Halloween 2009

Maddy had her first Halloween Party last weekend. We transformed our house and had a blast!! The party was complete with a Monster Mash-Up Dance -Off, Speed Donut Eating Contest, Rock Band, Dinner, and we topped the night off with a scarry movie in the cemetary with a creepy gobblin - (Uncle Tom) - showing up to scare the girls at the end of the night. It was a ton of fun!!!

Josh's Baptism

Joshua Tanner was baptized last weekend and we were so excited that they all came to Arizona for the baptism so that we could all be there. This younger generation of kids, they are all so strong in their own ways and such wonderful kids...Josh seems like the gently peace maker and he always has a smile that just makes you see the goodness in him.

We loved being able to be there for your special day Josh and thanks for letting us be a part of it. We love you!

Random Thoughts...

We have had some great times this summer. Here are some pictures of just of few of the good times we've had!

For Labor Day weekend, Mike and I went camping with our good friends, Tyson and Bethany Tanner. We had the best time ever!! We camped in Forest Lakes - can I just tell you, this is our new favorite camp spot. It was so beautiful. The weather was perfect! It was so relaxing and we just had a wonderful time! Some friends of ours from our Ward let us use their pop-up tent trailer - that is the best way to camp ever!!! It made it so much fun and we are so grateful to them for their kindness!!!

The only downfall about this place that seemed like Heaven, is that there was NO BATHROOM!!! This is our "toiley tent" and poor Mike and Tyson had to empty out the little portable toilet at the end of the weekend. eeewwww!!! I could not have done that in a million years! They were such troopers. The little thing worked great and as long as I am not the one to deal with the end result...I'm all good. Our cheap little toiley tent held up great!!!

Some of you might not recognize this skinny man - this is my husband!!! Yes, that is right, he is more than 50lbs lighter and looking handsome as ever!!

Our ward got split a few weeks ago as you know and tonight I came home and found that all of the young women from Durango Ward gave me and Heidi Phelps across the street a heart attack!! Those girls are all so sweet and it touched my heart so much. I really do miss them so much! Wednesdays seem so weird to not have to go to mutual and on Sunday, I thought about them for a minute and cried.

I will say though, Mike and I are really liking the new ward so far. Everyone is so nice and we are having a good time getting to know new people and will hopefully make some new friends there too. We are excited for new callings and opportunities to serve!



We have been watching our friends' little girl on Tuesday nights while they go to a class. This is Haylee and she just lights up our house everytime she is here. She LOVES our dogs - FINALLY - someone who loves the dogs like I do! Mike has just as much fun as I do chasing her around the house. Here he is reading her snow white and then she decided to play dress up with the dogs. They were such troopers. Hank was a little bride with a dress and veil and Joey was sporting a red cheerleading skirt...hallarious! Mike thinks they looked like they had just lost all of their dignity...you be the judge!

When I am not working, this is the dogs' favorite place to sleep. This is Hank waiting for a massage! He loves it up there and when I call him, he plays dead and peeks out of the corner of his eye to see if I have gone yet or not...he is sooo sneaky!



These two angels and so much fun to have over. We sure do love Jake and Tyler!!!

So, Maddy is growing up to be such a beautiful young lady. Sometimes I look at her and I can't believe how grown up she seems. Here are some pictures taken on picture day.

Where A Door Closes Another Opens...

Well, today was a sad day. The ward we have called home for 5 years now just split today and our neighborhood was it. I knew it would be, it only makes the most sense with the growth in this area...growth is good! I bawled my eyes out and then bawled some more. We are going to miss everything about this Ward. Being able to see family each week and sit together supporting each other, the AMAZING friendships we have - you all have touched our lives in so many ways and we can never thank you for all of the goodness and service that was done in our behalf. We are also so grateful for the opportunities we have had to serve and grow in the ward - I have LOVED serving in the Young Womens. Those girls are so strong spiritually and they are amazing. I love you all so much and will miss you with all my heart. Mike has been serving in his dream calling as Family History Consultant. He has loved this opportunity to serve doing something that he is so passionate about.

Now, to turn this into something to smile about!! We are not moving far away, just going to a new Ward. At least we are still close and will hopefully have many opportunities to see our friends all the while getting to make new ones. I love what one of the Bishops said today - I think it was Bishop Burnham - it's all kind of a blurr - but it was said that friendship holds no boundaries and that is so true. Once a friend, always a friend. We are looking to embrace Page Ward and give it all we've got!! I have complete Faith in our Father in Heaven and in the leaders of this stake. If this was meant to be, then there are reasons and we look to the future with antiscipation, a little sadness, but ready to move ahead. I want all of you in the Durango Ward who mean so much to us to know of our love for you, for the gospel and to know that we are always here if you ever need US!! To all our Kristin Manor buddies, it's all good and at least we are forging ahead together!!

1st Day of 6th Grade!!

So Today was Maddy's first day of school - 6th grade. I must admit, it was kind of sad to think this is her last year of elementary school. This is why I really wanted more kids - I am not ready for the little kid things to be over with. But anyway, Maddy was so excited!! She has a great teacher - Mr. Moore. He seems like a blast and she came home yesterday afternoon just beaming!

The dogs were bored without her to play with today. I can hear them now..."Is she ever coming home??

"You stay here Joey, I'll go ask Mom..."

Family Pictures at Temple Square

Our last day in Utah we visited Temple Square and had such a wonderful time. I love these pictures, we are all dressed in white...wasn't planned by the way...but very appropriate!

This has been a wonderful summer. We have spent a LOT of time together and the last two weeks have been wonderful. If we can just survive this heat, then we are ready for the school year to start and new adventures ahead...Maddy starts 6th grade and also club volleyball this year. She can't wait!!!

20th High School Reunion Trip

So, we went to my High school reunion - 20 years!! It felt kind of like a milestone in my life, sort of surreal. And what an ironic memory of being that much older - the memory loss...I forgot my camera the night of the actual reunion. Needless to say I was so upset. I just have to rely on friends posting their pictures...come on guys, don't let me down!

I am so happy as I reflect on where my life is right now. I have such a wonderful little family and I was so happy to go and show off my sweet husband to all of my friends. I really am such a lucky girl!!!