Families Are Forever

 After announcing about 2 years ago that they were going to build a temple in Gilbert they finally have machines on the land.  I heard that they are going to break ground sometime in November!  Our new Stake Presidency challenged all of the families in the stake to take our families to the site and have our picture taken, before the temple is built.  Well, we have been meaning to - and finally got around to it for part of FHE last week.  We got everything all set up and took 3 pictures and then . . . my battery died.  I wish I would have been better prepared.  However, even though we didn't get to take as many as I would have liked, I think this one turned out pretty good.  I just haven't adjusted to the fact that I have two children gone.  It's hard to think of it as a "family picture" when two family members are missing.  They are gone doing good things though!  Emily is working in the Welfare Department of the church office building in SLC, and Taylor just finished his 1st year of  his mission in the DR.  So . . . I guess we'll excuse them. :)  It will be really fun to take another picture after the temple is finished.

After my camera died, we took a few of the boys with our phones!  Alex, Danny, & Ryan :)

Hump Day - One Down & One to Go!

 This is the last time I saw my boy exactly a year ago today.  I can't believe it has been a year.  It is so weird, because in many ways, time as crept so slowly.  It seems like FOREVER since I have seen him.  But then, sometimes I'm thinking - wow, I can't believe it's been a year!  I miss him soooo much, but am so thankful that he is on a mission.  The people of the Dominican Republic are so lucky to have him!  He has been an awesome missionary.  He has been very obedient and focused on what the Lord would have him do.  Brad and I couldn't be any more proud of him than we are!  Taylor is currently serving in the Bávaro/Punta Cana area.  His new companion is Elder Jordan Sunderhaus and Taylor is so excited about that.  He is from Mesa/Red Mountain High School and they have a bunch of friends in common!  Taylor has had a GREAT year and I know that he will have an even better 2nd year.  Our family has been so blessed by his service.  We love and miss you Elder McBride :)

Happy 20th Elder McBride!

Me and Taylor at Fred's Lake in Pinetop

Elder Timmreck & Elder McBride

Taylor's Home/Church in Bávaro/Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

Well, this was our first official birthday without our boy :(  Taylor is 20 now!  How weird that I have 2 children in their 20's now.  I sent Taylor a great package and was so glad to hear that he got it!  It was mostly things that are hard for him to get in the DR like a cake mix and frosting, candles, plates - all the birthday fixin's.  I also send candy and a little kit to make animal balloons.  He loved that and said that he is going to make animal balloons for the little kids!  He said that he had a great day.  He has a new companion that is from Mesa.  His name is Jordan Sunderhaus and he went to Red Mountain High School and knows a bunch of Taylor's friends from volleyball.  They are excited to be together and Taylor thinks that they will work well together.

Happy Birthday son!  I still remember so clearly the night you were born.  You weighed almost 10 pounds!  Me and Dad and Emily were so excited to add a little boy to our family. :)  You have been a joy all of your life and I appreciate what a good boy you are.  We love you!

Ward Camp-Out #3

We had our 3rd Annual Gilbert 3rd Ward Camp-out this weekend.  It is such a fun little tradition that was started 3 years ago.  Everyones loves it and we get a huge turn-out.  We were disappointed though this year because Ryan missed the whole wee of school with the croup.  He still wasn't feeling well and had a really nasty cough - so we headed up with the boys for just the evening.  The weather was beautiful and our dinner was delicious!  Brad made green chili burros in the dutch oven.  We had a nice program and then we packed up our stuff and left minus Danny!  He wanted to stay really bad, so we left him a tent and some of the scouts slept in it with him.  Hopefully we will be able to stay the whole time next year . . . but who knows - that will be around the time Taylor will be done with his mission :)

Ryan taking it easy

Nice... Alex!

David, Danny, Ryan & Jake

Birthday for Brad

Dear Bradley,

You are 49 years old today.  I can hardly believe it!  Only one more to go til the big "50" :/  Yikes!!!!!  I am the luckiest girl alive that you decided you wanted to marry me.  It has been quite a ride over the last 24 years and I'm expecting the next 30 to be just as great.  Thank you for being the best husband and friend EVER.  You have truly made my life better than I ever dreamed it could be :)

I love you more than anything and everything.

Chrissie

80th Birthday Bash

Mom/Nana/Grandma turned 80 years old on September 1st!  Some of the kids got together and threw her a huge party.  Many thanks go to all that helped - especially to Don and Leslie for kindly letting us hold it at their home.  I sent 70+ invitations out to all kinds of family and friends a couple of months ago.  They turned out really cute!

  LOTS of people showed up from near and far!   All her living children were there except for Terri (who has been really ill and lives in California).  But we were so happy that two of her children, Jeff and Brandon and their families came.  One of her nephews, Jim Heap even came from as far as Ohio!  It was a great time for everyone!

Mom, thanks for being such a great mother!  We all love you and appreciate the example you set through the years and for your love and faith in all of us.  Happy 80th birthday!!!

 Aunt Vera and Virginia Hamblin (who came all the way from Salt Lake)

Ginna, Larry & Jennifer

I didn't take as many pics as I wanted to because I had to visit with too many people and help with the food.  It was all kind of crazy.  Other people took pics and hopefully I can get some of them to post because we took family pictures too:)  Also, Jenna did an awesome video.  Thanks Jenna for all your hard work!

Labor Day 2010

We got lucky and got to go to San Diego for Labor Day weekend!  Sadly, Alex didn't join us, but Brad and I and Danny and Ryan had a great time.  We spent some time at the beach on Saturday afternoon.  It was kind of cloudy but plenty warm.  However, the water was colder than Brad had ever remembered it so they didn't really get in the water.  We had a great time eating and being lazy and just plain enjoying the weather.

We had to celebrate the fact that it has been 10 years since I had my freak accident in the ocean!  We drove up to Orange County to eat at the Crab Cooker and take some pictures.  We also stopped at the park that we love in Dana Point.  We had a great time and didn't want to come back to the hot weather.

This is Capistrano Beach where I destroyed my leg

Here is the hospital that I spent 5 days at - only it was called San Clemente Hospital, or something like that.  So glad that is all over with (even though I'll live with the effects of it forever)