Brody's 4 years old...and a month :)

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

And Jocelyn...she'll be 2 years the beginning of next year! But I didn't want to leave her out!

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

The other morning while visiting family in Wyoming...Jocelyn woke up bright and early...I brought her out with the rest of the family. She sleepily rubbed her eyes...looked around...and was trying to gather being awake. All of the sudden I could feel her little body start to tighten and curl...just then a sweet little bubbly noise (AKA gas) came whistling from underneath...she scrunched up her face with a little laugh and said rather loudly "POOPIES!" and giggled!

Home Sweet Home...Thank You...

From The M&M Kemp Family

I'm really not sure there's a way to express...just how amazing this feels...

But we...have a HOME!!! An actual...solid...real life HOME!!! And it's WONDERFUL!!!

Something I wasn't sure was ever going to happen...

And...something...with out all of you...would never have happened...

It's better then I EVER thought possible!

Thank you EVERYONE...for everything...from the very beginning and still today...we have been lifted by you.

Love, Michael, Michelle, Brody & Jocelyn

From The M&M Kemp Family

Numbers???

So today Brody was watching Shrek...and I told him we needed to turn it off...he was very upset at this proposition...

Me: "OK, lets make a deal...you can watch 10 more minutes, and then we need to turn it off."

Brody: "No Mom! Please, please 5 minutes!"

Me: "OK"

Brody: "YES!!!"

Apparently 5 is a very important number to Brody...and even more apparently...we've got some work a head of us on the rest of the numbers!!!

Almost Always...

Super-heros and dads alike...they almost always could use a hug...

800..n'Some Odd...Crawdads???

From The M&M Kemp Family

Yes, eight hundred and some odd crawdads were caught that day! And we ate nearly all! For a fun family get away with the Kemps we ran out to Strawberry Lake...and had a blast catching crawdads! They are some of the creepiest looking things...but they sure are suckers for a drumstick on a string! Here are some random pictures of the day!

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We all seemed to get a kick when the crawdads would clamp their claws down on the brims of our hats...Mike wasn't quite so amused... :)

Emery...she's going to hate me for posting this...I just couldn't resist! Richard... Dale, Mikes dad...he just makes me laugh...most days...you will find him in either a shirt and tie...some kind of collared shirt and slacks...or this outfit below...his superman shorts...his favorite pair!!! Brody also loves them! That morning I heard him holler to Elaine..."Elaine, have you seen my superman shorts...I can't find them?" It made me giggle...and I told him that sounded like something I'd hear Brody yell..."Mom, have you seen my spiderman shirt?" We both got a good laugh! ...but you can bet...if we're going playing...Dale will be in his superman shorts!!! Love it!

Mmmm...doesn't he just look yummy!!!

Yes, Mike is shirtless...that is his farmers tan...not a t-shirt!

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

Me...trying to be brave...but not so much!

...need I say more! Great day!

Highland Splash pad...

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While my sister Jodi was in town we ran out to the newly opened splash pad out in Highland! Despite the cold water...I think the kids really ate it up...not to mention it was free! I totally recommend checking it out...it's behind Kohlers (spelling?)! All the water and sun and smiles was paradise for taking pictures...too bad I hadn't charged my battery...so it died pretty quick...but I managed to get a few before so!

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

Summer Fun...Random Pictures!

As you will see...I've just added a whole bunch of random pictures from some of our summer days...hope their not too random.

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Random Picture #1) I've been wanting to try shooting fireworks since last October...so I waited all year for this event...and completely missed the timing...I got 6 shots in before they stopped...oh well next year...

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Random Pictures #2-6) My brother Jeff has been doing a lot of babysitting for me while I figure out the back end of this new photography business we've been trying to launch...he's been a tone of help...and Brody LOVES him! Jeff could totally pass as my kid eh?

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

Random Pictures #7 & 8) I don't know...I just love my kids...and I had a lot of fun with them a couple of Sundays ago just playing on the porch...hence the pictures!

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Remaining random pictures...) I really did not do a good job of capturing our 4th...but tried to get a few random pictures in...Salem Ponds with my family was a lot of fun...besides Brody being sick...despite....I think he still enjoyed parts...and chilled in other parts!

