Go Diamondbacks!

The weekend of April 26th, our good friends, Debby and Gary Black, and their son, Gared, came and visited. That following Monday, we all went to the Diamondbacks for FHE. It was a lot of fun. We bought the $5 tickets, but by the 7th inning were able to move down to the lower deck. The Diamondbacks won - yea!

Here are Debby and Gary, with Doug sitting in front.

Carson loved it - the excitement of being there. He would clap and watch everything going on!
Here's Jason with Carson - at the start in the upper deck (not many people there that night)
We took our own bags of popped corn and bottled water. Money savers! Carson loves popcorn!
Here's Gary holding his grandson, Zane and their "youngest d-back fan" sign. (Zane had been happy most of the game!)
Jason, Gared, and Dani
Kendall and Kristi

Carson 1st popsicle - and 2nd!

Mikel and I were over to a friends house one morning - letting the kids play in water and just hang out. Well, Carson was given his 1st popsicle. He wasn't sure about it at first, but he quickly got the hang of it, loving every lick. Popsicles are good to give little kids - outside and in their swimsuits. Easier clean-up!

Here he is at home with another popsicle - in his diaper, bib, and no cover on the highchair.

Pianoists in Training

Sundays are a big family day at our house - and I love it! Our entire family is there for dinner - including Jeremy, Jo, and EmmaLee. I know as the family spreads out these times will be less and less, so I enjoy it while I can!

Yesterday - Carson decided to climb on the piano bench and play the piano. Well, EmmaLee saw and heard him and didn't want to be left out. She quickly crawled over there, pulled herself up to the bench and kept trying to reach the keys. So, being the great dad and Grandpa that he is - Doug went and helped them (besides, he was worried that Carson would fall and hit his head on the piano). He held them both while they went to town on the piano. It was so cute to watch. Carson just banged away -EmmaLee was a little bit quieter, but her legs and feet would just move with her excitement!

Happy Birthday Bruce!

Happy Birthday to my older brother, Bruce! (and no - I won't tell everyone how old you are, but that it isn't 29 or 39 or 49!)

Bruce is a wonderful example of optimism. He always has a smile on his face and looks at the bright side of things. He is always trying to make sure everyone is smiling like he is!

Bruce loves to help people and be involoved in church, the community, and especially with family. He is a great dad and is always supportive of his kids in whatever they are doing. He especially loves his grandkids - and really spoils them. In fact, Bruce has always had a special love for all kids and it shows in how they all reach out and love him

Happy Birthday Bruce! We love you down here in Mesa.

(By the way - I stole this picture off of his blog. Doesn't he have a great looking family! It was really sad - I didn't have any digital pictures of him on my computer. I'll have to correct that next time I am in St. George!)

Happy Birthday Cheryl!

Today is Cheryl's birthday - Happy Birthday Cheryl!

Cheryl was just a baby when Doug and I were married - so we have had the opportunity to watch her grow up, and we must say she has grown up into a beautiful, talented woman!

Cheryl is extremely smart and could have gone to school to become anything she wanted, but her main job now is that of wife and mother - and she is good at both!

Cheryl is my lifesaver with my blog - the cute design is by her and whenever I have a problem - I turn to her.

Hope you have a wonderful day Cheryl. We all love you down here in Mesa and wish you a very happy Birthday!

Here's Cheryl with Jana

On her wedding day - Beautiful!

Manti Temple

Traveling up US 89 through Utah takes you past a lot of small towns - ones most of you have probably never heard of. But, I bet most of you have heard of Manti. We stopped and got a look at the temple.

Jason had to jump the fence and run up the hill. He then had to roll down the hill. He said it was the funnest hill he ever rolled down!
Of course, on our way home we had to take pictures of the Temple with the new snow - and while it was still snowing!
Another view.

More snow?

Before leaving for the Sunday afternoon session of conference - Jason took a few pictures. This is the Suzaki that Debby and Gary use to travel in - when they don't want to get wet or dirty.

This is a view from their balcony. Isn't it beautiful!
Now, Monday morning, as Doug and I were getting ready to leave - this is what we saw outside. It had snowed overnight - 6 inches!
Here is the Suzaki now!
This is a picture of another snowstorm heading our way from the valley.
When we got down to the parking lot - this is what we saw. More snow covered trailers and vehicles.
Here's Debby and Gary - and their snow monster truck!
Here we are - first time our vehicle has seen snow! Good thing we brought it instead of the car!
It's still snowing on us!

Debby and Gary said they got at least 6 more inches of snow after we left. It doesn't look like they will be driving their car up to the cabin anytime soon!

Thanks again you two for letting us stay!