Kent, Natalie, and Family Come to Visit

We were so excited when Kent and Natalie told us they were coming to Florida to visit and to be here for Craig's graduation. After weeks of looking forward to it, the day finally arrived!  Besides seeing the rest of the family, I couldn't wait to see and hold Baby Cannon in person.  George and I have only seen him in pictures.  He is such a sweet, adorable baby!

Jeff and Amy's kids were so excited to see their cousins.  They had such a great time together at the pool. 

Ethan and Garrett are only 12 days apart.

Ella--always the poser!  I love to have someone who loves to have their picture taken!

Being competitive is just in the Copeland family blood--here Amy challenges Kent a race across the pool.  Luckily, there is so much splashing, you can't tell who won!

   

Garrett is getting really good at catching lizards . . .

Ethan has to look it over.

But probably one of the funnest things the kids still like to do is play in the back of Papa's truck.  It never grows old!

Another event Kent's family was looking forward to was visiting their old home in Gainesville.  They lived there 3 1/2 years while they were going to dental school, then Cassie and Craig lived there for the past three.  It will now be rented to another dental student and his family.

Definitely Ethan remembered living there, but Ella was too young when they left.

Craig told Kent about a box he had left there.  Kent found his old letterman jacket and remembered the days when he was "BMOC"!  He still looks great in it!

Oh, by the way, when we went in, there was Baby Riley in his chair.  Guess what he was watching???

Sports, of course!  He seemed to really be enjoying it--definitely it's in the blood! 

Next stop--we all head to the graduation!

A Tribute to Wonderful Mothers

This Mother's Day, I wanted to pay tribute to some wonderful mothers in my life.  I feel so blessed to have had both my husband and I born into such loving homes where we had fantastic mothers whose love we never doubted.  In addition, they both had undying testimonies of the gospel.  Both of their mottoes were:  A home filled with Christ-like love.

My mother, Lola Rigby, passed away in 2002.

George's mother, Ruby Copeland, passed away in 1999

Although George and I were raised on opposite sides of the country--Idaho to Florida--both mothers had such an influence on the home we would make together some day.

Now, I have other mothers who have such an influence on my husband and I:  The ones who raise our grandchildren.  I will never know how we were so blessed to have such wonderful daughters and daughters-in-law who care so much for their children that they not only provide a neat and clean environment for them to be raised in, but they are teaching them the gospel and the ways they can have the most happiness in this life by following the example of Christ.

Angie

                                                                       

                        Alison

                        Kim

      Amy

Anne                                                    Natalie

And finally, our first-time mother this year, Cassie!

I hope you had a wonderful Mothers' Day!  You are all so special to us!

Busy Weekend!

On Thursday, four of Amy's friends from Dallas and one from Alabama met Amy in Destin, Florida, for a fun get-away to catch up on all the news and renew old acquaintances.  These girls have been best friends for years, and I know that Amy has missed them all so much since moving to Florida. 

The husbands were so kind to watch all the kids.  George and I did what we could to help Jeff out for the three and a half days Amy was gone.  Believe me, it took all of us--and we're all exhausted--but we're so glad Amy got to get away!  Here are some of our activities with the kids:

Swimming

Going to the park

Riding bicycles and scooters

Visiting our favorite place--the Green Cove Caboose Park

We had a great time--but, we're surely glad Amy will be home soon!

Riley's Blessing Day

Today was such a special day.  Baby Riley was blessed by his daddy at their church in Gainesville, and George and I, Jeff and the kids, all travelled to Gainesville to attend the special event.   

Riley Chet Copeland

Riley's middle name was chosen to honor Craig's best friend, Chet Rodgers, who died when they were roommates at UVSC their first year in college.  He died very suddenly, and his death has left a hole in all of our hearts since then.  He was such a special young man with so many wonderful talents and abilities.  He is such a worthy person for Riley to be named after. 

Here are Chet's parents, Bishop Larry and Marian, at the blessing.  Chet's dad is Craig and Cassie's bishop.

Marian and I have always been the greatest of friends.  I just don't get to see her that much anymore since we moved from Gainesville nine years ago.

George and I with Craig, Cassie, and Baby Riley

Some of the friends who were at the blessing:

The Harrells

The Toblers

Walmir and Craig

Afterwards, we went to Craig and Cassie's home where Cassie fixed us a wonderful lunch.  We brought this little "Congratulations" cake for Riley.  He's not really a baby anymore--he is already three months old, so nothing too babyish!

Garrett and Isaac said they weren't hungry, but could they just have some cake?  Hah!  Anyway, it was a beautiful day.  We are so happy and blessed to have little Riley come into our family.