Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Happy 55th Wedding Anniversary

Four generations!
We took a picture when Scott was only 2 weeks old. We thought, now that Scott is older(almost 2) he'd be cooperative, but I guess not!

Although we were able to sneak in a super fun Disneyland trip, the real reason we went to California was to celebrate Dustin's Grandparents' 55th wedding anniversary.

55 years!! How cool is that!?!


We also celebrated Great Grandpa's 75th birthday (April 12th) and Grandpa's 54th birthday(April 26th). Oh, what a weekend!!

Grandpa, Grandma and Grandpa Great, Dustin, and Scott.

We were asked to write down some thoughts or memories of these two for a special scrapbook. I've never scrap booked a day in my life so I wasn't prepared but I did bring pictures of our kids and was able to get those pages done. I'm going to work on our page but in the mean time here are just some of my memories.


When Madison was just a teeny baby Grandpa used to say, "Why, she's no bigger than a minute". We love that expression and Dustin and I still call Madison "Minute" sometimes because she is still "no bigger than a minute". Grandpa is warm and loving.

Grandma is the best cook and we love everything she makes.Well, almost everything cause the jury is still out on rice pudding. I'm sure it's just the best rice pudding ever but we're not sure if we're rice pudding people. Most of the recipes I have come from Grandma or her mother (who I've heard was also an awesome cook.) Everything just tastes better at Grandma's house. She makes the best Christmas candy and popcorn balls(which I had been missing out on all these years since I got my first taste this past Thanksgiving). Grandma makes delicious food.

Grandpa LOVES his family and when you sit down and listen to him you can just tell how pleased he is with his posterity. Grandpa bears his testimony when he comes to our ward to participate in priesthood blessings. Hearing his testimony is a strength to us and we really appreciate his example and his words of wisdom. We are lucky that he was able to confirm both Madison and Karley after their baptisms. Grandpa is the patriarch of our family.

Grandma makes the most adorable quilts and burpies for new born babies! I always look forward to seeing the quilts she's made. When I was pregnant with Paige we thought she was going to be a boy and I know Grandma had started a quilt for her. When she was born and was quite clearly NOT a boy Grandma made her a new quilt. Grandma is amazingly talented.

Before Dustin and I were even married I was invited to go camping at the beach with his family!His WHOLE family. CAMPING at the BEACH? Could there be anything better!!?? I didn't even know you could do that. I fell in love. It was so much fun and I had the best time. Grandpa would give the grand kids a dollar every day so they could go to the camp store and get a Popsicle or candy. Madison loved that. Grandpa makes camping fun.

Grandma is such a little busy bee. She is non stop and when we come to visit she buzzes around making sure we have anything and everything we could ever need. She is a great hostess but will always stay up late and chat with us! We enjoy hearing her funny stories. She always tells us to come and visit whenever we can. We love to visit and try to as much as possible because we always have so much fun. We always feel welcome.

These are just a few of the many reasons I love Grandma and Grandpa Great! "Great" being an extreme understatement. They are the most adorable, fun, generous people. Besides being the cutest couple ever! I have always felt very, very lucky that when I married Dustin I got such a wonderful bonus!
Happy Anniversary!
Love you!-Leah

Sunday, April 27, 2008

Just a small taste...

...of the fun we had this weekend!
Leah, Riley, Madison, Karley, and Dustin on Splash Mountain at Disneyland.
Riley, Kris, Karley, Dustin, and Madison on Tower of Terror at California Adventure.

I'll write more later about our vacation and show more pictures but for now I'm off to bed. Gotta catch up on all the sleep I missed out on this weekend. We had so much fun!


Wednesday, April 23, 2008

5th Grade Kick-Ball Game

At Mad's school they always have a kickball game at the end of the field day. Teachers vs. the 5th graders. I've gone most years and I always have fun watching but this year Madison participated and it was even more fun to cheer her and her friends on. Go 5th graders!!!

Those teachers were ruthless, I tell ya', they definitely made the 5th graders work for it. I was scared for Madison but she did a great job. She got a double and made it all the way home! The teachers won 10-5 but Madison was happy she earned her team a point!

Check out that stance!
Running to 2nd base.
She had just gotten done punking Mr. Sullivan and I tried to capture it but I was too late. That girl is SASSY!
Madison's BFF, Emma. She's got skillz also!

Angels in the outfield.
Emma and Madison
Karley counting her money for the snack stand. What's a ball game without a great snack stand!?!
Dustin and Karley with Mrs. Darrington (Grandma) the P.E. aide.
Grandma and Mr. griffin(the P.E. teacher) did a great job with field day! Super fun as always!!!
Karley with some of her cute friends in her class.

Good job, big Sis. !!!
I know these girls are going to miss each other like crazy next year when Madison goes to middle school!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Happy Birthday, Dusty Boy!!

29 things that I LOVE about Dustin 1. How much he loves his birthdays.

2. His dimples.

3. He is a hard worker.

4. He unloads the dishwasher for me because I hate it.

5. He changes all of the diapers on the weekends.

6. He loves babies.

7. He is smart.. very smart.

8. He helps anyone that needs him.

9. He is athletic.

10. He loves his Mom.

11. He goes to work and then comes home..and works.

12. He doesn't let people down.

13. He helps me to look at things differently.

14. He is a wonderful father.

15. He teases.

16. He loves camping as much as I do.

17. He still tells me I'm beautiful.

18. He kisses me good-bye every morning and kisses me goodnight every night.

19. He loves to be with friends.

20. He is a great dancer.

21. He is strong.

22. He loves to laugh.

23. He never yells.

24. He wishes he had a band.

25. His huge smile.

26. He is the best husband.

27. He is kind and loving.

28. He is my best friend.

29. The way he loves me!

I love you Dustin, Happy 29th Birthday!!!



Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Tagged...

...by Emily!
I've been tagged before but I always have a hard time coming up with "things people don't know about me" I'm going to make an attempt.

1. Jobs I've had:
-I cleaned people's houses in my ward as a teen-ager (crazy times)
-I worked at a dating service, Amour and More for a few months. I hated bugging people!
-I worked at the day care center Teddy Bear Junction before it became Child time. Happy times!
-I worked for the Census Bureau during the last Census.
-I sold Salt City Candles but, again, hated bugging people. Loved the candles though!
-Currently I'm a full-time Mom, the most demanding and rewarding job I've ever had!

2. All the places I have lived:
-Las Vegas... and I don't plan on ever leaving either!

3. 4 favorite movies:
-Juno
-Nacho Libre
-Big Fish
-Finding Neverland

4. 4 favorite foods:
-pizza (from anywhere)
-Ben and Jerry's
-P.F. Changs
-cafe Rio

5. 4 weird things about me:
-I'm afraid of dolphins and horses but especially horses!
-I love to mop floors.
-When I go into someone else's house I either rearrange their furniture in my mind, pick out new paint for their walls or imagine my furniture in their house! There are a few people who I DON'T do this with.
-I am ADDICTED to q-tips! Sometimes I can't even get out of bed before I've had a good swab! On average, I probably q-tip twice a day... at least!!!

6. 4 favorite shows:
-The office
-The Soup
-Hell's Kitchen
-America's Next Top Model

7. Places I'd love to go:
-France
-Greece
-Fiji
-Hawaii

Now, I'd like to tag Leslie! You're IT!!!

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Three Babes and a Bro.




Photos taken on Friday April 11, 2008
Scott split his lip moments before we left to take them.