Playing Catchup - January 2010

January 2: Justin & Steph's Open House: This was held at our home, which was a little stressful, but we were so pleased with how everything turned out. Since it was Christmastime, I chose to keep the Christmas theme. We had a huge turnout of friends and family to celebrate with Justin and Steph.

Emily enjoying some treats

Some of you already know that one of my favorite things was the photo tree we did. I purchased a new tree, and Caitlin helped me pick out all the new decorations, but it was Caitlin and my neice, Christianne, who did the actual tedious decorating of the tree. Pictures just don't do it justice - it really was beautiful!! I liked it so well, I will most likely keep the photo theme and put family photos on the tree for next Christmas.

We had a great turnout, and there were people everywhere, from the kitchen........

Caitlin's friends Kyle & Talise, and Caitlin

to the family room......

Rochelle Tuttle, Christianne Bennett, Becky Whittle

and up the stairs.........

Steph's sisters Jennifer & Kim, and friends

Justin and Steph

There are just too many names to mention, but thank you again to ALL of you who did so much to help make the evening so wonderful!

January: Trip to visit Grandpa and Grandma Danes

Grandpa & Grandma at our favorite restaurant in Kuna - El Gallo Giro

Playing Catch Up - December

It's been 4 months since I've made a blog post. I had to think twice about what my password was to even sign in! We've had such wonderful news happening in our family the past few months that I decided I better catch up a little and at least mention them and post a few pictures for the record.

December 19: Justin and Stephanie get married (guess I can take the ticker off the blog now) :)

Coming out of the Mesa Temple

Proof we were all there! All of our children (and spouses) were able to be there except for Jordan (in Mexico), and Andrew, and Starrie, since Starrie was due with Jocelynn about a week later.

Emily carrying the train

Groomsmen, bridesmaids, Emily, & Alyssa

The reception was held in Stephanie's home and backyard - everything was absolutely gorgeous. Her dad made homemade Mexican food (yum!). Perfect December Arizona weather (73 degrees) for a perfect day!

Cutting the cake

Emily all tired out

Congratulations to the happy couple!

Christmas 2009:

We are so blessed to live close to Bill and Karen! One night we met them in Salt Lake City, enjoyed dinner together, then went to see a gingerbread house display. There was also a nativity display and a tree display there. So pretty!

Bill and Karen at the Christmas display

I can't believe it, but this is about the only picture we took on Christmas day!!

Kathy and Emily sporting the new aprons that Caitlin made for us!!

December 28: We became grandparents again!! Beautiful Jocelynn Autumn Whittle was born to Andrew and Starrie, at 10:25 a.m. Weighing in at 7lbs 12oz, 19 inches long.

Jocelynn and her Daddy

Aunt Emily and Jocelynn

Grandpa Whittle & Jocelynn

Jocelynn's little family

We feel so blessed to live close by and be able to enjoy Jocelynn as often as we do. It's a joy to watch her grow, smiling all the time now, and starting to interact with people. I was sick for over a week and had to stay away from her and not hold her - not fun!!! Dave and I love being grandparents!

"Chillaxin" in the snow!

Sunday Dave looked outside and saw Emily just sitting in the snow, "chillaxin" with some crackers and a yogurt. Too cute!

25th Annual Gingerbread House Decorating

I was so glad that in the hustle and bustle of getting ready for Christmas and the wedding at the same time we were still able to get together and continue the tradition! In the essence of time, I compromised a little with graham cracker houses, but I don't think it compromised any of the fun. A great time was had by all. Caitlin had several of her roommates over, and for several of them and Stephanie, it was their first time decorating houses! We have loved this tradition and have so many fond memories from it. We wished Jordan, Andrew & Starrie, and Nicia & Joe could have been with us!

Surprise Breakfast

This morning Emily was ready for school a little early and didn't want me to come downstairs for quite awhile. I needed to get ready for work anyway, so I didn't mind. I could hear noises coming from the kitchen so had a little clue about what might be going on. When she was ready, she had me close my eyes, led me down the stairs and into the dining room where I opened my eyes and saw this:

On the menu:

blueberry bagel w/cream cheese; orange juice smoothy
made with orange juice & berry yogurt mixed together

She had made breakfast for me! Notice the creative "coasters" under the mugs (paper towels). It's hard to see, but she made little name cards for each of us, Mom's Place and Emily's Place, written in her version of cursive (which is actually pretty good!). Of course the inside of mine had hearts decorating it and telling me she loved me. A melt your heart moment - really special for me. After hugs and a prayer, we enjoyed our little breakfast together while reading about Helaman and his army.

Apparently, she had done the same kind thing for Dave this past Saturday while I was at my sister, Karen's. I know why she is doing this thoughtful deed - it's from years of watching her older brothers and sisters make breakfast for us on Mother's Day & Father's Day, and sometimes just because, in addition to doing lots of other thoughtful things for us on a regular basis. (I seriously have the best kids!) So thank you to her sweet siblings who have shown her such a great example!! And thank you Emily for a your love and a yummy breakfast!! Love you!

The Wicked Witch of the West

Emily wanted to be something "scary" this year for Halloween. She said she had always been something "good" and wanted to be something bad and scary this year. Dave did her makup the first night for "trunk or treat", and I did it the 2nd night for trick or treating. I was really pleased with her outfit. Got the dress and cape at DI for $4.50 and the hat at Big Lots for $3.49. Here's our own Wicked Witch of the West:

She insisted on wearing fangs part of the time

Without fangs

Pumpkin Carving

The week before Halloween we were fortunate to have most of our gang over to eat sausage potato soup and homemade crockpot applesauce, carve pumpkins and make carmel apples. Our brother-in-law, Lee Holdaway, was visiting and got to get in on the fun too. Here's everyone diligently working to get their pumpkins cleaned out.


Dave hates the feeling of the pumpkin guts - he's trying to look cheerful here as he digs in.....


At times people would get a little carried away:

Justin getting knife happy

Emily wanted to "carve" her own pumpkin like everyone else.

We let her have the knife for about 3 seconds.....

Becky and Jared even brough a pumpkin carving design book and special carving tools - serious carvers!

Some of the finished products:

Becky's pumpkin - says "Trick or Treat!"

Dave's pumpkin - the headless horseman

The night wouldn't be complete without making carmel apples:

Justin & Stephanie

We've done this a couple times before, and it's so much fun that I think we definitely need to make it a yearly tradition!