Hole-y Pond...There's a Bump in my Hair

Easter 2011

2011-04-25T16:48:00.003-06:00

Easter at My Parents Home. We had an egg hunt and a picnic in St. George. It was really nice. here is McKenna getting one of the eggs.

We had a lot of fun hiding the eggs.

Here is Megan. The snake was a set up. she looked at it, picked it up and put it in her bucket.

Ellyce and Samri

Kalkadan and Uncle Merritt.

The Fam.

Ellyce at the egg hunt in Washington. She had her eye on this yellow egg, and she got it!

My girls.

Carolyn took the girls over to the water park at the tabernacle. they had a great time.

Sand Hollow Marathon, Run for kids 10 k, and Salt Lake City Marathon

2011-04-25T16:36:00.004-06:00

Salt Lake City Marathon. what a great run! Great crown and great support from the family.

here I am coming into the finish line.

What an awesome metal!!!

Run For Kids 10k

Here is Mendy coming in.

Carolyn and Ellyce ran the 5k and I did the 10k. it was a very cold day.

Sand Hollow marathon in Hurricane

Spectrum 10k, Shool play, and CVHS Cheer Review

2011-04-22T13:50:00.003-06:00

Spectrum 10K, Finish line.

Ellyce was in the play at the school "School House Rock" She did great! and had such a fun time doing it.

Ellyce also performed at the Canyon View High School Cheer Review, they were very good.

Trophy #10 for Ellyce, Beaver High Drill Review, Band Concert

2011-04-14T16:54:00.002-06:00

Ellyce earned her 10th trophy this month. She was so excited.

McKenna had a band concert

And she performed at the Beaver High School Drill team review.

Lake to Lake relay

2011-04-14T16:44:00.002-06:00

Here we are at the finish line at Sand Hollow res. We had a great time with the skinners, Mendy and I on our team. Our team name was "The fast, the slow and the Pretty".

Running in to the finish Across the lake with Corey and Cevin

Cevin dumped Ice water down my back. as if I wasn't having a hard enough time catching my breat from running up hill.

Right before I started at Gunlock res.

Here we are getting ready to role

The car. We won for best decorated car. We are not fast enough to win for speed.

Blessings and Sealings.

2011-04-14T16:33:00.003-06:00

A beautiful day at the temple where Sam and Lara had their family made complete. Sam, Lara, Kalkidan, Samri, and Spencer Dema

Just coming out of the Temple

This was the day before the sealing, they were able to give the three kids their name and a blessing.

DogTown Half marathon, Dam to Dam, And Dance recital

2011-04-14T16:21:00.003-06:00

Dog-Town half marathon, was held in Washington. Here I am coming across the finsih line.

Almost there This was the Dam to Dam 10 mile run the week before the Dog town half. I had a stress fracture on my right foot just three days before. Went into Dr. Clark who taped me up and sent me to run.

We also had a dance recital this month. This is McKenna's class

here is Ellyce

McKenna again

Las Vegas Airport / St. George half marathon

2011-04-11T15:53:00.003-06:00

The end of January Sam and Lara went to Ethiopia to get thier kids and Carolyn and I went to St. George to take care of the kids there. Carolyn spent 10 days taking care of them, and I went down on the weekends to help. then we took the kids and went to the airport to pick up Sam, Lara, Kimball, and the kids there.

Her is carolyn waiting for them to come down the escalator. Spencer went with us and we really needed his help.

Here they are!!!!

Sam with Samri

Lara with Spencer Dema

Carolyn, Kalkadan, Megan, Kendall

Kendall asked why her hair was different.

Here we are back in St. George

The finish line of the St. George half marathon

This was a rough run!!!

Myself, Mendy, Monica and Cory Skinner

Christmas 2010

2011-04-11T15:05:00.004-06:00

I have not posted for a very long time. Here is the pictures for Dec.

New years eve in St. George.

Carolyn Opening gifts

Me opening gifts

Christmas morning. The girls waiting to come out to open the gifts

The girls were thrilled with thier gifts

This is my medal tree from running last year.

Santa took a dump under this tree

The Girls gifts from Santa

Ellyce all snuggled in my bed.

McKenna snoozing away

Reading the Christmas story

P.J.'s

We had the family up for our traditional Christmas eve dinner.

Santa and the ward party

2010-12-07T14:49:00.002-07:00

Santa came to our ward party again this year and yes, our kids believe... or they don't recieve. They got to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas and sit on his lap.

Okay, do I really have to tell you what Iwant? there are people watching.

