up and Matthew and KayLee took us to IHOP for breakfast. It was fun to be with them with just us and talk.


Marin loves to snuggle. Look at her amazing eyes. She is so cute!


Carlee having some hot chocolate.


Look at Miss May's eyes too, HELLO!


This is some serious talent here.


After breakfast we drove out to west Farmington to see the Eagles.


It is weird to see mountains.


I also got to eat an IN N' Out lunch with this cute guy. KayLee let me play with her awesome new camera and I took some pics of Cameron, what a stud.

Because we were in Utah I couldn't leave without seeing two of my Grandma's. Everyone pitched in and helped to watch the kids so that I could get to each of their care facilities with Andy. It was so great to see them. (Pictures from that are on hold because D accidently swiped my camera.)


Monday night the Relief Society out together a great dinner at the church for us. Aubs brought down her light sabers and the kids had a blast.

Tuesday morning we went up to Aubrey's house and had breakfast together. Grandpa made waffles which were wonderful (even though I only got one). After breakfast I was able to play with Madison and Abby and do their hair. At lunch we headed to the school where Lauren teaches because she asked if Porter would do a Bee Bouncer performance. It was so cool to see Lauren in action as a teacher and laying the smack down on the kids. The boys in her class were the first ones dressed and it was clear that they were all hanging around her. Porter did a great job, he just went out there and did his thing. I loved hearing the ooooo's and aaaawwww's from the junior high kids. After he finished his routine, the other gym coach brought him a basketball and asked for his autograph.


Look at La, she is so cute, notice all the boys.


Carlee and Grandpa.


Porter surrounded.


He has great moves.

After this we went back home and I started packing and getting ready to leave. Andy and Matthew took the boys shooting with their new guns, Porter was dying to shoot! (Pictures from that are also on hold due to the camera confusion) That night KayLee took all of us girls out to a bakery called Gourmandise, it was amazing and fun to be with my girls laughing (we may have been lifting our eyebrows to make us look more youthful, we may have....)

Overall our trip was amazing and I was so grateful to have the opportunity to go, even if it was for such a short time. I will never forget the spirit that was at the funeral that night or the feeling of being a part of something so special. Thank you Matthew and KayLee for creating wonderful memories. See you soon!

A great Grandma Great...

On February 26, 2011 Marie Covey Bush passed and left this earth to go and be with her Heavenly Father and her honey Carl. We knew that the day would come when we would no longer have Grandma Great with us, we just didn't know it would come so suddenly. She had been going down hill slowly, but always seemed to bounce out of it, but when Grandma fell it was just too much for her, and she couldn't recover. I didn't get to say "goodbye" to her, but every time I talked to her on the phone I made sure to tell her I loved her so much, even if her response was a chuckle and an "okay". She meant so much to me and to my kids.

When I think about Grandma, I think about the front porch, talking, The Bachelor, fast food, deviled eggs, teasing, games (Rummikub and Skip Bo), books (we shared so many books), sewing (she spent hours trying to teach me how to make Yo Yo's), ice cream shakes from DQ, and the van.

During the time that Andy and I lived in Utah with Grandma she and I shared many hours together. There were many months where Andy was gone for interviews and rotations and I felt so alone. I can't even count how many times I went into Grandma's room and just layed on her bed and talked with her. She made me feel better every time, and she would always talk me through it. Grandma knew what it was like to feel alone, she missed Grandpa Bush so much and she would tell me stories of their time together and of the farm in Kansas.

I could go on and on about what a wonderful woman she was, but I will keep those memories in my heart to treasure. I will be forever grateful to Grandma for the love and support she showed for Andy, myself, and our children.

I love you Grandma Great and I wish so badly that I could watch the Bachelor season finale with you on Monday (I am pretty sure he picks Emily!)

Here are some of my favorite pictures of Grandma