What an AMAZING Father...and Grandpa

I think that our kids are so blessed!  I don't believe they could have asked for a more faithfully dedicated father.  Brent always has time to spend with the kids...and makes spending time with them a priority.  He is interested in them, loves them, serves them and always has their best interests at heart.  I hear him pray for each of them every single day...even though they are all grown up!  I never see him more happy than when he is with them!

Brent loves being a grandpa!  He looks for every opportunity to spend time with Little Porter.  He's simply the best!

Love These Girls

Here they are...all of Grandma Shaffer's Second and Third Generation Girls!  Aren't these gals the most beautiful girls ever?  What tremendous women they are becoming...such good examples who try hard to live the teachings of our Savior.    So proud to be a part of their family.  They all teach me so much!

When the Cat's Away...the Mice...

WORK HARD to surprise the cat when she returns!  While we girls were on our sleepover, the guys spent the day laying the last few feet of sod and reworking sprinklers in our yard.  I had no idea they were up to this...but what a fun surprise to come home to.  Bailey, Jordan, Brent and Porter spent the day serving.  What great guys!  How blessed I am to have each of them in my life.

Shaffer Sista Sleepover

With just under one week before Kimber leaves to serve her mission in Peru, we decided to have a fun girls' night!  We headed up to Grandma's cabin at Lava Ranch and spent the night creating some fun items for Kim to take on her mission.  We all made a card and wrote a short note to her, designed a fun quote book with all of our favorite quotes, made a family calendar and signed a pillowcase with a special message.  We watched "The Errand of Angels" and created shabby-chic Book of Mormons for each of us to take home.  The younger generation of Shaffers took part in a digital scavenger hunt to end the festivities.

We had a great time together!  We're so excited for Kimber...and are especially thankful for a close extended family!

First Campout of the Summer

We headed out camping the morning after Jessica, Jordan and Porter arrived for summer.  We made a quick stop at Cabella's to pick up fishing licenses and then headed up to Little Mill Campground.  We arrived in time to start a fire and roast hotdogs and whip up some s'mores for dessert.  Jeff taught us all how to make the perfect s'more by warming the chocolate on the graham cracker next to the fire while cooking the marshmallow.  It was PERFECT (as you can tell by Brent's smile and my dirty face)!  The kids and Brent spent time fishing and hiked up to Mt. Timpanogos Cave.  Porter and I met Gail and Claire at the Dinosaur Museum and spent some time there together.  We had lots of fun all together!  It was a great time!  Love camping and love our family...and especially love it when they are all close to home!

And...look at this view...could there be anything more beautiful?

Day of Family Service

We all hurried up to Lava Ranch after work on Friday and enjoyed a nice cookout by the fire.  Early Saturday morning, the boys all got to work pouring cement in the gazebo at Grandma's cabin.  Everyone helped in some small way...and before we knew it...a big job was accomplished!  It looks great and will be so nice for all of us.

So Grateful for Family

We're always glad when the Robinsons come up to visit.  Gail and Claire spent the morning with us at Whitney's shower.  We then gathered all the guys and met them at Juniper Take-Out for lunch...we even convinced Bailey and his roommate, Morgan, to join us.  We always have such a great time together.  We LOVE our family!

Quick Get-Away

So glad that Brent, Whitney and Jeff could join me as I had to travel to St. George for a conference for school.  We left on Wednesday and were back by Friday night, but it was sure nice.  While I was in class, they took a quick tour through Zion and Snow Canyons.  They also spent a little bit of time with Kimber in Cedar City.  We did a little shopping and enjoyed supper out together.  The weather was nice and warm!  Can't wait for spring!

Showering the Bride-to-Be

Jeff's mom and sisters hosted a nice shower for Whitney this morning.  The theme of the shower was "My Favorite Things."  We're sure blessed to have wonderfully supportive families, aunts and grandmas!  Everyone was so kind and thoughtful. We LOVED the hot cocoa and yummy cinnamon rolls! It was great to meet Jeff's family and get to know them a little better.  Whitney's marrying into a fun bunch of ladies!

Sister Hess!

We are so excited...the first sister missionary from "the cousins."  Kimber opened her mission call last night and we were all very happy to hear that she's been called to serve in Peru.  Her brother, Tyler, also served in Peru.  There's such a wonderful spirit that is in our family when one of the kids is out serving a full time mission.  I have no doubt that Kimber will be an amazing missionary.  She's a wonderful person and will do a marvelous work!  Who knew that when Pres. Monson announced that the sister missionaries could enter the field at 19, that Kimber would immediately get to work on her papers?  She'll leave in June and is truly going to be one of the best!

One of Our Favorite Things...Cruising

We were able to spend one amazing week in with some of our good friends cruising.  We sailed out of New Orleans, down the Mississippi and through the Western Caribbean.  We made stops at three islands: Jamaica, Cozumel and Grand Cayman.  We were able to take time exploring and having fun on each island.  It seems a world away from the cold and wintery weather.  The weather was beautiful, the seas calm and the company amazing.  Wishing we were still there.....