Willard Bay for a Week.....

After Ivy and Hayley's baptism's we went out to Willard Bay to camp for a week.  However we planned on coming home for Church and then returning after a get together with the Coy's.  Our first night was nice and relaxing.  We stayed at the South Marina because the North is still closed because of an oil spill.  The North Camping is much nicer but this worked....we were camping.  I'm really glad that there are places that are close so that we are able to enjoy our new trailer and our boat.  It seems like life gets too crazy to be able to take off otherwise.  This was fun and it was nice just being with the kids in a small, confined area!  I believe it is times like this that families bond and get close.  It's a good thing to do every now and then....just get away together in a small area where you play and talk more than on regular days.  Oh and take your camera....so you can capture some of those memories!

Ivy's Baptism

What an exciting, wonderful day!  Little Miss Ivy was baptized and confirmed a member of the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints!  It was such a great day.  Ivy wore her mommy's dress.  (not sure if Trichelle was baptized or confirmed in it but one or the other she was and it was Trichelle's)  Ivy has longer legs than her mommy so she wore leggins but it was cool that she was able to wear the same dress as her mom.  (Kamryn also wore this dress while being sealed to her parents on their wedding day)

I love baptisms because the Spirit of Christ is always at them.  It is one of my favorite things....going to baptisms.  In fact, after Ivy's we went to my niece Hayley's who is only a few days older than Ivy.

Ivy was baptized in her Spanish Ward and so a lot of it was in Spanish.  It doesn't matter that I don't understand the words....the Spirit is the same!  I gave the talk about Baptism and Confirmation and Jared gave the closing prayer and so that was all in English. (wink)  Daniel was also considerate of our family and baptized and confirmed her in English as well.  The Spirit was so strong.  Ivy is a wonderful girl and has a wonderful family.  She's a very blessed little one and we are all blessed to have her in our lives.

I felt bad that we needed to hurry afterwards and wasn't able to visit with Daniel's family much but we felt it was important to make it to Hayley's as well.  I'm glad that my kids stayed and supported Trichelle and Ivy....that made me very happy.  I love my family and the love and support we all have for each other.  Today my heart was extremely happy!

Birthday Dinner for me and Rich

Julie and Kevin like to treat their parents to dinner for our birthdays.  We celebrate twice a year.  Larry and Lynette's birthdays are close and Rick and mine are.  So tonight we went out for Rich and mine.  Kamryn sang to us before we left.  Kam is such a tease that she ended her Grandpa Dunkleys song  by singing Happy Birthday to Gramma Dawn instead of him.  Silly girl!

Larry and I appreciate Kevin and Julie and Kamryn for this kindness.  It's fun going out to dinner with them and Julie's parents.  It's so enjoyable sharing birthdays and friendships!  We have great kids!

celebrating the 4th....

Today we worked....we pulled weeds.....we sweat our guts out.....we accomplished a lot....and then we rested.....and after we rested......we played!

We went up to the Dunkley's and the kids swam and had a blast in the pool.  Larry & I watched since we were cleaned up and feeling fine. It was fun watching ...especially the volley ball games.  Dunkley's against the Ropelato's....each won a game and I'm not sure who won the final game....doesn't matter it was fun!

We had a cook out which was delicious and then we visited and watched fireworks.  The Dunkley's had a box of fireworks and lit them in their driveway and behind their's there were a few other families celebrating with the big fireworks that lit up the sky.  It was fun seeing them all.  It was a great day and really fun spending the evening with the Dunkley's.  I sure do love the families that my kids have married in to.  They are all pretty great!

