Summer fun.

Well my camera is broken...NOT happy about that. I am currently trying to figure out if I can have it fixed or get a new one. Until then, I won't have a camera. But I wanted to use these pic...posted by friends on facebook to show us having some fun.  A few weeks back we went with the Morris family and slid down their awesome HUGE slide...so Jake decided to have a work party and do it again.

Kurt and kids and his nephews.

This is Tina Arter and I from our ward.

This is my favorite picture.  Spencer finally joined in the fun.

Later that day we went to Kurt and Liz's house and hung out by the pool and chatted and spent the rest of the day there.  It was so much fun.  We love the Hayes family.  I wish I had pictures of them...but I don't think I do.  Still fun...either way.

Samantha my dear.

Today is June 16, 2011 which marks the 9 year anniversary of Samantha Lee Watkins.  I actually CANNOT believe that it has been that long.  It is crazy to me how much our lives were changed on that day.  I was made a mother...and Jake a father...(it was Father's day at that.)  Our testimonies of the Plan of Salvation were tried and tested...and made stronger.  We learned about love.  Today we started out our little Birthday Celebration with me and the kiddos watching our "Samantha Video."  Trisha put together a video with pictures and music and stuff shortly after her passing.  It was great to watch with my kids and there were NO tears this year.  Aubrey lovingly explained things to Spencer and we oohed and awed over how cute she is and how LONG her hair was. 

Later this afternoon while driving in the car with the kids...we were singing at the top of our lungs to Justin Bieber.  It just hit me that I would have a NINE year old and she would probably LOVE Justin as much or more than my others.  So we turned it up and sang a few more in her honor. 

Then tonight we had a dinner planned by the kids.  It was going to be her whole name...but we didn't have enough food...so we went with Sammy!  Dinner was delish and we broke out the new crystal glasses that we recently received from our late Grandpa Vern.  It is a Watkins' tradition to have "fancy" meals so this was the perfect occasion to celebrate and break out the new goblets too.  It consisted of well behaved children "toasting" Samantha.  I am not being sarcastic either.  It is always nice when the kids behave.

I think Weston said it best when he said..."  I would like to make a toast (insert raised glasses...Spencer's tiny chubby hands clasping his fancy glass).... to our little Samantha and.... the Resurrection!!!"  Just writing that makes me cry.  

 I love all our children and we felt her sweet Spirit with us here today.  I know that because she is in our family...we are that much MORE excited and grateful for the resurrection.  I love my Savior with all my heart and I am so grateful to be a member of HIS true church.  Here is a link for any of my friends who are curious about what I believe...www.mormon.org

So the Y in her name...aka her nickname stands for YOGURT and we are off to celebrate with a family favorite...Frozen Yogurt to make the night complete. 

Today was a good day and we love you Samantha sweety!!

Tracy was here!!!

So one of my "besties" came to visit. You remember Tracy Badger...who moved to Louisiana last summer? She was only in every other blog post last year...Anyway we haven't forgotten her. 

Tracy decided to come to AZ on her long drive from the south to California...and she stopped here to spend a few days. We are so glad she did. There was a whole lots of swimming, laughing, late nights, cute kids, shopping, bowling and more. 

Spencer just hasn't quite figured out how to smile on command yet.

The bowling adventure.  I finally beat Jake one time.

OK...so Jake was absolutely AMAZING!  Seriously he kept offering to watch all the kids so Tracy and I could go and have fun.  Thanks so much honey.  I love you!!!

Swimming at Aunt Connie's pool...so much fun. 

Tracy, Steph and myself.

See what I mean about Jake.  All three girls got to go to the temple one of the nights.  I needed it.  Followed by a little retail therapy.  I ended up returning both dresses I bought.  Having issues finding things I really like lately. 

These girls had a lot of fun "talking" into the night.

More bowling pics...

Kara, Darcy, Tracy, Ashley and Teri

A fun girls night.  I tried edaname the "right"way... and then we shopped, talked and watched a chick flick....oh, and I got a new bra!!!  Sorry ladies for any nightmare that might have ensued...due to the countless minutes spent waiting for me to find a bra that passed my vigorous bra tests... it was so fun to see all of you!