A Special Visit

We had the opportunity to have James' grandpa come for a visit. What a wonderful time we had with him! He came so that he could have James' do some work on his teeth and to spend some time with his grand and great grand kids. I am so thankful for the opportunity to have been able to spend time with him. He was very patient as I drug him all over the place as he spent the days with me while James was working. ;-) It was nice to hear how proud he was of all that James has been able to accomplish. And we couldn't agree more. It was also a treat to have good conversation. I got to hear all about "little Jim". (And rest assured I have had many hours of fun with the nickname alone!) I will forever be grateful to his grandma and grandpa for the love and support they have always been willing to give. His grandpa told me of the special relationship James had with his sweet grandmother, she will truly be missed. I have had the chance to talk to this wonderful lady on the phone, and wish that I could have had the chance to meet her and look forward to the time when I do.


On Saturday morning we went on a hike up White Tank Mountains. A few members of James staff had planned to go and asked if we'd like to come along. It was an easy and relaxing hike...then Juan suggested we take it up a notch and schedule a trip to hike down and up the Grand Canyon. After which he was appropriately beaten by the rest of us. No worries he only suffered minor injuries...

















































After the hike we all came back to our place for a very yummy breakfast!!

















Grandpa, we thoroughly enjoyed your visit and look forward to the next time we get to see you. We love you grandpa!

Oblahblah...

Here is a great picture depicting Beck's new name for Obama a.k.a. Barack Oblahblah. Love it!

After watching the debates is there ANY question who is more qualified to be the Commander in Chief? Well, I mean to be fair Oblablabla "has a bracelet"...that MUST make him qualified.

Happy 7th Birthday Kalysta!!!

Here is our birthday girl through the years.

Kalysta had her 7th birthday on Saturday. We celebrated for her 2 different days. Since her brother and sister were going to be gone this weekend we had a little party for her Wednesday. We went to dinner at Red Robin, Kalysta's favorite restaurant, and then to see Igor. We then came home and she opened her presents.

Who doesn't have fun opening presents??

Then Saturday we took Kalysta to Peter Piper Pizza, oh so much fun, and she and Levi had a grand time! Afterwards we went home to have cake and ice cream and open a few more presents. We feel so blessed to have this sweet, vibrant, happy little girl in our home. James commented the other day that Kalysta ALWAYS has a smile on her face...she's always happy. As I looked through pictures of Kalysta I found that that statement was profoundly true. Kalysta is such a happy individual. She is always able to find the good and fun in life. She never fails to keep a smile on her cute little face. We love that about her! She received lots of fun stuff for her birthday. From her mom she got an American Girl Doll and lots of fun accessories with it. She also got some fun outfits that match her doll, some fun toys and an ipod. From us she got barbies, wii games, a skateboard, (and a helmet and elbow and knee pads) some games, a cupcake maker, polly pockets and a purple ipod. From her grammy and papa she got Heely's which she has only taken off for bed! From her aunt Charity, uncle Kirby and her cousins she got sidewalk paints (thanks Charity...I can't wait till Teagans birthday to repay that favor!) and money. She also got money from her great Grandma and Grandpa Quillen. Thanks to all who made this such a fun day for Kalysta. Happy Birthday sweetie!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY....TO ME!

Today is my 28th birthday...no really ask Brooklyn. Ok, so maybe she's off by a few years. But only a FEW. My birthday actually began last Friday when James and I took an opportunity to spend some time in Las Vegas. My kiddos dad was going to be there visiting family and so we took the kids there to see him. And being that we were going to be in Vegas that gave James' kids the opportunity to spend a little more time with their mom. So Saturday mornin' we dropped my kiddos off and then hit up Deseret Book to get my first Birthday Present. It's a picture of Christ walking along the shore with a little plate at the bottom that says "Walk With Me" by Greg Olsen. Love it, Love it! We then met Beck and Mike (who so graciously let us stay with them) and their awesome kids for lunch at Joe's. James has been wanting to hit The Shack for some time now but there's not one close to us.

Little Chase Man and me!

Beck, Me and Ashlee

Mike n James

Me and My Boy!

Oh Yes....Let's

Then James and I just spent some time at Beck and Mike's place, watching a little Apple TV and Pirates of the Caribbean....because one can never watch that movie too many times! James then took me to Best Buy to "look around". Then we headed over to Kona Grill and had some amazingly yummy food. (Which on a side note I'm pretty sure I left Vegas with more than souvenirs....my booty took a few for itself).

Kona Grill

Mike was kind eough to take a few pics of us outside Kona.

Yep, that there is the man of my dreams....

Better

Then we headed over to the theater to see Ghost Town. Great movie!! Hysterical and there was a dentist in it so of course we had to see it. Honestly though one of the better movies I've seen this year.

Then, we headed back over to Best Buy where James got me my second birthday present...well actually he tried and then decided he also wanted an iphone and the idiot (I'm sorry but that's the nicest word I can think of) couldn't find an Arizona calling area. So James and I went the next day to AT&T and got my awesome new phone. I LOVE that thing. It's like carrying your computer with you. There isn't much this thing can't do. If it could clean my house and cook me dinner I would need nothing else! We also had time to have breakfast with our good friend Josh! It was so good to see him...we miss you guys!!

Then, as today was my actual birthday we went to dinner at Olive Garden. All in all a fabulous birthday. I got a cute fall plate from my sister (so cute!!) and money from my mom and dad, always a good thing. And let's not forget my Happy Birthday phone call that I have received from my grandparents for as long as I can remember. My birthday wouldn't be the same without that call and them singing Happy Birthday! So a big big thanks to all who made this such a fun day(s). Oh and uh, while we were there Walker managed to accidentally push Ashlee off the monkey bars, breaking her arm in the process. (For the full account see Beck and Mike's blog) But amazingly they still love us!

Good elbow
Ashlee's elbow

Dinner at Olive Garden...
My Boy's
The Girls
The FUN never stops
Make a wish

Happy Birthday to meeeeeee ;-D

Family

I was looking at my sister's blog today and came across this picture which I think must have been taken recently. As you will notice, I am the only one not there. Although I knew moving so far away would be hard, when I saw this picture I started to tear up a little. I love my home, I love the place I am at in life, I have so much to be thankful for. But...I LOVE my family. I miss them and wish there wasn't so much distance between us. So I just want to take a minute to let you all know how much I love your beautiful faces. I was just thinking the other day as I dropped my kids off at the bus, about just how lucky I was to have had such a fun childhood. We had so much fun together and I am so grateful that my parents taught us the importance of having a close family. I can still remember my mom saying...having friends is important, but one day those friends will have their own separate lives and families. Your family is all you will have, so cherish them. I do.