Fun with Grandma and Grandpa Tubbs

Alans mom and dad decided to come visit this month, kinda last minute. The entire week they were here was great! They left Tuesday and I miss them already, and so do the kids! Kalin keeps telling me that she didn't want them to stay "only" 7 days. It was nice to have the company and actually get a vacation away from home.

Savannah, GA
Kalin and Porter trying to be entertained on the 4 hour drive. It wasn't all that bad, but just seemed to last forever!

That afternoon (late afternoon) we played at the beach. It was wonderful....the sand was soft, there were so many little seashells, the water wasn't too cold, we found sea creatures, built sand castles, jumped waves, and got knocked under a few times! There really isn't anything better than swollowing sea water and it stinging your nose and mouth! So much fun!!

The next morning we visited the Roundhouse Railroad Museum. I think I can say we all had a good time. The grounds as well as the old architecture behind the roundhouse really were beautiful.

Porter may have just been fine with having something to climb on!

Riding the train on the Roundhouse and then a couple short trips on the track. After the museum we walked for miles (literally) to the Pirates House for lunch. It was pretty yummy compared to lunch the day before which was at the Whistle Stop Cafe. Our anticipation was high because we got to sit on an old passenger train car to eat. Oh well, it was fun to eat somewhere unique anyway. We probably were just so happy to have stopped walking it wouldn't matter what we ate!

Aargh! Kalin was a little bit scared and wasn't sure what to think of the pirate and his sword. He didn't even ask or warm up to her first, he just put that huge blade around her neck and expected us to know what he was doing!

Porter didn't really want anything to do with him! But I guess it does make for a fun picture! After eating we walked along the River Walk and then visited a Maritime museum. The drive home didn't last near as long as the one there! I think the kids falling asleep after 10 minutes of driving helped!

Atlanta Braves

The next night we took mom and dad to a Braves game. They played the Diamond Backs and were losing 0-5 until the 8th or 9th inning when the Braves got a home run to win it! We were actually on row 4 from the field, it was a great feeling and a little scary when those balls went right above you and you had no idea if it would land on your head or not!

The next day, while Alan and his dad went to watch the Nascar drag racing, the rest of us made bird feeders, blew bubbles, made cake and went shopping for dad's birthday.

Nice shot of you mom!

Kalin trying to pop bubble with her tongue!

GA Aquarium

It felt so good to have family come visit and know that you are missed and loved! Heavenly Father really has blessed me with the greatest in-laws (parents and siblings) as well as my own side of the family. Being away from home isn't easy and it hurts knowing the things you're missing out on. But with the growth and the experiences that come with it, I wouldn't want it any other way! I love Georgia and I love everyone I know here!

Friends

A couple weeks ago my ward put on the most wonderful Relief-Society Enrichment night. It was about womanhood and sharing our heritage and legacy. We were invited to bring the women in our life whom we love. I took Kalin, but she ended up in the nursery anyway. For some reason that seemed more fun to her! My neighbor, Cecily, would have come but she was out of town. My friends had a great idea to have a picture taken with all of us in it. I'm so blessed to have each of these girls in my life and sometimes I may not realize that. I love each of them and I'm grateful for what they give to me and who they are. My friend Lisa, farthest left, wrote the following about each of my friends. I'd like to share what she wrote (I really hope you don't mind too much Lisa) because it is so heartfelt and true, and I can't in anyway portray each of them as she has.

First I'd like to say something about Lisa:

Lisa
Lisa has a sweet heart. She wants to include all those around her, making them feel loved and cared for. Lisa is beautiful inside and out. She glows with the kind of beauty that never fades. She might say that I'm a good mom, but she outdoes me by a mile or a dozen! Her two boys are her joy and I see that every time I'm around her. You are a great mom Lisa.


From left to right we have: (in the words of Lisa, but I feel it is true with each person as well). Thank you Lisa for your sweet spirit and your ability to understand others.

Karla
Karla is one of those people who talks to everyone. She is like the sunshine and almost always has that same big smile on her face. She's one of those people that makes everyone feel like they are her best friend. Her love for people is genuine and quality I would like to be able to offer everyone I come in contact with. (Too bad I just don't like everyone I meet! lol)

Beth
Beth is quiet, at least compared to me. Don't get me wrong she doesn't not say anything. It's just that I am a jabber box and Beth says things that actually matter, she is sincere. I love Beth because when someone is talking Beth is listening and actually interested. Another quality I could use. Please rub some of that off on me Beth!

