Danny & David Valentine's Send-Off R.T. 09

When we moved to Tampa the summer of 2007, the Valentine's took our kids under their wings. They were such a blessing to our family, so when they moved to Toquerville, UT (near St. George) we missed them terribly.

On the day Danny and David were going to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) we happened to be in Utah and were able to meet up for lunch and say our goodbyes. I totally spaced that Dason was in Spanish Fork and was grateful he could come up at the last minute and join us.


Danny, David, Debi, and James

Audrey and Sydney

Spencer and Danny ... Do you see the red mark on Spencer's arm? They each had a mini Sharpie and Danny traded lids with Spencer. Even though it's more than a year later Spencer still has his and guards it fiercely. It's so cute.

David, Dason, and Danny

David, Dason, Danny, and Spencer in front

Audrey & Sydney

Did I mention how much we miss them?!!

Holdman Studios Road Trip 09

I met up with a dear friend from high school, Jennifer Solomon Ray, and her sister Joy Solomon Owen, at Thanksgiving Pointe's Dinosaur Museum. We had a really nice time catching up and letting our kids get to know each other.

Afterwards we visited Tom Holdman's studio there. He is a former high school sweetheart who turned an artistic talent into a thriving stained glass business. His work is amazing.

Tom was so sweet. He gave us a tour of his studio and then let us each make a glass flower. These are pictures of me making mine. As usual I ended up needing more help than everyone else.







I'll add the pictures of our finished flowers as well as the beautiful bowl I purchased when I get back to Florida.

Dason's Art Project

He put this together for his art class in school.
I think it's great and had to share. I hope he doesn't mind. :)

Do YOU get my joke?

I feel bad because my sweetie has to share his birthday with Mother's Day this year. He was so sweet about it and kept saying Mother's Day trumps his birthday. On Saturday night we celebrated (if you can call it that) by going to Olive Garden for dinner and then shopping for shoes for the girls and then a trip to Target.

After church we watched a movie as a family and he cooked dinner. I love when he grills! After dinner we both split up with the kids and scrambled to wrap the presents.. some for Mom's Day and some for Dad's Bday. The cards and gifts from the kids were really thought out and appreciated.

So, he opened the card I got him and pulled out this.
And with a disgusted look, opened it and read this:
He tossed the pad to me and said-- you're gross, that's disgusting, etc... "but thanks."

(If you know Richard, you'll understand how funny he is about body function things. He likes all that stuff to be private, i.e. in 15+ years I've heard him burp maybe 3 times. He'll be mortified that I'm even posting this).

I thought it was weird how he didn't seem the least bit amused, and moreso annoyed continuing to comment about how gross I was. It wasn't until later that Tiff and I were chatting about it and he piped in, "I get it now. Okay that is funny." Tiffany and I were dying laughing not believing that he didn't get the joke until just then. What was going through his head? I mean, really, what other reason could I ever had that could possibly explain why he'd have to open a maxi-pad for his present?

The kid's favorite part of eating at the COB

Right as Sydney was going to put her tray on the carousel Nana grabbed it and put up for her. I quickly explained to Nana how they were excited to do it themselves. She quickly apologized and let Spencer do his.

Even though she did get over it quickly, the disappointment of not doing her tray still shows on Sydney's face.

Girl Time

It has become a tradition that Jen and I get our toes done when I come out to Utah.

This time we brought Kya and Sydney. With it being Kya's first time her expressions were priceless.


She sat so still and was so grown up. It was seriously so precious!

Sydney's a pro at getting her nails done.



Patiently waiting.


We had to wait for Sydney's to be done because she asked them to do a polka dot design on every finger and toe.

It ended up being super cute and super expensive.

My finished product.


Jen's finished product.

I couldn't find a picture of Jen's toes from '09, so I used a pic from the year before. I LOVED her purple and her design!

Leaving the mall I saw this kiosk and thought...

ONLY IN UTAH! :D

June 22, 2009 Hollywood Connection

Jen my awesome and beautiful sister in-law.

She found this awesome place called Hollywood Connection in West Valley to take the kids. On the day we went they were running a special where everything was unlimited for the day.

Kya and Brennon playing miniature golf.



This just cracked me up! I'm glad Jen caught this on her camera since Spencer and Sydney rushed through the course in about 5 minutes.

Time to get on the bus.



I love the kids expressions, especially Kya's smile!

Roller Skating










Roller Coaster Time


I was impressed Kya rode this!



Sydney and Spencer met friends who were visiting from Montana.


They were inseparable while we were there and inconsolable when we left. I sure hope they find a way to meet up again one day.

One last ride on the bumper cars helped ease the pain of leaving their new friends.

If you look closely you can see Sydney and Spencer in both pictures.

The kids had a great time and made it clear they want this to be on our list the next time we are in Utah.