Happy Birthday...47

I can't mark July 30th without acknowledging the most amazing and wonderful guy in the world... in my world that would be Dan :-)

This morning, I toasted him to 50 more birthdays and he said he would prefer only 40 more--he's really not interested in reaching 97--fine by me if I'm not around!

I can honestly say I love him more each and everyday. I didn't think it was possible when were first got married but it's true. Here's to 40 more birthdays!

Playing Catch Up

Sunday, July 4th we went to the Andersens in Mapleton to celebrate Grandpa's 80th birthday with the family. I uploaded a few pictures from Facebook and they are extra small.

Julia trying on one of Aunt Jeanmarie's cute creations...but I must document that the weather was so nice and pleasant that you probably could have worn a knit hat comfortably.

The 24th of July we also spent in Mapleton with the Andersens and Howard and his boys.

We attended the small-town Mapleton parade...reminiscing about how Provo's 4th of July parade used to be like this.

Julia and Will got to hang out for a few days together...he is adorable and so easy to have around!

It's hard to believe that July is on its way out and we are looking into August... school starting, the end of late night movies, sleeping in, and lots of fun family time. Usually I'm ready for a set schedule and more of a routine, but not this year. Maybe a few more weeks of summer will change my mind.

Dedication

So, a certain child mentioned to me in passing the other day that I should blog...

about her.

I'm pretty sure she was joking, but here it goes anyway.

If I had to use one word to describe her it would be

DEDICATION.

Hannah sets her mind to something and you can consider it done.

She makes us laugh all the time...

of all our girls she reminds me the most of Dan.


If I need help in anyway, she usually jumps up first.
She keeps her bathroom and bedroom clean most of the time.

She gets up early most mornings to run and then heads to work later in the day.
Next week she gets her wisdom teeth out and we might have to film her right after because it will most likely be hilarious.

Plus, she is beautiful on the inside and outside.
We love you Hannah xoxoxo

Thank you to Emily for letting me constantly pilfer your genius photos!

Ward Youth Conference 2010

A quick report on our Ward's Youth Conference.

The youth and leaders stayed at Snow College in Ephraim.

When Dan and I realized that we couldn't share a room, we decided to get a room at this Bed and Breakfast across the street from the Manti Temple.

We lucked out... the owner was locking up for the night when we arrived and gave us the honeymoon suite. No heart-shaped bed, but a groovy pink soaker tub surrounded by mirrors.

Gratefully the bed was super comfy.

Among the many planned activities, the youth did baptisms in the temple and then completed a service project around the temple grounds.

I haven't been to the Manti Temple in years and the structure is absolutely beautiful!

We missed Hilary and Hannah who are attending Cross Country Camp!

The conference proved to be a quick trip but also a very memorable one.

"Baby I'm Amazed..."

Dan, Emily and I went to the Paul McCartney Concert last night and it was

AMAZING... worth every penny!

Dan always lightly jokes that it was Paul McCartney that led him to me...

He and his friend Matt flew to Phoenix in April of 1990 to see him in concert. A chance meeting of a mutual friend landed him a summer internship in Tempe where we met a few months later.

And as they say, the rest is history.

I'm pretty sure that every age and social demographic were represented at this concert.

Dan and I tried not to embarrass Emily with too much hand waving, swaying and singing.

I'd never seen McCartney in concert and I was in awe at this seemingly "older" guy playing instrument after instrument and singing for 2 hours and 45 minutes nonstop.

Last minute changes to our seating section put us on the stadium floor which made for even better seats. We met up with some friends from our Southern California days who are also big Beatles fans--they sat in the very front.

Our girls have listened to the Beatles since they were babies (yes, we bought a Beatles Lullaby CD they would listen to when they'd go to sleep). They know most of the songs and so when we heard he was coming to Salt Lake, we just couldn't pass up on the opportunity to at least take Emily. Having been to this concert now though, I wish we would have brought all the girls.

Perhaps this necessitates a road trip... :)

Great memories and no doubt McCartney is an incredibly talented musician and performer!

Meldrum Family Reunion

Every 3 years, my mom's side of the family hosts a reunion and this year my mom was in charge and she conveniently scheduled it down the street from me.

A random sampling of photos throughout the day...

Grandpa Clark with his grandsons---all 5 of them!

There were so many ADORABLE children at this reunion.

The oldest siblings...Grant and Virginia

We helped put these together...

We talked about them...

We tested our knowledge of them...

And we did a lot of visiting and getting acquainted better.

Grandma Clark with the granddaughters---there are way more girls than boys!

My parents, siblings and the spouses...

The Meldrums that could make it to the reunion...

We had to have Dad's rootbeer... Grandpa Meldrum made rootbeer a lot.

We even reconnected with our Scottish roots with help of a bagpiper.

It was a busy day, but a really fun day--thanks Mom!