Thanksgiving 2010

2010-12-07T13:58:00.002-07:00

Thanksgiving 2010

We had Thankgiving at Sam and Lara's home this year. They were in Ethiopia seeing their new kids, and we were in St. George taking care of their kids there. So fun! Here are some pictures of the gang.

Cutting the Turkey!

I give up. Too many people and not enough room in the kitchen for all the helping hands.

The food table

More food

Little cindy Lou Hou! so darling. I wish she liked me. This is Will and Jamie's little girl Katie.

Canyon View Craft Fair

2010-12-07T13:48:00.001-07:00

Every November our girls dance shchool is asked to perform at the Canyon Veiw Craft Fair. Here are a few picks of this year.

Parents Day at Dance. Nov. 2010

2010-12-07T13:39:00.002-07:00

We went to the dance studio to go to parents day. Here is Ellyce's class and they are in their Jazz costumes.

This is Ellyce's class in their Lyrical.

McKenna's Jazz outfit. She is the youngest on her performance team.

This is McKenna's Lyrical outfit. she looks so grown up.

Ellyce again.

Snow Canyon Half Marathon (my one year anniversary run)

2010-11-12T10:30:00.002-07:00

This was my one year anniversary run. My first race a year ago was the Snow Canyon Half marathon, so I had to run it again this year. Over the past year of running I have completed six half marathon's and two full marathon's. One 50 mile relay and two ragnar relay's and the red rock relay. I also have run several 10k's and several 5k's. It has been a very rewarding year. I could not have done this with out the love and support of Carolyn and the girl's. I know it has not been easy for them to share me with running. Anyway, here are some pictures of the Snow Canyon Half this year. This is the finish line.

Here I come in, didn't think it would ever happen. I really struggeled this with the second half.

Glory hal-la-ula! the finsh line.

Here is Mendy.

Kamille Garvin came down to run this too. It was her first Half Marathon. I finished in one hour 54 min. Not great, but close to me best time.

Halloween 2010

2010-11-12T10:08:00.003-07:00

This year Halloween was on Sunday, so we celebrated it on Saturday. Mckenna went as a Clown. Grandma Stucki made her costume. Ellyce went as a fairy. So Saturday afternoon we started getting ready. I painted thier faces and then we were off to the Trunk or Treat at the Stake Center.

While we were painting faces, Lynette and her kids came by.
Back to painting the face. McKenna's mouth kept getting bigger and bigger, because she was moving to see what was going on. Not that her mouth isn't big already. :)

Carolyn at the Trunk Or Treat.

McKenna and her MOM

Ellyce with her MOM too.

Then off to Grandpa Bess's. Mendy and Abby joined us as they were on thier way home from the Provo Halloween half marathon that Mendy ran.

Going up to Grandpa's door

Granpa bess spoils them.

Here they are at the front door

Then we went out to ConRoy's to see him. Then we went to a few other places and then home.

Carving Pumpkin's

2010-11-12T09:55:00.004-07:00

For Family night one night before Halloween we carved pumpkin's. We invited grandpa up and the girls dove in to the pumkin's. they did a great job as you can see.

Ellyce was so proud of hers.

So was McKenna

We love Grandpa

Grandpa and McKenna

look at that concentration!

OOOH, this is gross dad.

"Dad, will you carve it for me if I draw it on?"

Daggers from Ellyce to McKenna. I don't know what for, probably telling Mckenna not to mother her.

Las Vegas Ragnar 2010

2010-11-12T09:36:00.005-07:00

One week before the Las Vegas Ragnar I got a call from Shon Spevak inviting me to come join thier team for the Ragnar. I was thrilled to do it. So I figured out how I could do it. It was amazing. We had a great team! Part of us were the same as the Wasatch Back team. So I loaded up and we headed to Valley of Fire to the starting line.

First Day Of School

2010-11-12T09:27:00.002-07:00

I have been looking at pictures and noticed that I hadn't been keeping up on my blog. These are pictures of the first day of school. Mckenna is in Middle School (6th Grade) this year and loving it. Ellyce is in fourth grade and is really loving her teacher this year.

Here is Ellyce in her first day of school outfit. She was so excited to go to school this year.
Here is Mckenna, she is growing up so fast. I can't believe it. She has braces and it makes her look so much older.

St. George Marathon

2010-10-04T14:24:00.005-06:00

Here I am with my girls. Carolyn and the girls made this sign. it was so neat to see them at the end. what a great day!

Okay, this was an amazing experience! Went down on Friday and went to the Expo with Mendy and Tim Roberts. Later went to the Pasta Dinner with Carolyn, Mendy and Tim, and Cory, Monica, Cevan, and Suzi Skinner. The Skinners were on the Red Rock relay team with us. We then went to Mendy's to have a pre race party. Went To my parents to get things layed out for the morning. I went ot bed and just layed there until 3:00. got up and got ready to go to the buses to go up to the starting line. This is a picture of the Finish line. It was amazing.

