Throughout the year, Grandpa Dennis and Grandma Kat have had sleepovers with our grandkids in increments of two, because, with the exception of Gunnar, most of the grandkids have come in twos! However, with the case of Cade, Morgan and Grace, the year 2004, we were blessed with three most welcomed grandkids!! So, with a little reminder from Morgan, we called their parents and made arrangements for the event! Since we went from an icy cold winter to a hot summer in about a week's time (skipping Spring altogether),I rushed out to buy some water toys, a little inflatable swimming pool, a slip'n slide, and a water hop scotch for the kids to have fun in the backyard. I have tried to make the activities age appropriate. But after about 20 minutes, the kids were happier just playing around with the hose!! Lesson learned! After water games, hot dogs and carrots, we dashed off to the movies to see "Kung Fu Panda". We read stories and the kids enjoyed sleeping in the playroom together where we heard giggling for a few more hours until they were fast asleep! Dad and I want to thank our children for making such wonderful grandchildren for us to love!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
My Three Four Year Olds!
Father's Day 2008
I want to thank all of you so much for making Father's Day such a wonderful event at Tiffany's House this year! I was overwhelmed by your generosity and thoughtfulness as I opened gift after gift after gift. Thank you all very much. It is great to be a Father but it is even more fulfilling to be a DAD! I have the best kids in the world! That sounds really ironic because none of you are kids anymore. You have all made us very pleased with your steadfastness in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and your success at home with your spouses and children. I love to see how you all get along so well together. I am sure there are times when you would like to smack someone in the family for doing something dumb but gratefully you are all pretty forgiving when it comes to those sort of things. Thank you again for being wonderful people and still caring for your dear old Dad!
I love all of you very much,
Dad
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Friday, June 20, 2008
Visiting my bro in Texas!
On Monday, June 16th I flew to Dallas, Texas to see my brother, Michael, as well as, his kids Mikel, Greg and his new granddaughter, Lilly! A long overdue trip, but worthwhile. I particularly enjoyed the good restaurants Mike took me to, the beautiful park where he rode his bike as I walked around a lovely setting of a lake and beautiful homes, long conversations, (mostly me listening, Mike loves to talk!), watching "House", going to the movies and best of all, meeting Lilly! Unfortunately, I missed a few key players, David, Mikel's husband was out of town on business and Mike's girlfriend, Lesley was out of town as well, but left me a nice card. No surprise was Mikel as a wonderful and loving mother. Mikel is impressive in every way!! Greg was a very caring and doting Uncle, and seems to have taken on the role with great enthusiasm. Mike was a wonderful host and was disappointed that I failed a bike test he gave me. He is such an avid bicyclist that he was hoping his big sis could ride along side of him, but alas, I had to walk! Pictured is his living room, turned music room, where he finds great solace in his music world! Also, I learned Mike takes a nap daily, but never too far away from a computer!! Thanks Mike, Mikel and Greg for a great trip!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
High School Musical 3 Adventure!
Last week, my cousin Diane called me and gave me a tip that they were filming High School Musical 3 in her boss's neighborhood that evening and the public was welcome to watch, if they were quiet, courteous, abstain from using cell phones or cameras. I immediately called the fans in my family and after quiet a bit schedule juggling, myself, Tara, Trinity, Grace, Sabrina, Whitley, Bailey and Kourtney, along with Tara's friend Jamie and her two daughters, Haylie and Hope, and my GPS found our way to the neighborhood in Sugarhouse where they were filming. The crowd was small, which was a surprise to me, but we quickly discovered that they were filming indoors, so basically we couldn't see anything or anyone except the director. However, we made friends with the security guards and police on duty. They told us we need to go to East High on June 10th and they will be filming the exteriors scenes that day, and we could possibly see the whole cast. Well, June 10th rolled around and as has been the norm here in Utah this Spring, one day hot, the next day cold, raining, windy. June 10th started out warm and ended up the latter. We were certain the filming would be postponed. I headed up to school first to scout out the situation, assuming there would be no one there. My assumptions were wrong, the cast and crew were in full swing and when I arrived they were filming a scene. I called the girls, and they headed up. About an hour later, it started to rain. All the other viewers headed for home. The cast and crew went inside. Here I sat, a lone crazy grandma, in the rainy cold all by myself (except a few police officers) waiting for Tara and gang. I called Tara and told her I thought they missed everything, but since they were so close, just come on over and I will at least take a picture of the girls in front of East High. There was a sign posted that said no pictures, but I figured since everyone had left, it was OK. Once again, I was wrong. As soon as I took the picture, two officers came a running.... Turns out, however, we made fast friends with all the security guards and officers on duty. They pretended to arrest me for taking pictures. As we chatting away with the police officers, one of them received a message that the cast and crew were coming back out to film. Shortly thereafter, Zach Efron, Venessa Hudgens, Monique Coleman walked out the front door of East High. Our little girls screamed with glee and they all three turned to them and waved. Shortly, thereafter Corbin Bleu walked by and got in his car and gave a wave to the girls, as well. The girls were hoping to get up close and personal with the actors, get their autographs, but that wasn't allowed, so they were excited to get autographs from the official Security Guards of High School Musical 3! When I returned the girls back to their realities that evening, Whitley said, "I can't wait to write in my journal tonight!"
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Ten Reasons Why I Love Dennis Edwin!!
