The Rodeo and the Rain

Last night, we took the family to the Strawberry days Rodeo. During the day, the weather wasn't looking too promising, but thought we would try it out anyway. The first hour, the weather was great! No sun, but still warm enough and the rain was holding off. The kids were enjoying themselves watching mutton bustin, the cash cow and the milk cow. Soon after, it started to sprinkle. No big deal. We can handle a little drizzle. We all huddled together to get warm (Carter insisted on leaving his jacket in the car and McKay said he didn't have a jacket... hmmmm) and continued to watch the festivities. About 5 minutes later, it started POURING!! One of our friends sacrificed their poncho and jacket for (thanks Sterling and Kellie) so we kept dry. Gabe was LOVING it! I am not sure what he loved more, pulling the hoodie off of Kellie who was sitting in front of us and watching her get all wet (sorry Kellie) or watching the rain fall. I figured as long as we all were happy and dry, we would stay. Well, about an hour of sitting out in the rain, I was getting sick of it and Carter was getting really cold! So, we packed it up and headed for home. As soon as we pulled in the garage, yup, you guessed it, it stopped raining! Figures. It always happens. At least we got 2 hours at the rodeo, enjoyed a hamburger and of course strawberries and cream!!! It doesn't get much better than that!


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Do you see how wet we were?

Aunt Blythe and Uncle Rob

My little bro is married! These two love birds were sealed in the Timpanogos Temple a few weeks ago on May 21st. It was a beautiful day. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera with me and all I got the entire day was a picture of them just leaving the reception. They were beat! I just love these two so terribly much and I am SO excited to have a new sister!





This picture just captures how Rob feels about Blythe and is just way to precious not to post. Rob loves her to no end. I am so happy they found each other. They bring out the best in each other and I am so grateful to her for making my brother so happy. Welcome to this crazy family Blythe!

Want to know what happens when..........

Your lawn mower breaks and is in the shop for 3 weeks??



You loose your baby in the grass! Can you see him? Look close. It will be so nice to be able to get to the trampoline without having to use a slingblade! Ok, it's really not that long, but still, it will be nice to have a perfectly manicured lawn again. Oh, and in case you were wondering, our front yard looks great! Philip borrowed our neighbors mower to take care of the front. There is no way Philip would let the front lawn get like this. Just the back that nobody sees!

Your A Good Man, Charlie Brown

For the past few months, McKay has been participating in Center Stage Youth Performers. Every Spring, they put on a Broadway show. This year, they put on Your A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Man, they did such a FABULOUS job! I can hardly believe these kids are between the ages of 7-18! They are incredible! I am so proud of McKay. Every night, I cried like a baby. I was just so overwhelmingly proud of him I couldn't contain myself. I was told I was not the only mother who cried at every performance. They had 8 performances in total and by the final night, McKay was exhausted! They had to be at the Covey Center by 8:30 in the morning some days and wouldn't get home until after 10 pm! And they still had school.... (OK. truth be told, I let McKay stay home to recover and get some much needed sleep..... Philip wasn't to happy with me- like they say, Mom knows best:) The last night, they were all in tears, giving each other hugs and crying on each other's shoulders. What a sight to see. They were so sad it was all over. I spoke with the producer who told me the cast members were so close with one another. She hadn't ever had a group this close and loved each other they way this cast did. McKay made such great friends and has developed a hidden talent! That boy can act! He played Spike, one of Snoopy's siblings. You know, the one who has a mustache, lives out in the desert and decorates a cactus for Christmas? That was McKay. He also played Bruce, one of the school kids. A double roll! What a star! Tonight is a cast party and he can't wait to see all his friends again. It's going to be weird not having somewhere to be every second of every day! Life sure has slowed down since the show ended. To be honest, I really enjoyed being so busy. Mainly because McKay enjoyed it so much. I was willing to do whatever I needed to make him succeed and enjoy himself.

One night, Mrs Deaver (McKay's second grade teacher) and her husband, along with Ms Pulley, McKay's current teacher came to support him. What awesome women they are! I love them dearly and am so grateful for them and their support for McKay. It truly made his night! Also, Aunt Marcy and Spencer flew up from California to see it and Grandpa Valadez drove up from St. George. My parents had tickets to come up, but my mom injured her knee severely and had to have surgery to repair it. The doctor wouldn't let her travel. She was devastated she could be here. After all, she is the one who got him interested in plays and theater. For years (some even before I was born) my mom has produced several plays and musicals. When McKay was 3 she started taking him to plays. When he was 4, she produced Fiddler On The Roof and McKay got to go backstage!! He was thrilled. The rest is history. Ever since then, he has been fascinated about plays and theater. Mom, we know you were there in spirit and would have been here if you could. Don't worry, we have it all on tape!! Don't I just have the BEST family in the entire universe!? I love them all so very much! Thanks to everyone who came to support McKay. It truly meant a lot! Your awesome!

When all is said and done, I am so grateful McKay has found something he loves doing. As a mom, that is all I ever want for my kids. To be happy, healthy and loving life! Until the next play...........


Aunt Marcy, Spencer, Carter and McKay




A Book Report on Peter Rabbit!



Action!!







The Deaver's... Doesn't McKay have the BEST teachers.. and don't I have the best friends??!!



McKay and Dad



Mom and her boys (minus Gabe)



An amazing supportive teacher!



Spencer and Carter... best friends for LIFE!!!



The Family.... (minus Gabe)

Four Steps

Guess who took four steps today??



Yup, this 13 month old, 16 pound peanut! Hard to believe his tiny little legs can hold him up! I am not sure whether or not to be happy, sad, nervous or just plain terrified of what is to come in the next few months. Only time will tell. Good job little buddy!

A special date with Carter

Carter and I had such a fun weekend together! I have had tickets for Wicked for almost a year and I though since everyone in the family had seen it besides Carter, well, it was his turn! We had listened to the soundtrack for months and I had told him the storyline and he was ready! He was so excited (as was I!) I think this was my 7th time seeing the play ( I know, don't hate me) and it just gets better and better each and every time I see it! Well, the show surely did not disappoint. Man, I left the theater in awe of all the actors and actresses. How I would love to be able to dance and sing the way they do. All in all, it was a fabulous night. I surely enjoyed spending it with Carter. He is my little buddy and I love him dearly!!

Where did the time go?

...and what happened to my little boy?



That was then, and this is now......



WOW! Just WOW is all I have to say right now. It makes my heart hurt a little. They grow way to fast.