Hope of America

Today is the much anticipated "Hope of America" program that most of the 5th graders in Utah County are participating in. It is held at the Marriott Center at BYU...and for good reason...that is a LOT of parents and grandparents coming to watch!! Courtney was really excited, so I got her up extra early after Dan and I worked out so I could curl her hair. It took nearly and hour and a half...she has SO MUCH hair!!!! Here she is leaving for school...they had a dress rehearsal today so she had to wear her shirt.... And here she is at about 5:15. Notice anything different? Yeah....that would be her hair is TOTALLY straight. Not a curl in it anymore. It was raining today, and although she had an umbrella it didn't help much. In addition to that, they spent about 2 hours playing at the park. Nice! She looks adorable...thanks McKenna for flat-ironing it when she got home from school!

We had to wait for several hours for the program to start...but our seats were great and they had a "pre-show" program that was entertaining....

McKenna and I hanging out...

These were "green" jazz men playing drums... the kids loved them!

This program was fantastic. So patriotic!!! Courtney insisted that my parents come so she could sing to her grandpa. She was in the yellow shirts at the top in the middle. Thanks to the white head band with flowers on it, we could actually see her!

The color gaurd bringing in our flag....

I think this group was called "Jean's Golden Girls".... they ranged in ages 50-94. Dan leaned over and told me he was going to sign me up in a few years. Nice. If I can do the splits like the 94 year old lady did then go ahead!!!!

This was the coolest song. The kids all had flashlights and there was a disco ball too. I thought I had gotten a better picture than this. Oh well! It was amazing!!!!

Courtney and her grandma and grandpa King. She was really excited to have them there. Thanks so much for coming! I am so grateful for our country and the freedoms we enjoy. We love you Torte!

Happy "Tay-Tay" to Dan!

Yesterday we celebrated Dan's 41st birthday... or as we like to call them... "Tay-Tay's". We met him in Salt Lake at the Red Lobster. It's his favorite! We had a wonderful dinner and then headed home. When we pulled up this is what we found on our front porch.... The Ferkovich family surprised him! He was soooooo excited! When we came in the door we saw we had a message... and had another big surprise! Our dear friends Dwight and Cindy Scott had called to wish Dan a happy birthday. We hadn't talked to them in at least a year... so we called them back and had a wonderful time catching up.

Shortly after, we opened the door and found the beautiful Perry family on the front porch. I wish I would have video taped the incredible "Happy Birthday" rendition that Jeff sang to Dan! They brought him the sweetest card and a big plate of cookies. (When Kristin makes anything it is beyond delicious!)

Shortly after the that, the Blad family showed up with cookies and a card thanking Dan for being a great Bishop. They didn't even know it was his birthday...so we told them nice work on following a prompting! They have 2 precious little boys...it was so fun visiting with them too.

So many people sent Dan messages and texts... it sure made him feel special. It means so much to me to know how much he has touched the lives of those in our ward. He loves everyone so much...and it was great for him to feel that love back! Thanks to everyone!!!!!

Here are all his cards from family and friends... My parents gave him some $ to spend on whatever he wants...and his Mom and Dad gave him a gift card to Men's Warehouse. It used to be Cabelas... now he buys ties and dress shirts. How life has changed!

Happy Birthday to my sweetheart! I love you HUGE Dan!!!!!

Dan + Steph = True Love Always!

Last Tuesday, April 10th, me and my "Bestie" celebrated our 19th Anniversary! It's hard to believe we were in Hawaii a year ago...but with everything Dan has going on at work there just wasn't any way we could go any where. Next year we will go somewhere awesome for our 2oth!

We started out the morning by getting up early and working out. You heard me. We knew if we skipped it we would regret it later when we were shoving high calorie food in our pie holes. No one should feel guilty for eating on their special day! After we got ready we headed for Salt Lake because Dan had a "construction meeting" and a lunch put on by their builder "Big-D" that he just couldn't miss...

I sat in the truck and read while he had his meeting... and I noticed this fancy sign Big-D made to direct all of the subs to where the lunch was being held.

