Celebrating Tonya

Tonight Tonya and I met to celebrate her birthday which was Sunday.  I usually go to Weber High, where she works on her birthday but since it was on Sunday we needed to make some plans.  Our lives our both so busy but we were able to make tonight work.  We met at LaFerrovia for dinner.  I was so excited all day....I love that place.

We took the little table behind the small divider so we could have our privacy.  We gabbed for hours and then decided to give our table up.  Our night didn't end though.  I jumped in Tonya's car and we went looking for a place that her mom had told her about.  We decided it was probably a cupcake store by the theaters.  We walked up and down Kiesel Ave just to see what was there.  Then we taked some more in her car.  The time flew.  I think we were together for over four hours but it sure didn't seem like it.  I sure do love my sister/friend.

Tonya has been such a great example and support to me my entire life.  Heavenly Father sure blessed us when he put us together.  I was the sister that Tonya never had.  She was better to me than the sister I was blessed with.  Don't take me wrong...my sister is awesome but her and my mom were best friends and so Tonya was mine.  We clicked from the start and have always got along really well.  She truly is a huge blessing in my life!  I love her with all my heart.  Tonya and her family are our family.  Our lives wouldn't be the same without the Coys.  I know they all feel the same way about us and that is pretty darn wonderful.

Graduation Day

This morning I took Jared to get his garmets so that he can go through the Temple on Wednesday.  We bought his baptism pants too.  We didn't get his ropes yet since he won't need them for a few years.  I like our time together even just driving.  We are able to talk and share things with each other without interruptions.  We went to Blue Lemon afterwards because I thought it would be fun to share a little lunch time too.

I was more than happy to iron Jared's rope.  I'm so happy he did everything needed to get to this point.  He had me nervous for a few weeks but he came through.  A while back, Jared asked me if he had to walk....YES...Oh Yes .... you have to walk!  You earned it and it's going to happen.  I bet he's glad he did now.  I love the picture of Jared jumping for joy.  Kimi pointed out that his shadow looks like a Wolf which is Fremont's mascot.  (pretty cool)

Jared had some great support.  Both of Larry's parents came to see him graduate as well as; Kimleighel, Kelsi and her kids, and Kevin, Julie and their kids. The kids were all really well behaved and it was nice that this group was able to come to show their support to Jared.  The graduation was at 4:00 and it was pretty much impossible for everyone to take off and get there.  We know that everyone cares even if they couldn't be there.  This is Larry's busiest week at work but he made it in time to see Jared walk.  I actually enjoyed this graduation.  The speakers were good and the music was great and even though the Principle took quite a bit of time I liked the things he said.

We parked on the road so we could get out quick.  I remember being stuck in the parking lot when Kimleighel graduated and avoided it this time.  Jared just wanted to have Big Bens from Burger Bar at our house afterwards. We had a few more of our kids join us there.  This sure is a fun time with lots of things and people to celebrate!

Jared's preschool teacher posted this picture from her very first year of teaching preschool.  Jared was 4 years old....now they are graduated.  Jared is in the orange coat.  What a cute, happy little guy.

Seminary Graduation

Woot Woot!  Jared graduated from Seminary tonight!  I'm so glad that our kids have seminary.  Seminary is were they really learn a lot about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  The teachers are usually the very best and are so good about getting points across.  The kids usually really enjoy Seminary and having a break from their day.  I know that the teachers put in a lot of time.  They have tail gate parties and different activities throughout the year to keep the kids busy in good things.

They had a nice banquet a week or so ago and they always give the kids a chance to share their testimonies with each other.  I love that.  I know Jared shared his at the banquet and it makes a difference in his attitude when he is in that atmosphere.  I'm happy that all my kids are now graduates of Seminary.  I love all the help we get in raising our kids.  I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Twins Celebration

I love that Kevin and Julie go all out for their kids birthdays.  They invite all the family and their friends which include the kids daycare teachers.  This week was a great day for a party. The sun was shining compared to last week when the winds were strong and I think even rain.  They had their backyard set up so cute.  Their theme was a Mickey and Minnie one.  I loved the pictures of the twins on all the tables.

They even had a bounce house for all the other kids to enjoy.  It was a fun party.  The kids were running and laughing and having such a great time.  They served Hot Diggity Dogs and everyone brought sides to go with it.  Everything was yummy!

Kevin made the twins their cakes.  I'm so proud of him.  He made a few bigger cakes for everyone else to enjoy and they were so moist and delicious.  He even made one a checker board cake.  My son is talented.  I love that about him.  Coaching football and teaching Science during the day and baking cakes for his kids in the evening. ☺  The twins looked so cute in their darling outfits that Aunt Jen got them.  They are just seriously so dang cute.  

The twins clothes came of and they were put at the end of a sheet to go after their cakes.  Briggs caught on and off he went.  Brynlie wasn't so sure and ended up being lifted to her cake.  Neither of the twins was very aggressive with their cakes and it was probably because they had just ate.  With a little help from Julie they dug in a little.  They got a little messy before they became uninterested. Julie and Natalie took them in to get bathed and cleaned up. 

