Fun Times

Wow!! What a crazy month it has been...July 4th we had all of our kids!!! Yes all of them. I was great!!! Annikan & Mike came with their little girls (grandpas a sucker for when the say Grandpaaaa) Alexis is getting so big, Kamree is having fun with us, she really likes to ride in the old car (Thanks again Dad). And Shelby she is getting to be soo cute and fun. Amber and Kelly were here with Mckoy. Those three were down in St. George for a a few days with Amber being the JV Soccer coach, Kelly & Mckoy just enjoyed the sun and pool. Jeremy came over for Mckoys birthday party in the park and then came out to play volleyball and dinner. It was GREAT!!! Having the 3 kids home was a blast. They played volleyball while grandma tended the kids. We ate, played in the water and played and played. Then later that night Skyler & Brandon treated us to a fireworks show. Misty and Chey were there with their kids. The only down side was that Mom lost her camera somewhere (I think someone has it and just doesn't realize it. Too many diaper bags floating around here...)
So that was July 4th weekend. This past weekend Sandra and I went camping on our own. We grabbed some food and loaded the camper and away we went. We found a spot to camp on our third try and it was perfect. We just camped and enjoyed Gods country. We talked and walked, sat around and talked. It was very relaxing.
Today, Tuesday the 14th Sandra is at Girls Camp. I am loading up to go to Scout camp for 2 days. Sandra gets back late Wednesday. Then on Thursday she goes to Kylies(spelling) Wedding in Bountiful. Friday to Vernal for the Reception and Saturday return home. (Kylie I am so sorry I missed it).
The weekend of the 24th Sandra and I go camping again. This time up past Rexburg.
Time with the kids is Great, time with the Grandkids is even better, time with my wife is priceless (to steal a line)....But I love all my kids, always will and always have.
I think it is great that Amber and Kelly live here in Preston. I love having them here. I do not get to see the others often enough.
Remember to enjoy life, sometimes I forget & I'll see a picture of my mom and she reminds me to use my words and say " I love you" to those whom I do. Some will listen other won't, but I do, I love you guys. Thanks for being in my life. 12 years ago God put you in my path and since then my path has been "Glorious"...Thanks

MARRIAGE

"...the most important single thing that any Latter-day Saint ever does in this world is to marry the right person in the right place by the right authority."
--Bruce R. McConkie



"While marriage is difficult, and discordant, and frustrating, marriages are common, yet real, lasting happiness is possible, and marriage can be more and exultant ecstasy than the human mind can conceive. This is within the reach of every couple, every person."
-- Spencer W. Kimball


"The most popular--and the roughest--contact sport in the country is not professional football; it is marriage. Consider the statistics: over 90% of us try our hand at it, either ignoring the dangers or simply hoping for the best. A third of us, however, sustain so many injuries that we are willing to suffer the humiliation of divorce to get off the field. Yet the promis, the attractiveness, is so great that 80% of those divorced put themselves back into the marriage game--most of them within 3 years. Clearly the problem isnot how to make matrimony more popular; it's how to make it less hazardous."
--Carlfed Broderick


I found these quotes today on a blog and I just love them. They are so true. They really make you think especially after the wild weekend we had on the Fourth of July. I love my parents for the example they set for me in marriage. I am so sorry that it took me so long to make the right choice for my marriage. I am so proud of my girls for the choices in their eternal partners. They make me so proud. I am eternally grateful for Rob and the marriage we have now. Boy....... it took a while to get there!!!!!! This past year has made me closer to Rob than I ever thought I could be. Thanks hon..... I love you forever.

