Happy Birthday Allan

Richard painted this front for Allan's X Box for his birthday. We all agreed it was wonderful!

Christina and I Plant a Garden

It was so much work but by June 30 we had a huge garden planted and two weeks later we left the home and moved into the other home. We missed the harvest, but I took this picture over the fence to see how well it did. We mulched it all, soaker hosed it all and put it on a timer to water. It was a great success.

Chantelle is Engaged to Jeremy

While we were at the cabins, Chantelle said yes to Jeremy. We are so excited. Here they are on her birthday taking the candles off the cake. We are very busy planning the wedding. You all should have your invites by now.

At the Cabins

We spent some time at the cabins. It was a wonderful two weeks. Trevor and Gavin came all the way from Oklahoma to spend some time with me at the cabins!!! Thank you for coming!! Katie and Josh and Christina and the boys drove up on July 25. Bekkie and Joey packed their whole house and met us at the cabin for an night. Katie, Josh, Christina and I spend a few more days. It was so relaxing and beautiful. We went on a night hike. The moon was very bright!

First Pizza Night In our New Home

Christmas List for 2009

Siblings give to list:

Carrie-James
Gary-Stacy
Bekkie-Chantelle
Joey-Christina
Allan-Tyler
Stacy-Bekkie
Amber-Joey
Rick-Jeremy
Abby-Carrie
Katie-Rick
Tyler-Amber
Chantelle-Gary
Jeremy-Katie
James-Allan
Christina-Abby

Cousins give to list
Sabre-Josh
Trevor-Kysa
Gavin-Paxton
Wyatt-Gavin
Josh-Wyatt
Kysa-Sabre

back from vacation

I have been so busy working and moving that I didn't write this summer, then I went on vacation. The mountains were beautiful and for 10 days I had a totally relaxing, recharging time. Good thing because I seriously got slammed by tons of things coming home. I had to hit the ground running. I am back in the rat race wondering how I get here and how to get out. I wish summer could go on because I am not ready for school. Tell me it gets better.

Richard and Abby's Wedding

Richard and Abby were married on Friday, June 5, 2009. I had the opportunity to help Richard with a couple of finishing touches before the ceremony. He was so handsome! Everyone started to arrive. Trevor, Gavin and Paxton were in high spirits.

Aunt Mary, Grandma Vilda, Lieren and her new husband Chandler came all the way from St. George.

Amber and Richard were at our house early Friday morning to finish the wedding cake. Branden helped me outside while they carved this up. The top pond ran water down into the bottom pond. Everyone loved it.

Richard and Abby were very sweet when they fed each other cake.

Richard and Abby's first dance as husband and wifeIt was a perfect day for a wedding and they were a beautiful couple. Congratulations, you two!

Christina Becomes a Teenager!

Christina's 13th birthday started at Stacy's house for a new "do." Before... And AFTER! Doesn't she look so grown up?

That evening, everyone went to the drive-in movies. These are some of Christina's friends from the neighbohood.

Trevor, Gavin, Paxton, Wyatt and Kysa were there to help celebrate with their mothers, Bekkie and Stacy.

Chantelle came, too, and showed everyone that almost-nine is not too old for sitting on your aunt's lap.

This is the last picture we got before the skies burst with a terrible rain storm and we were forced to leave. The girls wound up on our living room floor watching "Bride Wars." Not the evening we had planned, but they seemed ok.

Christina Sang A Solo With the True North Choir

It was such a fantastic program! The choir sang beautifully and entertained even better. Christina sang "God Bless America" and sounded just like a country-western singer.

James Graduated From Bonneville High School

Sleepover With Grandma at the New Hotel

All the grandchildren and Grandma spent the night at Dixon and Darlene's new Best Western. We started the fun with five hours of swimming. Josh didn't like swimming very much but he did like cuddling with Grandma. Three little fishes! Paxton, Wyatt and Kysa all loved swimming.
We finally took a break for dinner. Here are Trevor, Gavin and Wyatt enjoying their Subway sandwiches.
The next morning, we all sat down to the continental breakfast in the dining room. It was a great time. Let's do it again!

James turned 18 years old on March 6

And we partied and partied. On his birthday he had about 15 friends for pizza and fun that lasted all night. They only ate 2.5 large pizzas-have I lost my touch?? The family gathered the next evening for some more pizza and cake and ice cream. We had another wild night of fun. Congratulations to James!

60th Birthday!!

On February 5, Allan the Dad turned 60 years young. We planned a party with all the children and the spouses and parents. We met in the private dining room of Mountain Ridge and had a nice dinner. We played a game and found out lots of things about Allan. We learned more about his travels and favorite things and important people in his life. His children were surprised how many Church leaders had stayed in his childhood home while his dad what stake president, including Pres. Thomas S. Monson. Here is a picture of the cake Amber did.

Preschool with Gavin, Paxton and Wyatt

We have preschool at my house twice a week for 3 hours. The first thing we do is cook. We have such fun in the kitchen. Last time we made meringue cookies. The boys had to separate the yolk from the whites. It took many eggs but we finally got enough egg whites to do some cookies. They added sugar to the beating eggs one spoonful at a time. Sugar flew all over. They dropped globs on a lined cookie sheet. We baked them for about an hour at 275. We liked them!

Last week we made slime. What a hoot! Here are pictures of the fun!!