The Move Out West!

Westward Ho!!!

 The moving day came and even with all the packing over the last month- they are always stressful!

We seem to have to much stuff! We had to get a small trailer for behind the 28' truck and we still left things behind in Georgia! 

 After many tears and long hugs we were off and finely on the road. All our stuff, mommy and daddy and three kids, three bunnies, and Ninja and her litter of five all on our way to Utah! 

As our tags were up in May it became one of the first things to change in Utah- kinda emotional for me- I know I am a bit strange!

We have slacked- So where to start?

Back to the past- Georgia!

In beautiful Stone Mountain- one of the most amazing places on earth!

This trip as our last for a while brought back many memories over the years, back to a time when our kids were much smaller.

 At one of the truly Southern places to eat- Waffle House! Mimi and Granddaddy go there every Saturday so we figured we would join them! Smothered, Covered, Diced, Chopped and Chunked!

 Very Happy kids!

 Mia with one of her favorites- Boiled Peanuts! Not in Utah!!!

 The kids wearing hats from one of many care packages from Mommy out in Utah.

 Brenner and Mimi and their favorite game- Checkers!

And Brenner and Cayden at the last Basket Ball Camp in Georgia- lots of fun!

Our Georgia Friends

 This group of people (and as I type, many emotions come very close to the surface) are some of the best in our lives! We have grown very close to them all over the many great years we spent in Georgia. All are from the Monroe Ward Era (the best of our lives) and as we look into each and every face, there are so many wonderful memories that we will cherish forever!  The Taylor's, Thomas's, Brown's, Harper's, Carter's and Allred's- All names we will forever remember.  Thank you all for so very much!!!  Great memories with each of you and as a group, with kids and with out.  As you all remember during my brief (yeah right) remarks and memories at our great "Going Away" party, I can be quite emotional, and I am getting that way now so I will just end it with-

WE LOVE YOU ALL SO VERY MUCH!!! 

 The kidos at Stevi B's Pizza.

 Maybe the last picture of Brenner, Weston and James- Who knows?

 -The Girls-

 -The Boys-

And thank you so much to Marie for this picture, because as I look at it it truly makes me smile as it truly captures all the pure joy, fun, emotion, and love this group shares- it will truly be missed in our lives!

Farewell For Now Friends- 

Until We See Ya All Again! 

How Time Flies!!!

 Wow- it has been well over a month since our last post and sometimes it is for lack of pictures or interesting things to blog about, but this time it is just a lack of time! We have been so very busy with getting ready for the upcoming shows, the move and just "life", that we have not had the time to post!  So here is a spattering of what we have been up to the last month and a half. 

Cayden turned ten in march and had a great birthday even if Daddy forgot the "T" in birthday on his Cookie Cake. Sky landers, a lava lamp and Peanut M&M's were on his list.

 Mia got her hair cut for the first time (other than little trims by Mom). She looks so very cute with it shorter!

 Mommy's last day (Night) at the Hospital in Georgia- Yeh!!!

 Mia and Daddy gluing glitter to a shoe box for Valentines.

What a mess!!! 

 All the Brantley and Smith kids eating traditional "Green Dinner" for St. Patrick's Day.

 And the adults too!

Lucky Irish!

 The kids after a huge and very violent hail storm holding dime (or bigger) size hail in their hands.

 Mia holding "Grams singing Bunny"- Do your Ears Hang Low?

Cayden and Daddy putting the finishing touches on his pinewood derby car. 

 Mia doing house Work!?!

Maybe the butterfly wings are helping!?!

 Dyeing Easter Eggs.

 The kids at the Park.

 Five Guys Burgers and Fries with Mimi and Granddaddy.

 Easter Baskets.

 Mia looses her first tooth. 

Makes Daddy sad- she is growing up!

 Brenner wading in the river at Gary Pirkle park.

My two beautiful girls!!!

So Much Is a changing!

Back To Utah!

Ever since we became renters and no longer were attached to a plot of ground, we have been thinking about where we needed to be for the years to come and what was truly the best for the whole family.  For the first little bit, we just did not know where we wanted to be- we were truly torn.

.  Over the last year, it became more clear to us that our future lied back west.  So after 7 wonderful years in one of the most beautiful places on earth- We Are Moving Back To Utah!!!

Among many reasons- The business will do so much better, My health, Schools, Family and the fact that Brenner has always said he is a "Utah Boy"- we finally listened and understood.

Nikki has found a great job in Riverton and although it is a bit further from family than we would have chosen, it is about 2,000 miles closer and that is a great thing!

We are so very sad to leave Georgia as we have been so very happy here.  As we look back over all the wonderful times, great opportunities, spectacular friends and truly amazing family we do so with a bit of sadness, but also with truly great memories that we will cherish forever!

Thank You to Georgia for all you have given us!

So it is off to Utah as soon as the school year ends in May and who knows what the future holds- if it is as truly fabulous as the last seven years have been- Bring it on!!!

Dr. Seuss Day

Dr. Seuss Day

Mia on Dr. Seuss day at school.  Cayden did not want to dress up as the cat in the hat- poor sport!  

Cabin Trip

Fun in Ellijay Georgia!  

 All the kids in the hot tub! 

Swim little Fish!

 Decorating Valentines Cookies- What fun- Thanks Jen!

 Daddy and his little girl!

 Brenner and James playing pool. They got quite good over the four days!  

Don't hit the 8 ball!

We had lots of fun!

-Happy New Years-

And the Douglas Family

Minute To Win It

 The kids bringing in the New Year with sparklers, Roman Candles and fireworks brought over the state line by the Kippers- Lots of Fun!
Happy New Year!

Nikki doing the "Chocolate Unicorn".
Granddaddy has been planning this game night for several months (He and Mimi watch way to much of the Game Show Chanel).  It was a "Minute to Win It" night and a lot of fun- 

Thanks Granddaddy!!!

Patrick and the "Nut Stacker".

Natalie and "Baby Blocks".

Jessy and "Flip Your Lid".

Mimi and "Guy Fierri" playing "Breakfast Scrambler".

Gent and the "Cup Pyramid".

Stephanie and the "Floating Cans".

And Grandaddy and "Quick Shot".

We all had so much fun eating "Southern" New Years Food, Playing Games and Cheese Cake and Key Lime Pie. 

Thanks again Granddaddy for such a great New Years!!!