SAND DUNE WEEKEND

Sad sign of maturity

So a couple of weeks ago Rob won some tickets on the radio. He is always winning something on the radio. He won tickets to see Jay Leno in Wendover. I was thinking way cool. We can run over see the show spend the weekend and do some MAJOR GAMBLING and playing. It seriously has been 10 years since I've been to Wendover. Sometimes I get homesick for Elko. ( I miss the friendships we built there) We made reservations for Saturday night at the Peppermill for after the show. Friday morning Rob called and said lets head out early and stay in Salt Lake Friday. So we left in the afternoon and met Amber to give her Mckoy (I was babysitting on my regular Friday off) and we headed to Maddox for the best steaks ever. How could anyone ever be a vegetarian? Seriously? Red meat is so lucious!!!! I could eat it everyday. We headed to Target and shopped and went to the mall and shopped. And Rob said "leave some money for GAMBLING!" Of course. We stayed at the Crystal Inn in Salt Lake and had a nice room. We had a jacuzzi tub in our room and a large comfy King size bed. Needless to say we slept very WELL!! We got up Saturday morning and headed to Wendover. I forgot how boring that road to NOWHERE is. Oh look honey more sand. I somehow feel bad that we moved from there and my kids did not get to take their Senior pics on the Salt with Gene Russell. Anyway moving along. We got to Wendover and drove around the town to see the new changes. (Runner said it had improved?) The whole 5 miles of town was still the same! Okay some additions and remodeling on the casinos. But seriously the new gravel in the park with new swings was it. How come I dont remember Nevada looking so so so UGLY and BLAH. I forgot how it is all gravel and cement. NO LAWNS!!!!!! So we eagerly head to check into our room. But first a quick stop at the spa to get a pedicure. Go ahead Rob and gamble for a couple of hours while I get pampered. When I was done being spoiled I met Rob in the casino. BORING!!! We just lost money and the Casino STINKS. Did it always smell that bad? I went all the time and took my LITTLE CHILDREN all the time. We ate there alot. We walked through those rows and rows of tables and slots. WHAT WAS I THINKING???? I could hardly wait to get to the show to see Jay Leno so we could sit in a NON SMOKING ROOM. The show was fun. He was funny and entertaining. But afterwards I could of drove to Salt Lake and stayed at the Crystal Inn again. We did some more Gambling (Is that what they call throwing your money away) It was not even fun. Because you can not even drop quarters in anymore. You can only put in paper money and when you win there is no CLINK CLINK just a ticket that prints and you have to cash it in to get your money. BORING!!! I must be turning into a boring MOLLY MORMON where was the fun in this? What happened to me in the last ten years. Where did I go or should I say DAMN I grew up! That was the weirdest weekend ever. Loved spending some one on one with Rob. We always love our time together. Loved talking about the past and planning for the future. But dang we got OLD, RESPONSIBLE, and CHURCHY. Not needing the gambling fix anymore. Next trip we'll see the show and have fun driving BACK TO SALT LAKE and spend the night there.

Week with the GIRLS

There is nothing better than hanging out with the grandkids!
Annikan let us take Alexis and Kamree home for the week. We had so much fun with them. Of course we had to turn on the sprinklers and run through them.
Mckoy came out and played with us. The girls were so cute with him. One day Kamree had the two of them rolling on the floor just a laughing. She was good with him and would make him giggle.
One day we went to Alco and bought $1 purses and made them. They were so easy and fun. I am sure they wont last a week.
Kamree loved to pose for me. Finally I got pictures of her. Her mother never takes enough for me.
This is pajama night on the night before they left. We slept out in the trailer and had fun. Almost like camping but without the dirt. (Sorry Annikan about the nightgown,we dont watch the Simpsons. NOT US!)
One night we went to Artic Circle and played on the toys. Of course we ate all our food first.

One night we went for a ride in the back of the truck. Kamree was so facintated with this. But she does not sit without an adult we found out.
Yes mom I eat while I am with grandma. HEALTHY!!!!!!
All the cousins taking a ride in the model T. Kennedy, Alexis, Kamree, and Madison.

Madison and Kamree jumping on the tramp. The girls were jumpin every spare mintute they had. It was their favorite thing to do. I wish I would of got more photos of everything. I forgot to get one of Grandpa and Alexis 4 wheeling. Every time I would turn around looking for those two they were gone playing and hiding from Grandma. (must of thought they would have to work)

Nampa for Alexis Birthday

We went to Nampa for Alexis' 5th Birthday and of course we went to Build a Bear and got stuffed animals. Meet Flower the Puppy of Kamrees and Chloe the Lamb of Alexis'.
We took them to church with us but left them in the car while there.
Alexis posing by her poster that Annikan made. It was so cute.
Annikan had a birthday party while we were there and Mike and Rob and Kim filled up water balloons and gave to the girls to play with. Of course they eventually ended up on Grandpas head. The girls had fun getting him wet. Especially Macie.
It was a MAKEUP party with decorated faces and painted nails. Check out the pretty BRIGHT colors they have. WOW!!!

Last weekend we went to Annikans and delivered my Piano to the girls. I decided they could use it more than me. I never play anymore and I would love for them to learn on it. I cant believe I did not cry. It was the only thing I wanted out of my divorce with Shane.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!

Tommorrow Alexis Ruby Dean will be 5 years old. I cant believe how fast that has gone by. It was just yesterday that Annikan told us she was pregnant. I feel such a bond with Alexis because Annikan and Mike shared so much of the pregnancy with us. Everything from the day they found out to all the Dr Appts, pains and every movement Alexis made. The weeks prior to her birth were so exciting. The day before Alexis was born Annikan called and said she was having a few contractions. We of course raced up to Pokey and hung out all day. We were so excited we just about bought everything in sight getting ready for her birth. We wouldnt go home so we got ready for bed and just as we were falling asleep Annikan and Mike woke us up and we headed to the hospital. We were up all night long and still no baby. It wasnt until the next day she finally came. It was so cool that Mike and Annikan let us be in the delivery room and part of the birth. I took so many photos it was awesome. Thank you Mike and Annikan for sharing it all with us. We love Alexis Ruby so much she will always be very SPECIAL TO US!!! Happy Birthday ALEXIS RUBY we love you very much. Cant wait to see you later today.