Road Trip to Kate's Baptism, June 28-July 13

Lobby of Marriott Hotel in Mobile, AL in an old historic building and beautifully restored

Jake's Custard Shop on the Gulf Shores

 - as unique as our very own Jake! 

LDS church in the garden district of New Orleans 

Plantation we just happened upon while looking for the real thing.

However, this looked pretty real to us

A beautiful row of oak trees in the middle of nowhere

as if some soul just went about beautifying the earth

Looking out from the balcony at Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana

This plantation was the real thing we were looking for, but it was one of many.

Side view of Oak Valley

Oak Valley from the rear...and finally -

 THE REAL THING

Oak Valley Plantation on the banks of the Mississippi River, 

Vacherie, Lousiana 

After five days on the road we arrived at the BELLS in BELL County, BELton TX! 

Amelia and Oliver went antiquing with us

This could pass for the Dominion Day Parade in Raymond, Alberta, Canada! 

But alas, it is the Belton July 4th parade

Grandma Becky on the parade curb with Amelia and Oliver

with Christian in the back waiting to help me get off the curb!

Cooling off after the parade

Miss Eloise - as sweet as she is beautiful

Oliver got an early birthday present from Poppy and Grandma Becky by request.

Our world globe for a five year old that is definitely smarter than a fifth grader 

You name it - he'll find it!

Red, white and blue punch for our July 4th barbeque 

Only Rebecca could pull that off!

Next stop: Allen, Texas

Lauren is riding her pony

 Morning walk with Kate, Lauren, and Taylor 

The reason for our fun trip: our beautiful Kate

Five very cute grandkids singing at Kate's baptism

Kate on her baptism day with her Dad

Open wide and smile!

All of the Crofts

Almost all of the Bells

Twin moms - cousin babies

Lauren traded her horse for a car!

Grandma Becky had a date with five grandkids at once! 

The Bounce House....

...then the ice cream shop

Miss Amelia has learned to swim

Miss Lauren is Queen of the Pool

Wait!   Miss Kate is Queen of the Pool!

Sparklers on a bright day in a dark garage

I do love these girls, but they are less than enthused
Eloise and Tessa

Kate and Taylor's farewell fashion show

Last stop on our road trip enroute home: Vicksburg, MI, National Military Park

16 miles of hallowed grounds, hundreds of monuments amongst the rolling hills of the battleground

Abraham Lincoln considered Vicksburg the 'key' to winning the Civil War

17,000 soldiers are buried here

13,000 of them are unknown 

This moving quote overlooks the sprawling cemetery

Picture perfect ending to this blog!  Miss Tessa in all her cuteness

Seeing Double and Other June Highlights

Doubling up on blessings!

Jake and Emily are going to have twins! See above sonogram

So are Beau and Amy! See below sonogram

Poppy and Grandma Becky are going to have four new grandbabies within days of each other!

As Poppy always says, 'Who are the lucky people that live here?'  We are! 

We just might be the luckiest people in the world.....

Twins in real life! Sofia and Lilian

A golfcart full of our luck!  Precious grandkids and their favorite 'aunt' Kailey

Shall we clone Quincy and get a double of him?   So cute!

He's hugging a cannonball in Charleston, NC

How about a double of Espen?  Impossible...he is way too unique!

The battery looking out to Fort Sumpter 

Beau and Amy came to Georgia, Claire and Jason joined us on a little vacation 

Once we got to Hilton Head, Dagmar and children joined us 

We were a noisy bunch at the restaurant for dinner!

There's something interesting in the lake.....

.....very interesting!

Not quite as interesting of a catch as an alligator, but Gabe's smile is worth a million bucks!

Tasker family reunion at Brianhead, UT

Rub a dub-dub, three girls in a hub!

Sofia, Ella, and Lilian with matching hair-do's

Add the fairest stylist of them all.....

Claire and her clients!

The loveshack owners.....

.....Beau and Amy on Hilton Head

White Coat Ceremony for Jason

Congratulations is in order for Jason who is working hard in school 

and Claire who is working hard at home while he is in school!

A Birth, Farwell, and Life Inbetween, May Update

Welcome to the newest member of our family: Ezra Solomon Boyle, May 16, 2012.   Adorable!

Seth is the newest Dad - an immediate expert at diaper changes!

Julie is the newest Mom - an expert who has been in training for years!

She is so thrilled to finally have her own, sweet little baby boy.

Newest grand-baby for Grandma Becky - #32!

Ezra's first bath - he loved it!

A new baby is little slice of heaven on earth. 

Mt Timpanogos is heavenly from the Boyle's home.

Charlotte and Quincy came to play....and stay. 

Claire, Jason, Ella and Lincoln went on a cruise away.

We watched Jonah play his last soccer game of season.  Does he have one leg only? 

Lucky boy, his dad was his coach.

 Precious!

 Grandma Becky and Ella on Mother's Day. 

The flowers were from Julie and Michael Smith.

Julie Smith spoke in our Relief Society on Mother's Day. 

Then the family came to our home for brunch.

Time with a favorite sister, Launa, in Arizona.

Time with some favorite friends, The Nuttals. 

Gary had work in Pheonix, and I tagged along.

Time with a dear friend, 'Sister' Snider serving in SLC South Mission

Time on Memorial Day with mom and dad at Provo Cemetery

Time with my brothers and sisters at a sad time.....

Time to say an earthly 'farewell' to a beloved Aunt Carrol 

 

 

This Family is on the MOVE!

                                  Beau and Amy are moving Boston in August.  Their Brownstone!

                         Dave and Jessica are moving to Baltimore, Maryland in July.  Their Colonial!
                             Views from the front and back yard....lots of room to romp and roam.

                 Jim and Jennefer were May Movers to the perfect location in Albuquerque. Their Tuscan!
                                                          Their yard backs up to the temple.

               Christian and Rebecca were the first May Movers, settling in Belton, TX.  Their apartment!
                        Plans for building a home are in the works.   It's going to be a wild Texas ride!