We spent time in Maryland for the new year and it snowed.This was the first time rylee has seen snow. It was so funny when she picked up the snow with her hands she did not realize that it was making her hands cold and she was screaming. Sad but funny. We did not plan on staying for the snow and last minute minds had changed and the kids were very happy we stayed. They have not seen real snow since Kentucky. We do miss the snow. The girls had a lot of fun.

So long beach we will miss you!!! So sad that we can't go to the beach for 3 to 4 more months.. the cold hit to early this year. So SAD!!! When we moved here last year in Dec. I remember going to the beach with my girls all the way till the end of January. Not this year.

If a funeral can be called amazing, this was it. I have always felt like I have been very patriotic, that is how we were raised. But patriotism holds a brand new meaning for me. I have a new found respect for those who serve our country. It is a selfless act that they stand there at the front line while we are at home enjoying our time, our families, and our freedoms. I heard many times this past weekend how war is a "necessary evil" and I could not agree more.
Thursday, we drove to Hills Air Force Base in Salt Lake City, UT for the ramp ceremony of the body being flown in. The only word to describe this event was "chills." We all loaded up in a small bus and drove the 2 mile road to the runway. With the Patriot Guard in attendance, there was a very quiet ceremony. Our journey back was timeless. Every man or woman in uniform that day lined the streets, saluting as we passed with the hearst. No traffic was in movement. Men and women stopped their cars and stood outside with their hands on their hearts. The bus was silenced even with children aboard and not a dry eye present. Saturday, the funeral went all too well. The burial was another chilling moment. With the Honor Guard, the 21 Gun Salute, the trumpet being played, the Patriot Guards surrounding us with flags, its almost overwhelming.

So as I was posting my other post and looking at pictures I thought I would share these. We went to the beach and I finally got Rylee to sleep there, AWESOME!! Then there are some other cute one that I will post that my girls decided to try to swim in Rylee's pool that is tiny. Funny things kids do.

Wow! has it been forever since I have updated this blog. Well things have happened,what kind of things... the beach, the library, the beach,church callings, the beach, and well the beach. Can you tell we love the beach.

We have gone a few trips to Maryland and back but nothing to exciting. Derrick and I celebrated our 12 year anniversary,in Maryland, not again.I am so very happy I married this man. He is such a wonderful, inspiring, loving,spiritual,handsome and I can keep going, But I love this man and so glad he puts up with me.

I am going to try to post some pictures of these lily pads. We see them every time we go to the beach. I think they are so pretty. If they turn out real well I am going to put them in a bathroom and finally decorate it.

I love the summer. I love the heat for some crazy reason. Being at the ocean helps with that though, just so relaxing. I enjoy in the evenings mowing the lawn to. The smell of fresh cut grass is so nice. I probably sound so gay but that is in my mind right now. I just cut the grass and that is what I smell right now.

So I took Aubree and Ashlee to go and get there hair cut this morning. I Think that both of them made good choices in what they wanted. Aubree really scared to get her hair cut because she wanted to grow it really long and Ashlee decided she wanted to do the same just recently. Aubree wanted to donate her hair but when we lived in TX she got high light put in and ruined that idea. it is ok though. The both like the out come of the hair and that makes it nice. I let them choose what they wanted and I am glad it was not to crazy. Can't wait till that comes if it comes.

We just got back from Maryland. We spent Easter with Derricks parents. We had lots of fun. We also spent some time with Derricks brother and his family. We had lots of fun. The on;y Sukey things was that Sydnee was sick the while time. She had allergies when we left but did not think that it would get worse. She did a wonderful job pushing through and trying to have a good time still. It also sucks that Derrick is getting sick and his mom is getting sick. AHHH! What can we do, it happens.

We got to go visit Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. My girls were some what interested but I think that it was more for adults though. Very interesting though. If you didn't listen in history and have the chance to go there, go. I wish I had pictures but I dropped our camera the night before we left and does not work at all. GREAT!!! after that we took the girls to the big Boyd's Bear factory. Amazing! If you are into bears this is the place to go.Don't go unless you plan on buying something for your little ones. They won't come out happy unless they get something :)!