Catching Up!

My girls have been giving me a bad time about updating our blog. It has only been a few weeks after all..... I only have a few excuses for it taking me so long to get on it, sending Kevin off on his mission, getting acclimated to my new calling as Stake Young Women's president, making alterations to a wedding dress for one of the young single adults in our branch, getting my act together for the 3 October birthdays in the family, making lasagna for munch and mingle, attending church meetings all while working full time...... oh, wait! I don't have an excuse because these are the same you all have going on in our lives everyday too. I am blessed with work! Really I am grateful to be busy.

Here are a few random pictures from the past few weeks. As you scroll down there are pictures of our Anniversary party and Cooper's birthday. Enjoy!

Andrea at Cooper's Birthday Party

Heather and Jeff waiting for the party to start

Siena with Cooper

Sweet little Hannah

Papa with the two youngest grandchildren, Cooper and Hannah

Grandma and Grandpa Sharp on Halloween

Siena helping me make cinnamon rolls

Kevin and Kim washing dishes the weekend before he left for his mission

Tami (she's so photogenic)

All four grandkids! It's so hard to get them all to hold still, smile and look at the camera

Cooper's First Birthday!

We had lots of fun celebrating Cooper's 1st birthday. He turned 1 on October 19th. He was a good sport letting us all take pictures and "help" him with his gifts. Andrea did such an amazing job making his cake!

30th Wedding Anniversary Surprise!!

Our kids surprised us with an anniversary party to celebrate 30 years of wedded bliss. We really have had a great marriage and we are grateful for every minute of it (the good times and the hard times). All of it has drawn us closer every day. We are grateful for our children and the time and energy they took to make this happen for us. We are also thankful for all of our extended family members that came to celebrate with us. We love them with all of our hearts.

Heather made this beautiful cake for us using the same colors used for our wedding/reception.

The Happy Couple!

Kevin Leaves for the MTC!

It was a wonderful and sad day when Kevin left for the MTC. We were so happy for him and excited for the experiences that he would have yet sad that it would be two years before we would see him again. We know he made the right choice to serve the Lord for these two years and know that he will touch the lives of many people in the Czech Republic for good. We love him and will miss him, his hugs, phone calls, and especially his teasing but look forward to reading his letters/emails about his missionary service and of course look forward to his holiday phone calls. He was really excited to leave and get started. He has a strong testimony of the gospel and is ready to share it with others in his mission area.

To help distract myself I took pictures. They aren't great because I was looking through tear filled eyes and not remembering to adjust for the light, etc. This is a picture of Kevin and Steve as we were walking into the Eugene Airport.

Kevin and Mom

Kevin and Dad

The last picture I could get of Kevin behind the security gate.

Kevin started a mission blog, which is now my assignment to keep updated, the link is on the right side of the screen. His address is posted and as I receive letters and emails I will post them here also. Please feel free to send him letters, I know that he will love to hear from you.

Cooper with a Pinwheel

He knows that it is supposed to spin and has figured out his own method for making it work.

He's just too cute!

Our Vacation in Nauvoo!

We spent our summer vacation in Nauvoo, Illinois and Hannibal, Missouri. While in Nauvoo we took advantage of every event and tour available. We went to bed late and got up early so we could do it all but it was worth every minute. It's so hard to put into words what we felt and experienced. Our testimonies of the truthfulness of the gospel have grown immensely and we wish that everyone could see and feel what we did. If you ever have the chance to go to Nauvoo take it, you won't regret it. Below are a few of the hundreds of pictures that we took. We hope you enjoy them.

Nauvoo Temple

Steve and I in front of the Temple. Inside the Temple is beautiful, decorated in 1830's period decor.

Statue depicting Joseph and Hyrum Smith's last ride out of Nauvoo on their way to Carthage where they were martyred.

The same statue at night.

Carthage Jail

Our first view of Carthage Jail. As you can see the grounds are beautiful.

Carthage Jail. The second story window is the room where Joseph Smith, his brother Hyrum were martyred.

Steve and I in front of Carthage Jail.

Statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith.

The grounds were covered with beautiful flowers. I had to take some just for my mother to see.

Carthage continued...

These plaques were on the pathway up to Carthage Jail.

Nauvoo Tours

Standing in front of the Scovil Bakery. This was one of my favorite tours because they gave us a gingerbread cookie to sample! Yummmy!

Inside the bakery.

Authentic baking tools in the 1830's.

This was one of Steve's favorite tours. There were guns galore displayed. It was pretty amazing to see all of the small intricate pieces that were all made by hand.

Tours continued....

The John Taylor Home

Inside the John Taylor Home. The rocking horse was handcarved and I thought the potty chair in the corner was especially cute.

Lucy Mack Smith Home.

The Brigham Young Home.

Summer Vacation - Hannibal, MO

Our trip to Nauvoo included a trip to Hannibal, MO the birth place of Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens). The following pictures were taken in a park next to a bridge that was dedicated to Mark Twain.

This is a statue representing Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn.

Becky Thatcher's flower garden.

This is a plaque on the "old" Mark Twain Memorial Bridge. My favorite paragraph states "A recurring summer problem was the swarming of mayflies attracted to the bridge lights. At times, the pavement was covered 2 inches thick by the insects causing it to become extremely slick. Snow plows were necessary for their removal." Eeewwww!

Tom Sawyer's famous fence.

Becky's house is across the street from Tom's house. It was being renovated so we didn't get any good pictures of the house its self.