Jenny Oaks Baker

Saturday, Brett's mom invited us and a few of Brett's brothers and their wives to go to a concert in the Assembly Hall with the Temple Hill Orchestra (from Oakland, CA) featuring Jenny Oaks Baker. All of us sisters LOVE Jenny-- yes, we're on a first name basis. We fell in love with her music after attending a Time Out for Women in Logan a few years ago. Since then we have all bought her CD's and loved them! She is not only an incredible performer, but just such a sweet, genuine, endearing person.

This was an incredible concert. The orchestra was fabulous! The music was moving and inspiring. I love a good orchestra! They were amazing!

All of the gang here-- sorry for the bad angle, Greg. Notice Brett's dad drying his tears-- Cherry told him that he would love this so much, it would bring him to tears......

We couldn't resist the urge to meet her afterwards, and she was greeting fans, so we had to meet her and tell her how great we thought she was. She was so cute and just sweet. She asked, "OK, you guys are all dressed in-style and really cute: do you think this dress is totally out of style or is it ok?" Before hand we were all gushing about her dress. We told her so. She said her dress was from 12 years ago and she worried about the sleeves. We told her we loved the dress!

Whip Cream Fight 2010

This is a day my kids look forward to the whole school year. The last day of school means a water park in our back yard/park and a whip cream fight! This year the kids LOVED their class mates so much, we invited them too, instead of those just in our neighborhood. It was a good crowd!

Before the fight starts everyone eats their sack lunch

The anticipation is killing McKay, here. This is his cute friend Mikelle from school.

The line up for the slip-n-slide tarp

Look at all those kids!

And the fight begins!

Whip cream everywhere!

Connor with a few good friends from his class after all the action, jumping on the tramp.

Kenna and Connor after it's all over! What a fun day and fun tradition!

Connor Reaches a DECADE!

Our big boy is 10! I can't believe my baby is 10!

All ready and spry to open presents!

I think Connor got 10 books for his birthday. This boy loves to read!! LOVES IT! So much so that he's getting in 'trouble' at school and home for too much reading. When the teacher starts the lecture on math, he pulls out a book, hides it on his lap and reads it while she's talking. And at night, he's resorted to using the soft glow of his nightlight for reading since we've already taken all his flashlights and nightlights away for staying up too late reading. This kids loves to read to a fault! I guess there are worse things, right?

One of Connor's favorite movies of all time: Harry Potter. You can tell how excited he was to get this!

Tiggs wanted in on the action, too!

Here are some pictures of Connor to remember the good-old-days:

Connor about 5 months old not looking super happy.......but look how cute Brett is!

Connor's first Christmas. Look at those eyes!

Connor at a friend's wedding downtown Temple Square

Connor about 18 months

Kindergarten graduation

About 4 1/2 here

6 here; the twins are 3

Yellowstone with cousin Midge and the twins 5 and 3 years old

4 years old here

After Connor's day at school, we went out to eat at his favorite restaurant, Tucci's. It's only location is in SLC so we made the drive up there. Brett and I actually decided on Connor's name at that restaurant 10 years ago. We went in and got seated, and who comes to serve us but the same waiter that has worked there for years! (We used to frequent this place quite often.) Anyway, Connor got a huge plate of Fettucini Alfredo and ate the whole thing! Afterwards we went to get yogurt at Luna Berry. It was a wonderful, special day to celebrate our first born! Connor is such a special boy and we are so blessed to have him in our family.

Race for the Cure!

Every year the Saturday before Mother's Day, my Grandma's family-- her sisters, their daughters and their daughters-- all get together for a big lunch. We do this in memory of my great-grandma, Madeline Anderson. She was an awesome woman! I don't remember much of her since she died when I was 7 and we lived in Nevada. I do have several cards she sent for my birthdays and other letters she wrote to me. Those are so special. I also remember she was always baking bread. Always! Her bread tasted so good! She was always taking it to her neighbors, too.

"Grandma-the-great", as we called her died 25 years ago of Breast Cancer. For a few years now, we've talked about doing Race for the Cure in her memory. Thanks to my Aunt Sue, we finally did it this year!

McKay and Makenna were very excited about doing the race. They wanted to walk the whole 3 miles. Makenna said, "If you can run 26 miles mom, me and Mickey can do 3." It was pretty cute. Here they are walking up to the race! They were so excited!

Kenna with her free visor and cheesy grin!

Aunt Raquel with McKay and little Ellie and Kiera off to the side

The whole gang ready to go in our cute, pink t-shirts with Grandma's picture on the back.

We met Ronald McDonald along the way. McKay was delighted!

Makenna and Sydney ran together practically the whole time! They were to good together and would run ahead and then come back-- always making sure that we could see them. It was great fun and so good to remember Grandma-the-Great!

It's true......they're 7! Yes, SEVEN!!

Who can believe the twins are seven? SEVEN????????? Seriously, I cannot. Where has the time gone? Wow!!

One of Kenna's birthday outfits. She loved the foo-fy skirt.

McKay's birthday outfit with his new hat.

Kenna's other birthday outfit. She decided to wear this one to school. Yes, black boots and all. It was her birthday, I had to let her!


The kids wanted to spend their birthday afternoon at Kids Classics. They love this place! Personally, I think it's crawling with germs and places to waste all your money on dumb prizes, but I'm sure I would have loved it when I was a kid.

Connor loading up the ultimate blaster in the new Blast Zone!

Kenna taking her turn to blow out the candles!

1st Grade Dress-up's

Insect day for 1st Grade.

McKay was a fly.

Isn't he cute? This was his own idea, too.

He's Home!

After 2 long years in Chicago, he's home!!!! The last missionary in our family has gone, served faithfully, and come home. We are so happy to have Tyler home!

Mom gets the first hug!

Joyful moment for mother and son!

Tyler with our hooligans and my mom and dad

Tyler with the best grandparents in the world!!!

Ty with all the sibs sans Rob and Brett

Welcome home, Ty!!! We are so proud of you and your accomplishment to serve a full time mission! What an example you've been to us! We can't wait to spend time with you!