Jer and Stef: May 2016

Visiting another temple.

Quincy must be glad to be back in her own bed.

Ellia had a few end of year violin performances. I was surprised how good they sounded!

Abby and Ellia.

One of the last games, batting without the T.

She wasn't quite ready to abandon the T once the game started.

I'm not quite sure where she got the stickers for her eyes.

We missed the official picture day so we tried to do our own.

More sno-balls. They wanted to take me to the new place they had tried, Pelican sno-balls.

I don't think Brody wants one.

Yet another buffet on our trip. I think this one was the best....at least we felt the most immersed in southern culture while we were there. We were surrounded by big family groups and even a baseball team. I especially liked the VERY old Mountain Dew cooler, and had to document it for Grandma Laura.

It was POURING rain, as only it can in the south, by the time we were ready to leave. We've learned that as quickly as it comes it can go so we tried to wait it out. It wasn't going to happen for us though so Jeremy had to run to the car and pull around to a breezeway so we could load the car.

We drove a little out of the way to see this historic Mormon Chapel.

Ellia doing double duty, homework and babysitting.

So tired. Love the little tuft of hair he has left on top.

These girls were very entertained drawing during Ellia's game.

I love her person with crazy hair.

Ashlyn drew a picture of Brody's tummy - complete with feeding tube.

It's the end of an era. As we try to downsize a little before moving I came to the conclusion that I probably won't be listening to these again.

As it warms up we get to try some new jammies.

He looks to tiny on the big bed.

Getting his weekly workout.

(out of order)

Ellia and her friend from kindergarten, Ellie.

Learning to help out with Brody.

A tough day of home therapy.

Bona-fide movie night!

We'll miss the walks, runs and bikes on the trace. One morning Jeremy and the girls rode to the farmer's market and got a little treat.

Ellia must have gotten a hold of the camera.

Ellia's team on spirit day.

More sno-balls

Sunday nap.

Enjoying the pool.

Happy Mother's day to me!

We had Holly over to play one day and she got to enjoy Brody for a minute.

These two have gotten to be quite the little friends.

His sisters are always watching out for him, getting him things to cuddle.

Cuddling with all my kids.

Spending a little time in the treehouse.

More softball.

Bedtime stories.

Our last visit to Ann at physical therapy.

Playing violin at morning meeting.

One last picture of the boats the girls made at the Wooden Boat Festival.

Flowers from my mom...enough for a smile during a stressful time.

Ellia had been begging to go to China Kitchen since the parents of one of her classmates owns it. Well, time was running out so Jeremy checked it off the list.

Surprise birthday party for Ellia. For about three weeks on a Thursday or Friday I would text Ellia's friends moms and ask if they were available for a short notice swim, sleepover party. It finally worked for enough of them and Ellia had a ton of fun. The plan was to have everyone at the pool and then Jeremy would bring her over with the other kids, but one little girl showed up at the house. Ellia was still very surprised to see more of her friends waiting to swim at the pool.

Of course it offered me a chance to catch up with Melissa too.

It was so fun watching them all interact. Back at the house we had pizza and they watched the new parent trap movie. Some weren't able to stay for the sleepover but it was still fun. Alice gave Ellia some perfume, lotion, fingernail polish and the like, and when Ellia pulled it out she said, laughing, "what do you think I'm a grown up or something?!"

One of our last walks along the lakefront.

Home therapy with LeAnne.

Quincy gets a hold of the camera...I'm glad she did!

I've had this jacket for probably 8 years. Now that I finally have my little boy, it's the wrong season!

Saying goodbye on our last day of church in Covington.

Alice Powell.

Percie Elmer and Adeline Flamm.

Lisa Johnson.

Anne Kate Lundquist.

Eden Throckmorton.

Jurnee Foote.

I love these girls. They were SOOO essential in helping me get the house ready for appraisal and realtor pictures while Jeremy was out of town. They even vacuumed in lines and then tiptoes around to get the entertainment center doors closed.

Ashlyn and Farrah in the end of year Kindergarten performance. It was fun to see her in the front row at least for a minute!

I was so excited when they sang "Playin' Opossum." It was one of my favorites from when Ellia was in the Kinder performance.

Ashlyn and Kendall.

Ashlyn and Brisa.

Mrs. Beckham.

The hardest part of moving is saying goodbye to friends. Lindsay Allain.

Ellia and Makayla Breedlove.

Bailey and Samantha Breedlove.

Olivia Breedlove.

Quincy and Addison Allain.

There were a few of us leaving the ward at the same time so we had a nice farewell dinner at Bistro Byron's. Not only was the company great, but I got to have their fruit bread pudding one last time delish!

Nancy Boynton, Robyn Powell, Carrie Helm, Cynthia Judy, Megan Greenlaugh.

