How the Other Half Lives...

The same evening as Kenna was at the "80's Party" Dan was given tickets to the Jazz game. When I say tickets... I mean the 3rd ROW...CENTER COURT...close enough to reach out and touch the Miller family and all of the players tickets. It is a totally different experience when you aren't looking at the "jumbo-tron" all night to see close-ups of what is going on. Along with those tickets we had dinner in the "100's Club". For this, you take a private elevator up to the top of the Delta Center and have amazing views overlooking the city. They had a lady playing the piano and really great food. It was amazing!!!! I brought Courtney's camera so I wouldn't have to pack my huge one around all night...big mistake. I got 2 pictures and the battery died!!! I was so bummed! We brought our cute friends Ricky and Lynne Benham...and had a BLAST! The entire evening we kept saying... "so THIS is how the other half lives..." We knew we had "arrived" and had to be extra-special when the tickets we were given were plastic, not paper. Fancy. Thanks to Big-D for the tickets...and to the Benhams for a fun evening! Go Jazz!

Blast from the Past... 80"s Night!

McKenna's cute friend Taylor planned a big party and dance and the theme was "The 80's". I didn't save any clothing from my teen years... so I headed to Target to see what I could find for Kenna to wear. Was this meant to be or what?! The funny thing was that one of McKenna's other cute friends, Gavin, came dressed as Ferris! Taylor's mom pointed out that Gavin was "Ferris", McKenna could be "Sloan", and Taylor could be "Cameron". Apparently, Taylor was not a fan of that idea... I guess I don't blame him. They all had a blast! When she came out dressed like this with her hair all curly I felt like I was looking in a mirror. Except my hair was MUCH bigger and had a lot more hair spray in it!

Kenna... Just so you know....you look TOTALLY RAD!

Do you know where your kids are?....

They're all at Bishop Floyd's house weeding his flower beds!!!! A week ago Saturday we decided it was definitely time to start getting our yard in order. Not long after we began several of the kids on our street came down and asked if they could help. Dan LOVES teaching kids how to help and is a VERY patient teacher. He quickly put them to work! Camilla even swept the garage! Nice work!

The funny thing was that Camilla and Eli's parents were out working in their own yard! They eventually called them home to help... but of course they were too tired! (It's always more fun to help at someone elses house!)

This is Connor and Justice...

Eli cracked us up! As he was helping he told Dan.... "You know Bishop Dan, I NEED to do service. I am 8 now... and I am a scout!" (He is getting baptized on the 14th) His mom got a kick out of that one!

At one point I think we had 7 kids helping... Here they are cleaning up the sidewalk as we finished up the front yard...

They were soooooo cute! And very proud of themselves for helping! (And playing!!!)

Courtney and Camilla with "Thumper" and "Foo-Foo"....

And where were our own girls this entire time? Kenna had planned a surprise date for Courtney before we planned a "yard work" day. She took her to breakfast, for some bowling and laser tag, and then out to lunch. What a cute big sister! (And clever way to get out of weeding!)

The Young Women's Conference 2012

Thanks to my sister-in-law Karen, McKenna and I were able to get tickets to the YW broadcast at the Conference Center. This is one of my favorite traditions... we always go and then go to dinner at The Roof. It was amazing! We loved the talks... and loved spending some time together...

I can hardly believe it... but next year Courtney will be included in our night out! How is that possible?! I love my beautiful girl! Thanks for being such an amazing young woman McKenna!

Update on the new Metro Group facility....

We had a minimal Monday a few weeks ago so the girls and I decided to go see Dan and check out the progress on the new facility. It should be done in about three weeks... and today I went and saw him for lunch and couldn't believe how much more was done... but wouldn't you know it, I forgot my camera!!! Here are the girls with their hard hats on.... I have my own hot pink hard hat...sorry no pics! A view of the building as we are driving up. They won't be able to paint the outside until it gets warmer...so they may be moved in before that can happen.

A view of the bailer... the skylights are amazing. There aren't any lights on in any of these pictures. It will be a huge $ saver when it comes to utilities...

A view inside looking towards the offices...

A view looking the other direction...

This is the elevator shaft... they have to put an elevator in based on how big the building is and the fact that the offices are two stories hight. The kids think this is awesome! I doubt it will get used much... and today when I was there they finished installing the actual elevator.

We can hardly wait for this project to be done! The "big move" is coming!!!!! Nice work Dan!

"Thumper" and "Foo Foo"

It's official... let me introduce the two newest members of the Floyd Family. This is "Thumper" and "Foo Foo". (Thumper is the grey and white... Foo Foo is the brown one) This picture was taken today so I can make invitations to our family Easter Egg Hunt. So for those of you reading this that are related... your invite is coming!

I can't believe Dan talked me into this... but as he wisely argued... "This will be one of "those" moments. You know, one of those she will remember when she is 35." And he is right. She is in LOVE with these rabbits! I have to admit... they are really cute and haven't been difficult in any way. The neighborhood kids all stop to see them everyday on their way home from school... and she even has "leashes" and takes them on walks! (Hilarious!!!) Who knew you could walk a rabbit!! Dan and Courtney built this cage... seperate "quarters" of course so we won't have any little surprises... we will move it outside under the deck as soon as it stops snowing... Courtney and Thumper...

Courtney, Thumper and Foo Foo.... they love to snuggle with her. Apparently if you hold them when they are babies they will always love it.

I can't believe I am going to say this... but I think they are adorable and I am so glad we let her get them!

February and March update....

I decided it was about time to get on here and update my blog. My last post was during a really crazy time for our whole family. With extreme gratitude I can say that both my mom and myself are doing great.

She is gaining strength everyday...and although she can't run yet...or shouldn't be!... she is walking on her treadmill almost 3 miles a day and other excercises that she can do without pain or losing her breath. It is literally just a matter of time for her body to re-absorb all of those clots and heal itself. We are so glad she is on the road to recovery!

My surgery went really well and although it was worse than expected... I am feeling better than I have in years. I had my left ovary and tube removed along with the cyst... and a LOT of endometriosis... My doctor told Dan that I had made his record book. Not really what you want to hear after surgery! He told Dan he couldn't believe I was up and functioning like a "normal person" and taking only advil. Like I said before... it was "back-ground noise" for me. I have been able to get back to working out and I am loving that!

A week after my surgery my younger sister Cheryl came out from Wisconsin to see my mom. I don't blame her. Being so far away during a family crisis is not a pleasant experience! She and her girls stayed with us for a few days and we had a blast. Although I was not up to doing a whole lot, I really had fun spending time with them. I have included some really fun pictures of my two beautiful neice's Abi (6) and Maddi (2)....

This is Maddi... or as I started calling her... Maddi Num Num's. I am not sure why, but she loved it! She kept saying "I Maddi Num Num's".... It was hilarious!
Abi was beyond thrilled to be able to have some "girl time" with her idol Courtney. What is it about an older cousin that just turns you into some kind of "groupie" when you are a kid?! They are so cute together...

I know this one is blurry, but I didn't realize it or I would have taken another one...

This was the morning they were leaving. While my sister was downstairs getting ready and packing up I got to spend a little time with the girls... Aren't they adorable?!

what is it about 2 year old girls and Mickey and Minnie? Once she found these she packed them around the house for days!

She loved looking at books... she is just like her momma!

And I saved the BEST for last... these last two pictures are of Maddi putting Courtney's panties on her head...around her legs... you name it! I was folding laundry and she got right in the middle of it! I haven't laughed that hard for a long time! I LOVE kids this age... they are hilarious!

Glad they were clean....

I sure hope they come back soon! We all fell even deeper in love with these two little angels!!!