Can't get enough

If there has ever been a picture taken that I love this is the one. 

She is perfect

Everything about her is my favorite.  Right down to her tiny toes.

Elsie just loves her little sister.

Moments I want to capture in a bottle.

Sleepy heads

When you have a newborn in the home you end up getting sleep when you can. You can often find one of us on the couch or bed snuggled up to Miss Emry fast asleep. More than anyone at all though is Miss Emry is such a little sleepy head. We all can't get enough of our snuggle time.

Johnny Rockets

There is a new shopping center going in about a mile from our house. This is a HUGE deal for Farmington. Recently one of the resturants that opened is Johnny Rockets. This was our first outing out to eat as a family of seven. The company was great but the establishment left a lot to be desired. I don't think we will be going there again. The kids liked it and they can go there all they want...on their bikes without us :)

Emry is there I just forgot to get a picture.  OOPS!

Blindfold Make-up

These two goof balls sure do know how to have fun.  Shaela and Emma decided to have blindfold make-overs.  Emma put on Shaela's and Shaela put on Emma's.  I actually thought this was a darling idea.  They looked awesome.

Oh me oh my...

It has been a tough go of things.  I have never been so tired as I have been these past few weeks.  The blood loss really took its toll, plus I think my age is a big factor.  Lets face it, pregnancy is for 20 year olds.  So, when I left the house this morning I should have taken a moment to really make sure I was ready to go.  But since I run around flying by the seat of my pants I didn't really take time to asses my situation.   

I took Emma and Elsie to the doctor.  This was the first time going to this doctor.  While we are waiting for the doc to come in the room I look down at my collar on my white shirt and think to myself, "hmm, that is not what my shade shirts collar looks like.  That looks more like my tank top from the Gap."  Then I look over at my sleeve and realize that sure enough it was my Gap shirt I was looking at and the sleeve I was sporting was my garment top.  I was MORTIFIED to say the least.  I can't believe that I walked out of the house with my undies  hanging out.  

When the doctor came in the room all I could focus on was the glaring white sleeves starring up at me.  She probably wrote in the chart "CrAzY mOm".  Watch out for this one.  

I can't wait to feel normal again and for the exhaustion to go away

The best part though was when we got in the car and I was giggling with Emma about it..  While laughing Emma says "And to top it off mom, you aren't wearing any make-up."  Oh heaven help me.  I literally look like death right now,  It is official my girls charts say "cRaZy MoM".

Playing house

We had our first office lazy day of summer today.  The girls spent the entire day on the front porch.  Except for the quick trips inside to grab another doll.  They were having the time of their lives.  I love when they all get along so well and just play.  I know these moments with Emma are some of the last.  It is so crazy to think that she will soon trade in her dolls for boys and clothes.  I'm excited for those days but will miss the ones like this.  Ellie will miss it most though.

She was in heaven having her sissy's play the day away.

Elsie was right in her element.  Normally Ellie only plays barbies and Elsie is more a dolly girl.  So this made her day.

Love my ladybugs

Here comes another sissy up the ranks to play right along with them.

Sugar and spice

and everything nice

That's what little girls are made of.

Back to school...for Ellie

Its that time again.  Ellie gets to head back to school.  This year she gets to go to Davis High School.  She wasn't so stoked this year.  I can't say that I blame her.  She is kind of bummed to have to go when we all get to stay home.   We have to be responsible so off to school she goes.

Here she is waiting for the bus.

We pull out our camping chairs to wait.

She has her favorite Hannah bag.

When the bus arrived she got a bit more excited.  

Goodbye Ellie, have fun.

Swimming at the Clarks

Something that is fast becoming a tradition when Vogels are hear is swimming at the Clarks Pool.  They are so nice to open up their pool for our family.  This time Liz Clark even watched Emry while we swam.  The kids had a lot of fun.

Papa was burning his head so he wore Emry's pants on his head.  He looked GREAT!  Lucy is just too cute and loves her auntie.  My girls just love their auntie also.

JJ and Emma spent most of their time diving for rings and jumping off of the diving board.  Ellie and Elsie are very timid in the water so they hung on Maren or Papa the whole time.  Lucy on the other hand loves the water and I would have to say the highlight of our time there was Lucy jumping off of the diving board.  Brave little lady. 

Sexy super model

Ellie is being so silly

And Lucy decided to be silly also.

After we went swimming we got all the kids together for a cousin picture.  I can't believe in just a few months there will be another cousin to add to the mix.  I just love that my kids are starting to have cousins on the Meads' side.  We just adore Lucy and Ben.  They have our hearts.

A birthday hug for Uncle Jeron

This year for Jeron's birthday Lucy gave him a big ole' hug.

I think that might just be the best present.

I just want to point out it is exactly one month to my big day.  Haha

Squishy Pants

I could eat this squishy pants. I love her to bits and pieces.

Hanging out Meads' Style

One of my family's favorite things to do is go up to the cabin.  Michael hasn't been there in two years.  And the others haven't seen it finished.  The cabin really looks great.  Dad, Mom, and Garner and LeeAnn put a lot of hard work into it.  It is a sight to see.

