Koo Koo for Katie!

So I was sick of Katie looking like THIS all the time- with her wonky hair, looking all drunk and homeless.

So I cut bangs on her and it has helped significantly, tho I did a mom thing and totally teared up when I cut them cuz she looked different and older and it made me think "she's growing up!"

Kiki the Princess. Sam calls her "Enchanted" when she wears this and treats her like a lady. (Which is not normal, believe me.)

And yes, Tracy, this is the outfit you bought her when she was a baby that is size 6/9 months! She is a teeny thing. Grows UP, but not OUT.
Daddy and daughter.

We went to our Rec. Center's Luau for toddlers- they did face painting and had a big blow up castle. Sam's is a starfish... can't you tell??? Katie got a butterfly to match her outfit.

This is in the castle- she's desperately trying to escape with her loot. I love that it looks like she's wearing fishnet stockings! Another way she's trying to grow up I guess.....

Random Samdom

Here's Sam: playing with Larry Boy from Grandma Sharon, hiking with his Dad, playing ball with his friend Landon, sitting with Grandma Laine, and showing his massive muscles!

Jenny and Randy's wedding

Pictures from my cousin Jenny's wedding June 6th in SLC. My mom and dad, and sister Debbie came from Indiana to be there, as well as lots of extended family from all over the place. Fun! Congrats Jenny and Randy!

My mom and her sister Lesa (Jenny's Mom)

Sisters- Jenny and Jaime

Jaime and me

Mom and Lesa, with Shane in the background looking hot

Aunt Linda & Uncle Jim above with Mindy and baby Vaughn. My sister Debbie with Uncle Richard below.
Jaime and Jeff in an attractive and happy pose! I wanna know who Jaime is looking at.

Mom and Dad's trip to Jackson

We had a great time with my mom and dad at the very end of May. We ate, we hiked, we took a boat ride, and went to a play where my dad ended up being the star.

Somehow I got zero pictures of Mom though. But here's Dad with his 'Moses stick', hiking down a mountain with his artificial knees!

Grandma Ray

My mom's mom, Grandma Donna Ray (I was named after her) passed away and we had the funeral in Salt Lake City last weekend. She was 92 and lived such a full life of love and service and sassiness. I miss her.

Grandma with my mom and dad.

I have SO MANY pictures of Grandma holding my kids. She loved and adored my children and always wanted them on her lap. And they truly loved and adored her. I always knew they must have just been able to FEEL how much Grandma loved them, because both my kids did NOT typically sit on laps. But with Grandma, they would just cuddle right into her.Mom, Grandma, me and Sam.

I love this picture of Grandma and Sam.

She couldn't really see anymore at this point, but she could see motion, and would just grab Sam as he flew by! Till the very end, she was so good at playing with my kids.


Two peaceful sleepers- Grandma and Katie.



Possibly Grandma's two favorite things in life: babies and doggies.

Grandma with her four children, holding Katie.

I'm tellin' ya. My kids just snuggled right into Grandma. It always shocked me to see them sit still for that long. She just had a way.


The funeral was really lovely. My parents and brother and sisters were here in Salt Lake and we got to spend some more time together at parks and with extended family.

This is Katie with Debbie's husband Eric- Debbie's in the background, looking all svelte.

Katie had the best time chasing seagulls around Liberty Park.

Katie and Eric, who was helping her scale trees.

Katie and my mom, eating her up.

Six months ago, my cousin Jeff came to Salt Lake from California, and Katie took such a liking to him. She let him carry her around all over the place. I think he said he had never really held a baby before, but they became immediate friends.

THIS trip, SAM decided to become best friends with Jeff, sticking by his side like glue, while Jeff's sister Jenny played with Katie on the swings.

Mother's Day

Shane's mom Elaine came from Salt Lake to be with us for Mother's Day. She came to church with us and got to be there for Katie's 1st time in nursery! She read stories to the kids and we went to the park. We are so glad she could come!

Trip to Indiana!

Me and the kids spent a few weeks in April/May with my family in Indiana and Illinois. Shane got to fly out twice to be with all of us on weekends. It was great to see family and a few friends.

Grandma Sharon makes Sam giggle!


My brother Chris and Mom in deep discussion, with Chris and Tracy's newest addition- Madilyn. Chris came with her and his 2 boys, Sydney (7) and Riley (3) who Sam had a great time with.

Madilyn was born in January- grandchild #11 for Mom and Dad!

Madilyn wants her bottle!!!

My sister's cat is putty is Dad's hands.

Debbie and Eric's youngest son Matthew- 8 years old

Courtney is 13 now!

Sam was in heaven with his cousins! We also spent some time at my sister Lorren's house with her boys Bryan (20), Brandon (11), and Ben (8). I don't know why I didn't take any pictures there, but we had lots of fun with them too!

Adam (12) was in the high school's production of "Fiddler on the Roof". It was a trip going back to my high school after 14 years and seeing their spring musical! Being in those musicals was such a huge part of my youth, so it was really fun for me to go back and be part of the audience.
Isn't Adam cute?