Manic Month of May

Well this month has been chuck full of major events! On May 2ND (mom's birthday) Mary and Josh finally tied the knot! I was very busy with school and finals the last week of April so Shellie had volunteered to take care of the wedding. We all pulled together Friday May 1st and I must say, I am amazed at what this family can pull off. The wedding came together beautifully. Mary was a very beautiful bride! ThaiLee told everyone that it was her day, and although she gave her mom a run for her money on who looked the best, neither of them out shined the other.

It was a great celebration and one that we have been waiting for for a long time! We are proud! What a gorgeous family. We wish them a very bright future!



We also had Jake's graduation on May 22ND. He graduated with high honors and being the Senior Class President he delivered a most amazing speech. I want my little "Tough Guy" to know how proud we are of him. He is truly magnificent. He sets his goals high and never rests until he has achieved them. I am so grateful to have the opportunity of being such a wonderful young mans aunt. Jake you mean the world to me! You will definitely go places in this life! Your personality shines above the rest, you make me smile and I love you for that! Never lose sight of your dreams!




I must also take this opportunity to brag about my beautiful girls. Amanda just completed her Junior year, yes it is true, she will graduate one year from now. I am having a difficult time accepting it but what can I do? She completed her Junior year with a 4.0 and is eager to finish up her high school experience. I don't know why, but she is ready for responsibility she thinks! Sammy finished her 7th grade year at Lava Ridge Intermediate, also with a 4.0 GPA. She is a little less anxious then Amanda as she will be attending a different school next year. Look out Snow Canyon Middle School. When Sammy gets done there, nothing will ever seem the same! I want both my beauties to know how proud we are of them and their accomplishments. They are great girls and we commend them for being who they are. We think they are the best!

Beth Goes To The Senior Ball

Saturday 4-18-09 was Snow Canyon High Schools Senior Ball. Amanda was asked by a boy by the name of Jorey Clark. She left that morning for a day date and I didn't get to see her until she arrived back at the house later that afternoon after getting her hair put up by our good friend Mary Anaya. She looked very pretty. But as she emerged from her room all made up, gown and all, I couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. Todd was out trucking so we had to send him text pictures. It was probably good that he was gone because I don't think he would have let her out of the house. She sure is growing up to be a beautiful young lady. I am very proud of her. We are almost to the end of her Junior year...man, where has the time gone??? What happened to the little two year old that played like she was a princess, participating in little beauty pageants? Now she is heading off to the Ball looking better then Cinderella herself! I love you Beth!

Kevins First 4-Wheeler Ride!

Friday April 10th, Todd was getting the 4-Wheelers loaded for him and Sammy to go for a ride at the Lower Sand Coves where Kent and Sam were camping with their girls. I was tending Kevin and we watched as Todd was getting the machines on the trailer. I set him up on Todd's machine and let me tell you, it wasn't easy getting him off of it after Todd putted up the road a 100 yards or so. He was just a bouncing and a giggling. Look out Uncle Todd because as soon as he walks, you won't be able to leave his sight!

Easter Sunday

I haven't been the best at keeping with my news years resolution, but when I made it I was not 100% sure that I was going to be getting back into school. It is really keeping me busy. Between my school work, chasing Sammy around to her activities, work, and keeping up with the house, I am finding that I am lucky to get the required things accomplished each day and still alot spills over to the next. I know it will all be worth it in the end, but until then it is kicking my butt! Todd says if I wasn't so OCD it would be a little easier, but I like the house a certain way and I find that I put alot more effort into it then he and the kids. Key word I need to learn here I guess is RELAX! So anyways, I am doing really good which is encouraging. If I do good on my finals (which I don't think will be a problem) I will have an in A in both classes that I am taking. A good start on fixing my GPA that I thrashed 18 years ago! I am enrolled in the Summer Simester and have my little math tutor Sammy all lined up to help me. How humbling is it to have your 13 year old know more about Algebra then you? The grils are doing great right now, they are still adjusting to not having me at home all the time for them like I was, but they tell me they are proud of me and they are always excited to hear how I scored on my papers and tests. I asked them if they will be paying me for my good grades like we do for them, they didn't think so!!! Well we are going to be having a little BBQ this afternoon for Easter so I hope to get some fun pictures that I can post. We are having it a little later in the afternoon because Todd headed out at about 2 am to haul a load of fuel to the mine. I am so thankful for such a wonderful man. Things have been slow with our business, but he is not afraid to go out and scrounge up whatever he can to make a paycheck. So far so good. I am just ever so thankful that we have been able to stay on top of things, we aren't getting ahead any, but we haven't fallen behind either! Love to all!

