Almost 7 months old!

Our little Emma is already almost 7 months old! I can't believe how fast time is going. She is so sweet and we just love her so much. She is such a momma's girl, and she just melts my heart when she reaches her arms out to me because she wants me to hold her. She is starting to do this little dancing thing where she bounces her little body all over when I'm holding her. It's really cute. Her brothers adore her, and think she is the cutest baby in the whole world. In fact they have affectionately given her the nickname "cute face". I thought I'd put a couple of pictures of her in her bumbo baby seat,that her grandma gave her, so everyone could see how stinkin cute she is!! Personally, I don't think they get much cuter than this!!

Our trip to the zoo!

A couple of weeks ago Ira took a Friday off and we decided to take a trip to the zoo. The weather was gorgeous and we had so much fun. We went to this really cool bird show where giant eagles and all sorts of other birds would literally swoop right past our heads. The boys also thought riding on the carousel and eating ice cream cones was pretty fun. There was also this white alligator (there are only 10 in the world and they are all brothers), and the boys and I were standing looking at it and it slowly lifted it's eyes out of the water and stared straight at us. Then it got out of the water and started making it's way toward us. Taylor was sure it was after us. He kept backing further and further away even though there was a glass wall in between us and the alligator. It was pretty funny. Here are some pictures!

I'll miss you Erik ~ your friend Ira

Erik, it was an amazing 28 years of life you lived. I never thought you would leave this earth this way or this early...but the Lord needed you more than we did. I am so grateful to have been your friend. I remember the first day we met at Ricks College. I think I said, "What's up" as we passed in the dorm hallway. Later you told me that you thought I was a tough, punk kid because I had a black eye from playing basketball. The rest is history and our friendship will forever be engraved in my heart. I'll never forget the late nights of chillin in our apartment listening to 311 and Third Eye Blind and talking about life. I’ll never forget your good example and positive influence on everyone around you. You were always addictive to hang out with and to talk to. I loved your love and passion for life and your hilarious, sarcastic view of everything. You will never be forgotten, your example and name will forever be spoken of with honor and admiration. You will be part of the FLB’s forever and we will always sense your absence. ~your bud, Ira

We'll Miss you Erik

One of Ira's best friends passed away last night. Erik Rudy was one of Ira's closest friends from back in the pre-mission wild days of Ricks College. Erik battled leukemia for the last year and a half, and thanks to a transplant by his sister, he was able to have almost a year of remission before the cancer returned. Erik was such an amazing person, with so much love and concern for those around him. He is an awesome father of two beautiful little boys: Mason and Milo. Emily, his wife, has such an amazing spirit, the strength that she has had through all of this leaves me completely marveling and wondering how one person can have so much inner strength. For those of us who had the privilege of knowing Erik during this earth life have truly been blessed by knowing him. The things that Erik and Emily have taught us through their trial has been priceless, and we thank them for letting us learn and grow from watching their examples. We know that we will see him again, and that his sweet wife and boys will be together forever someday. Emily, Mason, and Milo we love you and pray for you that you will have the strength to get through this. Erik we will miss you, but we'll see you again someday.

With all our love,
Ira, Heidi, Taylor, Austin, and Emma

St. George Continued...

Our "Work" Vacation

We went down to St.George a couple of weeks ago for a little work vacation. My grandparents needed some work done that they weren't able to do themselves such as doing an apoxy floor in the garage, tearing out some bushes, painting a wall, planting some bushes, and laying red rock in the flower beds. We got up really early every morning and got the work done before it got too hot. Then by lunchtime it was play time. And we had a blast. We went swimming every day. Taylor and Austin had such a good time. They were little swimming maniacs...jumping off the cliffs like they were nothing. We went to the St. George temple, went to a really cool ice cream shop, visited Brigham Young's winter house, went shopping, went hiking. We just had a great time. We were all really sad when it was time to go home!!