Avril the Child Prodigy Pianist

I think we'll start Avril's piano lessons early. She seems to have a natural gift and just loves to practice. Amazing!!

Stampede Awards/ Avril's 1st Time in Pool!!

Jesse's football team had a post-season party at the Logan Aquatic Center. We were so excited to take Avril for a swim! I was pretty sure that she'd love it since her favorite part of the day is bath time.


Here we are at my parents' house just before we leave...


Avril's reaction when we told her that she gets to go swimming!!


Dave Williams and Jesse Yarger, two of the best offensive players on the team! They both received awards. Dave is wearing the pink Disney princess backpack because he "carries" the team. It had to do with the award he got. Suits him nicely :)


Jesse was awarded the "Rookie of the Year" since this was his first year playing for the Stampede. They gave him a newborn baby doll to go with this. Jesse was nice enough to share his doll with Avril.


Bracken Atkinson, Jesse's coach. He was awarded the coach of the year this year.


Mommy was eating the delicious bar-b-que food so grandpa took over with the baby for a bit. Thanks grandpa Bryan!


And here we are, about to dip in to the pool! Avril is clinging on for dear life!


Avril didn't even seem to notice that she was in the water. There were lots of rowdy boys running around and splashing which made mommy mad. It was time for bed, freezing, and Avril was getting cranky so it didn't turn out to be the big hit I'd thought it would. Maybe next time we can go earlier when its still warm outside and she's not so tired...


After swimming Jesse plays with our little sweetheart in her too-big swimsuit :)


Daughter-mommy playtime :)


The finger is often in the mouth... and usually its more than one finger. Avril does not like to suck on pacifiers, bottles, pretty much anything unless it is attached to a human. She will gladly suck on other people's fingers, arms, noses... :)


In the bathroom about to take a bath!


Soooo much fun, Avril just LOVES this!


Nice and clean!


Uncle Jared came over for a little FHE at our house.


Avril just brings a smile to everyone's face. She is such a joy and we love love love her to pieces!!!

This is for Britney!

I found this pic from the beloved Blue Door House. I have some others I should send you but I don't think I have your email... What good times!

Canal Breaks

Tragedy struck the neighborhood where my parents live this past Saturday. The canal above the 'island' neighborhood broke, causing a landslide and the collapse of a home. Several other homes were flooded and the area was evacuated. There was a mother and her two children residing in the home that collapsed. I learned today that so far two of the bodies have been recovered. This just breaks my heart. My parents and Jared were volunteers in the clean up crew. They have some pictures on their blog: www.sparkinsons.blogspot.com.


Since Jared works at the Herald Journal he was able to send me a couple pictures from the local newspaper. This is a shot taken of the canal where it completely drops off. This is so incredible. I used to run parallel to this canal every day (now I'm just getting back in to the habit of running since taking care of Avril has been plenty of exercise for me).


This rescue fireman's name is Casey Crockett. I don't think he's related to me (Crockett cousins, you'll have to let me know). Jesse works with this fireman at the hospital in the Behavioral Health Unit. He's quite the do-gooder.

For more pics and a video click the link: www.hjnews.com/photography/2009/07/11/landslide/

Mobile Uploads

Here are some recent pics I took on my phone that are just so adorable I thought I'd post them. I can't write much because Avril is screaming at the top of her lungs, "pay attention to me!!!" right now. Aaaahhhh!!! OK bye.

Boating at Bear Lake

We got to have some visitors with us from California for awhile- my brother Adrian came with his family- Arleen, and Brittany. We celebrated the 4th of July with all of them and had a great time! We decided to go up to Bear Lake and rent a boat on Friday!!! What a blast!! The 4th of July is my favorite holiday because it is one of the only ones where it isn't cold outside (usually) and I love watching the fireworks.


Here is Avril in the car just chillin in her new hat that Grandma bought her.


And here is our first full family pic we've taken since our wedding... all the kids, grandkids are here :)


Jesse was the first to be brave enough to venture in to the freezing cold water and try water skiing. Just wait till I show him how its done!


And here is Jared driving the boat so my dad can water ski behind.


Bros- Chubbs & JMac


Us (Brrrr...)


Avril and her cousin at the 4th of July neighborhood breakfast

Golden Corral... Mmmmm....

My cousins, the Muncys, came up from California to say goodbye to their missionary, Stephanie Muncy. She will be serving in Alabama!! I didn't catch a picture of her, but here are a few shots I did get:


Yum!!


Avril doing what she does best- attracting attention. We can already tell her personality. She loves to be the center of attention. If all eyes are on her, she's a happy girl :)


Uncle Jared holding his niece.