We Loaded the buses at 4:00 am at the Park and went to the sstarting line at Central. The starting line was so cool. Flags from every state and from 11 plus countries that were represented by runners. the radio station was there announcing and there were more port-a-potties that I have ever seen in one place. So we took advantage of the potties and then layed down for a 2 hour wait. We lined up at about 6:30 and they played the national anthem. It was so neat to see so many runners on the road with thier hand over their harts. I turned around and looked back at the sea of runners behind me. what an awesome site. then we were off. The first part of the race was so good, I felt good and had a good pace. I was shooting for a sub 4 hour finish. I ended up with a 4 hour 28 min. time per their chip timing, and a 4 our 23 min. time on my Garmin. At mile 21 the cramping started and dispite all that I had done to prepare for it, nothing helped. The crowds were so wonderful and the volunteers were the best. what a great experience. this is a picture that Carolyn took as I was coming out of the Ice Massage. I was really cramping and they tried so hard to get them under control.
Here I am waiting in line for the other massage. It was great!

Here is Mendy and I at the end, what a great time we had.

Cedar Canyon Half Marathon

2010-09-20T14:37:00.006-06:00

What a fun Saturaday morning. Mendy, Tim Roberts and I rode a bus up the Canyon early Sat. Morning to run Cedar City's First Half Marathon. It was Great! I was able to beat my personal best time by 10 min. Mendy beat her time by 30 min. what an amazing day.

I ran into the young man at about mile 12 and he and I ran in together to the end.

Here we are sprinting to the finish line.

I just saw the timer and got so excited. I really didn't think that I could hit 1 hour 45 min.

Dad and Ellyce waiting for Mendy to come in. Carolyn took pictures and it was great to see them all there to support us.

Here is Tim Roberts coming in. He has been my training buddie and it has been so fun getting to know him.

Here comes Mendy. aka Wonder Woman!

What a great finsihing time for her.

Here we all are at the end. Loving life.

Red Rock Relay

2010-09-14T13:43:00.007-06:00

Here is our team at the begining of the Red Rock relay in Brian head. We started off at the top of the lift. Our first runner ran down to the bottom of the lift and then the second runner took over and ran towards Cedar Breaks. Then we went over through Mamoth and past Duck Creek and Navajo lake, then down through Cedar canyon. My first leg was from Milts down to SUU P.E. building. Then we ran over to New Castle, through Enterprise andover to Central. My second leg was from Central to Veyo. It was between 6 and 7 am. We then ran down to St. George and over the Red Hill to the Washington Rec. Center. Our team then ran through Hurricane and Laverkin and up over the hill to Zion's. My last leg was from Just outside of Rockville to the Ampha-theater just outsind the park enterance. Very Fun and very Hot our last leg.

Monica Skinner made skirts for the Women and scarfs for the Men. This is Cevin Skinner. what a kick. we had so much fun.

This is our first trade off.

This is Cory Skinner just west of Navajo lake.

Here is Cevin again

Trade off on the top of Cedar Mountain.

This is me half way to Veyo from Central. About 6:30 am Sat.

This was running under the Bridge made by the team at SUU P.E. building. Friday night. agout 9:30pm

Here is Mendy and Monica on Mendy's last leg outside of Rockville.

Here I am running through Rockville

Outside of Rockville

Here is the Finish line.

Here our team is running into the finish.

Our team: Run, Eat, Sleep, Repeat. not more pete's after this.

When we would finish a leg of our run we would mark our leg. here is all of us with our three marks on our legs. 186.2 miles of amazingly fun times. The only member of the team that I knew was my sister in-law Mendy. we met the rest at my home Fri. morning. We couldn't of hand picked a funner team. they were amazing.

Lagoon, Family Reunion, and 26.2

2010-07-27T08:29:00.005-06:00

on our way to The family reunion we met some of the family at Lagoon. We spent the day there and had a good time.

This is at the family reunion, a view from our tent back towards the gazebo and fire pit and volleyball area.

This is our home for a few days, it was so nice there in the trees.

after the marathon we went back up to the family reunion in morgan and got in the river, Ellyce wanted me to push her on her tube.

Here I am walking over to help Ellyce out of the water.

Mckenna playing in the river.

Mendy and I in the river after the marathon. It was so cold, but felt so good.

Here I am after the marathon walking up and down the street with Ellyce. You can see a float in the back ground. I finished in 4 hours and 38 min. according to thier timing, but according to my timing I did it in 4 hours and 33 min. What an amazing experience, we met some really neat people.