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From The M&M Kemp Family

From The M&M Kemp Family

For the past few years my dad has taken Brody out for at least one boat ride on the ponds...he's a great grandpa!

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Jeff...the water slide was slightly muddy around the grass!

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2 of my 50 some odd cousins...they were enjoying the slip'n'slide!

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This guy...above...Spencer was practically my brother growing up...he was my cousin...but we did EVERYTHING together! Now that we're both grown...and married...the treasure hunts...football/baseball games...Cowboys & Indians...just doesn't seem to happen anymore...oh well...it was fun while it lasted! Our kids will just have to do it all over again!

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Brody Showing off his muscles...and again below!

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Isn't he a cutie! ...I realized I didn't put much of Jocelyn in here...but we love her just as much...I promise!

I Love My Manly Man....

Warning: The following has extreme mushiness...venture at your own risk!

When I was a little girl...I was quite the "tom-boy" I loved everything opposite of "girly-girl' things. I thought I was pretty tough...and felt I could hold my own...even to the point that I remember telling my mother that when I got older I didn't want my husband to have to protect me...I wanted to be able to protect myself...my kids...and even him if I had to. All those crazy thoughts were around the age of 9 years and younger....thank goodness...I wizened up... and after a few wrestling matches from older brothers, cousins, & the neighbor boys down the street I realized I wasn't as tough as I had thought...and "holding my own" wasn't exactly an option! Plus...as I grew, I started to like the idea of a strong guy by my side. This is where Mike came in!!! Tall, handsome...and strong!!! I remember how thrilling it was to stand next to him and feel so little...and well...protected! The months...then years came and went...and he was all I wanted in a husband...he did everything...for me...and my children...that a young father and husband could do. Then he was injured...my mind was racing of how I was going to take care of our family...protect...and care for everyone...this was overwhelming. Mike knew me well...took my hand...looked at me with his strong eyes...and said, "we're going to be fine...we can look at this like an adventure"...he told me how he'd find a way to take care of us...and in so many words...still be the strong husband I married. That's when I realized ...no matter what happened...he would always be my strong man...my manly man...my protector. He proves this to me daily. How? He's Mike. He reeks of manliness! First by enduring my random panic attacks of my womanly emotions...and idiotic stresses. Second, by taking on a daunting 4 years of schooling...just so he can provide for our family. Third, by wrestling me and the kids down to the floor, without so much as a flinch. 4th, by still standing by his vow to never eat oatmeal again in his life. 5th, because he loves and does the things he's always loved, fishing, woodworking, biking, serving, etc. 6th, because he is willing to be a "mr. mom" several times a week...so that I can work...as well as...on occasion...get out of the house. 7th, because, he scans a crowd whenever we're out...in case he needs to protect me and the kids from any possible predators. 8th, because I'm still his princess...by treating me to ice cream, movies, and dates. 9th, Because he's a great dad...and takes the time to teach our children the meaning of respect...love...and service. Last, but not least...10th, he loves me...and in so many mushy words...I love him (#11. he proves he's still a manly man...because I know when he reads this...he'll be slightly embarrassed)!

Family Bike Ride...

From The M&M Kemp Family

Last Saturday my family invited us on a bike ride! We went down by the Provo river...and ended up at the Provo boat harbor...it wasn't way far...but a lot of fun...and beautiful! If anyone is wondering of a great bike trail...that's a great one! I loved it! We packed 5 bicycles, 1 children's bike trailer, 1 hand cycle, and a wheelchair in the back of my dad's trailer...stuffed...but definitely worth it...thanks Dad! This biking thing really rocks!

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Mike and my Mom

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My dad, and two brothers, Jeff and Lincoln

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Jeff was determined to come close enough while I was taking his picture...as to scare me...it worked...isn't he a cute kid!

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When we were all done...we drank a lot of water!

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Jocelyn and Grammy (my mom)...sweet "Grammy" glasses eh!

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My brother Lincoln rode in his stocking cap...I said..."isn't that hot?" his response, "yep!"

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I know...probably too many pictures...and not so exciting for anyone reading our blog...but I just wanted to share! Because it was a much needed, really fun, awesome bike ride! And I urge anyone thinking about going for a bike ride...to do it...ok I'm done!