And then there were 43...soon to be 45

Total number of Slade's. I think. Grandma Slade would know for SURE.

2 parents
10 children
8 in-laws
12 grandsons
11 granddaughters
2 babies in bellies

Everyone was able to make it to the reunion but Becky, Josh & Chelsea and Micah, Morgan & Sammie.





I know, I know. I said Sammie wasn't at the reunion, but I had a cute picture of her at the pool that I just couldn't leave out. Micah & Morgan moved to California the week before the reunion but we got to go swimming with them a few weeks before they left.








Joel telling the story of "The missing cookie jar"... a classic tale about the special gift parents have to "see it in your eyes." After many hours of therapy and lots of batches of cookies from Grandma Slade, he can finally tell the story.

All Because Two People Fell In Love (written by Alicia)

Over 40 years ago, a handsome Red Mesa farm boy fell in love with a pretty California brunette while going to school at BYU. That farm boy sold a cow to buy her engagement ring and asked her to marry him. The girl from California said yes……and then returned the ring and called off the engagement. Thankfully that ring was later returned to her (or we wouldn’t be here)! They decided to get married for Time and All Eternity on June 25th, 1971 in the Oakland Temple. Since that day the following things have happened.
They have lived in 4 different states, 15 different towns, and 21 houses.
They have raised 10 children.
Mom traveled all the way to India for our Anjali because she knew she was meant to be in our family.
They have 24 grandchildren….With 2 on the way.
They have had 8 kids follow their example and get married in the temple.
They have had 4 sons serve missions in 4 different countries.
They have 2 sons who have served our country proudly.
They taught their children by example the value of working hard.
Mom taught her kids you didn’t want to be in trouble on Sunday or you would be doing dishes ALL day.
They taught their children that no matter what always pay your tithing and you’ll be okay.
They taught their children the importance of family home evening, prayer and scripture study…… even when certain brothers made it painful to get through.
Dad taught his kids that even though it was midnight and cold outside sometimes cows needed to be milked and the milk needed to be bottled!
Mom and Dad taught their kids to love people from ALL walks of life.
Mom taught her kids the fine art of making “Spanish Delight”, even though not all of them appreciated it.
Mom taught her daughters the importance and value in taking care of the family and home.
Mom taught her children the value and enjoyment in reading good books.
Dad taught his sons that it’s not always easy to provide for your family, but that it’s possible.
Dad taught his kids you can be a farmer and love Opera too.
Dad taught his kids to cheer for BYU, win or lose.
Mom raised 6 daughters who call her and each other their best friends.
Dad taught his sons to always honor their priesthood.
Mom always taught the importance of always telling the truth……Because if you didn’t she would find out anyway, and then it was worse for you!
Mom and dad taught their kids to honor the Sabbath.
Mom taught her children the importance of genealogy work.
Dad taught his children the importance of good music.
Mom and Dad have been through many great times, and many hard times in the last 40 years. One constant has always been their love for each other and their kids. And they have taught us to always trust in each other and in the Lord.
We love you SO much Mom and Dad. And we are so thankful that mom stalked you 40 years ago at BYU!
Happy 40th Anniversary!!!

Just your small town 4th of July

For the first time in my life I didn't go to Moroni for the 4th of July (sniff, sniff,...tear falling.)

and I survived. Other than not seeing my mom & dad, brother & sisters, and catching up with my friends from high school...which I really did miss, it was a great day. We spent the day in Milford doing the small town celebration... and they do it well! We went the the parade (Spencer rode on the primary float), the carnival at the park, and even made it to the ping pong drop at the golf course. We got to spend the day with Grandma Slade, Anjali, Halle, Micah, Morgan, Sammie and had a barbeque at Bryan & Michelle Wood's. The kids had fun going on the "slip n' slide" and jumping on the trampoline. It was fun spending the day with family and our friends in Milford.








oh yeah. Did I also mention that we let our children run around in the buff, let the 16 month old feed the 10 month old, and that we got great laughs out of putting Sammie in the mesh bag. These are the kinds of traditions that must be carried on....

And he's off...

It has been an eventful month for Jack.
He started crawling (army style that is)
He sprouted a tooth, but just one. Waiting for the other to pop through any day.
He and Ty both got tubes put in their ears.
I would have never known that he even had an ear infection, but he ran a fever and I thought I better get it checked. Turns out he had a blister in his one ear. I felt like an awesome mom that day. He must have a high pain tolerance because he was still so happy.
We call him the our hungry hippo. Just set him in the high chair and pour some baby puff treats on the tray and he shoves them in this mouth as fast as he can.