Julie

Julie is awesome! She's one of those people who is always there. She will serve with out complaining. When Jerret was having a hard time last year trying to get members to clean the building her husband was the only one who signed up to help. And her with out knowing that told me to call her anytime they were needed. She's always willing to give a ride or watch your kid when you are in a pickle. She is a beautiful example of serving with cheer.

Stephanie
Stephanie is another one of my quiet friends. I've "known" Steph for the shortest amount of time. When we first became a part of the ward Stephanie was pregnant and she serves in with the Young Women so I didn't really get to know her until after she had her baby and started coming to play dates. Over the past few months though I have learned that Stephanie is a lot of fun. She is easy to talk to. She is beautiful yet simple. I think the girls in our ward are so lucky to get to watch such a great woman and learn from her. It's hard for me to put into words Stephanie. She is just one of those woman who radiates the Spirit of the gospel. Like I said before it's simple beauty with out being fussy. It's the appearance of being comfortable in her own skin. Maybe that's it. Stephanie radiates self worth. Yes another quality I could use.

Kyli
Kyli is such a great mom. She may get worn out and frustrated but Kyli doesn't just accept mediocrity from herself. She is a spiritual giant as we used to say in seminary. Kyli is smart enough to have figured out that sometimes you are highest when you are on your knees. I really admire her dedication to the gospel and her never ceasing work at growth and being better and more. Kyli know that I admire you. You are a great woman and friend!

"Fixin' Bike"

A couple weeks ago we were playing outside and Kalin and I were digging in the dirt around the corner. A few minutes later I peeked around to see what Porter was up to and he had pulled out Alans car jack and had his bike already propped on it, just like below. I asked him what he was doing and he said, "fixin bike". Oh, wow! This sure made his daddy (and Grandpa, I'm sure) proud! This last weekend, Porter did the same thing again and then Alan gave him a wrench and Porter went to work! We just love this kid!

I caught a fish with my BARE HANDS!

Well, ok, I think the fish was really dying so maybe it's not quite the same! Ha, ha! Anyway, I just reached in the water and picked it up with both hands and it just kinda laid there. I thought to myself that perhaps this was a new defense mechanism...play dead?

This creek is behind our home and the kids and I fought the forces of the jungle to get there. We had to climb over fallen trees and break branches in our way. We jumped over big puddles of green muddy gooey stuff! Kalin even lost her shoe in it! Through it all, the kids love the walking in the water, jumping from rock to rock, looking for fish, and throwing rocks in.

Catching Up...

Our Christmas trip to Utah was fun. Thanks mom and dad for your hospitality! Here is our updated picture with Alans side of the family. It was good to spend time with everyone and to see all the little cousins play together.

My moms grave site. Alan was so sweet and shoveled approximately a 12 x 12 foot area of 8 inch ice and snow just to find it! Oh, I love him! It's been hard to be so far that I can't visit more often, but is was great to stop by and remember her.

Kalin and I rode the front runner down to SLC. What a smooth ride! We spent the night at my sister Kari's house and met up with my sister Kim at the Gateway. I love my sisters and miss them already! I regret not getting pictures of my side of the family, I don't know how that happened. I was just too busy chatting and doing other things I guess! Sorry guys!

It didn't take long for BreeAnne and Kalin to become buddies! They even had to wear the same skirt to the treehouse museum.

Grandma with her grandkids (minus Porter and Anderson), singing Christmas hymns.

Eliza, Kalin, and BreeAnne.

Porter, Braden, Lucas, and Logan. This sight of all the cousins made me start to tear up. It was sweet to see them all together, yet hard knowing that this is what we miss out on. Same with all 6 cousins on my side of the family.

Making rolls with Grandma. Kalin looks like she just adores her Grandma! She might have just been laughing because they were being silly and dancing to Christmas music.

The kids first experience in the snow. Grandpa pulled them in a sled behind his truck and we also took them to great Grandma's to slide down her hill. It may be super tiny, but I don't think that mattered at all to them or the big kids either! :) We didn't get to build a snowman because the snow wouldn't stick, but we did try to build an ice-block snowman until Porter kept knocking them over!

Family Portraits