Days of 47 Youth Parade

Our Stake participated in the this year's Days of '47 Youth Parade. Sammy had a great time dressing up in a baptism dress, waving as she walked the parade route, and enjoyed drinking from her water sprayer to stay cool.

Disneyland 2010

Sammy and I had some pretty great bonding time at Disneyland April 18-21. We flew into LAX Sunday morning, rented a car and headed straight to the park where we spent three days in a row riding rides, basking in the Disney magic and having a great time. Sammy was such a trooper opening and closing the park without a single meltdown fit. My Cousin Chaelyn went with us so she could be our Fast Pass Runner. Needless to say the only rides that we waited longer than 30 minutes were Toy Story Mania and Nemo's submarine. Everything else was a walk straight to the front of the line. I don't have a picture of it but my favorite memory was right after our first trip to Space Mountain. Sammy wanted to know how come there was oxygen in that outer space we could breathe while we were on the spaceship ride. These are the only pictures I took except for a few on my cell phone we sent to Daddy to give him the play by play. Because this trip was all about the rides, we only stopped for pictures if there was no wait. Yes we saw Mickey & Minnie in less than eight minutes combined!

Couples Retreat in the Bahamas 2010

Here's a few pictures from the Bahamas Brett and I enjoyed with Jeremy & Cami Young, and Scott & Christies Hardey. It was a great trip with fantastic friends on a beautiful island. Next time though. We'll stick with the Cruise Ship since doling out fists full of cash everytime you want to eat is not as exciting as you might think it would be.

Shaping Young Minds and Living Vicariously through our Children

As parents we strive to raise our children in righteousness, provide them opportunities for learning and growth. They are pieces of clay we are molding into well rounded sophisticated adults with unseen potential. Some parents even go so far as to live vicariously through their children and inflict our unrealized dreams into their extra curricular activities. But not me.

I took Samantha to her very first author book signing Saturday for the release of Calamity Jack by Shannon and Deal Hale with Illustrator Nathan Hale. I intended for her sponge-like mind to absorb the excitement and romantism of the book publishing world. And what better way than being entertained by the Hales.

After the presentation, while we were standing in the book signing line we had the following conversation that went something like this:

Me: Sammy don't you want to be a writer and make books like they do:

Sam: No I just want to be an inventor

Me: You can invent stories that's like being an inventor

Sam: No that's boring can I play your Ipod?

And there you have it some children refuse to be molded.

She is super creative though which is her potential I want her to reach.

Here's a piece of her latest piece of artwork. I wonder how much I can get from it if I sell it on Ebay?

The Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit

I needed a little reminder of what the season is about
Especially after this years crazzzzzzzzzzzzzzzy one.
My boss at work showed this to me so I could start my Monday off right.

Utley Christmas Party 2009

Click here to view these pictures larger

Saturday was super busy for the three of us, these pictures are only of one of three Christmas parties we attended. I didn't have an SD card for my new camera for the Breakfast with Santa at the Rogers party or the Whitehead Cousin gift exchange at my mom's (there were plenty other family members with cameras so I'll get those pics later)

These pictures are all from the Utley Family Christmas Party. Basically all of Brett's Dad's siblings and their extended families. We only see Brett's half brothers & sisters once a year so I made sure I had the proper equipment to document the occasion. Besides I didn't recognize Brett's youngest brother Randy at first so I need this pictures to help me keep track of everyone. Especially now that the younger kids are having kids themselves.

Needless to say Sunday morning came and I had the biggest Christmas hangover ever, and this is only a precurser what December 25th holds for us. Thank goodness for a loving husband who let me go home after sacrament meeting so I could take a nap.

Brett's Cousin Celebrates a New Member of the Family

This is a story about Brett's Cousin.

ksl.com - Unexpected arrival: Dad delivers baby at home

Video Courtesy of KSL.com