Girlfriends...

...there's nothing like them! I saw my awesome girlfriends from high school yesterday. Thanks for organizing and having it at your parents house Sarah! There were 23 kids (newborn babies included) and complete chaos! But so fun. I thought I'd write a quick favorite memory about each of these girls...

Michelle (far left)...she was one of my first friends when my family moved to Orem in 9th grade. She had the most beautiful long, thick blonde hair (and still has beautiful hair :) We were the crazy dancers at high school dances...remember Oops I Did it Again and Who Let the Dogs Out Michelle?

Whitney (left on the couch)...Whit and I were BYU buddies. We hung out alot, especially our freshman year. We had BYU sports passes and went to all the BYU home games together. That year BYU played Utah at home...it was one of the come back to win games and we pretty much got pushed out of our seats and left early and MISSED IT! Oh well...we still had fun together!

Stephanie (middle couch)...oh there's so much to say about Steph. I've talked about memories with her over the time I've had this blog and there are so many...quazy mazy, Wingers, living at Raintree, weddings, babies, trips, shopping, eating out...it just goes on. I can't believe she has three children now and none of them are little babies! I love ya!

Beth B. (middle couch)...Beth and I became good friends in Mr. Kramer's photo class (remember that Beth!) She's our amazing dancer friend and I loved watching her at the Miss PG pageant...she was awesome! We had fun hanging out in her parents backyard with a pool...she had an awesome reception there!

Heather O. (middle couch)...this girl makes me laugh...she's so awesome! We were the BRC in cheer (Back Row Crew!) She did so many funny things to make us all laugh...you gotta love Heather! She's been gone for quite a few years now with her husband in medical school and has been such a trooper. We love when she comes back to visit.

Beth H. (right couch)...Beth and I were the "backspots" in high school cheer...lots of funny stories with that! She was always a good influence for all of us in high school. She is one amazing clogger and runs a big operation now! She's the one with cute little red-heads now...we'll see if my kids get it too!

Heather B. (Left standing)...we were inseparable in 9th and 10th grade. We did EVERYTHING together and talked SO much on the phone. Oh my Heather do you remember that! She was so sweet and threw me a 15th bday party at her house. She hooked me up with lots of free food at a juice place she worked at by her house...and I used to go visit her every night and hang out (it definitely wasn't a busy place :) Love ya Heather!

Amber (middle standing)...Amber was the other "newbie" friend like me in 9th grade. We joined "the club" of girls later on (glad they added us to the group!) She had a pool at her house we'd go swim at. Her house was usually where we'd end up after games on Friday nights. So fun!

Jessica (middle standing)...another I have many memories with. She knew boys from timbucktoo. We were brave and asked guys out all the time...50 cent Tuesdays Jess! She had a blueish green car we'd tool around in. Now she's such an amazing seamstress and helps me with sewing projects alot! You're awesome Jess!

Sarah (right standing)...like Steph there's a bit much to talk about with this girl...so many fun times. Her parents owned a condo in Midway we'd all go up to lots in high school...remember our own private Kalai concert! Again shopping, movies, eating out, trips (to visit her when she lived in Vegas), driving around in the purple Honda...you name it we did it!

I wanted to do this to express my love for all of these girls. You have made life fun over the years and its so fun to stay in touch...I hope we always do.

Our Truck Lover....

Latest Happenings...

With having a new baby, I thought this summer would be dull and boring sitting at home...it has been anything BUT that! We've been very busy having lots of fun! Here's what's happened lately...


















The Walter Wick exhibit at the BYU Museum of Art was way cool! He does all the I Spy pictures and has his own books now (Can You See What I See?) which are so cute...he's done one with nursery rhymes and I would love to buy the prints eventually and hang them up in my playroom (when we have a playroom in the basement :) They are so cute because there's lots of fun things to find in each picture!















My Mom treated us to a day at Lagoon when my Grandparents and aunt Laurie were in town. Peyton had a grand old time riding the rides. Too bad all the rides we wanted to ride broke down when it was our turn to have fun! I hadn't been there for many years...I have fond memories of going to Stake Lagoon Day with my family.































He asked to ride this car ride at least 20 times.

















Choo choo train...
















The log ride with Grandma

















The whole gang (minus Laurie who took the picture). It was fun to hang out with everyone!


















While they were in town they also came to our house to visit. Peyton LOVES having friends around no matter their age. They had fun jumping on the trampoline.
















We had a fun-filled Saturday with the McArthurs last week. We went swimming at the Lindon pool which is a great place for younger kids. The boys couldn't get enough of the slide! Pam took Chayce for us so I had a nice relaxing afternoon!















The four amigos.




















Later that night we went to a fun park near Lone Peak High School for a KFC picnic and walk around the lake. The boys enjoyed throwing biscuits to the ducks.

There's nothing I enjoy more than spending time with my family and people I love. The summer is SUCH a wonderful time and is definitely my favorite season.

Grandpa's Funeral

We had an emotional, yet beautiful day yesterday. Saying goodbye is so hard...but I truly feel Grandpa is with us everyday. I know he is going to be there to watch my children grow up and to prep any other children that will come into our family. It was so neat to see so many people at his funeral and realize what a great legacy he left.

As he isn't my biological grandpa, it was neat for me to learn things about him that I didn't know. The biggest surprise to me was that he was in the hospital for TWO years after he was diagnosed with Tuberculosis in his early twenties. They said he ended up in the hospital longer than he served in the Navy. CRAZY! They only gave him five years to live and told him it wouldn't be fair to go home and marry his wife (Grandma). After they ignored that they then said they shouldn't have kids...15 months later they had one...with five more to follow. His life was a miracle and I believe he was spared to create the wonderful family he has. I feel priviledged to be the mother of his posterity.

McKay was asked to sing "I Need Thee Every Hour" in a quartet and they did a great job. My Mother-in-Law also spoke (as did all the siblings) and did a wonderful job. She read a few of his journal entries which were neat to read. Our aunt Marilyn pulled out at least a dozen journals and placed them on the pulpit...what a great journal writer. It made me feel good that I'm at least trying with this blog :)

At the viewing Friday night we had the chance to meet Elder Christopherson from the Quorum of the Twelve. He was a neighbor to both my mother and father-in-law in their growing up years. It's always a neat experience to be in the presence of an apostle.

While we will miss Grandpa, we understand that at some point we're all going to go through death. I've had strong feelings this week that heaven really isn't as far as we may think. I've also thought alot about my own Grandpa's passing and how I know he's up watching over my family. How lucky are we to have amazing guardian angels!

Pam bought Tyke and Peyt darling matching suits. He looked SO DANG CUTE! I love my in-laws so much and am grateful to be so close to them!

Tyke, Peyt and Alaynah

How proud Grandpa must be in heaven of these two :)

I love you boys! Thanks to my parents for sitting with them during the funeral. It was nice to sit and enjoy the words that were said.

My amazing sisters (I think they're extra sisters instead of sister-in-laws!)

We'll love you forever Pro

Our Grandpa Pro passed away this afternoon. He's been a fighter many years with one functioning lung. What an amazing patriarch, teacher, grandfather and friend he's been to our little family. How lucky we are to have this precious picture with he and Chayce. I believe his blessing was one of his last days at church which will always be a special memory. You will be missed but we know you will never be far away from us...