Catching up!

So...it's been a while since I posted anything. This is my attempt at catching up.

Halloween:
Eva wanted to be Sleeping Beauty/ a Pink Princess so badly despite what I wanted her to be (which is anything not pink). What can I say? The girl loves pink! I like pink too, just not everyday! She insists on wearing a pink dress everyday! Olive was a stuffed green olive for halloween. Her costume was very homemade as you can see. But I thought the idea would be kinda fun! She was cute regardless of how well her costume was made!

Camping and Fam Reunion in Forks, Wa

This last month we were able to go camping up at a church owned camp by Sun Valley. It was nice to get away and enjoy the outdoors. We were there for half a week and then immediately got back on the road to meet up with all of our Gentry family in Forks, Wa. Anxious to get there, we left a day early, stayed in Seattle, took the ferry the next day and arrived in Forks a few hours later. As we drove past the "Welcome to Forks" sign, we couldn't believe all the cars lined up to have their pictures taken while holding a lifesize cutout of Edward. I was a little disappointed I didn't get one myself! Dispite what you're thinking, we were not there for Twilight. My Dad was born and raised there and all of my sibling up until me were born there. It was nice to go back after 10 years or so and see relatives and how much things have changed (mostly because of Twilight). We stayed in La Push, Wa on the coast. It was absolutely gorgeous! Eric and I want to go back next year. It was a short but fun trip. We're a little bit sad that we didn't get to hangout with family more (Olive got sick so at least one of us had to stay in the hotel room quite a bit). But it was a fun filled weekend from the walk/lunch in the Rainforest, 4th of July parade, to the fireworks til 4 a.m.

This is my favorite picture at the moment.

Eva and I had a conversation today and it went like this:

Me: "Eva, did you know that you lived with Jesus and Heavenly Father before you came to Mommy and Daddy?"

Eva: "Yes, and Jesus was up in the sky and he loves me."

Me: "Yes, Jesus loves you very much. Do you remember Jesus?"

Eva: "Yes, but I can't see him."

Me: "No, we can't see him." (And before I could say, "well maybe some people can or have," she interupted me with...)

Eva: "But I can hear him."

Me: "You can?"

Eva: "Yes, just like when I hear a choo choo train but I can't see it. I hear Jesus like that."

I thought it was pretty amazing!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EVA!

Eva (Minnie Mouse) turned 3 on May 27th. She woke up that morning singing, "Happy Birthday to Eva," over and over again and it was as if she woke up with three times more energy than normal from being so excited. We had a small party for her with a Minnie Mouse theme, which she was set on having ever since her cousin Alta had a Minnie Mouse cake. Unfortunately, I was not able to pull off the amazing Minnie Mouse cake like my sisters (you'll see my pretty pathetic attempt to even stencil a mouse head on cupcakes). I figured Eva would be happy regardless. It turned out to be a great day for Eva.

Here are some recent pictures taken. I wasn't thrilled about the set up but I can't help but love the girls in the pictures. Eva -almost 3, Olive - 3 1/2 months.

Easter 2009

This week has been pretty eventful. Eva fractured her wrist at the beginning of the week falling off the bed. At first I thought it was the same arm that she had already fractured but it wasn't. Last time it was her left arm, this time it was her right. Same as before, she doesn't seem to mind having a cast on. Infact, I think she finds joy in using it as a weapon, which doesn't feel too good.

All the cousins came over for an Easter egg hunt, which was definitely a crowd. The weather couldn't have been more perfect. Thank goodness! Eva had a hard time not using her hurt arm to pick up the eggs, which was pretty much impossible because she can't grasp with that hand. I eventually told her to drop the basket and use her good hand to get the eggs. She caught on so well that I had to tell her to stop finding eggs so that the other cousins could get more. She was fine with that because she wanted to sit and eat the candy anyway.

Above: Eva and Olive Easter Sunday.

Olive's Baby Blessing

March 15, 2009

We blessed Olive yesterday and everything turned out so well. Eric gave the most beautiful blessing. We were so pleased that so many of our friends and family were able to make it. It turned out to be a great day.

I was determined to get a good family picture. Well, it didn't turn out as great as I was hoping. But at least we got something. Eva was and is still so sick of all the picture taking.

Mommy and Olive.

Daddy and Olive: Olive did so well and she even had a cold in her eye which came on the night before.

Grandma and Grandpa Gentry and the Hahn family were able to come from out of town. It was nice to have them there. Thanks for coming guys.

Olive at the end of the day. I think we all felt this way.

My Girls

I thought I'd post a few pictures of me with my girls. I am so lucky and blessed to have them.

SHE WILL BE MISSED

I am writing in remembrance of our dear friend, Tasche Stone. She passed away last week and our hearts are sad and heavy from the tragic loss of this special person. She is survived by her husband and our close friend, Keola Stone, and their 4 week old twin baby boys, Ikaika and Makakoa.

Tasche was a wonderful mother, adored wife and beautiful person. Eric and I had the privilege of knowing Tasche from when Keola and she were dating and honored to witness them be sealed in the Idaho Falls Temple. Though we did not get to know her as well as we wished we should have, she will always be in our hearts and remembered forever.

Due to the tragic and unexpected turn of events in Keola and the boy's lives, I will keep our friends and family posted on any ways that they may be willing and want to help. As mentioned in Tasche's obituary, there is a trust fund set up for the boys for future purposes. However, we are trying to start a fund that may be used for their immediate needs.

We love and miss you, Tasche.

Eva Voncille

Eva has her moments but that's expected considering she's still adjusting to being a big sister. She has never said anything mean or negative about her baby sister. Infact, she is constantly telling me how much she loves everyone, including Olive. Her new thing is to begin every sentence with, "because." I think it's her way of explaining herself. She's doing amazingly well!