New Car

Getting a new car isn't as fun as it should be! It turned into a almost two week project. We researched online every night and spent each evening test driving and looking at cars. It was a very frustrating experience. I just was annoyed because I didn't really want to be doing it and wanted my Accord back! We had 4 cars sold out from under us while we were deciding and waiting for our financing and money from insurance. We had our vacation coming up and still no car. We had decided though that we could wait until we got home if we couldn't find anything. We had one picked out and had it checked by our mechanic only to find out someone had a deposit on it but they had three days to buy it and if they didn't it was ours. Well they put us through the ringer and after a week they said that they were coming to buy it the next day. We told them to let us know either way because we were really interested in it. Well in the meantime we decided to pursue other options. (They never did call us, apparently they didn't want our business either way!). That night we went home and found four places with what we were looking for. The next day was the 4th of July so we knew they would have deals and it was a good day since Andrew had it off! We went to a couple places and ended up at this dealer. Andrew went and test drove it and came back and said he really liked it. Well we had one more place to go which was only about 2 miles down the road. We got there and they weren't very helpful and what they had was awful so we thought and felt that we needed to go back and test drive that one again that Andrew had just drove but this time take it for longer and actually put the kids in. The sales guy was so nice and told us the longer we kept it out the less likely someone else can buy it. We took it to my mom's house and both my parents and Andrews came and looked at it. They had just got it in so it hadn't been cleaned up yet but it was in great shape and had low miles. We felt really good about it so we said a little prayer and decided to go back and put money down. Luckily Andrew's mom took the kids and we went and put our deposit down. The next day I went and finalized everything with the insurance and got our money and then went and finalized my loan at the bank (luckily they wouldn't let Andrew on my loan so he didn't have to be there otherwise who knows when we wouldn't have finished it up! The only good part of having to many students loans is he had to much liability to let on the loan!) I then went to the dealer and finalized everything. They then worked on cleaning it, getting us new tires, and doing routine maintenance and we went and picked it up that night! It has been a blessing in disguise. We still miss our other car but it is nice to have lots of space. I have already had people ask why I got such a big car if I have an announcement. I just laugh at them and say well my other car was totaled it only made sense if I am going to make an investment might as well make it long term! The kids love being able to see out but there favorite part is watching movies which have been limited! We feel liked we have been so blessed. We had a big enough down payment so we have super low payments. Buying a new car really wasn't in our plan for a couple more years so we needed to have as low of payments as possible! Poor Andrew though feels like he will forever be driving his green truck!

Here is our new car! It is a 2008! We love it!

MTC

On Wednesday July 25th we sent Spencer off to the MTC. Andrew's mom was so nice and watched the kids for me while I went with them. It was nice to go alone :). When I got there I was put on picture duty and my mom wanted some of him leaving.

Walking out of the house!

 One last picture with his beloved red van! He loved it! He especially loved the gold rims!

 Poor Katy had to go to work and couldn't go with the rest of us so she had to say goodbye before we left!

 We went and took some pictures in front of the Provo temple, and everyone else had the same idea! Spencer requested me to take some of him and then told me to change his facebook picture for him and so that is what this picture is for!

 Sometimes people wonder where he came from since we are all the same height and then we have Giant Spencer!

 He was worried all the pictures nonsense was making him late!

 Getting his bags out....

 My parents both got out and the rest of us stayed in the car where I hung out the window and took pictures!

One last hug from my mom....

 .....and Dad!

 I think this caption should be "thanks mom for the lipstick all over my face!"

 Walking away.....

 See you in two years!

It was great being able to go drop him off! It is interesting how they do it these days. When we dropped off my older brother over 14 years ago we got to go in and do the whole devotional thing and now you pull up they get out and your done! Less tears this way I think! It is amazing how organized it was and how many missionaries go out each week! We have gotten emails and letters each week from him and he is doing great! He is learning Spanish and it is coming along! He told us he loves to eat, the chocolate milk, and the grape drank(his words exactly). He saw my mom's aunt who works at the MTC last week which was fun! He is such a great example to us!



Playing

Another day we decided to take a walk around the neighborhood! We decided to find a park. There are lots of neighborhood parks around here. We walked and found one and decided to stop since I was getting so hot! We stopped and played for a while and then walked back home. In the end we ended up going about 3 miles and I was so tired by the time we got back. It had gotten so hot outside it made it hard to push them! I love spending time with them!

Playing at different parks

With our lives being so hectic lately we have tried to take the kids out and do as much with them as we can! One night after family night we took them and got some frozen yogurt and found a park to play at! They both loved it. It is fun to find new parks they seem to play longer because they are discovering all that is new to them! They loved swinging and then went down the slides a million times!

Another day I decided to take them to the park and eat snacks/lunch. We got in the car and then all heck broke loose because there was a fly in the car! Well they both freaked out (who knew a fly could be so scary!) and we got the fly out of the car at least 5 times before we could get him out for good! We finally made it to the park and the kids had a lot of fun. We even went back later after dad got home to show him the fun castle park we had found! I think they are ready to get back to our normal life of doing nothing and get all there stuff back!

Pioneer Day

This year we were in Utah for Pioneer day. It is funny how everywhere else it is just another day but in Utah it is a holiday! We were able to get up super early and head to the parade. I knew the kids were going to enjoy it! Sadly Andrew had to work, the VA hospital is obviously not a Utah thing so he didn't get it off but he did get off early so that was a good treat!

I look super tired! I think I was!

Ella got so excited she turned to tell Olivia that Jasmine was coming down the road. We spent half the morning telling her this wasn't a princess parade like at Disneyland and then one goes down the street, I am a big liar now!

We all loved this float!

And then I felt like I was back home in the South when a larger than life Jesus went rolling down the road! I seriously thought that this type of weirdness only happened in Memphis!

Easton loved stealing Will's hat from off his head!

An "UP" Float!

Later that afternoon after naps and after my little brother was set apart as a missionary we enjoyed a nice BBQ at my aunt and uncles house! Ella suddenly gained a liking of swings and they both insisted on swinging half the night!

Easton and Spencers last photo together before he left! He had to say goodbye to the kids before we left since they weren't coming to the MTC with us! I can tell Easton and Ella miss Spencer they ask where he went a lot! It is weird to think they will be almost 4 and 5 by the time he gets back!

Setting Apart

After the Parade on the 24th we gathered in my parents living room for Spencer's setting apart. I was sad that Andrew had to work and couldn't be there to join in the circle. He received such an amazing blessing and I know he and my family will be blessed while he is out doing the work of the Lord!