Big-D surprised me with a huge bouquet of flowers and some gifts because they felt bad that this is how I was spending my anniversary! I was totally fine with attending this lunch... but I thought that was so sweet of them! It was fun to meet everyone that Dan has been working so closely with for the last year... (Longer with some of them!)

My flowers... you can't really tell how huge this arrangement is... but it is ginormous!

They had the caterer pull right in to part of the warehouse... and the food was de-lish!

After we left the luncheon we headed to South Towne mall and bought Dan some new sunglasses. (Early birthday gift...) and then headed to our appointments at the Sanctuary Day Spa. First I got a pedicure and Dan got a "foot treatment"... apparently a lack of nail polish and a different name make it "manly". We then went in for a 90 minute couples massage. It was heavenly! That is one of our favorite things to do together!

After that we headed back to Salt Lake to go to dinner at Flemings. It was amazing!!! I hate spending that much for dinner...but it is worth it! They gave us this card with a $25 gift card for our anniversary. I thought this was hilarious!!!!! " Wine is a little like love- when the right one comes along you just know it." Durrrrrrr! Funny card to give a Bishop don't you think?!

A picture of us at dinner....

We then headed home and spent some time with the girls. It is so nice to have Kenna able to drive. We didn't feel as guilty leaving them all day (It was Spring break) because she took Courtney to the movies and to lunch. What a wonderful day with my the love of my life!!!! The truth is, it wouldn't matter what we did. As long as I am with him I am a happy girl. He the BEST husband in the whole world!!!!!

Inferno Island or Hillbilly Bay?

Monday night we decided to meet Dan for FHE at Boondocks. It was so beautiful and warm... it was a great night for some miniature golf! I think my family was a little confused... we are playing golf not going to the batting cages!And here is the huge dilemma of the evening.... Inferno Island or Hillbilly Bay? We went redneck... Courtney cracked us up all night...

My girls inside the cave...

Dan making a great shot...

This is where Courtney literally hit her ball 3 courses ahead almost "taking out" an unsuspecting family. (Who knew miniature golf was so dangerous?!) It was hilarious! The best is when she finally got her ball in the hole and looked up and said "4". WHAT?!!!! Hitting it off the course that far counted for at least a par 8 on this hole you crazy golfer!!!

The most amazing part of the whole event.... I WON!!!!! I am usually the worst golfer ever! I was so excited... I beat Dan by 2 strokes!

Then we went in and played a few games before heading home. I LOVE Skee-ball!

And a final parting shot... This was the BIGGEST claw machine game I have ever seen! Our girls love these things. We always tell them they are a waste of money... but strangely enough they usually win! McKenna is pressed up against the glass...beside herself with desire to win the "fat penguin"... too bad she didn't bring any money! (I WANNA PLAY THE CLAW!! I WANNA WIN A FAT PENGUIN!)

I love Family Night! I LOVE my family!!!!

I WANNA RIDE THE TRAIN!!!! (REPEAT AT LEAST 50 TIMES AT THE TOP OF YOUR LUNGS)

With Spring Break this week... and too much going on for Dan at work for us to go anywhere.... we decided that Monday was the perfect day for the zoo! In the parking lot on our way in the fun began! There was a little girl...probably about 4 years old... that was with her mom and one other female adult. They were so engaged in their own conversation that they were completely ignoring her. She was screaming at the top of her lungs.... "I WANNA RIDE THE TRAIN! I WANNA RIDE THE TRAIN TRAIN!" And every other possible way this phrase could possible be said. We were dying! Kenna finally says.... "Will SOMEONE PLEASE ANSWER THAT CHILD?!" They looked at us and we all started laughing. I said to her mom... "apparently your child is really excited about riding the train. You might want to start with that." It was so funny. As you can imagine, that became the catch phrase of the day for everything we wanted to do... " wanna go to the bathroom... I wanna ride the carousel... I wanna go in the gift shop....

My girls definitely measure up.... thankfully not in the freakishly long arm length...

Kenna decided to follow Courtney in to this exhibit... Its a good thing because she got lost and couldn't jump high enough for a picture. Thanks McKenna!