1. Because he is a master problem solver!
2. Because he loves to share the gospel of Jesus Christ and has a strong testimony.
3. Because he makes friends where ever he is, an elevator, standing in line at a movie, in a doctor's office ...
4. Because he works with hands and his mind!
5. Because he loves to help those in need!
6. Because he has faith in me!
7. Because he is devoted to his children and grandchildren always!
8. Because he supported my desire to be a stay at home mom!
9. Because he gave me the best six children in the world!!!!!!
10. Because he is good friend!
11. (I get to do eleven, since he's my husband)
Because he loves me, and we are growing old together, which is sometimes hilarious and sometimes scary!
Ten Reasons Why I Love Travis Aaron!!
1. Because he married Kim and made her my daughter!
2. Because he is my first born and gave me the blessing and joy of being a mother!
3. Because he always looks out for the unnoticed, the hurt or troubled.
4. Because he makes the best chocolate chip cookies in the world!!
5. Because he is a genius at computer technology!
6. Because of his willingness to give help when needed!
7. Because he served an honorable mission and has maintained his testimony.
8. Because he has given this family five amazingly beautiful girls!
9. Because he is a fantastic dad!!
10. Because of his love and devotion to his lovely and praiseworthy wife!
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Once Upon a Time...
...a cute little baby boy was born that brought a family so much happiness, it brought them to their knees! Bodie Dennis, thanks for being born into our family and bringing your mom and dad so much joy! Thanks for bringing your parents to see us! We love you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
My Kids Did It AGAIN!!!
For the last three Mother's Days, Den and I have been traveling abroad. As a result, on that Mother's Day Sunday, I have usually found myself traveling down a windy road in France, Italy or Vienna. That might sound nice to some, but for me I was missing my family so bad I ached. However, last Mother's Day in Vienna, I went to breakfast and a member of our group came up to me and said, "Hey Kathryn, I have something on my computer to show you!" I thought, OK, I can't imagine! I figured it was some funny clip from U tube or something. Much to my utter surprise and enjoyment, it was my six children singing and dancing (in full costume, I might add and choreographed by my granddaughters) to three songs: "Crazy Little Thing Called Love" "Somewhere Out There" and " A Child's Prayer"! Each song having some significant meaning in our lives. First of all, I wasn't aware that my Sons have such good voices, in addition to somehow Tristen was able to shake her booty a few weeks after having a baby, c-section and Telisa had flown in from Cleveland, Ohio! I screamed and cried and laughed!! I can only imagine what the patrons in the restaurant thought, that I was mildly, or maybe completely insane, but I did not care!!! I understood Tiffany supplied the costumes and Travis and Telisa helped with the techy stuff. It was the greatest shock of my life!
Fast forward a year to this year's Mother's Day! I guess by now I shouldn't be surprised at the lengths my children go through to present me with their love. They all got together for weeks and weeks and made this amazing collage of photos of all the mothers in my life-my mother, Dennis' mother, my Grandmothers, my daughters who are ALL now MOTHERS!! They placed all the photos in individual frames and then attached them to a larger canvas and then framed that. The caption that goes with the Pictures is: "IT WAS WHEN I HAD MY FIRST CHILD THAT I KNEW HOW MUCH MY MOTHER LOVED ME!" That's when I lost it! Tears of joy came flooding down and when I wake up each morning and see the arrangement hanging in my room, I know with all my heart what a gift it is to be a mother. I love my twelve children with all their individuality deeply, madly and passionately! Whoever invented Mother's Day, thank you so much!!!! I love and appreciate all of you, Travis, Kim, Chad, Tiffany, Stephen, Tara, Adam, Tristen, Treavor, Sara, Clay and Telisa!!!
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Ten Reasons Why I Love Bailey Alexandra!
1. Her exuberant personality !!
2. Her love for art and drawing!
3. How she runs and hugs me everytime I see her!
4. She loves to read chapter books!
5. She is a good big sister to Morgan and Mylee!
6. I love to listen to her play the piano!
7. I love to hear her sing at the top of voice! (especially when she rocks out with her sisters and DAD!
8. I love to watch her dance!!
9. She is a very dedicated student and loves to learn!
10. I love her individuality and uniqueness!!!!
Ten Reasons Why I Love Trinity Ann!
1. She is a very protective big sister!
2. She has a thirst for knowledge, a good listener and asks lots of good questions!
3. She is a fabulous little dancer and gymnast!
4. She remembers everything anyone ever says! So watch out!
5. She is good helper to her mom and grandma!
6. She loves to do projects!!
7. She already knows how to text me from her mom's phone!
8. She is very sensitive to her family's needs.
9. She loves to belt out a song while we drive!
10. I love it when she tells me that she loves me and gives me a kiss on the cheek!
Our First Baptism!
As you know, Dad and I have been serving a mission in the Hispanic Intiative for almost two years now. We have been involved with many baptisms, but last Saturday evening was our first baptism that we were able to participate in from start to finish. We started teaching the mother and daughter, Obdulia and Anna Rocha, but they are not ready for baptism. However, Salvador, the husband, who missed the first couple of lessons because he was always working, but was always showing up at Church and FHE, came up to Dennis two weeks ago after Sacrament Meeting and said, "I want to get baptized next Saturday!" We were very excited, needless to say! He asked Dad to baptize him, which of course, he agreed, but due to the delay of our plane in Dallas, we arrived to the Baptism just as Salvador was walking to the font. But Dad was able to confirm him the following day at Church. The Spirit is strong with that family and we feel very blessed to have met them.
Thank you to Adam for doing some free dental work on Obdulia, and thank you to Treavor who went with me one night for Missionary Night Out and bore his testimony to the family!
