Thanks for all of your support!

These days are long gone, but it has been a wonderful summer thanks to the great support of siblings and family. I will really miss my Mom and your grandma, but it was a sweet blessing to have all of my children here for the funeral in August. We have such a great family-I am so thankful for all of you!!

It has been a crazy year! I can't believe all the amazing and challenging things that have happened. We got back from Europe last summer and decided to put our house on the market in September. Three weeks later it sold and we were rushing to get all of our stuff (you know me...) boxed up and moved. In December we moved to a sweet house in Draper, love the neighborhood, love the floor plan, don't love the colors and finishes-but they can be changed! So, in January we began our first big reno in the master bedroom and bath. It was done by March, and our newest grand baby, Alina, decided she was done too-and was born several weeks early. After 5 weeks in the NICU she came home. My Dad had been struggling with some health issues-he couldn't eat much, so he went to the doctor. They diagnosed him with HPylori bacteria and we were all relieved. But by the first week of May it was obvious there was more than this going on and further tests found Cancer pretty much everywhere. He was given 4-6 months, but passed away on May 30th. What a hard time for us all, but especially my Mom. So here we are this summer moving her in to live with my sister Wendy and having Angie and the kids here for the summer on their way to Arizona to live in Gilbert. It's been busy, fun and poignant all at the same time. Still, we feel blessed to have such a wonderful family. It all started with those two great people up there-Glen and Raye Campbell.

Back From Europe!!

We had a great adventure in Italy! Here we are in Siena, a medieval city a few hours from Rome.

This is how John saw Europe...

through his camera lens.

Here he is looking

at the colosseum

as we walk up

the street past

the Forum.

We were desperate

for a drink and

bathroom break

in Rome.

This place is

actually a "McDonalds"

it felt like a night club.

Here we are in

front of the Trevi

Fountain. Bernini is

our new favorite

artist. We want

fountains like

this in Utah.

Yahoo! Lincoln is here and Grandpa is doing better...

Meet Lincoln Anthony Garrett, the beautiful son of Megan and Tony. He is the apple of his big sister's eye and came quietly into our family on Saturday, May 14th. His birth was the culminating blessing of a wild weekend. Grandpa Glen had two heart attacks and a very long surgery just hours before Lincoln came. Just as we were getting the good news that Grandpa was going to be okay, we got the exciting news about our newest grandson. A much better ending to this weekend than beginning!!!

Spring Stuff!

Lainey and Hadley were hanging out in Salt Lake waiting for their Dad to finish in the half-marathon, but to everyone's suprise, the first person in was Aunt Angie!

Here they are celebrating their victory! She was ahead by 24 seconds!

Hadley turned 5!

Callie got a haircut...and Flat Aubrey came to visit from Texas.

We have no cute kids pics so...

Since we have no "darling" pictures, you get to see my sweetheart putting in my beautiful new dishwasher...aided by the adorable Callie!

Don't you love the exquisite countertops? They came out to measure yesterday for our new granite. We are loving the "natural" wood look for the time being.
Yes, there he is again-the man who can do it all! How did this get on here twice????

Two Lovely Dancers!

In Houston our Aubrey was a beautiful "Snow Angel" in a local production of "The Nutcracker!"
On the same night, Hadley debuted at Jordan High School as a "Tumbling Tot" East High Cheerleader. Her sister Lainey was excited too!

The Turkey Trot...

Lainey and Hadley had the best seats in the house...and they got to eat breakfast too!

Autumn in Utah

Last week all of the leaves changed the colors of our backyard-it was gorgeous!
The Bride of Frankenstein-my alter-ego/real personality.
Callie got dressed up for Halloween too! It lasted about 1/2 an hour, but she looked sweet.

Our Favorite Vacation Spot...

This time of year brings so many good memories to mind-those lazy relaxing days with our family. Good times...

Way To Go UTES!!

Greg came all the way to Salt Lake this week to celebrate the season opener of Utah football-and get us the best seats ever for a sold-out game. Wow! Thanks Greg! We had a lot of fun and enjoyed seeing you too.
They don't just have longhorns in Texas! John and I went to Midway for Swiss Days and to see the Sheepdog Trials. The lines were longer than Disneyland, so we ended up at "The Angry Bull" in Heber City for lunch. We did a tour of our old "boating spots" and went past Jordanelle, Deer Creek, and Utah Lake. It made us think twice about buying another boat someday. Good Times....

Still Crazy After All These Years!

I may not be good at figuring this out yet-but I do have unlimited pictures of you all!! Good times today and yesterday.

One of these dogs is no longer around....and Callie is getting up there in years. Your dad has this "Look at all my crazy kids" look in his eyes!!

I am putting this one out there for Connor who is recovering from his surgery. Get well soon!
Dave and Jana-the early years. Just because they don't live very close does not mean I can't find some great memories.

I love you all!

Oh, Those Summer Nights!!!

How can summer go by so fast????? It is the last day of July and we have some fabulous memories of time with our family. Here are some rugged Mountain Men...
Angie and Aubrey ice-blocking (and no trip to the emergency room!)

Tony and Hadley were the absolute champions on the hill.
The newlyweds, Nate and Kati on the 4th of July.
Some seriously good fireworks with the Ward kids.

You guys are really the frosting on our cupcake! (Not that we eat those anymore...) By Christmas time Dave and Jana's little girl will be here with the rest of us-yea!

Welcome to our family page!

Our wonderful month of July started with a fun 5k race on July 3rd. We did it together (it s my first one and John stayed with me just to be nice!! )

Our extended family got together with Grandpa Glen and Grandma Raye at their house. Look at all those darling great-grandchildren!!!