A Funeral and An Engagement

Chris and I were able to head back to Shelley this past week. Chris's grandpa passed away. It was really sad. I never got to meet Chris's grandpa because he's Doug's dad and Doug's parents are divorced. I hate going home for a funeral, but I guess there's nothing I can do about that.

On Wednesday, we came into Shelley. We stopped by my parents' house. McKayla and Zeb, Kay's boyfriend, were there. Kay looks really happy. My dad loved seeing Buddy and Bella again. We had fun conversations with everyone.

On Thursday, I hung out at the Gibson's with Lizzy and the dogs. Lizzy fell asleep on the couch. I had to go in the room for a bit. When I came out, I saw this:

Gotta love my dogs! ;)

Thursday evening was Grandpa Gibson's viewing. It was nice. Afterwards, Chris and I went to see his grandma at the Gables in Blackfoot. We had a good visit with her. She seemed really happy to be there. 

On our way back to the Gibsons, Lizzy sent me pictures of Bella. They were so cute, I just had to share them.

Friday was Grandpa Gibson's funeral. It was a nice service. They showed a video with pictures of Grandpa. They were fun to look at. Also, in the background, they played some rock and roll music. The only song I knew was "Spirit in the Sky". I only knew it because I heard it on a movie one time. The music was very nice to listen to. I also met more of Chris's family. It was fun to visit with everyone. 

I really liked the poem on the back of the program. I thought it was so sweet. If you cannot read it, it says,

"High Flight

Oh! I have slipped the surly bonds of earth

And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;

Sunward I've climbed and joined the rumbling mirth

Of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things.

You have not dreamed of - whelled and soared and swung

High in the sunlit silence. Hov'ring there

I've chased the shouting wind along and flung

My eager craft through footless halls of air.

Up, up the long, delirious, burning blue

I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace

Where never lark, or even eagle flew-

And, while with silet lifting mind I've trod

The high untrespassed sanctity of space

Put out my hand and touched the face of God."

On Saturday, we had a fun party with the Gibsons. Lizzy wanted to have a party while we were there. Cindy, Derek, Derek's sister (her name is Amber), Baby Charlie, Chris's Aunt Teresa, and his Uncle Kerry stopped by too. Plus, it was the Fourth of July. We had hamburgers, chips, and homemade root beer. It was delicious. That was the first time I met Amber. She was really cool. It was good to visit with everyone. I'm just sad we weren't able to see any fireworks.

Isn't my nephew the cutest?

Cindy and Derek blessed Baby Charlie on Sunday, but Chris and I weren't able to stay for it because Chris wanted to start traveling so we could get home at a decent hour.

In other news, McKayla's engaged to Zeb Dye! My mom told me that Zeb and I used to be in the same second grade class together when we were living in Ashton (my family and I lived with my Gran before we found a house in Shelley), but I don't remember much of second grade in Ashton. Quite frankly, I don't think Zeb remembers much either, but I can't speak for him. ;) He and Kay are so cute together. They got engaged on the Fourth of July. Isn't that sweet? I can tell Zeb is going to fit in our family just fine. They are planning on getting married September 5, 2015. I'm so happy for those two!

Aren't they so cute together? I sure think so!

Her ring is so sparkly! I'd say I'm jealous, but I like my wedding ring. I think I'll keep it. ;)

                                                  Welcome to the family, Zeb! 

Happy Birthday Chris!

Today is Chris's birthday. It wasn't really that special because our schedules were kind of crazy. I had to babysit Maria Harris's son, Ethan, all evening. Plus, Chris had to work. He didn't come home until late tonight. Maria is in our old ward. When I played the piano in the Primary, she was a Primary teacher. She was so cute with those little kids.

Chris told me that six years ago, he got the best birthday present ever...Michael Jackson died. I think he's crazy, but whatever. My mom got me and my sisters hooked to Michael Jackson's music. So in honor of Michael Jackson's death and Chris's birthday, I thought I'd share some songs by Michael Jackson. I found this on YouTube a few days ago. This musical group is very talented. Yeah, one of the boys looks like a girl and another guy has earrings, but they are still really talented singers and the best thing is, everything they sing is accapella. I think that's pretty special. :)

My sisters and I used to joke about how Michael Jackson was a black man and turned into a white woman. I know we shouldn't do that, but it was pretty funny. We didn't really know how talented he was until my mom bought Michael Jackson's "Number One's" CD. That's how my sisters and I got hooked on him. I thought that was really funny.

Back to Chris's birthday....Hopefully, we will do something fun this weekend since we weren't able to do something on the day of his birthday. I hope Chris knows how much I love him. I hope he knows that he is my very best friend and the one I want to spend eternity with.