Mary Glauser, Mary Underwood, Martha McKay, Shelley Throckmorton, Amber Ming.

Rachel Cropper, Meagan Johnson, Brittany Johnson, Jeanette Mitts, Laurie Holbrook and Melissa Breedlove.

Quincy with Miss Lauren and Miss Karen.

Her teacher, Mrs. Melissa.

Quincy doesn't really know these girls, she couldn't even tell me their names, she just really wanted her picture with everyone from her class!

Cecily Glauser.

Adeline Flamm.

Brody on the big bouncy ball.

Allie Colgan.

Eden Throckmorton.

Anna Kate Lundquist.

Playing at Chuck E. Cheese for Eden's birthday party.

Brody loves it just as much as the girls.

Happy 5 months old Brody!

Sometimes the girls help with Brody's poses...he is usually crying when it comes to these pictures.

Last day of Second grade and Kindergarten.

We got quite the storm while Jeremy was gone. I heard a lot of noises while I was trying to sleep and when I got up to walk the girls to the bus stop I found out why.

His view from the new office, while I was braving the Louisiana storm.

Trying to get in as much play time before we leave. Addison would drive Quincy around and was quite a confident driver. I think that was just fine for Quincy who was still new behind the wheel (and therefore pretty scared with the jerky control she had over the car).

I love this picture of Addison, just look at her go! What a little racer.

Last softball game.

She's such a goof with the helmet. She won't take off her visor and she won't pull the helmet down so they bounce on her head the whole time she is running, and sometimes even fall down over her entire face.

Good thing its a visor and not a hat in this case Ashlyn!

Addison's birthday party at Chuck E. Cheese.

At first she wasn't too excited about the ticket booth, but she warmed up pretty quick and got plenty of tickets.

She didn't want to be in any picture though.

Party number two for our last day in Covington, Northshore gymnastics for Isaac Judy's birthday.

It was fun for Ashlyn to see her preschool teacher.

A little drive through Fountainbleau park to kill some time between parties.

Just about to outgrow his bed.

One of the things we'll miss most about this house is the backyard/woods. With direct access to the trace trail it provided a lot of good memories.

The girls say the thing they'll miss most is the treehouse.

Goodbye Louisiana, thanks for the memories. We'll be back to visit!

Hello downtown Houston. Home to Jeremy's new job.

We stayed in his apartment for 5 days and enjoyed taking advantage of the pool. It was nice to sleep in after a year of getting up early for school...for me anyway!

I have pictures like this of Ellia when we moved into our house in Bakersfield, and of Quincy when we moved out, now it's Brody's turn....we always seem to move with new babies.

Our third and final birthday party on the day before we left Covington. Happy birthday Holly Blackstone. It was Quincy's turn to really party at MyGym, but Ashlyn and Ellia had fun too.

This poor girl has been getting so wiped out lately...I don't blame her.

Our goodbye beignets.

Nice comfy hotel beds for our first night in Houston. Jeremy got an upstairs/downstairs room just for the girls. They loved it.

Quincy had a bit of a meltdown the first night in the apartment and fell asleep in time out. I especially loved her mouth accessory.

Our first day on our own in Houston. We took the time to see some houses and of course have our traditional breakfast meal without dad!

The time in Houston went much quicker than I expected and before I knew it Brody and I were on and off the plane and back in Midway. I woke up to the most peaceful view and sounds.

Later that week we went for a walk to put signs on doors for Tom's school board campaign. My dad had just put a sign on and was walking back toward us on the road when he came within about ten feet of running into a buck.

Another beautiful view, not to mention the amazing weather. It is all so refreshing.

Live-in babysitter help too. Especially while I spend hours on the phone trying to get Brody's medical records where they need to be, organize his feeding equipment shipments and work on getting in home therapy started.

Getting teased by the sisters. Putting stickers on his face.

The girls sleeping arrangements in the apartment.

The road trip begins for Jeremy and the girls. A 22 hour drive from Houston to Utah.

I think Ellia must have had the camera and took some interesting scenery pictures.

Oh, and close ups.

Jeremy did a pretty impressive French fishtail braid for Ellia.

Breakfast of champions and a picnic park pit stop.

It sounded like a fun day at Arches.

The only picture with Jeremy in it...and unfortunately someone's thumb.

Made it to Utah...and we aren't letting them slow down. Memorial Day fun run in Heber.

We thought if we drove far enough we could get some snow...and sure enough...play time! Of course we didn't have warm enough clothes but we toughed it out and then cranked the heater up in the car.

We are definitely enjoying a different kind of snow balls than we were a few days ago.

They even built a little snow man. Really little, like maybe 4 inches.

Brody keeping warm in the car. I took this because it reminded me of a picture I have of myself staying warm in my dad's truck...I'll have to find it and post it later.