Goodbye To A Bright Shining Star

So yesterday was a sad day for many people. Grandma Beth left this world to move on to bigger and brighter things, and she did it on her terms. This wonderful lady meant so much to so many people and we will truly miss her. Kent referred to her as a "BRIGHT SHINING STAR" and he couldn't have been more accurate. Grandma was a very non-judgemental person. always looking for the good in everyone. We hope that we can all strive to live up to the example that she set for us all. Todd and I were visiting last night and although we will miss her terribly, we couldn't help but to smile when we talked of the marvelous reunion she must be having in heaven with her husband Lawrence, her two sons Larry and David, our wonderful little Kasey Dude, and many others that passed on before her. Until we meet again Grandma, thank you for the love and the example you showed to us! We are forever grateful that we were blessed with you taking such a special place in our hearts and our lives!

Valentine's For Todd

This year for Valentine's, Shellie had seen an awesome idea so we decided to copy it. We took the kids pictures next to a heart we drew with sidewalk chalk and then one of her friends went in and used photoshop to add the little sayings into the hearts for us. I must say they turned out very cute and were a huge hit! Gma Nellie was in heaven when we gave her the frame containing pics of all the grand kids, of course we had to include Annie too! What a fun Valentine to give out!

Amanda Goes To Junior Prom

Amanda's Junior Prom was on Valentines Day. Amanda went with Bronson Yardley (what a cute guy!) and her awesome little friend Paige went with Matthew Smith (my nephew and also a very handsome guy!) They had a lot of fun, with all the personality this little group holds, it could have been nothing less then a great time! Trying to get pictures of them turned out to be a real feat in and of itself, but we did manage to get them all together. Bronson wanted to shoot himself by the time I was done with them, too bad the camera didn't get the original frame, but the one of him and Amanda did turn out to be quite fun! What an awesome group of kids! I am glad they had a good time. They all cleaned up really nice. What a couple of beautiful girls and don't these boys look great too??? How great it is too have such wonderful friends and family!

OMG...Did he really say Bifocals?

Okay...so I finally went in to see the eye doctor after complaining to Todd for quite sometime that I was having trouble seeing things close up. I knew that I would be ending up with glasses, which is why I put it off as long as I did. I knew it would be expensive and didn't want that expense right now. However, my poor old dad has been having trouble and didn't get his eyes checked for a time and he is in really bad shape right now. He has macular degeneration and where he didn't get it treated soon enough, he is now going through all shorts of stuff (surgery next week) to try to get the progression slowed down. His vision is not good and being left untreated like it was they don't know that they can reverse it. That being said, I was told on my last eye doctor visit that I had what looked like the beginnings of this macular degeneration. I thought that it was like last year, but no it turns out that appointment was three years ago. Where does time go? Man what a quick three years. Well that part of my eyes checked out fine. There has been no progression in the areas that appear to be the trouble spots so that was good news. But as the doctor began doing all the other tests he was amazed at how much my vision had changed. I said, "Yeah, I came in today fully expecting you to give me some reading glasses." He just looked at me and said, "well more like some bifocals." Are you kidding me?? I really can't be ready for bifocals. Holy crap! Well the choosing out of frames was very interesting, I tried on several pair and all I could think about was how old they made me look. I just kept thinking, "Man I look just like my mother!" That isn't a bad thing, but come on now, she is 67 not 37. Well the new glasses should be ready for me to pick up in about 10 days so I will post a photo when I get them. Here I thought a pair of reading glasses was what I would need, but no...I will be wearing them all the time I guess. So much for aging gracefully! On the positive note, I will have them just in time to start school. YIPPEE!!!!

Back To School!!!

