Time with the new cousins in AZ

We got to go visit the new cousins along with their parents and G and G Carrell.  Little Cole and Kaitlyn are both sweet little things.  The kids LOVED holding them (and fought about who should have the honor...)

 Cole and Jake- the boys need to stick together!

Cole, Kailey and Kaitlyn- the little people did enjoy this more than it appears... really!

ALL Carrell Cousins!

4th of July and the Outer Banks

Our neighbors rented a home on the Outer Banks for a week and invited us to come along.  Jake was at scout camp- so we took them up on the offer.

Jacki, Madi and Carson

Emery

The Merrill and Carrell Gang- Ring Pops RULE!

Jacki, Carson, Priya, Shelby, Madi, Kailey, Dylan, Emery and Claire

Danny fishing in the Atlantic

Kailey and Claire with the beach- pretty huh?!

Dylan, Madi and Jacki - the diggers

Thanks Merrills!  We had such a great time!!!

Aunt Nancy Comes to Help us MOVE!

My sister Nancy is a force of nature.  She can outwork anyone I know.  She offered to come be our slave for a weekend so we could move to the new house.  She is clearly an angel.

 Em, Nancy, Madz and Stell

Nancy with more kids and Stella.  Sadly- we didn't take nearly enough pictures of her while she was here.  Thanks for everything Nance.  You are the BEST!

Shelby's Graduation From Elementary School

 Shelby at her graduation from Highcroft Drive Elementary School.

 Mr. Kellogg (5th Grade Teacher) and Shelby

 Erica, Taylor and Shelby

Annagrace and Shelby- aren't they cute?!

Shelby is ready to move on to the next phase of life...  Look out Mills Park Middle School!

Happy Thanksgiving

My 3 littlest send out Thanksgiving greetings!  A big shout out to grandmas!  We love you.

P.S. It was the end of the day and no one's hair looks especially nice.  You should have seen them in the morning!

Our House- from the ground UP!

We have moved a lot- and we have lived in many different homes.  In the past 8 1/2 years (since Claire's birth)- we have been in our own home for a little over 3 of those years.  We had a rental home in Canada, lived in two separate rentals in Ireland and one here in Cary, NC.  They have been good houses.  We have been safe and protected- but there is something about having your own home.  So in December- we started the process of building a home and we HOPE that this will be ours for a very, very VERY LONG time.

 

 

We think it is beautiful. (I need to take an updated picture with landscaping...)

We closed on June 6th.  We have moved all of our stuff.  We have cleaned out the rental.  At some point- everything will been in the proper place.  It is great.  We are so very blessed.

Happy Father's Day!

Danny told the kids that he wanted MADE gifts for Father's Day- not anything from the store.  A few complied.

Madi wrapped up books that she loved- ones from our own collection.

(Can you see how excited she was when he was opening this one?)

Emmy made him a cute picture frame

Claire made a great treat container and card

Shelby was super creative with a golf set and original painting

The big kids gave him a picture of the shirt they bought him (he loves Pawn Stars)

and I just gave him all my love (and a hammer).

Em's first Dance Recital

Emery had her dance recital at the Bond Park Ampitheater.  Outside.  4:30 in the afternoon.  HOT.  But Em did great.

Miss Emery

With her sweet sister who bought her flowers.

and with Miss Makall- her friend and fellow dancer.  You girls were great!!!

Love this face

What else can I say?

Memorial Day at the Beach

We went to N. Topsail Beach with 7 other families from our ward.  It was great.

We hope to make it an annual tradition.