the c.astles: May 2016

Visiting Kelly after her Surgery

February 2016

Back in November of 2011, my sister-in-law Kelly was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer. She is only a year older than me. Needless to say this rocked her world. But I have never met anyone that faces hard things so cheerfully and with such humor.

I met her six months later and I joke all the time with Lance that his sisters were one of the reasons I married him. Seriously, they are the best! Anyways, fast forward four years. Kelly is married to Nick Webb and they have two sweet puppies. Unfortunately, the cancer has flared up again, so she decided to get a mastectomy. The girls and I packed up and visited for a day once she was recovered enough to see us. Let's be honest Joanne has ENERGY - maybe not the greatest for a patient trying to recover. But we had such a great time. Sure love that Kelly! And while we were there we got some pretty sweet pictures!

Jack (the dog) and Marian

Grandma Shelley with Marian! What a beautiful Grandma!

Oh Kelly, you are the best! We love you so much!

Sisters

February 2016

Marian is getting more and more alert and fun and Joanne is loving playing with her more and more. I love to see their relationship grow. I hope they will be best friends for life!

I know I'm biased, but they are PERFECT, right?!

I love how happy Marian is about these cuddles.

So helpful.

I LOVE THESE GIRLS!

Grandma Jody Babyists

January 29, 2016

Grandma Jody called and asked if she could babysit so Lance and I could go to the temple together. I can never leave for long because I have to nurse Marian - but it was nice to get away for an hour plus. Unfortunately we came back and Marian had been sad/screaming the whole time. Poor Grandma! And poor Marian! So that's the last time I am leaving Marian for a while. But thanks Grandma!! You are wonderful and Joanne sure loves you!!

I love this picture.

I love how my Joanne can get to know Grandma Joanne.

Joanne in a sea of books - her favorite place to be.

We were moving these books from one room to another, and she loved having them just in the hall!

Provo City Center Temple Open House

January 2016

We have had the amazing experience of having multiple temples built close to us recently. It's been so fun to have Joanne be able to see the inside of two temples in her short little life! She loved seeing the inside of the Payson Temple - loving the cows (baptismal oxen) the best.

The Provo City Center Temple is such a remarkable and sentimental temple. As with a lot of people - this temple means a lot to me! I have been to many recitals there and even had my sophomore recital scheduled there - then I got carpal tunnel and had to cancel.

The temple was so unbelievably beautiful inside! What an amazing way to restore this beautiful historic Provo Tabernacle.

Thanks to Lynn for coming with me to help me with the girls!
He's the best grandpa to them!

Big Girl Bed

January 2016

I don't know what we were thinking - but we moved Joanne into a big girl bed!

It took her a few days to get used to it, but now she loves it. What a big girl!

Girls Get Together

January 27, 2016

Kelly Brunson came into our neck of the woods - so we all met up at Marissa's house to spend the day together. It was so fun! It's crazy to think that we have known each other since 2007 when we were all freshman (and roommates) together. I am so lucky to have these girls in my life! Now we all have kids and it's so fun!

Rebecca Echols, Marissa Anderson, me and Kelly Brunson

All the kids left to right: Reagan Brunson, Daryn Brunson, Capri Anderson, Sawyer Anderson, Jimmy Echols, Sariann Echols, Joanne, and Marian

My first experience with a selfie stick. It was hilarious and effective.

Sawyer and Marian born three days apart.

Madison and Eleanor Visit Santaquin

January 2016

Lance had to go out of town for a business trip for a week so I invited Madison Bayles and her toddler, Eleanor, to our house for the week. They live up near Logan, in Hyrum, so it was a bit of a drive for them. But I am so glad they came!! It was the best week ever!

As a reminder: Madie Pope and I were companions on our missions in England for 6 months. We clicked so well as companions and became life long friends. At the end of our mission I joined her and her mom, Jane Pope, and her uncle in traveling through England.

Jody and Eleanor had a a good time too! Well at least Jody did. She loved having a little girl to play with. I'm pretty sure she overwhelmed poor little Eleanor though. Sorry sweet girl! But since they left, Jody has been asking for Eleanor constantly. While they were here we stayed super busy. We both had been reading "The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up" so we went through my house and got rid of things that didn't "spark joy". We stayed up WAY too late talking and organizing. Mostly it was a purely therapeutic and perfect week. Please come and live next door to me, Madie!