Nathan's amazing graduation

Nathan graduated today from Pleastant Grove High School! This is a great achievement. I don't know how many people know the story, but all the work he did for online school in Vienna did not count. They lost all record of his work so he was literally a semester behind when he returned to school. He had to make up packets from East Shore, an independent alternative high school and from BYU Home Study High School Classes. He worked his butt off to accomplish this and it came down to the wire. If you did not get an announcement for his graduation it's because we didn't know if he would until late last week when he turned in the last packet. We are so proud of him. He did a very hard thing that he was able to pull it off. He is going to go far in life! He can do hard things.

The Graduates line up!

Nathan Peck come on down!

His Proud Graduation Family.

Nathan gets a present from my Mom and Dad! He really was this excited.

His Graduation Cake!!!! He's not excited that photos continue. We are so proud of Nathan accomplishing what his dear Father could not (I did get my GED) and pull off an on-time graduation up set. Way to go Nathan!!!! YOU ROCK. For those of you with high-speed internet here is the actual event (20 meg). The best part is Lori's enthusiastic voice in the background. She worked hard for this graduation too.

30 Weeks and Counting!

Yep......Jess has hit 30 weeks and I got to plant another flower. I am hoping that Emily's secret garden gets really full by the time Kingston is born. One day, when he gets older, I want to show him all the flowers we planted for him and let him know what a special guy he is!!!

Zoo Time

I decided it would be fun if the family went to the zoo today. Hey.....I won free passes for us so, what the heck, it will be fun!! I think everyone had the same idea to go today because the parking was almost full and we had to wait in a long line to get in. Steve wanted to leave but I made him stay.

This is them in line......waiting!! Here are some more random pictures at the zoo.

Do you see what I see??? Ha ha!!

There are Madagascar cockroaches at the zoo. Is that an animal?

Me, Emily and Steve's mom road the merry go round.

It was so fun having Steve's parents come with us!!!

And last but not least...a really cute picture of Emily and Nathan. We all had a ton of fun. Steve was really glad that I made him stay and wait in line. It really wasn't that crowded once we got in. Another fun day!!!

Marshmellows and Sardines

Last night we had ANOTHER party at our house with some of Nathan's friends. Nathan and Reid got the fire pit lit and we all had hot dogs and smores. MaryAnn was telling Reid how she hates marshmallows.....roasted or not. Reid was giving her a hard time telling her it's all in her head and kept trying to get her to eat one. Steve was watching the whole thing, went into the house and then came out again. He asked everyone," who thinks that MaryAnn should eat the marshmallow?" All the guys raised their hand. Then, with a big grin on his face, Steve opened a can of sardines and said that they all had to try a bite of it so they'd know how MaryAnn felt. So on "3" the guys popped a sardine in their mouth and MaryAnn popped in a marshmallow.

During.......

Swallowed.....

It was so funny to watch all their faces!! They were all such great sports and thought it was fun. Fun times!!

Bloggernacle Conference

For the last three day's I've been in Nauvoo, IL. What was I doing there? I was at a ByCommonConsent conference! All the permabloggers gather once a year to talk about the blog. As the most widely read Mormon Blog it's founder believes in maintaining a sense of community among the contributers. This was my first time meeting most of them! They are a diverse bunch, but they are a fun bunch.

Because one of the permas has connections with the Community of Christ (this used to be named the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) we were able to stay at the Nauvoo house. This was where Emma Smith lived out her last days and died. Its a a beautiful old building on the banks of the Mississippi River.





There is a bit of competition between the LDS Church (they call us Brighamites) and the Community of Christ (Josephites). These two signs are across the street from each other.




Its right next to the graves of Jospeh, Emma, and Hyrum.



And across the street from the Mansion House which Joseph and Emma ran as innkeepers.



The first night we ate at the Nauvoo Inn Buffet.

The next day we had a tour by a historian from a historian in the CofC. He had insights into Joseph Smith that I've never heard. Like how much he liked having people over to dinner.

That afternoon it was off to Carthage Jail. The bullet hole was made by the mob that killed Joseph Smith.





Here I preach to the faithful at the Seventies Hall Chapel.




That afternoon those who wanted did Sealings at the Nauvoo temple. The people I'm with have some power so after we got to tour the baptistry and see the temple president's office and see a sword used by Joseph Smith when he was General of the Nauvoo Legion. Here is a picture from Wikipedia (I forgot my camera when we went inside).



That night we had our Blogposium at the CofC auditorium. I spoke on evolution. Others spoke on historical topics. It was wonderful. Then we retired to the upper room of the Red Brick Store where Jospeh Smith first received the endowment and organized the Relief Society. We had more presentations. It was a blast.

Then back to the Nauvoo house where we had a sing along with Saturday's Warrior to 2:00 AM

It was one of best times I've ever had. Nothing like hanging out with your internet buddies in real life.

Happy 29!!

Kingston has made it to 29 weeks and it time to celebrate!! Steve and I bought another flower to plant.....a delphinium. We are planning on having a garden full by the time he is born. Jess is now at home on bed rest. She is still dilated but not as much as she was. I think they are both so much more happier being at home.

Grandma-hood

First off I just want to say that I LOVE being a grandma and it is the best of both worlds. I get to sleep through the night (if I can sleep-insomnia is horrible) and when he is hungry Lesa feeds him. It's amazing the bond I feel towards him.....like I did with my own kids when they were born and still do. And I know I will feel this way with each additional grandkids that comes into my life....an instant love and bond!

Christopher and Lesa are such great parents too!!! It's so fun watching them take care of him.

This is a pic. of Christopher getting him ready for his first outing to the doctors. He is such a cutie!!

Maddox is here!!!

Maddox arrived this morning at 8:46. Lesa did a great job having him and was so tough!! Christopher was a awesome support to her. He weighs in at 7lbs 11oz. Nathan is happy because that is exactly what he weighed. Maddox is also 19" long. He is so beautiful!!!!!

Uncle Nathan

Aunt Emily
Everyone is doing good......just very tired. We are so happy he is here!!!!!!!