Our Trip Back Home

The girls and I flew to NC for a visit while Kevin and the boys drove across the country from Denver to Raleigh to pick us up and head for Ocean Isle. We began our girls trip with a visit to Nana's new home. The hammock was a hit and we enjoyed the beautiful morning in Nana's peaceful yard.

After a night and day at Nana's we all packed up the car and drove to Raleigh to visit Steven and his family. We were even joined up with Aunt Susan and Colby. The kids had so much fun on Uncle Steven's boat--wake boarding, tubing & just jumping in the lake and swimming with all their cousins.

Jade, Madison, Colby & Taylor

Our first day at Ocean Isle with the Whitten Family was filled with pool time, the annual birthday party & just getting caught up with all the family. Each year it is so amazing to see how every one has grown and changed.









Uncle Adam and Cousin Berkeley






Gotta LOVE Birthday cake!!






Day 2 Daddy went out and bought Mitchell & Jack there first set of golf clubs and then it was straight to the driving range! Even I had to try it out....really fun, I do have to admit!










Day 3 was spent on the Beach and later that evening at the local seafood restaurant, The Giggling Mackarel. Emy love the ocean and we couldn't keep her out of the waves. It was so fun to see all the cousins playing together so nicely and picking up where they left off last summer.














Some of the crew watching the fishermen at the pier at the restaurant










Day 4 was more of the beach for the kids & girls and more golf for the Big Boys!

Cousin Miller showing me his boogie boarding moves!


Uncle Rob



Uncle Adam



Pops...looking a little worried!!


And of course, the stud I call "husband"...Kevin!



Day 5 we all drove to end of the island and went crabbin' and fishin' for the afternoon. The boys loved to catch the crabs--even caught some hermit crabs to take home!





Cousins Jett & Clive





Pops & Mitchell waiting patiently for their perfect catch!



Kevin & Jack throwing out the stinky fish head for the crabs to grab on to



Day 6 was Picture Day which we look forward to with anticipation...HA!! We found a beautiful place and actually came out with some good pictures this year. I think the fact that it was overcast and a little breezy helped with our patience! Thank you Mother Nature!!

Poor Jack, got a little sunburned this day! Reminds me of Darth Mal with the red face from Star Wars.




The Rob & Linda Whitten family from Kentucky....soon to be from Charleston, SC



The Call Family from Asheville


The Whitten family from Colorado


Meme and Pops with the Grandchildren
The Girls



The Whitten Nucleus minus Ryan



Me & my Sweetie


After leaving a week at the beach we return to Concord, NC to visit the Henrie side of the family. And what Henrie gathering would it be without a cook out!! Luckily Uncle Phil took charge and had everyone over to his and Mandy's new beautiful home.

Cason, Grandpa Henrie & Philip

Jack, Pheobe and Mandy



Emy retreiving the golf balls for the boys! Good work, girl!



Henrie cousins on the couch



Philip, Mitchell & Kevin



We ended our trip spending some time with Grandpa Henrie & Donna at their home. We went out to dinner for Madison's birthday, swam in the hot tub & had a slumber party. We were pretty exhausted when it was time to fly and drive back home, but we made some wonderful memories that will last forever.

Bye! Bye!

Our little Beehive

Our little Madison graduated from Primary today and was presented in Sacrament with her Faith in God award. We are so proud of her and especially proud when she shared her testimony with the congregation. She told of the feelings she had when she read her scriptures this year and how she is coming to know the truthfulness of the gospel. We love her so much and know she is excited to begin Young Womens!!!

Jackson Turns 7

Tuesday, the 15th, our little Jack turned 7 years old. We had a fun family party at Red Robin (the restaurant of his choosing) following by gifts, an ice cream sundae & a Lightning McQueen cake. He has looked forward to this day for a very long time and is now planning his 8th Birthday party.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIG BROTHER!!

Emy eating her appetizer....LEMONS! She LOVES them!




Mitchell checking out the "goods"



GOOFY FACE!




My almost "12-year old"!!




The crew of servers singing to Jackson... he wouldn't for the life of him look up at them!! It was too funny, but that's our Jack!




The cake!



One of the highlights of the evening was finding out how much Emy liked to "Wang Chung" Who knew?? We also found out after she "took over" my salad just how much she liked salad! It kept her busy the entire night, so that was great!




And of course, Mitch had to have at least ONE trick candle in the bunch! What a trickster he is! Good thing it wasn't 7 trick candles...the fire alarm would've gone off!!!

Tied to the Arts

Last night Madison performed a poetry reading at her school's "Tied to the Arts" program. She wrote this poem entitled, White, and made a beautiful story board to illustrate it's meaning. I video taped her reading, but it didn't turn out good, so here is her original poem. We were really proud of her!

White
-Madison Whitten

White is purity,
The most innocent color.
White is honesty,
White is love.
White is the cloud in the sky above,
Flying high against a sky blue canvas.

White is the little sister of black,
And the mother of all colors,
And only exists when you turn on the light.
White is everywhere,
You just have to look for it.

When I say "white", what do you see?
Do you think of snow?
Or sugar?
Or salt?
There are a countless number of things,
Just pick one.

White rabbits for Easter,
Or a cold snowy day.
When your breath turns to frost,
When you go out to play.
Or sometimes you think of
A lone white crayon,
Anxious for someone to use her,
But alas, left there, never used in the box.

Thinking of white, there are
A million gazillion things you might see.
Everyone is different, from you,
To me.
Now that I've made my point,
Could you imagine
A world,
Without
White?