auntie marilyn

 On Monday I got a new nephew and niece.  Chris and Kristy gave birth to their third child, Theodore, and Nora and Garrett gave birth to their first child, Maggie.  It was a day filled with wonder and miracles.

^ ^ 1// my parent's at the hospital 2//a note my dad wrote to my mom 3// my dad holding Maggie ^ ^

Since Monday I have taken about 200+ pictures of Maggie, but Theodore is in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) and he and his family needs our prayers.  Our hope and prayers is that doctors will find out what is causing is sicknesses and heal him so he can come home.

We're also praying for no long-term health problems.  This has been a long week for the Stapleys and as tests are being taken and they live day-to-day we can only hope for some normality sooner than later.  All of this makes me even more grateful for my family's good health.

Martin wedding | part 2

Julie and Jame's wedding reception was at the Wright house and it was perfect.  My kids ran around and got to know the place very well while I played the role of Matron of Honor and Andrew enjoyed the orange frappe.  Well, he would have if I didn't keep eating all of his.

^ ^ Prettiest color scheme. ^ ^

 ^ ^ She was hot, ok! ;) ^ ^

 ^ ^  Lookin' good, Honey! ^ ^

 

I hope all of Julie's and Jame's dreams came true because they deserve it.

Martin wedding Part 1
professional pics and video here.

July snapshots

July!  What a fun, not to mention hot, month!!  In July my best friend got married, we painted our house (finally, yay!), we pool hopped and went to the lake, and Elliot turned 6.  What a big boy!  We are just about ready for school to start.  Less than a week.  As much as I'm looking forward to the new school year I'm really going to miss Elliot.  This will be his first day being at school all day and I can't help thinking how much growth and change will happen.  But it's time and I need to let him go.  A little at a time.

 

Martin wedding | part 1

Almost two weeks ago my best friend, Julie Dangerfield, got married to James Martin.  I have to mention this irony but my sister, Julie, also married a James and their last name is Manning.  So I have two Julie and James M's is my life that are very important to me.

Julie was absolutely glowing and beautiful and stunning and even those words don't do her justice.  I can only imagine how James felt.  Lucky guy!  It was wonderful being a part of their sealing and wedding day and I enjoyed snapping some pictures and being the Matron of Honor (yes!).  Such a mature title, and a true honor.

Julie, you have wonderful years ahead of you!  I'm so glad you found your other half!!

Ammon and Ruth wedding part 3

Every wedding in our family I try to get inner-family pictures. 

I didn't get everyone this time but here are a few.

^ ^ Let's just say it was a long day. ^ ^

^ ^ Loving Nora's belly and DJ and Sara's recent edition. ^ ^

^ ^ Two more pregnant bellies. ^ ^

^ ^ Very sweet! ^ ^

^ ^ All the sisters and sils (sister-in-laws)! ^ ^

And that's a wrap with Ruth's wedding pics!  See more on the photographer's website.  I especially love the reception pictures. Most of mine didn't turn out very well.

A&R wedding part 1 and  part 2

Ammon and Ruth wedding part 2

Watching Ruth get sealed (married) in the temple was such a special thing for my family.  Andrew and I kept reflecting on out wedding day and I'm sure many others in the family were doing the same.  Ruth is the last and eighth child to be married in the very same temple, and both of my parent's parents were also married there so it was kind of a big deal.

^ ^ Look at how much the Stapley family has grown. ^ ^ 

^ ^ Hey look at those handsome boys of mine! ^ ^

^ ^ Avery kept trying to pick all the flowers and teaching Zara to do the same. ^ ^

^ ^ All the nieces, minus Hazel. ^ ^

 ^ ^ Ruth fits right in with the Opie family. ^ ^

If I'm being honest, I was kind of grumpy when Ruth announced she was engaged, and it has nothing to do with Ammon.  I was too caught up with the fact that she just turned 19 and only a few months before she said she wanted to go on a mission.  The truth is, Ammon and Ruth are just right for each other and this is their time.  Their marriage will be beautiful and it was the right thing for them. I know because that's how it is for Andrew and me.  There were those that didn't think we were right for each other, but we knew being together was right and that's what is important.  We have grown up together, and continue to, and I love Andrew more today than I ever have before.  The close relationships in our lives make life so magnificent.

Ammon and Ruth wedding part 1 here.

June snapshots

Looking at these pictures it's hard to believe how fast time as flown.  Is it really already July 5th?  June was a special month. It was the month my baby sister, Ruth, got married.  I also threw her and my best friend Julie Dangerfield bridal showers.  Julie D. and I went to an Idina Menzel concert.  She put on an amazing performance!  In June we celebrated Father's Day, I had my first root canal (blah!), Zara started saying "mama" voluntarily (this is progress!), and we did whatever we could to keep cool and hydrated.