Lassere France

We made it to Catelnau de Montmiral in southwest France! Our journey took us from Salt Lake City to Minnesota to London. We rented a car in London and began the drive. FYI: the steering wheel is on the right side and we had to drive on the left side of the road in England until we got to France! Why are the British the only ones who think this is the right way to drive? Anyway, we crossed the English channel via the Eurochunnel. It was a cool experience. We felt like we were riding in cattle cars with miniature windows that were only for viewing the dark tunnel. We can check that off the list of things to do. It was cool but expensive. I think we will try the ferry on the way back. We are in the Tarn region of France and it is beautiful! We are amongst rolling hills of wheat fields, farms, vineyards,etc. The farmhouse we are renting was built in 1829 and it is a typical French farmhouse. Thick stone walls, tiled floors, huge wood beams on the ceilings, stables attached to the farmhouse, stone steps, etc. We love it! I have to pinch myself to make sure I am not dreaming! We do not have any neighbors, ie. Vendras, so we miss that daily interaction with the "frenchies". The children are loving the wide open spaces to run, play, ride bikes, etc. This is a little piece of heaven!

Happy Easter 2012!

Happy Easter! We got so spoiled with a beautiful, warm sunday! All the kids looked so nice in pink and spring colors! We missed having Julia home with us but she sent me an "Easter" picture in her sunday dress with a few of her friends. She looked cute and tan!

We had a wonderful Sunday church service and a relaxing day as a family, including Aaron. He did not have many sunday obligations :). We had a nice dinner and then the older children hid easter eggs in the backyard for Jack and Sophie. Jack was so excited to participate in this! He talked about it all week and quickly gathered as many eggs as his basket could hold. Sophie was intrigued by the whole affair. She would follow Tristan around and pick up eggs and then walk over to her basket and put them in. She would occasionally check her basket to make sure the eggs were there. They were both so fun to watch!

This Easter was especially difficult and comforting. A year ago was the last time my Dad was in our home and I had so many emotional moments on Sunday. I am so grateful for the knowledge that I have that this earthly journey is not the end. I know that Jesus Christ was resurrected that we too can be resurrected and if we live righteously we will be with our loved ones who have passed beyond the veil. I know God is our Eternal Father in Heaven and that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and willingly overcame death so we might live again. I know I will see my Father again and I look forward to the joyful day! :)

Picking Up the Pieces

I have not blogged in a year! Yikes! I always check in with a few blogs I follow but always forget to visit my own! (How sad is that?) Maybe I should set a new goal... to blog once a week, maybe twice? Who knows...

My life in a year has changed ALOT!

1)My oldest daughter, Julia, graduated from high school last year and began attending Brigham Young University in June! That is Julia in the picture below as our whole family was watching her walk away and begin her new chapter of life. It was very emotional for Aaron and me.

2) My father passed away suddenly on May 18th from a heart attack.

3) Sophie Ann is now 13 months old. She is a beautiful little girl who adds so much "noise" to our family! (As if we didn't have enough before her!) We all love her to pieces!

4)We survived another Christmas...

I will add more later. Sophie is making her beautiful noise...