HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY!

Can't believe it! Our Dallin is 3 years old!
He is our 6th grandchild and our 4th grandson....
Reasons we love our Dallin:
1) He has the sweetest, kindest heart
2) He loves everybody (especially his family)
3) Every time you see him he says, "I really missed you!"
4) He shares his toys
5) He is so excited about life
6) He is very obedient
7) His eyes are the prettiest color blue ...you can get lost in them
8) Dallin loves to help
9) He is just so pleasant to be with and to talk to

10) He loves Zack (our dog)

Happy Birthday Dallin we love you.....
Nana and Papa

Dallin with his Papa and Nana -Newport Beach 2007

Dallin with his Dad on the Disney Cruise

Still on the Cruise

Dallin hugging his favorite playmate, his sister Tatum

A rare moment, Dallin without a smile

Dallin loves water

Dallin playing at Nana and Papa's

What a complete joy you are to all of us! We are so thankful for you!!

"And all these things shall give thee experience".....

Be of Good Cheer “None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, ‘Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.’ How might we have joy in our lives, despite all that we may face? Again from the scriptures: ‘Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you, and will stand by you”. Thomas S. Monson, “Be of Good Cheer,” Ensign, May 2009
So, this is where I have been....trying to be of good cheer and remembering why I am here and each day realizing the Lord is with me and is mindful of what my sweet husband and I are going through. I have been a little depressed, but each day I feel strength from reading my scriptures, praying and just having the temple and wonderful family members to go to. I have "kind of" been absent from my "normal life".... trying to regroup, and dealing with some very sad, hard trials. But, you know I have found out that, "things are just things" and we really can't take any of these "things" with us...I know we all have said that and I use to "say" that, too...but now I can "say it, with experience". It is okay to miss those "things", and then let go of them. I have realized that putting my faith and trust in the Lord, knowing that he knows what is the best for me and my family and having the faith to go forward, blindly, is hard, but in the end it's the best thing I can do for me. Everything is going to be just fine as long as I do what I am suppose to do and live by the Spirit. I also know, that there is only so much I can do to help someone else that is going through difficult times, because they need to make their own path and find their own happiness. I can sincerely say, I am so grateful for my life and all my thousands of blessings! I don't have to let go of the things I truly love, they are mine forever....
My eternal blessings....

FAMILY

Relationships

The Temple

again Family

My Savior

My eternal Companion

I have a wonderful, blessed life!

A GREAT MAN...SO MANY WILL MISS HIM!

What a honor and blessing to have known such a wonderful man....Ken's Dad passed away June 26, 2009. Ken and I were with Dad at a hospice center when he died. It was a very solemn, sweet moment. A lot of tears were shed and a lot of love was felt ( Dad had several family members that had gone before him, that we are sure were anxiously waiting for him). We will miss him so much, but know that we will see him again! Until we meet again, Dad...God be with you.

Donna, Mom, Dad and Ken - Christmas 2008

Family Reunion-2005

(L-R): Dad, Dennis, Jeff and Charlotte

Dad -2005

We love you, Ken and Donna

WHAT A FUN TIME..ELLE IS 8!!!

OUR 3rd grandchild, first granddaughter is 8 years old !! We have a family tradition, when our grandchildren turn 8 they get to go to Disneyland with Nana and Papa. We had a great time and it was so nice to be together, just the 3 of us!

Papa, Nana and Elle on the plane to Orange County Airport

This Birthday Cake was on Elle's bed when we
arrived at the Hotel

Elle and Nana showing off their sunglasses

(Elle just bought her's at the Disney Emporium)

Elle loved the fast rides...here she is in front of "Thunder Mountain"

Elle watching an artist draw her Papa.
Another tradition...when we take our grandkids to Disneyland,
we sit for a "chalking" portrait of the 3 of us....Elle loved this, as she is
great artist, too!

Papa and Elle in front of "It's a Small World" ride (she didn't want to go on it)

Nana and Elle on Splash Mountain

Elle and some of her b-day gifts from Disneyland

Happy Birthday, Elle...it was a great time with you at Disneyland!

WHAT DID WE DO THIS LAST WEEKEND???

WE had too much fun! It was my family reunion....it was held in St. George and we had a fantastic time. Thanks to my wonderful nephews and nieces, they were in charge....Greg (and his wife Kristen), Jenna (and her husband, Phil), Bethany (and her husband, Jim) and Jarond (and his wife, Jenny).....We had a great turn out. Seven of the 9 siblings(and their families) were there in attendance. We had picnics, family planning meetings, and of course the TALENT SHOW, as always was the hit of the Reunion. I love all my brothers and sisters and all my family and enjoyed every minute of our time together...I didn't want it to end! We are looking forward to our 2011 Reunion, in Colorado....here are several photos of the weekend..... (Natalie I need all your photos you took, please)

Kristen and her daughter Tatum


Jenna - Tatum and Rachel

Greg, Holly and J.Hyde

Joey, Katie and Travis

Brittiany, Brett, Amy and Liam

Adrian, Hillary, Phil and Theresa

Bob, Sandra and Hannah

Elizabeth and Sandra

Me, Gail and Alyssa

Anthony, Greg, Natalie and Melanie

Brittiany, Brett and Bethany

Tracy, Rob and Noble - Jim, Jacey, Braddock and Emmalee

Bethany and Susan

Phil, Katie and Gail

Amy, Jarond, J.Hyde, Kevin and Greg

I am going to be making a digital scrapbook of the reunion...so if any of you that attended, have some pictures of the reunion you would like to share with me, I would greatly appreciate it!

Love and thanks to all of you!... (I tried to get a picture of everyone, sorry if your photo isn't in this post)

THE BEST DADS I KNOW!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!
We have been away at a family reunion, so I wasn't able to wish my 3 favorite Dad's a Happy Day, on my blog....THANKS, for being so awesome. Our entire family is blessed because you three our in our lives!

#1 -Ken (my husband)

Ken with his oldest grandchild- Brig - Ken with his youngest grandchild-Cooper (#8)

#2 -Michael (my son)

Michael with 2 of his 3 sons, Hunter and Brandon

#3 - Anthony (my son-in-law)

Anthony with 1 of his five children, Elle

There are several men I know that are awesome Father's...so, to them and to all the great Father's in the world, please know that our world is a better place because of you!

SUNDAYS AT OUR HOME

SUNDAY IS MY FAVORITE DAY OF THE WEEK...because, it is our family day. I love going to Church. After Church we have our family with us for dinner and just hang-out together. I cherish my Sundays, they are special and I look forward to them every week.....

From bottom-top: Brandon, Brigham,

Hunter and Dallin...a pillow sandwich

Ken and I (Ken holding Cooper, I'm holding Rigdon) with grandbabies #7 & 8

THIS SUNDAY WAS AN EXTRA SPECIAL SUNDAY, BECAUSE....of these 2 people celebrating their 12th anniversary (12 years and 5 kids later). HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, NATALIE AND ANTHONY!

Hope you all had a wonderful Sunday!