Seven Months Later and I'm Hopelessly Behind in Blogging

Time has been so good to me in these past 7 months. There has been so much to blog about, including:

• The days with family leading up to Holly's wedding.
• The beautiful fall and my hikes up the mountain that was on fire with color again this year.
• A trip to Georgia with April for Asher's 4th birthday and Halloween.
• The frightful destruction of the Flagstaff tornado, which I saw firsthand.
• A Thanksgiving filled with love and family.
• A delightful Christmas.
• Flagstaff in January with Alexis as the star.

I have a newfound interest in blogging about my family, my most prized blessing in my life. I know I can never get caught up. But I'd like to share some pictures at random of some of the highlights, in no particular order. Enjoy!

We baked SO MANY cookies for the wedding. Over 1300, if you really want to know. Well, that's how many made it to the wedding, anyway.

Here's Holly just before we left to have her bridal pictures taken. Makeup and hair - check. Jewelry - check. Dress in the back seat - check. Just before I left from work to pick up Holly, she called and asked me if we should have a bouquet for the photos. Of course we should! But this was the first it had occurred to us. So I stopped at my favorite store, Smith's Marketplace, on the way home and picked up the most beautiful orange sunflowers and green kermits ever. Danielle and I fashioned a bouquet quick as we could, and Holls and I were off to the International Peace Gardens in SLC to meet the photographer.

We had some fun with my camera while we waited for the photographer. How about those flowers?!

Not long after Becky arrived for the wedding, we ended up at the ER with Asher (at about midnight!). He'd fallen on something down in the basement and gashed the back of his head. He was very proud of his staple (instead of stitches) and very brave while the doctor took care of him.

We had a fabulous time with Becky and Asher! Asher lights up the world with his smile!

Holly's new sisters-in-law and mom-in-law threw her a bridal shower. The garden gnome gift was much anticipated and appreciated (truly)!

Here's is her Grandma Stevens' contribution to the fun. She had fun decorating Holly!

Holly and her new family!

A trip to Utah wouldn't be right without a visit to Lagoon. Ollie and Asher had the Best Day Ever!

Now, let's go back even futher to last Memorial Day. Sue, Conor (and friend), and I ended up camping (yes, in a tent) in Moab. And climbing to Arches!

And WE had the Best Time Ever!

Back to Becky and Asher's visit for the wedding. Along with Lagoon, no trip would be complete without a hike up the Elephant Rock Trail! And some fun in the river water!

Great times, indeed!

And then along came Robbie's birthday in December. The big 23!

Is that a My Little Pony card I see?!

Next, Mom and I at the Festival of Trees...



Such a little car! I'd love to take it for a spin!

And now, Christmas.

The Robot in the back is a present from Holly to Burd. Actually, a "few" presents, disguised as a robot!

Everyone was so generous. It was a very merry Christmas!

Next, here are some pictures from Alexis' Baptism Party in Flagstaff!

And last, but not least, some choice pictures from Spain.

Catching Up!

I've been too long in posting and so much has happened. Becky married Brad last September 6, 2009! Holly just married Burdette last Saturday, on July 17, 2010! I'm going to get started with some photos of setting up the lanterns and tables for Holly and Burd's reception in G&G's beautiful back yard!

Blog Anniversary

It's been 3 years since I started this blog, to the day. It's easy to remember, because I started it on my dear Dad's birthday. And now it's time to celebrate again. Happy birthday to you, Dad! I celebrated last night with Dad and Mom at their home with a wonderful roast dinner and yummy carrot birthday cake. Mom is so good to Dad! Tonight she's taking him to a play. Hope they have fun!


It's fun to look back and see where I was 3 years ago. We were anxiously waiting for Holly's mission call, which took 25 long days to come. Today, Sue just today forwarded Elder Ian Bandley's first email from the MTC, so it starts again - so wonderful to have another missionary in the family. And now Holly is home from her mission and graduating with her bachelor's degree on May 8. Becky is married to Brad and living in a beautiful new home and watching Asher grow bigger and bigger each day. April is a lead therapist with management responsibilities for the gorgeous new Encore hotel in Vegas, which she helped open (her 3rd hotel to open). Robbie is working in Florida with his dad on a big remodeling project and he survived a bad break in his foot a year ago. The only real change for me is that I've shrunk about 40 pounds. And if that's all I accomplished in the last 3 years, it was worth it! So the fun continues for us all!

Picking Holly Up in Barcelona

I'm such a slacker! It's been months since we returned from Spain and I'm finally getting photos posted. I'm starting with Barcelona, when I first got to hug Hermana Holly after 18 months. We trekked up a hill to Monterrat museum and monestary, where we could get practically a panoramic view of the city. It was amazing! You'll also see we were at the Olypmic Stadium. Enjoy!!!