Madilynne is Born!!

I had to post a couple of pictures on this blog, as well as my Shot blog, because she is just to cute not to! I think I was a little bit too excited that my sister Chantelle asked me to take some newborn pictures. She is the cutest model that ever peed on her dad (a couple of times). Sorry Dan! Hope the pictures were worth it!

I'm experimenting with simple announcements. What do you think?

(Yes, I took off their last names just for my blog. They really will have last names... :) )

My Cute Pregnant Sister & Her Husband

This post is for family that doesn't live close by, and miss out on all the little details of everyday life here. My sister, Chantelle, doesn't blog, so I am taking it upon myself to post a couple of cute prego pictures! This little baby will be coming any day, and I can't wait!! It's much more fun waiting for someone else to go through labor & delivery!

Don't they look so cute?

They have a little idea that their entire life is about to change... for the very best!

My Wedding Cake was a Smash Hit!

My brother, Matt got hitched last month! Yay!! In Hawaii, without me. Boo!!! :) Okay, okay, enough pouting! They had an open house luau and it was a lot of fun. I got talked into making a little wedding cake. What's wrong with me? Have I ever made a wedding cake?? Well, I decided that simple is good, and fresh flowers are the greatest cake decor ever!

So, enter Matt & Amber.

Enter wedding cake.

(Yes, the corner of the cake got attacked by a sea shell...)

Enter Matt's evil laugh as he's holding the slice of cake...

And it's a smash hit!

As Amber was eating the cake off her face and hands, she tells me how good it was, too. That's a bonus!

Amber, we are so happy to have you in our family!

We wish you all the best in your life together!

Welcome Baby Oaklee!

My sister Stephanie & her family welcomed little Oaklee into their family a couple of weeks ago. I wasn't able to make the trek down to see them right away, so when we finally were able to see her, Oh! What an angel! She is just perfect! Of course I brought my camera...

She was so fun! I put more pictures on my Shot Blog.

Uncle Nick took Lane & Alec out duck hunting. Alec thought that was the coolest thing!

Tim had to work still, so just the kids and I made a quick visit. This would have been a great plan if Megan didn't throw up going down there (this one wasn't so bad- and at least we were close to an exit with a gas station), but then we got a flat tire on the way home, and then Megan threw up again- in the middle of nowhere without any gas stations for miles and miles, and man, I was ready to just give up. I told Steph & Nick they'd better appreciate me!- or maybe I should learn a lesson and GIVE UP ON THE CAR TRIPS!! *sigh. If only it were that simple. Oaklee sure was a cutie. She made it all worth it!

Happy 60th Birthday, Dad!

I love my dad! I think he is such a fun grandpa, too. To help celebrate his 60th birthday today, I made a birthday song remix with all the family. It's total blackmail material. I LOVE IT!

We watched it tonight at his party. It went over as I hoped it would. It had everyone laughing! I also made him a slide show from all his pictures growing up, and from his LDS mission to Norway. Yes, it has taken me a million years- going through albums, scanning, going through slides and scanning them, fixing spots and creases... yes a million years. It was worth it! I feel like I've gotten to know my dad a lot more. He's a great guy. I Love You, Dad!

Gone But Not Forgotten

Yesterday my mom and I took my children to the cemeteries to learn about their Great Grandparents. We also stopped and saw the moving wall replica. Even at only half the size of the original, it is impressive. So many names. Such a loss.

We talked about my grandpa and grandma. It is now ten years since they passed on, yet I still miss them. They have shaped my life, and I hope they shape my children's lives, too.

We went to my aunt's grave, too. She is buried close to President Gordon B. Hinckley and his wife. It is wonderful to remember such remarkable people.

Not too far from President Hinckley are the monuments for David O. Mckay, Hyrum Smith, Joseph F. Smith and Joseph Fielding Smith, to name a few. Such history. I have such respect for these men.

I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I can't imagine that death is the end. The gospel of the LDS faith has taught me that I will be with my loved ones again, and for this I am forever grateful.

Dan & Chan Forever

My sister, Chantelle and her husband, Dan

were sealed in the temple last Saturday!

Thank you for letting us be part of this wonderful time for you both! We love you and hope that you feel a closer bond with each other. I feel that my temple marriage and sealing have helped give strength and comfort to me not just in times of trial, but in everyday life and the myriad of choices to make. I believe that there is more to this life than living just for today.

I want to live for the eternity to come.

I look forward to having my husband by my side.

To any who may have questions, and wonder "Why these temples?" Our Prophet Gordon B. Hinckley had a very nice answer. Here is an selection from his talk posted on www.lds.org

"Was there ever a man who truly loved a woman, or a woman who truly loved a man, who did not pray that their relationship might continue beyond the grave? Has a child ever been buried by parents who did not long for the assurance that their loved one would again be theirs in a world to come? Can anyone believing in eternal life doubt that the God of heaven would grant His sons and daughters that most precious attribute of life, the love that finds its most meaningful expression in family relationships? No, reason demands that the family relationship shall continue after death. The human heart longs for it, and the God of heaven has revealed a way whereby it may be secured. The sacred ordinances of the house of the Lord provide for it."

