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!

Bascom Family Reunion

Just wanted to post a few pictures from the Bascom Family Reunion, August 13-15, in Santaquin Canyon, Tinney Flats campground. This is Dave's extended family on his mother's side. Justin, Emily, and Kathy were the only ones able to go from our family, since everyone else was working or out of town. The road up the canyon was closed so we had to travel around the long way, taking about an extra hour to get there. Most families tried to get there Thursday evening and ended up arriving quite late. We went up Friday morning and got there in time for a great dutch oven breakfast.

Our camp

Later in the morning, many of us took a nice hike. Kathy opted to stay dry, but Justin and Emily were with the group that hiked further up and through the water. They came back to camp pretty dirty, but had a great time. Later they had a pinata for the kids:

Emily's turn

Even Grandma Bascom took a turn!

Chase Brandner with his new hat

And Emily with her new hat....

They had a water balloon fight and a tug of war, but I missed pictures of both of those. There was a stream right near the camp that the kids did a lot of playing in. All of Emily's clothes were soaked within the first few hours we were there..........

Emily was in 7th heaven with so many cousins to play with.

The kazoo band - Emily, Aubrey Dyson, Alex Dyson, Mistee Bascom, Austin Bascom

Aubrey, Mistee, Emily

We had to bring our dog, Chipper, with us, and all the younger cousins paid TONS of attention to him. He was VERY dirty when we brought him home! (should have gotten a pic)

Friday evening we sat around the campfire playing a couple of games and then had a great fireside where we shared experiences of how the Lord had had a hand in our lives that past week. The spirit was very strong. Saturday morning Grandma & Grandpa Bascom led us in a beautiful devotional.

Grandpa talked about being on one side of the fence or the other (notice the shoe)

Then they talked about Captain Moroni and the Title of Liberty and how we want to recommit ourselves as individuals and families to do whatever is necessary to remain close as a family, to have peace and freedom and protect our families.

The Title of Liberty

We marched as a group, gathering around the flag, and sang "Onward Christian Soldiers". It was very touching.

Thank you Grandma & Grandpa Bascom for all your efforts in planning this great reunion for us! There was a lot of opposition while trying to make this reunion a reality, and we recognize the hand of the Lord in keeping us all safe and helping us to be able to come join together. Wonderful memories were made, and bonds of love strengthened. We love you!!

Grandma & Grandpa Bascom

The whole gang

July Memories

Just wanted to post a few pictures to remember, since there were lots of events all month long. Not a lot of narrative, but there are LOTS of pictures!

4th of July Freedom Parade:

Emily and Justin

It started to sprinkle, so some of the gang got really creative:

Stephanie Garrison, Justin, Caitlin, Ben Jolley

Aunt Jen, Heather, & Emily hanging out on the side line

Caitlin and Ben Jolley get engaged:

Wedding date is set for September 19th in the Manti Temple

Scottish Festival:

Emily and her good friend, Sara Hatch

Emily getting ready for the swordfight

Emily wins the battle!

Puppy Emily:

For several weeks Emily kept pretending to be a doggy. It was pretty funny to watch!

Playing dead

Breakdown on I-80:

Waiting for AAA to come tow the car

Our tire had a chunk come out of it about six miles from the nearest town in Wyoming. We limped along on the side of the road till we got to the town of Point of Rocks. The only thing in the town was the gas station/small convenience store and a few trailers. But lo and behold, there was even a post office right in the store! I was really glad I had Caitlin with me.

Point of Rocks Post Office

Kathy's sister retreat in Washington:

After dropping Emily off at Nicia's in Wyoming, I got to head for Washington state to be with my sisters for a week. I joined Karen in Salt Lake, and we met up with Annette in Twin Falls. We stopped at Mom & Dad's home for the night. Our visits to Kuna are never quite complete unless we go to our favorite Mexican restaurant in town:

Annette, Mom, Kathy, Karen, Dad

The next morning we went to pick green beans with my brother, Jim. When we came home, Dad had set the table and was fixing breakfast! We had waffles with strawberries & whipped cream, and eggs. It was awesome to see my Dad well enough to be up and around, and cooking breakfast!

We also stopped to visit my brother, Aaron before heading up to Washington. He has started a plumbing repair business, and has the most awesome looking truck. His business card says Owner/Hero on it. Really creative! Gotta love it.

Aaron's Rescue Plumbing

(notice the plunger on the right side of the truck in the dark blue star)

We traveled up to LaNita's the next day and just had a marvelous week together. All her kids were farmed out except for Allison, and none of us brought our children, so it really was a relaxed vacation for all of us. We completed some projects, sewed, watched a movie, played a game, visited, went shopping, went out to dinner, went to our favorite town, Leavinworth, and just had an awesome week! Definitely ended too soon. Thanks girls, for such a great time together! I love you all!

LaNita & Kathy painting the office

Annette, LaNita, Karen, Kathy

Trip to Wyoming to visit Nicia, Joe, & Alyssa:

We feel so fortunate to have Joe & Nicia close enough to visit easily. We spent a little over a week there and just had a great time. Thanks, guys, for a great time!

AWESOME FIREWORKS - WYOMING STYLE! (the big illegal kind) :)

GEOCACHING

GUESSTURES

LEARNING TO PLAY THE FLUTE

BOWLING!

Talise Dubois, Caitlin, Nicia

LOTS OF TICKET TO RIDE GAMES

(Dave - black, Kathy - red.....sorry Dave!)

TERRY BISON RANCH

We took a train ride that wound through the ranch. At one point, the train stopped and a whole herd of buffalo came right up to the train so we could feed them. Very cool!

Cowgirl Emily

Issy and Boo riding the train