We headed up before everyone else and had a crazy detour through Millcreek.  I wanted a diet coke and it took me about a half an hour to find one.  All the roads were closed and then when I finally made it to McDonalds they were closed for renovations.  UGH!!  THe kids had had enough of being in the car also.  Poor Emma was so car sick.  After that we headed to Dan's and got junk food because what is the cabin if you don't have junk food.  Mama and Papa were bringing sandwiches. 

Once they all arrived the party began.  We first ate the yummy Spanky's sandwiches and then we headed up to the patio for some nice mountain air.  We were all sitting around so I decided that people needed to show us what they are made of and do some planking.   I ran into the cabin to get the camera and come back out and they have all done it already.  What the... So being the bossy older sister I made them do it again.  The kids really got into it. 

Maren was the first to do it and she did great.  But planking requires you being on your toes.  

This is out of order but she is copying her aunt Ashlee here.

JJ took some pictures for me and there was this beauty.  Just what are they all talking about???

Some more of JJ's pics.  I especially love the one of me.  Why do I always look so ornery in pictures.

Michael looked pretty good.  But lets face it he isn't doing it right at first.  But once he got it he did great.

Ms. Preggers even gave it a shot.  She rocked it, especially considering her center of gravity is off.  

Excellent for Smitty

Maren was not about to be shown up by her brothers so she did it, and she did awesome.

Even Ellie had to try again.

After the good form they all decided to go for excellent form.  This is extremely hard to do.  They all attempted but could not do it.  Forehead and tip toes.  You try it.  It is harder than it looks.

Uncle SMitty is quite the fun uncle.  My kids just love him.  Lucy was spinning around and having a great time.  That chld is fearless.

Elsie watched and something in her clicked and she decided she wanted a go.  Now, if you know Elsie you know that she white knuckles it in the car when we go on hills.  She is terrified of heights.  She screams bloody murder when we throw her in the air.  So for her to ask Uncle Smitty to do this is actually a miracle.  And guess what she LOVED it.  I was in utter shock and amazement.  I had to get pics for Jeron to see.  Just so he would believe me.  look at her go.

It was a very nice day up there. The temperature in the mountains is so much better than in the valley.  I haven't been outside in a long time so it was nice to breath the fresh air and enjoy the family.  

 Lucy holding Emry for the first time.

 Smitty, Ben, and Emry

I can't wait to go back.

Uncle Elder Meads returns home from France

My baby brother has been serving a mission in France for two years.  We can't believe this day has finally come.  Maren, Lucy, Ben, Smitty, and Ashlee all flew in for the occasion.  It has been a huge family the last couple of weeks.  Now it is finally here and we are all so excited.  

Especially these two.

This little guy was thinking

"ruff, ruff, ruff ruff woof woof woof"

These two were getting excited especially because Lucy was on JJ's shoulders.

Our cute Niece and Nephew sign.

These four were on balloon patrol...I mean kid patrol.

We placed bets to see who Michael would go to first.  Kim Kardashian Maren bet my dad $500 dollars that Michael would go to Wesley first.  I bet a humble $100 it would be Wesley.  My dad was sure it would be Brynn.  It turns out we were all wrong.  His mommy was the first to get a hug and I think that is exactly how Mikey wanted it.  Mom ran right up to him hugged him and then turned to us and said "he's right here."  I guess she said that in case we forgot what he looked like.  This was a sweet moment that made me tear up a bit.  

Another sweet moment with Dad.  Look at the smile on Michael's face. I do think that he might just be looking at Brynn a certain someone here.

Maren and I were wrong by default but Wesley did come in a close 3rd.  We believed that Michael would grab Wesley so that he would have an icebreaker with Brynn, so really our theory was right. So cough up the dough old man.

He gave all of his siblings hugs in age order.  Yes I got a hug, but I was behind the camera so I don't have a picture.  I love his face in all of these.

The outlaws were next.  I love that Ashlee is still holding the video camera.  

My camera was off when Michael swooped JJ up and spun him around.  It kills me when I miss these moments.  Then he picked them all up one by one and hugged them.  He had already kind of hugged Ben and Emry so there is not a pic with them either.  

Finally he made his way to the one he wanted to hug the most but couldn't.  He kept telling her he loved her though.  It was sweet.

All the nieces and nephews

The fella's that he flew home with.

This better go in the wedding video because it makes me laugh how awkward it is.  Does anyone have a pitch fork or two?

I don't think these two could be any more content then they are right here.

Proof I was there.  All the girlies with Michael and Ben.

Michael could not wait to kiss the ground of the US of A.

We grabbed a shot of him outside the international Terminal

(which I never knew existed.)  

We made two banners for Elder Meads

This is the one on the overpass by Fruit Heights City Hall

I think it looks pretty awesome.

It is great to have Michael home.  His meeting with the stake presidency went really well.  He has grown a lot, matured, and is more of a man than he was two years ago.  It was neat to hear about his report.  We love you Michael and are so glad to have you home. 

I still can't believe you kissed Brynn right in the stake presidents office.  That is one for the books.