Friends = Family

It is hard to believe that J and I moved to Houston almost 4 years ago. My biggest fear when moving away from Utah was not meeting friends and missing my family. Within a few weeks of moving into the Memorial Park Ward, we had met a ton of people our age and quickly became fast friends. As time went on, one by one we moved away, one got married, and many have had babies. I feel very blessed to have stayed in contact with this great group of girls even though all of us are not so close. We do our best to get together at least once a month so we can socialize as mommies/adults and let our kids "play". It is these fabulous girls who made motherhood appealing to me. They are all incredible mothers and made me realize that being a mother was fun. I am so grateful for their examples.

Yesterday, we all got together. The sad part about yesterday was Sheree will be moving in just a few weeks so we won't get to see her as often. I promise Sheree that I will come visit you, Dallas is really not that far. Here are some pictures of the past and then recent pictures of all of us from yesterday.

This picture was taken in March of 2006. Sheree is pregnant here with Eva, her second. This is her baby shower. Stephanie is 3rd from the left on top, me first on bottom, Sheree is 3rd in on the bottom, and Mckell on the bottom right. Marci is missing in this picture.

Sheree holding a newborn Jace. Look how sweet and little Eva is. Sheree was/is the person I called about nursing bras, naps, and all things baby.

Stephanie and I as new mommies. We were so tired and talked about it this entire walk.
Marci's little Addie, Jace, and Stephanie's Ashley. They are all within 3 weeks of each other. I remember being worried that Jace wasn't pushing himself up like the other two were. How they all have grown!

Mckell, Marci, me, and Stephanie. We all had dinner at Marci's. The babies were about 5 months old. I love this picture except for Sheree is missing. Our girls group won't be complete without you Sheree.

Here we all are yesterday. Do we look the same? From the top, Mckell, Sheree, Stephanie, me, and Marci. We had such a great time at the pool. Marci made a great lunch for us all and we had a fun time seeing each other and our kids.
Ella and Eva (Marci's and Sheree's girls) playing in the pool. Look how Eva has grown from the picture above.
Ella and Andrew (Sheree's oldest). They were both babies when we met them. They are so cute with each other.
Jace, Addie, and Ashley. As usual Jace was too busy to be taking pictures and was bothered that we were even trying. Addie was just curious about her surroundings, and Ashley is all smiles as usual.
Jace and Addie both wishing they were somewhere else.
Jace's favorite part of the day, the froggy slide.
The splash area was also a favorite.
After a long day in the sun, we headed home. Here is Jace enjoying his first Capri Sun ever. He is still working on the concept that you don't have to tilt back a drink if there is a straw in it. We have many a spills because of this.
He quickly downed his drink and then asked for a "cac-ka " (cracker). Within one bite he was out.
We had such a great time. These girls are the best and feel like family to me away from home.