I Love to See the Temple....

This past Sunday Dan challenged the members of our ward to visit a temple of their choice and take a picture of their family in front of it. Then to go home and put that picture where their family will see it often. He then really threw down a challenge...and committed our family to it (of course!).... to visit all of the temples in Utah. A cute family in our ward sent us a picture of their family in front of a temple they went to that very day after church. The comment: "Taylor Family:1 Floyd Family: 0  You know that got Dan motivated! He wanted to go to 4 temples on Monday night but we decided to pace ourselves! Great challenge that we look forward to completing! I love to see the temple!

MORP 2012

Saturday May 5th was the MORP dance for Westlake High School. McKenna asked Gavin Schmalz and her friend McKenzie asked Taylor Davis. The theme was "Toy Story"... so they decided to think outside of the box and dress as the "Pizza Planet" delivery guys... They watched the Toy Story movies and had a ping pong championship. Courtney took these pictures.... so a big thanks to her. Not bad Torte.

 Kenna and Gavin...

 Kenzie and Taylor...

 For dinner, of course, they had pizza. We had them make their own little mini pizza's....

 Ready for the dance.... aren't they adorable?! They had so much fun!

Kenna's only negative comment when she got home.... "It was WAY different than a Stake dance! Gavin had to tell me not to turn around a couple of times because couples around us weren't coming up for air!" Thanks Gavin! Your momma has raised you to be a true gentleman! Love these kids!

"Key to Success".... Be as awesome as Kenna!

 Mckenna was recently chosen from among all the students in her school to participate in the "Keys to Success" program. You are nominated by different teachers for different reasons... good grades... attendance... dedication and attitude. She received 2 nominations and then was chosen in a random drawing to be 1 of 50 students to compete to be the finalist from her school. That finalist then competes with maybe 5 or 6 other high schools in your district to win a car!

This is Kenna waiting with the other finalists...

She didn't win... but she had a lot of fun trying! We are so proud of her and the wonderful girl that she is. It was a really exciting opportunity for her!

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!!!!