4th of July

Today as a Nation we Celebrate our Independence!  I'm so thankful for this country and all the men and women who have fought for our freedoms so that we can ALL enjoy them.  After visiting a few other countries and reading books about different ones I know that we are truly blessed!  It's something I always took for granted.....I always enjoyed freedom and didn't realize other countries really don't have it.  It is worth fighting for.  We are also blessed with so many luxuries.  It's hard when the power goes out for a few hours....or the water is dirty and we can't use it for a few hours.  Things that one doesn't really think about growing up until you realize all these things are a blessing.  I am Grateful to live in this Country....I am Grateful for all those that serve and have served this Country so we can enjoy the Freedoms that we do.  I pray for this Country and it's leaders now more than ever.  I don't want to ever lose what we have and enjoy.  I Love the United States of America!

Today I lingered in bed a bit longer and was enjoying snuggling with Larry.  For some reason I opened my eyes and couldn't help but scream and throw my elbow back into Larry.  I had "spider-man" in my face!  Jaydan has purchased a few Lycra body suits and enjoys scaring others with them.  Well today he succeeded.....he got me good! hahaha

I laugh every time I get scared from someone in my family since it was me that scared them all for years.  Larry got me the other day too and it's funny to me!  I love my silly family .... they are such a blessing to me!  I love how Patriotic the Spider-man costume is.....so appropriate for this day!

Happy Fourth of July!!!  Hooray for the RED~WHITE~&~BLUE!!!

Time with Kimleighel!

I asked Kimleighel what she wanted to do today.  Jared was going to the Aquatic Center with some friends and so I thought Kimi and I should do something since we seldom have one on one time.  She didn't really answer and so I decided that we should go to the movie.  It was a spur of the moment decision and Kimi barely had time to get dressed.  The show had just started when we got to the theater.  It was packed and I'm sure many eyes were watching us as we climbed the stairs to the back row. (that's where we like to sit even if the theater is empty)  The show was cute and it was fun being with Kimi.

We decided a dessert to top off our time together would be great.  Instead of sharing we each ordered our own along with some pretzel sticks.  We didn't eat it all and I was stuffed and over flowing when we left.  The dessert almost made me sick...which was kind of nice....I seldom get that feeling from too much sugar and I'm actually glad I did.

I love miss Kimi and I'm glad that we had a few hours to ourselves today and had a little fun together.    I love Kimleighel!

Alexi's "See YOU Later"

Alexi is getting ready to leave for her mission to Reno, Nevada.  Today she spoke in church with another young man who is also leaving. (for Mexico)  Since the Prophet changed the ages the missionary work has boomed.  The age change had nothing to do with Alexi choosing to serve....the "Spirit" did that!  She had been praying and she heard the answer to her prayers.  Alexi is going to be a wonderful missionary.  She already converted a room mate of hers.  She knows what is important in life and knows that God is in charge if we let him be.  

I always look forward to times like this.  I love getting together with Tonya and her family.  I love them all so much.  They are my family that I chose for myself.  Tonya and I decided that many years ago when we were still growing up.

I was thrilled that most of my kids could make it.  Justin and Kevin and their families had other commitments in their own Wards...and that's okay.  We know they love and support Alexi regardless if they could be there today or not.

I love just watching everyone play together and interact.  It's so fun seeing the little ones enjoy each other as well as the older kids.  It makes my heart happy just watching.  It was a terrific day....hot but wonderful.

Larry had to leave so that he could take care of some of our Ward Business but he came back and enjoyed Tonya and Marks family.  I was hoping he would and that's why I just hung around myself.

I can't look at any of Tonya's kids without thinking back to the times we have shared while they were young and just growing up.  I remember when Alexi was born and we went to Arizona for her blessing.  She was crying so hard and Tonya was frustrated with everything and so I took Alexi and cuddled her and she calmed right down.  I will always cherish that memory...it is the first one I have of Alexi.  I have enjoyed watching the Coys kids grown up about as much as  I have enjoyed watching my own kids grow up.  They are all such wonderful people!

Today little Madi kept finding me and would come over for a hug.  She remembers when I came to help last year when her little brother was born.  I loved each time that she came over to me and gave me a hug.  I loving little kids and their Christ-like love....so unconditional!  They are true blessings!  Today was one of my favorite kinds of days!