I WANNA RIDE THE TRAIN...

On the way home we stopped for a little frozen yogurt. I'm pretty sure I was the one yelling "I wanna stop for yogurt" all the way home from the zoo.... It was such a fun day! Great way to start Spring Break!!!

Easter Sunday 2012

This was actually Saturday night... we had to make time to color our eggs! Sunday morning we got ready for church... and I can't believe I forgot to get a picture of the girls in their new Easter dresses!!!!! Seriously some times I wonder if I am really getting THAT old!!! When we got home the girls changed too quickly while I was getting dinner started....so I still didn't get pictures of them! Maybe in a week or two I will have them wear the same dresses to church and I will take some pictures and post them... they looked beautiful!

After dinner we let them find their Easter baskets... Courtney's was in the dishwasher downstairs and McKenna's was in a cupboard above our fridge. We NEVER get in that cupboard! You know the one that takes a step stool and nearly climbing on top of the fridge to even get in to.... it was fun watching them hunt all over the house! (Dan is the BEST at hiding baskets!)

Courtney with her basket... They always get a new swimsuit, flip flops, a movie or game, etc... This year they also got scripture journals by the "Red Headed Hostess"... and a few treats...
Kenna after helping Courtney off the fridge... She enlisted the help of her little sister to get it down!!!

Kenna and her basket....

After digging through their baskets we read the Easter Story from the Bible and had Courtney do the "Easter Egg Easter Story"...

And then Dan had the perfect ending to an Easter afternoon... a nap! What a perfect day.

Of all the fish in the sea....

McKenna decided to ask her friend Gavin to the upcoming Morp dance at their school. (They will be going with a group of other couples... I can't wait to have them all over here for dinner! That means I will get to take LOTS of pictures and it won't embarass her too much!! Parents of the other kids...I promise to get pictures to you too!) I can't believe I didn't get a picture of Kenna before she asked him! We went to the party store and she picked out 15 balloons and had them put strips of paper in each one.... "Will you go to Morp with me? M C K E N N A". When we got to his house we had a random little girl take them up to the door for us so he wouldn't know who had brought them until he popped all of the balloons.

On Saturday morning McKenna opened the door to find his "answer" waiting for her! How cute is this?! A little fish bowl with "YES!" written on the bottomw with 2 goldfish and this note... She was really excited! Does Gavin know her or what?! This was the perfect way to answer her!This will be a really fun date for all of them... can't wait to see what the girls come up with. More to follow....

King Family Easter Egg Hunt 2012

On Saturday, April 7th we held our annual King Family Easter Egg Hunt. With Cheryl and Doug and their girls out in Kenosha, Tyler and Alex both working, and Greg and Angie attending a friends baptism... it was a rather small event! We had a good time and enjoyed our lunch out on the deck in the sunshine. Dan is going to really appreciate that I put this picture on here... My cute mom and McKenna...

We enjoyed "catching up" and of course our "Easter Bunnies" had to make an appearance! Dan holding Thumper...

Courtney and "Foo Foo"...

We then had the kids (Kenna, Courtney, Austin, Logan, and Matthew) go into the theater room and play "Just Dance" while we adults hid all the eggs... Luckily we have only weeded our front flower beds so far... so we had plenty of good hiding spots!

Courtney found the first of three "golden eggs"... she finds the one with $20 every year... I think everyone is starting to wonder if the whole thing is rigged! (P.S. it really isn't!!!!!)

Dan was working so hard to find his eggs... My mom came over and asked him if he was trying to get a tan. He told her he was hunting for his eggs. She laughed and told him she didn't think he would find them just laying there in the grass. At that very moment my sister-in-law Karen yells to him, "Hey Dan. Here is one of your eggs!" She threw it to him and he looked back up at my mom and said, "One." It was hilarious! A couple of minutes later...the same thing happened. "Two." Nice Dan....

With the ages of the kids here in Utah I think we should try something new next year... maybe do a "flash light Easter egg hunt"... Dan will have to work on sunburning his forehead another time!