England Remembered

One year ago we were in England! Oh, it was so fun! The other night, Kaylin and I were reminiscing about it and looked at all our pictures and watched all our videos. And it made us want to go back! So, here are a few memories of that trip!
I loved Big Ben. I think it was my favorite in London


My other favorite place. We screamed when we saw it!
Bath
Who could forget our trusty Passat. I hit a few curbs and animals and after 3 years remembered what it was like to drive there but we all made it!
Isle of Man
Slugs!!!
Hadrians Wall! We had so many of those Hadrian Wall experiences

York and a billion pictures taken like this!
Ending at the London Temple was a great way to end two weeks of non stop fun! Thanks ladies for a great trip! I love you all!

Happy Late Father's Day

It seems that I am about a week behind on everything, but now that summer is here I have a lot more time to get on here. Not than anyone reads this but still...

Happy Late Father's Day, Dad! Where do I begin when talking about the wonderful men in my life! Thanks to all of you! I love you! And now, my dad is the most amazing, humble, loving and caring man I know. He is a wonderful father and will be a wonderful "Gramps" He is such a hard worker and has always given us everything we ever needed. My dad is one of my heroes. Though he has 3 other daughters, I like to pretend that I am really the favorite (but I know he loves us all the same) So, thanks Dad for always being there! I love you!

You can call me Aunt Carrie

Yes everyone, she is here. Brooklyn Ann Young, born June 10, 2010 to proud Emily and Seth Young. Born in Bozeman, Montana at 4:11 pm. 7 pounds 1 ounce and 20 and a half inches long. She is a perfect angel! Emily's water broke at 3:30 that morning and they headed to the hospital about 7:30. Everyone was in great anticipation. I was in a meeting all day and was checking my phone all the time waiting for that text message or phone call saying she was here. Finally, it came! We are so excited to have her here and she is just a doll!

I wasn't able to go up for a few days but was able to go up last Wednesday (I had to stay and spend my birthday with Tyler...and it was wonderful!) Besides being able to spend a few days with my two sisters and my mom and my new niece, I pulled off the biggest surprise in history! Emily had no idea I was coming. She answered the door and jumped up and down and screamed for a good 5 minutes! It was awesome!!!

She is pretty sore still but looks awesome! She is a wonderful mother and I am so proud of my little sis! Brooklyn will be blessed in Salmon, Idaho on July 11 and we are all looking forward to that.



I haven't held a brand new baby for such a long time and I forgot how tiny they are. It was so cute when I would burp her, her little bum would just stick up in the air!

All ready to go to town! Or anywhere for that matter. She is so tiny it looks like she could fall right out of that car seat!


So, I bought her this dress for a killer deal at Shopko. Clearly it is too big but we had a good time playing dress up with Brooklyn while Emily was getting ready. I can't wait for her to be able to fit in it because it will be adorable!

Congrats Em and Seth! I love baby Brooklyn so much and love you both too!

Happy 28th Birtday

Ok, I know I am a bit late on this as my birthday was almost a week ago, but I was busy spending time with my adorable new niece, Brooklyn last week (More on her later for those few of you who actually read this!)

As I look back on this past year of my life, I look back to see happiness and also growth! What a year it was and I am looking forward to what will come...So, here are 28 things I did or things I experienced this year!

1. Spent two glorious weeks in England
2. Finished my third year of teaching at Hunter High
3. Took my History Praxis Test for the....I don't know...A lot!
4. Sent two more Stokes missionaries into the world
5. Spent time with Brooklyn Ann Young, my first niece
6. Learned that patience really is a virtue
7. Figured out that cars are expensive
8. There is still a lot for me to learn
9. Sometimes my students actually know more than me
10. I am an actor and entertainer 9 months of the year from 7 am to 3 pm
11. was released from my FHE calling
12. Am still figuring out how to grow in all callings in the church, including ward chorister
13. Spent some time with wonderful friends from the Isle of Man
14. By December had decided to call off dating all together
15. By January decided that was not a good idea!
16. Walked into the Missionary Mall for the first time in my life and....
17. Ended up meeting the man of my dreams!
18. Surprises are a wonderful part of life
19. Met many new people
20. Found out what it was like to really love someone
21. Cried a lot
22. Smiled and laughed even more
23. Still running
24. Look forward to the future in anticipation
25. Am grateful for great friends
26. Realized how happy someone can make you
27. look forward to a great summer and...
28. Look forward to this next year of life and all the wonderful things that will come with it!