They enjoyed opening presents with mommy and daddy's help.  They are at a fun age even though they don't completely understand it all.  They do enjoy the attention.  

I love family time like this.  I love how each family celebrates their littles.  I love being a part of it.  I'm so thankful for Brynlie and Briggs.  They are truly blessings to our family.  Oh they are loved so much.  I am so thankful.

Kamryn's Birthday Sleepover

Life kind of got away from us and it took this long to get a day to celebrate our cute Kamryn.  Kamryn is the one that started the birthday sleepovers and everyone is glad for them.  I got to pick Kam up after Robbies funeral and take her shopping.  She chose to go to Toys R Us.  We looked around at everything and some things twice. Then she mentioned that she might like some walkie talkies.  I hadn't seen them and so we asked for help.  They were with the electronics, a part of the store we hadn't looked.  She found some that would reach up to 17 miles and so we got them.

She plans on giving one to her little friend that lives behind her so they can talk at night.  She told me that they work really good.  After shopping we went to Cherry Berry.  It's a yummy, little, frozen yogurt place.  Kamryn got a big bowl and enjoyed every bite of it.  I enjoyed a small bowl.  We had a good time.

We made Hawaiian Haystacks for dinner because that is Kamryn's favorite.  We got out the air mattress and we set it up in the family room so we could watch movies.  We watched a few before going to sleep.  I really do enjoy spending one on one time with my grands.

Kamryn had a make up soccer game she had to go to Saturday morning.  She really didn't want to but did anyway.  We had talked her parents into letting her come back to my house for a few hours after the game.  I was glad I got to watch her play soccer since I haven't been to many games this season.  She plays hard and does a good job....she even scored.

We went to the store after and then to my house.  Kimi and I played games with Kamryn and had a fun time. Then Kamryn got to play on my Ipad while I made the salad for the twins party.  I needed to take her home so she could help get things ready for the big party.

I'm grateful for the time I had with my cute grand today.  I hope that these kids remember the fun we have and will always have good memories of coming to our house to celebrate their births!  We are so thankful for each and everyone of our grands.

Robbie Hunter

Robbie Hunter passed away a week ago.  I was so sad and shocked to hear of his passing.  Robbie was just a little guy when we started going to Lake Powell with the Hunter family.  We watched him grow up.  He was a great guy and today he was put to rest.  I adore the entire Hunter family.  They love us Ropelato's and we feel and know it.  I hope they feel and know that we love them too.

Angie is really struggling because Robbie was her go to guy.  They were close and Robbie has always been a wonderful big brother to Angie and a fantastic Uncle to her kids, especially Nicole. Nicole's dad died just after she was born and Robbie filled that empty spot.  He was a kind man.

Cody and his cute wife, Caralee, always make Larry and I feel like the perfect parents. (we're not but give our best effort)  They always compliment us and I know they look up to us.  They are great parents to their really cute boys.

TY approached me at the viewing and gave me the biggest hug ever.  I am pretty sure we all mean so much to each other.

I'm sad for the Hunter family but I am happy for Rob.  He was a good man.  He was a great son, brother, hubby and daddy. Rob helped a lot of people better their own lives.  He believed in others and made a difference.  Even though he has passed the things he taught others will be carried on.  Rob left a good legacy.

Celebrating Crystal

Well I was finally able to take Crystal out for her birthday that was May 3.  She had her daughters wedding that she was focusing on and so it's taken us this long. Actually this almost didn't happen.  We had made plans to get a pedicure and go to lunch and then her other daughter was suppose to have work off and was going to help Crystal with some things.  Crystal actually cancelled on me but called me this morning to see if I had made other plans.  Her daughter was called in to work.  I hadn't except that now I had a funeral that I hadn't planned on. (we thought that there was only going to be graveside services for Robbie)  We had time for a pedicure but had to make lunch quick.

We just went up to T Nails in Roy since it was closer to Ogden where the funeral was being held.  It was nice but I still really like 99 Nails in Syracuse best.  Crystal and I had a good time chatting and being pampered.  We really didn't have much time after our pedicures and so we just went next door to Panda Express and got lunch.  I kind of hurried through mine and didn't up leaving until 2:00 which is when the funeral was suppose to start.  Larry was saving me a place on the back row so I knew I would be okay.

I'm grateful for this friend of mine.  She saved me years ago.  I had gone through some hurtful things and didn't want to invest in friendships anymore.  I just didn't feel like putting forth the energy it takes to have good friends.  I still had plenty of good friends but I wasn't going out of my way to make more.  I was done for a minute.  Crystal changes that.  She invited me to go walking with her and actually wanted to spend more time with me.  We had been friends but because of her we started doing more together.  She brought me out of my funk and I appreciate her for that.

Crystal is such a fun, kind, thoughtful friend.  I consider her and her family...my family.  I love her!