What would eternity be without that adorable face? ;)

Welcome Home Elder Gibson! Other Good News...I'm an Auntie!

Chris and I had the chance to travel back to Idaho on Monday, May 25 and stay for about two weeks. This one is full of pictures, so enjoy! ;)

After traveling for most of the day on Monday, we decided to stay in a hotel for the night. It was really nice. I walked into the bathroom and I saw this in the shower:

It's a pump filled with shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I thought that was so awesome. I am so used to having those little bottles and tiny soaps. This was a new change. You're welcome! ;)

On Tuesday, Chris and I went to the mission home in Chris's brother, Jared's, mission and surprised him. We had some lunch with him and the other missionaries. I had a good talk with the sister missionaries, the mission president, and his wife. They were all really nice.

Jared came home from his mission in Albuquerque, New Mexico Wednesday evening. It was so good to see Jared again.

Waiting for Jared's plane to land at the Idaho Falls airport.

Jared's plane landed Wednesday evening at 5:59.

This one is blurry too. My bro was moving too fast! 

Jared loves tormenting his sisters, including me. In this picture, the one being tormented is Lizzy. Poor girl. ;)

It's kind of blurry, but I still think it's bloggable. I'm so glad my little brother is home safe and sound! :)

In other news, Charles Ross Derek Staley was born Friday, May 15, 2015 at 4:45 in the morning to my sister-in-law, Cindy, and my brother-in-law, Derek. Charlie was 7 lbs. 8 oz. and 21 inches long. Chris and I weren't able to be there for the actual birth since we live in Texas, but that's okay. Cindy told me that she and Derek named him Charles after Derek's uncle. I only have one thing about the name - who gives their son two middle names? It's not my place to judge, though. I'm so happy for Cindy and Derek. I know that they are going to be great parents! ;)

I love the look on new parents' faces after they see their newborn child for the first time. This picture is truly beyond precious. :)

Proud Daddy!

Proud Mommy!

When I first looked at this picture, I thought it was Anna, but it was Cindy Bug. All those Gibson children look so much alike, I get confused sometimes! ;)

Auntie Lizzy with baby Charlie

Proud Grandma Gibson!

Proud Grandpa Gibson- just look at those eyes!

I love this picture. Baby Charlie could be a model (or a dancer. Doesn't he look like he could break into Michael Jackson's "Thriller" or something?), couldn't he? ;)

Isn't my nephew adorable?

Chris and I did get to see Derek, Cindy, and Charlie on Wednesday. It was so fun to meet my little nephew (P.S.- Most of the baby pictures were when Cindy just barely had him, which Chris and I weren't there for). The only downside was that I never got to hold him. Denise said that is normal for new mothers not wanting to have anyone hold their newborn. Oh well. What can you do? Anyways, I still think that Charlie is so perfect!

However, I was finally able to hold baby Charlie on Thursday. Denise, Anna Loo, and I went to go see Cindy and Derek. They live just around the corner from the Gibsons. It was so fun to see Cindy attend her motherly duties. :)

Proud Auntie right here! Charlie was a little fussy for me. That's why my face looks funny in this picture (I was trying to calm him down). ;) Cindy Bug said it was just because Charlie was hungry. At least it wasn't because he didn't like me.

        

            Uncle Jared and baby Charlie

This is a poem Derek wrote for the baby (Jared is holding it for me). If you can't read it, it says:

"Charlie the baby. Charlie the boy. 

Oh how I wonder about your sweet joy.

Charlie the child. Charlie the man.

We'll love you forever the best that we can!"

I thought the poem was so cute. Denise suggested that Cindy should put the poem in Charlie's scrapbook. I hope they keep that forever and ever.

On Saturday, I hung out with my family about all day long. I love talking with Heather and Erin. We had a good time. I forget how much I miss them until I see them again. Kinda sad, huh? 

I only got one picture, but it's okay. Isn't my sister adorable? I sure love my family! 

When I went back to the Gibson's house, Buddy welcomed me home and then he wanted to sit with his grandma.

Isn't Mr. Buddy a silly puppy? :)

Then, all of the dogs wanted to sit with Denise. It was so funny. ;)

Jared gave his homecoming talk on Sunday. He did a really good job. His talk was on the Atonement. He said that we should come to understand the Atonement for ourselves. It really touched me. He shared a story about a girl named Kathy. Kathy had a really hard life. She was into drugs and other bad things like that. One day, Jared and his companion gave her a lesson on the Atonement. After the lesson, Kathy sincerely thanked Jared and his companion. Jared said that Kathy's gratitude meant the world to him. He also shared more mission stories. He did a really good job. I noticed that Jared seems more confident in himself. I'm so proud of him! :)

On Monday, Chris and I took Anna and Lizzy to the Museum of Idaho. It was a pirate museum. It was so cool, but I wasn't allowed to take pictures so I only have two pictures to show: my ticket and the flyer they gave us. The museum was awesome!

