Bass Pro Shop

After we left Wal-Mart for the Donny and Marie CD signing, Katelynn wanted to go to the Bass Pro Shop which is just across the street. I still had my camera with me and so snapped a few pics of her "playing" in the store.

Here she is looking at the huge fish that they have in a tank behind the elevator shaft.

A stuffed bear. (I had to crop this photo as she was showing her next weeks washing and I would hate for anyone to think she's not a lady!)

Waiting to go up the elevator.

Waiting for Granddad on the raccoon bench.

Think she takes after Granddad with her love of tents and stuff.

VROOM!!!! Look at the expression on her face!

This one was more her size.

She went from jeep to jeep. First in the passenger seat and then in the drivers seat.

Big boats are the only way to travel!

Lets change gear please.

Oh yeah, just loving it!

Think we need to listen to a bit of Donny Osmond here.

Donny and Marie CD Signing

Donny and Marie came to the Mesa Riverview Wal-Mart today to sign copies of their latest CD. I had decided to take Katelynn with me and when we got there at about 10.30am, there were TONS of people lining up to see them. We joined the line, chatted with some folks who were near us and waited patiently.

This was my first sighting of Donny...his cardboard cut-out!

YEAH BABY!!!!

Not sure what the frown on his face is for. He was probably looking at the lady in front of him and thinking, "Seriously, move on lady...Janet is waiting for me!"

Oh yeah, Marie was there too. Seriously, she looked lovely.

Too funny that there were tons of bride magazines behind Marie. She looked a very happy newlywed today.

Well, I took tons more photos, although some turned out blurrier than I would have liked. As there were so many people there, we were really rushed through with very little personal time at all. He looked lovingly at Katelynn and Marie nudged him and said "She loves you" to him. Very sweet. Toward the end, we were told that they were going to let 15 more people take a second turn and as I was close to them, I got in line again. When I reached them, Donny said to me"This is your second time around?" Swoon, he's remembered me! Marie reached out to me and we had some pleasant words, but I thought Donny seemed a little distracted. Maybe it was my presence?

Anyhoo, a lovely time for me to see them both again, especially Donny and Katelynn took one of the flyers home with her and her mommy says she has it on her bedroom door. Genetics can be wonderful at times, can't they?

Monster Trucks

A few weeks ago I was given 2 free tickets for the NAPA Auto Parts Monster Truck show at the Firebird Raceway. I just KNEW that Jordan would love this show but he had trouble finding someone else who would, and so because I hate to see a free ticket go to waste...he took his Dad! Brent was NOT interested at all and said it was a very hot day to be sat in the bleachers with no shade. Jordan, on the other hand, thought it was one of the most wonderful things he had been to and took over 70 photos plus video to remember the event by.
Here are just 3 of them!

Jannetti/Marriott Scholarship Presentation

Last month I went to the Desert Ridge Marriott hotel to be presented with a scholarship award. It was a lovely event. I was lucky enough to be one of the 9 winners from a total of about 50 applicants. I applied last year too but wasn't successful, but I still thought the essay I submitted was pretty good and submitted it again this year. It worked! I received a check for $1500 and a bonus of a 50 minute spa treatment at the Marriott which I have every intention of redeeming later on in the summer.

This is the Baywood crowd. On the left is Melissa Morrisette who also won a scholarship. Next to her is Joanna, her manager, then Kathy Werner who is the Director of Professional Practice and then it's yours truly!

Waiting to be presented with my scholarship from Anthony J. Jannetti himself.

Check in hand!

Mr. Jannetti with all 9 recipients of the scholarship awards.

Images from Easter 2011

Easter has a special meaning for me. It's a time I reflect upon the events in Jerusalem all those years ago and what my Savior did for me. It's also a time to gather as a family and that's just what we did yesterday. Having little ones means all the typical Easter fun. Having big ones means lots of food! Together they made a great combination.

Click on the collages to see what we all got up to on a lovely sunny Easter Sunday.
We did an Easter egg hunt. Thanks Heather for preparing all the eggs and to Daniel for "hiding" them.
Relaxation, splashing and lots of fun.
More of the same!
Jordan being grumpy and not wanting his picture taken. What's happening behind that towel?

Cooking marshmallows on the fire pit and some more evening splashing about.

Mad dogs and Englishmen...

...go out in the midday sun!

On the rare occasion that I go out in the sun to lounge and read my book, I always smother my self with suntan lotion and wear a big floppy hat. On Friday, I was out planting in the garden and the thought to do those same things never even crossed my mind. It wasn't THAT hot, but I knew I might get sweaty from the work so I put on my shorts and an old swimsuit top and set to work.

It wasn't until the evening that I noticed myself a little red on my back and not until the next day that I noticed a LOT of red on my back! Quel stupido!!!! This picture was taken yesterday, two days after and let me tell you...it's sore!!! I can barely stand to have lotion put on it and as for wearing a bra...well, right now, I feel liberated!!!

Summer's Coming!

You can tell that summer is on it's way when the dog needs to wear his hat.

Actually, it's his daddy's hat, but he looks way cuter in it!

Getting ready for Easter

Yesterday we took Katelynn and Christopher to my work to meet the Easter Bunny's helper and enjoy a little Easter Egg hunt. They enjoyed it, but Katelynn also liked that one of our "resident" babies was out at the nurses station and she have a good look at him. My camera batteries were dead, but we did manage to capture the moment with this Polaroid shot that we were given. A little yellow, but it's better than nothing. I'm just surprised that Polaroid's are still in existence.

Later that evening, we took Katelynn to see the Easter Pageant at the Mesa AZ LDS Temple. Christopher didn't want to go so he stayed at home with his mammy. Danielle and her family were sick and I missed not having them there. We got there early because I wanted a front row seat. Brent hates sitting near the front and every year we've been near the back, but this year, I put my foot down. We sat on the grass and had a picnic before the pageant started. The weather was perfect. We walked around the grounds, looked at the pictures of Jesus and the Christus statue in the Visitor's Center and looked at all the actors (and sheep) as they wandered around before the start of the pageant.

Olivia and Christopher showed up just before the start of the pageant but he was especially hyper and so Olivia had to walk around with him from 5 minutes into the show. I boo-booed as it was Spanish night! I got a translation device but didn't like it and relied on knowing the story and my limited Spanish. I was actually amazed at what I did know and the Spirit speaks an international language anyway. Katelynn got really upset when they were beating Jesus and when they crucified Him, but it was a happy ending, so that's all that matters in her eyes. Every now and then she would cuddle up to me and say "I love you, Grandma". What a precious spirit she has.

These are just a few of the photos I took at the pageant. Click to enlarge them.

Easter is next week and hopefully the family will gather at our home for a bite to eat and just plain old family time.