Back to school it is! I am happy to announce that I was officially admitted back into Dixie College today, after taking a seventeen year break! I met with the counselor and after thirty minutes of going over my transcripts, things were in motion. He recommended a Business class and a Computer class for starting out. I also filled out all the Student Aid info and will find out in about three days if I qualify for it. I will be starting classes on Feb 17th. It is only 6 credits to start with but I think I will be wise to start a little slow so as not to crash and burn! I am very excited!! Oh yeah, you might all want to know what I want to be when I grow up, ha ha! If the classes didn't give it away...I will be getting a degree in Accounting. If it serves no other purpose then to aid in the running of our business! Wish me luck!

Last Weekend

Well last weekend Kent and Sam asked us to watch the girls. We had a blast! Sunday was Brianna's Birthday so on Saturday we went to the movies and seen Hotel For Dogs. Not really my favorite, but the kids loved it. Later that evening Todd took all us ladies out to dinner at the Texas Roadhouse. The staff there sang Happy Birthday to both Gracie and Brianna and put them on the saddle. They thought it was great fun!
But our fun didn't end there...we had went to Partyland on Saturday before the show, Amanda took this cute picture of the girls trying on glasses, I thought it was super cute. We were there purchasing the supplies to have a Hawaiian Birthday for Sunday when Kent and Sam got back. We then went to Lin's to get the cake and ice-cream and the Kids Club was doing a scavenger hunt. They invited the girls to join in, so Amanda took them around the store collecting all sorts of goodies. When they finished the lady running the event asked if Amanda would please bring in a photo of the girls to be posted on the spring Kids Club Magazine. I hope they put them on. We did manage to get some really cute photos. (I have included more in the slideshow!) Brianna was super excited to have her party and it was very fun! Sammy helped Brianna set the table with all the Hawaiian gear and we had Chocolate Cake and Ice-Cream. It was so fun to get to spend such quality time with these little ones. I love spoiling them rotten and we had a very eventful couple of days! Saturday morning Gracie was visiting with me in the kitchen as everyone else was still in bed. She had been telling me stories, then all of a sudden she says, "My goodness Aunt Cindy, I have so much to tell you, we have alot to catch up on!" She then continued to talk my ear off. It was so fun just hanging out with her like that, what a cutie! We then made some chocolate cupcakes which she called "MUFFINS". Before they went home on Sunday I asked her what her favorite part of the weekend was, and she said making muffins...Imagine that! I love you little ones! Thank you for a terrific weekend! It was one I will always remember!

New Years Resolutions....

So every year we make up all these wonderful resolutions that we believe we will keep for the year to come and then usually that is all it is, speaking them but never following through. In the past my resolution was to not make resolutions. That way I wouldn't break them. This year my resolution was going to be to set aside time each Monday to maintain my blog. What can I say, here we are to the middle of the month and I am just starting. Man it is hard to find time to do everything. However, I am really going to try to be more diligent at updating this thing regularly. If for no other reason then to have some kind of a journal for my girls to look back on and hopefully remember the beautiful life that we have.

A White Christmas!

Yes, it is true we really did have snow for Christmas. I gathered up Todd and the girls and told them we definitley needed to get out and get our picture in it. Who knows, it could be quite a while, if ever, before we see snow on Christmas Day in Ivins! What a special treat!

Events from 2008

So too get everyone up to speed here are some of the events that have taken place in our life the past few months.

November 15, 2008
Amanda invited Nate Drew to the Sadies Hawkins Dance. The week that led up to it was very eventful. Her teacher nominated her and her friend Chad to run for the dance royalty. It was a week packed full of fun things, if they got through one day and won a competition, they moved on to the next. Day 1 they decorated cans and collected money to help Annette Lake in her fight against Breast Cancer. Day 2 they had to make each other look eighties. Day 3 they had to find people dressed in different costume and get their picture taken with them. Day 4 (my personal favorite) they ahd to chase and catch chickens. Of course she didn't let me know when it was because she didn't want me taking pictures, dang her! Well she made it to Day 5 where they had to walk a runway and model a bottle of Rootbeer. She didn't win in the end but what a fun week full of memories!


December 1, 2008 our beautiful little Samantha went in and had her braces taken off. The four years of treatment paid off and she has a most beautiful smile!She counted down the days from the time of her previous appointment which was six weeks earlier. The day before she was giving me updates regularly saying, "Mom, I have twelve hours and fifteen minutes til I get my braces off!" Yeah what can we say, she was very excited!
BEFORE: July 2004
AFTER: Dec 1, 2008