Preston is an ANIMAL LOVER.......

Which is a good thing since we have 2 dogs, a cat, 10 steers, 5 horses and a burrow!!

Plain City is Pretty Happenin'

Just wanted to relate a cool experience our Stake Young Women had on Wed. Sept. 10th. We had a stake Fireside and guess who was the speaker? Sis. Elaine Dalton!!!! What? you say. You got it, the General Young Women's President came to lil' ol Plain City. She was tremendous! Her spirit was incredible, what an honor it was to be in the same room with her. She talked to the girls about the challenges facing them today and encouraged them to be strong. She also talked about the Young Women theme and reminded us that we are daughters of a Heavenly Father who loves us and we love him. One of my favorite parts was when one of the leaders mentioned that cell phones with the young women was a challenge from a leaders perspective. Sis. Dalton turns around and starts rummaging through her purse and pulls out her I phone and giddily shows us and says, "IT's pink"! Then she went on to say that cell phones are great when used properly and that she has many great features on her phone such as, inspirational music, scriptures etc. I liked that because it showed how down to earth she is. The girls loved her and I believe they will be talking about that fireside for years to come. Sis. Dalton stayed afterwards and shook all the young women's hand. What a night to remember!

Dan is always teasing me about having too much to do now that the kids are both in school all day, Sooooo today I decided to give into the taunting from my feet and prove to him I really am busy. I went and got a pedicure. One of my favorite things to do and I treat myself to it a few times a year. The color of choice this time, a festive fall orange!

Dan will love this post especially because he loves feet sooooooo much - NOT!

Blessing Day!

Saturday evening was a special time for Dan. Jimmy's kids had not been blessed yet and before his death Dalina and he had decided they wanted to have their kids blessed. Dan was given the opportunity to bless JJ. What a special experience, the spirit was so strong, Jimmy was right there beside Dan as he gave JJ a wonderful blessing. George, Dalina's dad blessed Mariah.

Dan and JJ
JJ, Dalina and Mariah

Ooooh LA LA.......Love Letters

Preston got his first Love Letter! He came home from school all excited to show me what he had. I'm thinking it's a school paper he did really good on, BUT oh no, he pulls out this letter that says "I love Preston". I was laughing my guts out inside. I didn't want to make him feel dumb so I just said, "Isn't that nice". Of course my next question was, Is she cute? He replied "Heck Ya". I sure miss having my little buddy with me during the days, but it is so much fun watching him learn and seeing his excitement about school. His first day of school this year I had many emotions as I watched him climb up the stairs onto the bus, knowing he would now be gone to school all day. Did I teach him enough, did I play with him enough, did I spend enough quality time with him and the list went on and on. My conclusion-I did my best. I love you Preston!

Cousins! Cousins! Cousins!

While Dan's family was all here for Jimmy's funeral, the cousins had many occasions to be together. And riding horses was a MUST! Uncle Dan was the favorite for a little while.

Seth's turn, Seth's turn, Seth's turn, his little voice just kept repeating that very quietly until it was really his turn.

Oh to be a kid again! Preston and Seth hangin on the fence in the arena.

Bella and Londyn taking a dip in Grandma's pool
Olivia really enjoying her horse ride-screaming the whole time

Bella and Londyn riding Rooster and Liza

Logan, Preston and Parker - Hey Parker what's up with all the pens in your pocket? Jared his dad was quite dismayed with the nerdish fashion!

Preston and Monique chillin' on Grandma's couch

Dan's Little Brother Jimmy

Our family received some devasting news on August 14 - Dan's youngest brother Jimmy died in a motorcycle accident in Salt Lake City. Life is too short. Because of this tragedy I have really been reflecting on my life, I want to be a better person. I want to be a better mom and wife and enjoy life to the fullest. My favorite memory of Jimmy is when he lived with Dan and I in Bountiful when he started High School. One night Jimmy and a friend were leaving the house and we asked where are you going? They answered something to the affect of, we are going to find some girls, we are a couple of cool Mac Daddy's! Definition of Mac Daddy=chick Magnets. I guess the thing that is so funny is that they really honestly believed they were Mac Daddy's, who knows I'm sure they were. We were able to see Jimmy, Dalina, JJ and Mariah and spend some good quality time with them just 4 days before he died. What a tender mercy our Heavenly Father gave us to see him one last time and be able to see the change in his countenance as he was making changes in his life to lead him on the right path.