TOP GOLF

Marshall and Shan were in town for their daughters graduation from BYU, so we all met on Saturday for a great time at Top Golf. We all had a fantastic time and learned some new golf skills.

Cute Brynlee came along with her parents. She smiled a lot, slept a little and let people take turns holding her.

Some of the Barkers, Bakers and Butters kiddos - all grown up!

Having these two along made the day even better. Chris could power golf - launching his ball to the furthest point on the range scoring 75 points each hit.

 This was the first time holding a golf club for Sara and she did really well. :)

Appetizers and snacks were continually brought out while we played.

 Kayli liked hitting with a driver the most.

DB was so accurate with getting his ball in the right colored targets at just the right time.

FUN DAY! Thanks D!

Enjoying a Great Date Night - Salt Lake Chamber's 130th Gala

Thank you to Greg and Tracey for a wonderful evening spent downtown at the new Eccles Theatre. The dinner was arranged on four different floors in different decades of time. We tried fancy looking food as we walked around. However, visiting with each other was the best part!

It was a black-tie affair and the entertainment was spectacular.
We all agreed that Lee Greenwood was superb, especially when he sang "God Bless the USA".

Happy Birthday MOM!

It's always fun to celebrate my mom's birthday.

My sweet Aunt Lynda always takes everyone out to lunch. Cheesecake Factory was the place this time and it was so delicious.These two have a special friendship that I have admired over so many years. I love watching them interact with each other. 

We missed Tina who is currently picking up her missionary daughter in the Philippines right now. YAY!!

Watching a Show with Great Grandpa

While we played some card games, Brynlee watched Frozen with my Dad.

This is the first time my Dad has held Bryn. Really! Not that he hasn't been around her, talked to her and taken pictures with her...he just feels more comfortable holding babies when they can sit up. 

So, I think these photos are priceless. I especially love this one where she is looking up to see who has her. So cute!!

She seemed pretty happy tonight to be sitting up like a big girl in the arms of her Great Grandpa. 

Thumbs Up!

This beautiful girl just passed the test for her permit to drive! She couldn't be more excited. Her schedule is a busy one and since the Drivers License Division isn't open on Saturdays, it made it tricky to even find a time to come. We had to sneak her out of school during lunch so she wouldn't have to miss class.  Now to find some drive time....hmmm....maybe this summer!

Rainy Day through the Tulips

Rainy days and cold temps has been a common theme around here lately. Never thought we would make it to the Tulip Festival. Our young women class had complementary tickets thanks to a laurel in our ward. We thought about canceling, but there was no other night that could work. Instead, we just dressed warm, brought umbrellas and went for it. The colors were vibrant and it was worth seeing all the flowers. We had the gardens all to ourselves...

Staying at the Stanley

Looking out from our window on the 4th floor which happens to be the most haunted floor at the Stanley Hotel. We survived the night, although I didn't think we would sleep so well. Our friends had some crazy things happening in their room.

 I thought this car was pretty cute. It looks like something from the 1920's. It's fitting for this hotel, since it was built in 1909. Such a cool place!

 Breakfast with Doug and Melinda at the Colorado Cherry Company - The pies are so delicious!

Derek walking through the airport carefully carrying a freshly made strawberry rhubarb pie. It was still warm on the bottom. We couldn't wait to let the kids try it topped with some vanilla ice cream.

Just a Sunday

 This little sweetheart is the center of our world when she is here. She now rolls from one side of the room to the other and loves to play with lots of colored toys.

 Jake isn't around as much, but when he is...he is the first one to grab Brynlee.

Legs flexed, arms flailing and a huge smile as Bryn engages with Sara while she dances. She gets so excited every time.

 Dance party for the next 20 minutes. She went through all the action songs and we were all entertained. Only one set of eyes was on Sara though. All the rest of us were focused on Brynlee's reaction!

Fun Girls Weekend Together!

We're shopping on Main Street in Park City -- IT IS FREEZING HERE! And really there is snow softly starting to fall on our hair...winter is constant in April this year. Next time I think we need to travel South! YES!!

Saturday, after it warmed up just a little, we went on a 4-mile walk through the resort and around the golf course. The sky was a wonderful blue color and the sun came out. YEA!

We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful world!

The April Birthday Ladies

 I love this tradition and I am grateful that we have been able to go together for so many years. I remember bringing Alli and Makell up here as 6 month old babies for our first girls trip together. I love these amazing women in my life (and mom too). We have so much fun sharing stories, eating, shopping and playing games!

Being in the Right Place at the Right Moment

It was a great coincidence to see President Uchtdorf and his sweet wife outside of our restaurant after eating lunch at City Creek with my sisters. My mom was brave and walked right up to say hello. She relayed to President Uchtdorf about the story of my dad sending him the photo he took in Germany of them as a young married couple when he was on his mission over 50 years ago. Sis Uchtdorf immediately asked, "Do you have any more?" They were both gracious, cheerful and kind. 

This was the photo taken just after a stake conference in Germany, when my dad was just 20 years old. He remembered sitting by them and going to dinner with them. He didn't take many pictures of people on his mission, but he really thought a lot of these two and wanted a picture to remember them by. Apparently, they were grateful to receive this as they didn't have any pictures of them as newlyweds.

Meeting them was a highlight for me! Happiness just flows about them. President Uchtdorf's smile is magical and he is wonderful to meet in real life. I know my dad was a little jealous, but he was so happy we got the chance to finally meet them in person.

Beans and Ballet

Here are some of the first part of our crew to show up tonight for a yummy chili and cornbread dinner along with BYU brownies and homemade rootbeer. All to help support Sara's ballet group. It was a beautiful night.

Haha, she loved this orange from Smith's. It's perfect sized for her little hand.

Thanks for coming from school, in between classes, studying for finals and straight from work. It means a lot to Sara to have her family support her.

Grandma and Grandpa Butters also came and so did my parents. Dan was in town and Jarrett stopped by to enjoy the dinner as well.

This is the most darling picture of a wonderful great-grandma and a beautiful baby!! We love them both!

One of Brynlee's favorite things to do is to dance with her Aunt Sara. She always smiles the whole time as Sara sings to her and moves her around.

Pure Sweetness!