1999 Chevy Malibu

Dear Malibu,

Though I love you, I am ready to trade you in. I've spent way too much money on you and I did not enjoy spending $700 on a new ignition sensor whatever!!!! We have been many miles together but I feel our relationship may be winding down. At least you will enjoy a few last trips then it is time for me to move on to bigger things! Maybe something newer than 2005.

But, you have driven me many miles to Hunter High, to Salmon, to Orem and everywhere else I need to go. And for that, I must say thank you...even though I don't like you a lot right now!

Your trusty but not too happy owner,

Carrie

Dear Grandma, I love you!

To my dear Grandma Jolley:

I miss your laugh and I miss your smile. I miss the dirt under your fingernails and your delicious chocolate chip cookies (that to date, no one has been able to master but I think Mom is getting super close). I miss you working in the garden and picking up sticks while we mow the lawn. I miss your beautiful flowers on your table and the sprinkler that was always on the flowers in the yard. I miss your hugs and I even miss your meatloaf! I miss our hot lunch while working cows and the buckets of beans that would miraculously be in the sink when I woke up. I miss your angel food cake and your strawberry shortcake. I miss your rolls and your pies, your roasts and potatoes. I miss the love that you showed and the great service that you gave. I miss you being there all the time and our chats on the phone.

I love you Grandma and I miss you so much!

Love, Carrie



3 years ago on June 12, my dear Grandma Jolley left this mortal existence. I have never done this before but felt it would be fitting this year. I cherish the last hour I had with Grandma before she was no longer able to talk to anyone due to a stroke. For some reason, this silly recipe for frosting was not working. I ran to Grandma and Grandpa's and ended up staying for almost an hour. I will forever cherish those moments with my dear Grandmother who is one of my heroes. She was a true disciple of Christ who lived the gospel through her actions. Always the first with dinner or a loaf of bread to someone who was in need. A lot of the time, she would even beat the Bishop there! She taught me so many things about how to be in this life and I am constantly looking to her example of how to be.

This past Memorial Day, I visited Grandma's grave for the first time since her funeral. Yes, it was extremely hard to be there and to know that in this life she would not see my wedding, my children be born, or see them grow up. But, how grateful I am for the Plan of Salvation and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that when a two people are sealed in the temple, families can be together forever. I know that right now, she is busy as ever and also, taking care of my children. Maybe even telling them stories of me! I am so grateful for eternal families and that one day, I will see my dear Grandma Jolley again.

One of many Idaho Memories

Memorial Day Weekend....always a fun weekend to leave the city and enjoy some time away. And that is what we did! Tyler and I left Friday about 3:00 and had a great drive up to Idaho. We stopped in Blackfoot to have dinner at the Hansen's and then continued on to Salmon. Despite rain, slush and unfamiliar roads to Tyler, we made great time! It was fun to be home and fun for everyone to be able to get to know Tyler better.

Due to crazy rain and snow Salmon had gotten, no pipe to move the whole weekend! What a treat. We went in to Grammie and Papa Stokes' house and helped some other family members put in a sprinkler system for them. It was fun and we got rained on just a little. That night, we went up to the cemetery to put flowers on the graves of our family members.
On Sunday after church and a delicious dinner, we went up to our upper ranch, also known as "The Upper Place" It's beautiful up there and plans are formulating for the Stokes' cabin up there one day!



It was a really fun weekend. And with school officially out, there will be many more trips to Idaho this summer!