Memories of Dan

Yesterday, I received a call telling me that my best friend from high school's husband had been killed in a car accident. I have been broken hearted all night. We have been such close friends for so long. Dan & I were on the seminary council together our senior year. Amy & I have been best friends since High School. Dan and Amy came to our wedding. They were there when we moved to Arizona in 1999 welcoming us. Derek and Dan were bishops together in the same stake in Tucson. Amy and I did a preschool co-op together for 2 years. I'll always have the wonderful memories of trips to the Howells cabin with them and their families. Their oldest daughter Kathryn and Kayli have been really good friends.
I will miss Dan...his smile, laugh and hugs. I'll miss the way he made everyone feel important and loved. He's been such a great example to me and has influenced so many young lives as he taught seminary for 17 years. My heart goes out to his sweet wife Amy and their six children.
I've been thinking about how the most important values in life are the relationships that we have with one another. Nothing else really matters. Relationships and memories last forever. It is so important to live everyday to the fullest, tell those we love how much we love them and be happy with one another.

Teacher's Pet

Madi's teacher, Miss Easely, is in Germany for ten days. Madi was sad about this but, also excited at the same time. Miss Easely informed Madi even though there would be a substitute...she would get to be in charge of giving the spelling test on Friday. Madi was thrilled about this idea since she plays school deligently at home with her sisters and friends almost everyday. Now, it could be the real thing. So on the way to school I asked her if she was excited to give the test. She replied with her smiling eyes...yes, but, I'm a little nervous.
When I picked her up afterschool, she said the test went really well however, a few students complained saying, "Why don't you have to take the test?" Now, how is she supposed to explain that one?
Two words come to mind...Teacher's Pet. :)

Brand New Cousins

It's been a while since we've had a new cousin and now we have two born 5 days apart. We are soooo excited to meet and play with them.

Everett Ryan Butters was born on Feb 28, 2008
Kimberly Brooke Anselmo was born on March 5, 2008
They are both healthy beautiful babies.
CONGRATULATIONS - Ryan & Taryn and Kim & Matt.

GREASE or is this a dance?

Last night Kayli went to the Spring Fling Dance. Their group went as the Grease theme. I couldn't believe how much these kids deck out for the dances. It is so fun!! Apparently, they would be meeting up with about 6 more Sandys and 9 Pink Ladies along with their dates.
Dig those crazy heels! Can you really dance in those shoes?
THE ENTIRE GROUP:

Moab & Canyonlands

We hiked to Delicate Arch on Friday. What a great hike and such an amazing sight when you come around the corner.
I had to add this photo to show how massive this arch is in comparison to our friends standing underneath. It's AWESOME!!!
Derek ran the 1/2 Marathon on Saturday. There was also a 5-mile run that I did with four of the other women in our group. It was the last 5 miles of the Half Marathon and trails along the Colorado River. What a great weekend with perfect weather and fun times with friends.

Achieving Full Potential

I attended a great youth fireside with my children last Sunday night.
The first speaker really impressed me. He works for the church designing and installing stained glass windows. As he got up to speak he told the audience that he was inflicted with a speech impediment. Originally, I thought he might be joking as he communicated so perfectly at some moments but then it would suddenly hit him out of the blue and he would pause, studder or throw his head back for a moment. Then he would graciously continue with his talk. How many of us would be frustrated and discouraged? What a trial that he is constantly overcoming. You could tell he carried so much information in his mind determined to explain to us yet, he had to be so patient as he tried to communicate with his disability. He decided as a young man that he would like to be an artist.
Today, he has contributed much to the church as he has worked on many many temples in New York (Palmyra and Manhattan), Nauvoo, Winter Quarters, Rexburg, & Sao Paulo......with the latest being in Draper. He designs and cuts thousands of stained glass for the beautiful windows. I was so touched by his message. He really has risen past his weakness and realized his full potential. He is inspired and puts a lot of symbolism in his work and has given all of us a beautiful gift. I look forward to going to the Draper temple again. This time I will pay much more careful attention to the details...especially in the windows.

anyone want a cookie? pleeeze!

So this is what greeted me when I walked in the kitchen this morning. 30+ assorted fresh cookies from PB. This is a common occurance in our home after Kayli works the evening shift. Hmmmmm...my new years resolution of eating healthy and Kayli's job are really starting to clash. Where are all the kids and neighborhood friends to help me take care of these? For now...I think I'll just throw them in the freezer..well, maybe after I have just one little taste.

My Baby is Seven!!

Where does the time go? I can't stand that my kids are growing up. I told Sara the other night that she wasn't allowed to turn 7. Well, no matter what I say...March 11th still came around and she had another birthday!! Sara was so excited. She has been counting down the days for the past month. She was all smiles when she woke up this morning and anxiously got dressed in her new birthday outfit excited to go to school and share her birthday donuts with the whole class.

Afterschool, we had a fun recipe party with 8 of her friends. The girls designed aprons and decorated individual cakes to take home. They had a blast and the party went really well. Alli helped with games and everyone was happy. My kitchen looks like a crazy bakery...a very busy messy bakery. I didn't realize how much frosting kids like to use and bring on the sprinkles...the more the better! Anyways, everyone had a great time. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SARA. We are so in love with you!!


Many mini-bakers
Yea...more frosting followed by more sprinkles!


Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday to You...Happy Birthday Dear Sara...
Body Bunkbeds. It's new to me.
Sara really wanted a Baby Alive...she's so life like.
Playing with polly pockets cruise ship on the ocean.

climbing trees

Walking to the park is always one of our favorite things to do while in St. George. Although, I think my children are needing more excitement than what is offered on the playground. What a beautiful day...we were all craving sunshine and warmer weather. Spring fever is hitting hard. Doesn't it just make you want to go and climb a tree?

This picture puts the whole experience in perspective. Whose kid is this anyways? No wonder Jacob wasn't afraid when we hiked Angels Landing. I'm just happy to be on the ground taking pictures.

Weekend in St George

Swimming is always the first thing the kids want to do after the 4 hour ride down in the car. It's always fun...even in the indoor pool with all the loud screaming.
Grandma always makes a delicious breakfast with french toast, strawberries, bacon and eggs.
The girls love riding in the cars, pushing the cars, filling the cars with gas (pretending with the hose), and most of all taking the cars to the park..in which they most likely run out of gas (battery).
Hours and hours were spent practicing for the play "The Wizard of Oz." The story line was pretty traditional except a beautiful butterfly was added in exchange for the tin man. That's just what you have to do when you have sooo many girls.Makell-Director, Alli-Wicked Witch, Kelsey-Dorothy, Madi-Glinda/Lion, Sara-Scarecrow, Courtney-Butterfly
The girls loved seeing Kade Bearnson down there during dinner at Shuck la' Ramiour.