Branson's Blessing Day!

Bart blessed Branson on Sunday. Bart gave him a very nice blessing! Prior to the blessing, Bart and I were discussing what his name should really be. His full name is now Branson Bart Adams!

We appreciate all of the family support for his blessing. Those that attended from Bart’s side were: Grandpa Jack and Grandma JoAnn Turner; Mom and Dad Adams (Loyal and Tonia); Luke, Sabree, Oliver, and Jaylee (Julie was at home sick, she was missed!); Jake and Amy; Eli and Mandy; Uncle Ernie, Aunt Joan, and cousin Alex. Those that attended from my side were: Mom and Dad Broadbent (Carol and Joe); Vance, Cole, Lott; Alicia, George, Georgie, Maren, Todd, and Brynn; Ben and Erica; and Mary! We loved having everyone here! (Those of you that didn't come were missed!)


He really is an excellent baby. He started sleeping through the night at 7 weeks. He falls asleep quickly in his bed and is happy when he is awake (unless he is ready to eat). He and I are both thriving on his routines! I feel very blessed to have this sweet boy as a part of our family.


Ellie, Mom, Gracie, Branson, Dad, Addie


Great Grandpa Turner, Branson, and Great-Grandma Turner


Grandma Tonia, Great-Grandpa Turner, Branson, Great-Grandma Turner, Dad-4 Generations!



Grandpa Joe, Grandma Carol, and Branson


Standing in Back: Bart, Branson, Lorna, Jake, Amy, Eli, Mandy, Luke, Oliver
Front: Tonia, Addie, Sabree, Ellie, Gracie, Loyal


I didn't think a whole lot about what pictures I wanted taken (aside from Grandparents/Great-Grandparents) until blogging. I wish I had gotten a picture of everyone there, sorry to those of you not pictured. Thank you Erica for being the official photographer for the day!

School

School started in August. Bart gave each of the girls a blessing prior to school starting, including Addie and me. It was a special evening for our family. I appreciate that Bart is a worthy priesthood holder.

Ellie has Miss Guillette for preschool.

Oliver, her cousin, is in the same class again this year. They are good little friends!

(I really should have zoomed in, oh well! I was just giving you a view of the school!)

Gracie is in First Grade with Miss Weight. She taught Bart in second grade!

I love having teachers for my girls that I know personally. We get to see both teachers at church regularly. I appreciate both of these women! They have sure made the transition for Gracie to all day 1st grade and Elementary school preschool for Ellie a lot easier (for them and for me. I can send my girls off to school having peace of mind that they are being well taken care of)!

Branson's hair

We have loved Branson's full head of hair since birth. He got many compliments on his hair, including the color. It was so fun to have a baby with so much hair! At two months old I finally insisted we cut his growing hair.

So, I guess the look on his face after the hair cut tells us what he thinks! :) He looks like a different baby, but we still love him to pieces!

Bear Lake

At the end of August we met up with some of my family at Bear Lake. We stayed at a newly purchased family cabin. It was fun to be together. The girls loved playing on the beach and in the water. It was a great time!

While at the lake, I stepped back from the moment and enjoyed the feeling of the day. I feel so blessed. My children were in heaven, while I felt a piece of heaven! They were having so much fun with uncles, the mud, the water. We were enjoying firsthand the blessings of family! My children have terrific uncles and aunts, Bart’s side and my side both! I am very thankful for them! They have fantastic grandparents and great-grandparents as well! Thank you to each of you!

Gracie

Branson and Aunt Mary

Dad

Uncle Matt and Ellie digging a tomb

Cousin Philip, Ellie and Uncle Matt burying Gracie



Gracie

Addie loving the sand

Isaac, Philip, and Lott

Cole and Uncle Nick


Uncle NJ, Branson and Aunt Mary

Ellie. I think this is such a sweet picture. The band-aid is from a bonk on the hearth earlier this morning.

Addie

Mom

Gracie is standing in the little pool that she and Uncle Nick made.

Uncle Nick was so sweet to help get the girls cleaned off after playing.

Older and Wiser!

Bart turned 34! He celebrated on a boys’ weekend trip to San Diego with two of his brothers, Eli and Luke. We celebrated as a family after he got home with a dinner made from scratch: tortillas, refried beans, Spanish rice, and corn on the cob. Bart requested chocolate cupcakes!

Am I Really Getting Older?

I am 31, however, I still feel like I am 21! For my birthday we combined work and pleasure. Branson, Bart and I went to Salt Lake on Friday and Saturday. Bart had meetings and an MRI scheduled for his shoulder. I had a good time visiting with Alisha (an old college friend) over lunch, and Elba while waiting for Bart. Bart, Branson, and I shopped and ate at Benihana’s (a first for both of us). We had a nice time. Bart’s parents watched our girls. It was nice to get away.

Ellie's 4 Year Birthday

Ellie turned 4 on August 9th. She is such a sweetie. We are so thankful for her sweet spirit and tender heart. She loves to help and tries hard to obey. She is a good big sister to Addie and Branson. She and Gracie have a lot of fun playing. Ellie loves puzzles. She is a great bike rider. She loves singing and dancing. She loves make-up and loves to help mom cook!

During Ellie's 2nd session of swimming lessons this summer, the lifeguard (one of Bart’s priests named Wade) noticed Ellie was underwater and not coming up. Wade got the attention of the teacher who got her out of the water! What a scary thing! We are so thankful for Ellie!

Ellie chose a castle birthday cake. Ellie and Gracie both wanted to help decorate her cake.

For Ellie's party she wanted to go swimming!

Addie, Dad, and Ellie

Addie, Devin, Sabree, Gracie, Oliver, Ellie, Aliya, Addison, and Paige

Ellie on the big sun

Sabree, Oliver, Paige, Addison, Ellie, Gracie (laying down in front)

More about the Summer

We attended the Cedar City Shakespearean Festival in July with my family. Bart and I traded off attending the plays and watching the kids. JoAnn, my sister, watched Branson during a play so Bart and I could attend one together while our girls were at the daycare. The girls had lots of fun swimming with the cousins. (We didn't take many pictures. This is my dad holding Branson.) Thank you Mom and Dad for the fun weekend!

My sister-in-law Julie's birthday was July 23rd and we were able to surprise her at an Orem Owl's game. In addition to Julie's family, Eli, Mandy, Loyal, and Tonia were also there.

Sabree and Gracie

Lorna, Sabree, Ellie (in back), Gracie and Eli

The kids had fun getting candy at the 24th of July Parade in Scipio. Oliver was hanging out with us for the day!

Grandma Adams, Oliver, Ellie, Addie, and Gracie

Our family: Dad, Branson, Gracie, Addie, Mom, Ellie

We also had a chance to go to the newly built Lodge in Wyoming for a weekend with my family. We saw lots of family, rode horses, played games, and explored outside. We had a lot of fun!

Cousin Ivan and Gracie