After the museum, Chris and I took the girls to Wendy's. We had fries and frosties. It was really good.

Later that afternoon, we hiked up to the TV towers with Lizzy, Anna, and all of the dogs (Buddy, Bella, Scout, Belle, and Skippy). Four people and five dogs. That was quite the car ride. Buddy loved riding with Lizzy. It was so cute! :)

It was a good hike, but we didn't stay very long because it started to rain. The dogs sure seemed to like it. We hiked up about half the trail and then we drove back to the Gibsons' house.

Chris saw a paw print on our hike. He thought it could be a paw print from a wolf or a coyote. We aren't sure because we didn't see anything like that. It was pretty cool. 

Later Monday evening, Chris and I saw JD and Destiny Hampton. Their girls were so happy to see us. When we left, we went back to the Gibson's house. I got to hold my adorable, little nephew again. Cindy said that Charlie was really good today. After I held him, Derek took Charlie and sang "A Whole New World" from the movie "Aladdin" to his son. It was so cute. After Cindy took Charlie from him, Derek decided to finish singing the song to Buddy. It was so adorable. I wished I got it on video. ;)

On Tuesday, Chris and I went to Shari's in Idaho Falls and met up with Kori, Brigham, and their son, Benz. We had pie shakes together. It was really good. I forgot how much I missed those pie shakes. After going to Institute in Idaho Falls, a bunch of friends, Chris, and I would go to Shari's and enjoy pie shakes together. It was so good to see Brigham, Kori, and Benz.

Also on Tuesday, we took family pictures with my family (I only have a few of the pictures that were taken). Liz Peebles took them. She did a fantastic job. Our last family picture was when Chris and I got married which was almost three years ago (can you believe it's been that long?). 

Chris took a picture of a duck during our photo session. Looks like he wanted to be in on the action too. I thought it was so hilarious. ;)

Photobomber! :)

I really like this picture. The stone lily pads were a cute idea.

We think we are so funny! ;)

"Friends come and go, but your sisters will always be your sisters." Kristine Richardson

If you look really closely, all three of us look so silly in this picture. Heather has a snarky look on her face, Erin has a wide-eyed look on her face, and I look like I'm going to kill somebody- either with kindness or that humongous rock in front of me. ;)

I really liked the bridge idea. It was so cute.

On Wednesday, Cindy and Charlie came over before Derek came home from work. Charlie fell asleep in Cindy's arms. I had to take a picture of it. He was so cute!

What a darling position he's in! ;)

  

Thursday evening, Chris and I went with my parents, Erin, and Erin's friend, Jessalyn, to the new "Cinderella" movie. It was soooo good. That is my new favorite movie. After the movie, we went to get Reed's Dairy ice cream. It was very delicious.

On Friday, Lizzy, Shelby, Chris, Buddy, Bella, and I hiked to Mesa Falls. We were going to hike up to Targhee Falls, but we weren't allowed to bring dogs. Buddy and Bella were so good, but they kept pulling on their rope leashes. They gave me a small rope burn on my finger, but that was it. The waterfalls were so pretty. Chris got some really good pictures.

After that, we stopped at my Gran's house. Gran gave us peanut butter cookies and milk. It was divine. We also got to see Uncle Bryce and Aunt Susu and their kids. Chris and I had a good talk with Uncle Bryce. He asked about the Air Force and how Texas was. It was good to talk to my family. Lizzy seemed to like my family. She was pretty quiet, but she looked like she had fun too.

Friday evening, we took family pictures with the Gibsons. We just took them in their backyard and used Chris's camera. Most of them turned out really good and some of them were really blurry. Those were still pretty fun to look at. 

Gibson Family Pictures Take One- this one was too funny, I just had to share it. Don't you love how Derek and Jared look like they are about ready to sneeze; Cindy and Anna look like they are going to kill someone; Lizzy, Denise, Doug, and I look like we aren't happy to be there and Chris isn't even in the picture? This is one picture worth sharing. ;)

I love how Chris is just a blur in this picture. He was hurrying to get in the picture after he set the camera. I guess that didn't go as planned, did it? ;)

I think this one is the best picture out of all of them.

Chris and I had to leave Saturday morning. It was such a fun vacation. I'm so grateful for both of my families. They are wonderful people. How did I get to be so lucky?