For the full article by Pres. Hinckley, click on Family History & Temples on http://www.lds.org/

My Family

I don't know about you all, but around here,

Thanksgiving + Family= Cuckoo

My brothers and sisters. Chan, Me (don't ask me why I'm standing like that, there's no good explanation...) Matt, Adam & Candi with her amazing skills. This picture says so much!! I don't know where I'd be without my family, but it clearly would be boring in comparison! Stephanie, we missed you & your family in this crazy mix. We can't wait to see you again!

I know I'm really slow in posting anything Thanksgivingish, but like I said, it's been cuckoo.

Tube Wars!

(You can click on an image to see a larger picture with better detail. They are funny! -Note how you can still see Sammy's leg in the crash picture. Awesome.)

Adam & Danielle's Wedding

Adam & Danielle were married Saturday in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. It was such a wonderful day for them! We are very happy to have been able to be part of this special day. After the ceremony in the temple Adam & Danielle went to the elevator to go down. As the elevator doors opened up, there stood our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Adam & Danielle climbed in, and rode down with him. I thought that was great!

I have to admit that when I heard Adam was going to wear a brown tux with brown Converse shoes for his wedding, I thought he was nuts. However, seeing him at the temple with Danielle in her matching shoes, I now have to admit that I think it was great! It is them, and I like it!


Here's my family. (I'll have to add a whole group family picture later.-Thanks Tim for taking this picture! Sorry you're not in it!)


I loved these little bridesmaid dresses! They looked like little angels! Thanks Grandma Smith for making them. We love you!


Lily loved all this dress-up princess day! It was little girl heaven!


Their car decorations made me laugh. "Adam + Dan" is a rockin' way to drive out!


This was my favorite saying: "But hed" by Collin. Sweeeet!

All in all, it was a great day! I have to pat myself on the back- I made their wedding video. I even went home after the luncheon and included the video of them coming out of the temple, and getting pictures taked around the grounds. It was very nice. I was late for the reception (ahhh!), but it all worked out fine!! When we started the video, everyone came over and watched it. When it was done, they cheered and applauded! Nice.

Adam & Danielle's Slide Show

Sweet Little Hailey

This last weekend we made the trek to Stephanie and Nick's house in Panguitch to be part of sweet little Hailey's baby blessing. It was especially great because Nick received the priesthood to be able to bless her just that day. We are so glad that we were able to be part of this with you!


Nick & Tim with their babies. Love those little faces!


Here we all are. Now picture all of us sleeping on air mattresses in a family room in a basement. Now add Megan crying (only for a minute, thank heavens!), Alec breathing very deeply, Adam snoring lightly, and Matt really letting the snoring rip! It was a very interesting night! I have to admit that Matt's snore has character. None of this light, monotonous snoring. We have a broad spectrum of what a snore is capapble of. All things considered, I actually slept alright.

You know we love you, Matt!

My Baby Brother's Getting Hitched!

I had an "out of sister" moment as I sat at the bridal shower for Adam's fiancé. There was a poster size picture of Adam hanging on the wall, (Love the picture, Adam!) and then they started a video clip of Adam telling his favorite stuff. All the other women started saying how cute, or hot, he was, and it just struck me that he is all grown up! (Notice that I didn't quite say "mature..." ) It was a very fun shower, and I have to admit that I like Danielle a lot! The more I get to know her, the more obvious it is that she and Adam are perfect for each other. They both have a very funny sense of humor and find joy in simple things.

I know that our family can be outspoken and overwhelming at times, but our hearts are in the right place. We are excited for your upcoming wedding. Welcome to our family, Danielle!

So now I need some really great shower ideas! Let me know if you have something fabulous to share!

This last picture of Adam is the one they had poster size on the wall. Awesome. It was for the game "Kiss Danielle's Fiancé" where everyone put on saucy lipstick, a blindfold, and then attempted to plant a smootcher. Don't worry, Adam. Chan & I didn't aim for your lips! Check out their link for more pictures.

Matt's back from Iraq!

My brother, Matt (a.k.a. Julie Andrews) is back from Baghdad! He has spent the last 15 months as an Aarabic linguist in Iraq. He said that he actually enjoyed his work, most of the time, and he worked in a palace. His next real job is going to have a lot of competition- except hopefully it will have an elevator. He said he had to go up 150 stairs in the palace to go to work, then down 150 stairs to go to meals, then back up 150 stairs to get back to work, then down 150 stairs.... It sounds like he is the stair master. He mastered those stairs...

Megan finally got to meet her crazy Uncle Matt!

She wasn't so sure about him at first, but I'm sure she'll come around!

Alec & Lily adore Matt! We're glad you're back!

I had to make Matt an Army Man cake.

To all my fans from Alec's Mystery Machine birthday cake, I apologize!!!