My Little Pioneer Girl is Home

Today we headed out early this morning to go to Heber, AZ to pick Chelsea up from the Stake Pioneer Trek. What a wonderful experience for Chelsea. She had many stories and experiences to share. I am so grateful that she made the decision to go. I had a lot of reservations as a mother and quite honestly I haven't slept well since she has been gone ( I worry way too much), I left the decision up to her and she wanted to go. She was very nervous, but David and Chelsea said a prayer the morning she left and I know our Heavenly Father was watching over her. I am so grateful for such a valiant daughter, who is such a strong young woman. I have been so emotional today, but I learned a great lesson in faith this week.

The "troops" waiting for the pioneers.

Orlo and Sheila Knight, who are from our ward, they were one of the Ma's and Pa's. What an awesome couple. Sheila come over and gave me a big hug, we were both so emotional!

Chelsea is in the middle helping to pull their handcart. This was her family.

Rachel Clark and her family

We were all so excited to see each other!

I cried so hard as I watched my daughter come in pulling her handcart. She looked like a true pioneer. I couldn't have been more proud as a mother. She was sunburned and dirty, even her eyelashes were dusty!!

There was a lot of youth from the stake that attended the trek. It truly was an awesome experience and I am so grateful that we had the opportunity as a family to go up and greet our pioneers as they came home just as our ancestors greeted each other after their long journey.

Chelsea and her friend Celina

Pioneer Chelsea sang as she walked and walked.....

Chelsea just left early this morning for the pioneer trek in our Stake. I don't know who is more nervous, Chelsea or her mother? Anyways I know it will be a good experience for her and I hope she won't freeze her bunns off! Doesn't she make the cutest little pioneer girl? I'm sure every pioneer girl had black converse to go with their stylish apron and bonnet :)

Adventures at the Wildlife Zoo

It's spring break for our kiddos this week and David also has the week off from work, so we decided to take the kids to the Wildlife Zoo. We also went with my parents and my brother Sean's family. They have added many extra features at the Wildlife Zoo and there is so much to do and see. The kids really enjoyed themselves and the weather was beautiful.

This is a baby spider monkey. It was the most playful and entertaining little thing.

I will never understand how they can sleep standing up on only one leg!

My brother Sean and my nephew Brendan

This is what a teenager does at the zoo !!!!

David feeding the giraffe

This little mommy monkey was the cutest thing. She just had this baby about three weeks ago. She was nursing the baby in the middle of the cage and we were all trying to get a glimpse of her sweet little baby and all of a sudden she walked over and proudly showed off her little one. It was the cutest thing. She is definitely a proud momma. My niece Rosie pointed out that the baby monkey has human ears :)

Ciera and my niece Rosie having a conversation, while watching the meerkats

My Mom and the Twins

Ariana was pulled in the wagon alot, she is still nursing a bad knee injury from her field day at school.

Cherish enjoying some of the wildlife

My Dad taunting the ostrich, she doesn't look too happy

The girls got to feed and pet the Lamas

The Lamas loved the dry leaves

The white tiger is beautiful

Happy Birthday to a Wonderful Mother

Last week was my mother-in-laws birthday. We decided as a family to hold celebrations for her in Arizona, Utah, Texas and Michigan. My sister-in-law Julie made sopas and I made a pineapple upside down cake, which was one of her favorites. It was nice to sit together and remember a wonderful mother, and grandmother. We are grateful for her shining example and for the wonderful legacy she left.