And best of all, he is a mama's boy. He can't talk, but if he could, I'm pretty sure that he would say I'm his favorite. When I pick him up he nuzzles his head into my chest and then looks up at me with a big ole grin and nuzzles his head back into my chest. Sometimes he will repeat this several times and sometimes he just sits there and wants to snuggle. It's the best.

Would Maweea Slade please come to the front desk

We aren't wasting any time this summer.
Spencer has been counting down the days to visit his cousin Kody.
He has been like a kid at Christmas...waiting and waiting for the day to come.
So we planned a whole weekend full of fun.
First we went to the children's discovery museum at the gateway with Megan, Mckay and Cole.
I wanted to be a kid again.
and the boys loved it!
Everything kids love to play with and just their size.

The best part though was when I was sitting in the baby area playing with Jack and I hear this really weird message over the intercom. It went like this. "Attention. Attention. Would a Maweeea Slade please come to the front desk." I sat there for a minute repeating in my mind what the guy said and thinking that he sounded like he was speaking a different language. Then a light bulb came on. I think he was saying my name. and then I heard the the strange loud message again. "Would a Maweeea Slade please come to the front desk." Yup. I was sure this time. I was laughing so hard inside and had a few tears rolling down my face by the time I got to the "front desk." I knew when I rounded the corner I would see Spencer standing by the guy with the microphone. He was just repeating my name exactly how Spencer had said it. We have been working on his "r's" but I guess we need to work on them some more....






but we were just getting started with all the fun.
Next we went to the carnival with the Ostler's.
Once again, I wanted to be a kid.
They had so much fun!
For $15 a kid, they could ride all the rides they wanted.
and they did.
We came home with a few fish, some stinking incense burning dragons, a stuffed alligator and a belly full of carnival food.
That night we went to a movie in the park.
The next day I woke up with a headache and in need a of serious nap.
But it was worth it.

Schoooools OUT FOR Summer

and it's a good thing cause I don't think Spencer had a fully functioning pencil. (not to mention that all of his pants are floods on him)
When he brought his backpack home it was full of broken crayons and about 60 pencils.
Seriously..who needs 60 pencils??
I guess 1st graders do. His teacher worked him pretty hard this year.
30 minutes of reading every night and lots of math homework!!
The first day of school he came home and I asked him how it went.
He told me that some of the older kids at school told him that his teacher was mean.
I said, "Well what do you think?" He said, "I don't think she is mean, I think she is really nice."
I wanted Spencer to be in Mrs. Cox's class because I had heard what a good teacher she is.
She expects a lot from her students and wants them to excel.
That is just what happened too. Spencer did really well and is an awesome reader.
I'm really proud of him.

just one funny story...
Mrs. Cox would always tell the kids that they couldn't "fool the old fox" or "out smart the old fox."
Big mistake.
Spencer took this as a challenge.
He came home from school one day with the biggest grin on his face. He was very pleased with himself.
I asked him what the big grin was for and he said. "I fooled the old fox."
I said "Oh really. How did you do that?"
He told me that he had a book on top of his desk and that Mrs. Cox asked him to put it inside his desk.
To fool her, he pretended to put the book in his desk, but instead of placing it in his desk, he hid the book on his lap.
Yup. That's right. That's all he did.
Pheeew...
I thought it was going to be something I would have to have him confess to.
I hope that is the extent of his rebellious behavior.

Spencer and Wes also "fooled the old fox" on April Fool's day by switching their morning work. They wrote each others names on their work instead of their own. They confessed. Not sure if Mrs. Cox thought it was funny...but they sure did!

8 months of Jack

I can't believe Jack is 8 months old already.
Sometimes I just wish I could freeze time.
He is the happiest, smiliest baby and he just melts my heart.
I love that when he smiles his eyes disappear behind his chubby little cheeks.
He is my cuddliest baby too. I love it.
Spencer especially loves playing with him and gets him to giggle quite easily.
Ty on the other hand, well...it is a love/torture relationship which might continue for sometime.
He is his protector one minute and his biggest threat the next. He has been letting everyone know that Jack is his "bruder" and buddy.

Oh and did I mention his love for all things food. He can down a jar of baby food in just a couple of minutes. Hasn't turned down a single bite yet.