Back in the Blog...Take 2!

Let's try this again. I can't believe it has been 5 months since I last posted. Well, here is what has been happening in our family for the past few months...


In June the girls finished school and Kate headed off to EFY in Santa Barbara with her cousin Madison. They had a great time! It is the most fun Kate has had at EFY. Maybe the fact that she met a certain young man may have had something to do with it...
Kate and Madison in their dorm room!

Her group at EFY! A great group of kids!

Two GORGEOUS girls...Kate and Madison!

Kate and Jackson...back when they were "just friends"...



We spent a day with Grant and Tanya to go boating. We all had a fabulous time and the girls loved tubing. Unfortunately, we wore the boat out that day and it needed major repairs...boo hoo!
Kate, Alyssa and Logan on the tube!

Abby, Alyssa and Kate on the tube..Abby wasn't too sure if she liked it or not!

Grant tried to make the best of a broken boat!




In July, Abby and I headed off to Disneyland for Abby's national dance competition. She had an amazing competition. Her large group placed 2nd overall and her small groups placed 2nd, 4th and 6th overall. The best news was that her duet, with her best friend, Kayla, placed 1st overall. This means that their duet got the highest score of every duet and trio 8 and under. This is an amazing accomplishment for a national competition. We spent a few days at Disneyland with our friends, the McClendon's. We had a wonderful time!

Abby and Kayla with their HUGE 1st place trophies!

The girls with their awesome teacher, Miss Lori!

Abby's small tap group, 'Somedays." They place 2nd overall.

Abby in her "Bugle Boy" costume. They placed 4th overall.

Abby's large hip hop group, "Lose Control." They placed 2nd overall.

Me and Abby waiting in line for the "Buzz Lightyear" ride. It was so cute!

Waiting in line for the "Matterhorn." Abby wasn't too sure about this ride.

Waiting for my favorite ride,"Soarin'." I love that ride!!




In July, the girls cousin, Sarah, came out to visit. We went to the city and the beach. It is so wonderful to have such a close family. I am so grateful that my girls are close to their cousins!!

The girls at the top of Macy's in downtown San Francisco!

I will sign off for now, but look for a new post with our trip to Hawaii and our family's activities this fall!

Back in the Blog...

We have had a very busy few weeks since I posted last. John and I spent a wonderful week in Scottsdale, Arizona for our 17th anniversary. In so many ways it seems that we have been together forever but on the other hand it seems like just yesterday that we were married. We love our life together and are so blessed to have such a great marriage! Thanks so much to Grandma Carolyn for weathering the week with the girls!

Me and John at our anniversary dinner!

The dessert that they brought to us...you can't beat chocolate!!



For the past few months I have been training a group of women to run a half marathon. On May 30 we completed our race and it was a wonderful experience. There were about 25 of us and for several it was their first time...so much fun. The girls made signs for me that I saw on my way out the door and John and Abby met me at the finish line. I am so lucky to have such an awesome family!!
The girls knew this would make me happy!!



I chose John!!




Me with 2 of my BFF's Paula and Michelle

Me and Michelle in our "blinged out" Rockin' Runners visors! Thanks Schelle!!

Me and Paula...together the whole way!!

DISNEY CRUISE!

"the wonder was huge, fun, and spectacular!"
-abby :)

DISNEY WORLD :)

"it was awesomeeee!"
-abby :)

slideshows directed by kate with assistance from abby :)

Clear the streets...Katelyn is driving!!

On Tuesday, April 28 Katelyn took her driving test and passed! She is officially a licensed driver. Now she just needs to get a job and John will get her a car! Until then...she gets to sport around in the mini-van!

Kate shows off her temporary license!

She gets ready to drive for the first time all by herself!

She carefully backs out of the garage.

Time to go...

"I'm outta here!"

Spring Break 2009!

We spent a few days with Jason and Jaime and their family. We had a lot of fun going to San Francisco and visiting Alcatraz!

8 is GREAT! Abby's Special Day!

Saturday, April 11 was a very special day for Abby. She turned 8 last month and made the decision to be baptized and confirmed. She chose her daddy to baptize and confirm her. She looked beautiful in her white dress. She loved being baptized and wrote about her feelings in her journal! She had both sets of grandparents there and lots of great friends and family! It was a wonderful day for a very special little girl! We love you, Abby!

Abby was radiant!

Abby with her daddy!

John and Abby...such a daddy's girl!


Our family!

Abby with Grandma Margaret and Grandpa CJ. They gave her new scriptures for her baptism!

Abby with Grandma Carolyn and Grandpa Jack!

The whole crew!

Abby with our good friends, the McClendon's!

Our family with Charlotte, our surrogate grandma!

Abby and Kayla...her BFF!

Abby opening presents!

It was a long day. Abby ZONKED out with my mom's new dog, Harriett! SO CUTE!!


Abby we are so proud of you! Thanks for being such an amazing little girl!