Here I am running in to the finish with my kids. Carolyn was there at the finish line taking pictures and cheering me on. How great is that?

Here is Mendy and I just outside the car after the run, I can't believe we really did it. She finished in 6 hours 1 min.

The finish line. there were several times I thought it would never come. what a welcome sight.

Here ELlyce and I are walking again.

4th of July, and 5th and 3rd and Birthday celebration

2010-07-16T09:43:00.006-06:00

On Monday night we had the neighbor's up for some homemade Ice cream and cookies and fireworks. We took a temporary break from ours and went out by the airport for the Cedar fireworks.

I don't think we could have cramed anything more into this weekend. On Sunday we celebrated my birthday and Kimall's

Monday the 5th of July Cedar city celebrated the 4th. The girls were in the parade with thier dance group.

Lara and the kids came to see the girls dance in the parade. We then went to the park for a little while to check out the fun there. then we went to our house to have a bar-b-que.

ON Saturday St. George had thier celebration of the 4th. We had a bar-b-que there and then went out on my parents front lawn to watch the fire works there.

50 years of fun

2010-07-16T09:17:00.003-06:00

We celebrated my parents 50th wedding anniverdary on the 26th of June. Thier actual anniversary was on the 24th. We started by going to the Temple as a family on Friday night. Then on Saturday we had a formal family dinner with Prime Rib and all the fixings. At seven we had an open house for the community. there was a big turn out and I think that Mom and Dad were very pleased. Here is David and I and Mendy and Merrit putting the plates together for hte dinner. Sam did an awesome job with the meal.

We displayed a few of Mom's quilts and crocheting and sewing and scrapbooks. We also displayed some of Dad's fishing gear and Barbershop stuff. Here is a picture of the tables. Mendy and David did the flowers and pictures and the table decor.

This was the book and entrance.

Michelle and Juli made the cake. It was beautiful.

And we had to have a 50 made of jello.

It was a great day of celebrating and I think that Mom and Dad really enjoyed themselves. The Barbershop group came and sang to them as well.

The Wasatch back

2010-06-29T13:13:00.010-06:00

What a weekend! It was the most fun. We met our part of the team in Salt Lake at Sugarhouse park. We then drove up to Liberty to have a safety meeting and for Mendy to get ready to start her first leg. In this picture you see only part of the lineup for the "Honey Buckets.

Here is Mendy and I at the safety meeting.

This is our part of the team. Me on the left,then Mendy, then Hollie Smith then James Phelps, then Shon Spevak and Tim Roberts.

Here is mendy in the middle of her first run.

Here she is cheering Tim on.

This is Tim on his first leg.

Here is James passing off to me for my first run. It was over 1600 feet up old snowbasin road.

Nice wave pretending that I am okay. I was at this point.

Here I am about three quarters of the way up. I think I am going to die.

Coming down to pass off to Shon.

Passing off to Shon.

Here Shon is climbing up his run. Looks like he is at home running up hill.

We parked next to this team van, how appropriate for me to find it, considering bite recient dog bite.

We went to Morgan High School to shower and rest and eat before our next leg.

Here Mendy is waiting to start her night leg.

I am stretching in preparation for my night leg. It was a really good run around Rockport lake. About 5.5 miles

Then Mendy started her last leg Sat. Morning after showering and resting at north summit High school. She ran through part of Heber City to Charleston.

Then she passed off to Hollie for her last run.

This is Tim half way up his run up Ragnar hill. It was an 1800 foot climb on dirt road.

He pased off to James to finish his last leg up the other half of Ragnar hill. Another huge climb. He then passed off to me to do my last leg. I ran up for a mile then I dropped 2260 feet into Park city.

Here I am running up the first mile of my last leg.

I was supposed to run 5.4 mile for my last leg and I was told it would all be on pavement, At mile three I was told to turn left onto a path that led down. it was crazy for a mile, then onto a dirt road followed by another path and another dirt road and another path through the woods. then when I thought I was just about done they informed me that I had an extra mile and a half added to my leg and that was another two dirt roads and another path. then I was able to run the last 200 yards to the exchange on pavemant to pass off to Shon.

Here we are trying to get to the finish line to run through with the rest of our team. The traffic was so bad that we didn't make it before Shon and the others ran through the finish line.

Here we are on the gondola riding up to the finish. Just before we got to the top they ran through. Very disapointing, but very fun and rewarding.

Here is the picture of the first six runners of our team at the finish with Shon. Overall, we went 190 miles from Logan to Park City. Some of it was beyond brutal, but it was a blast and can't wait to do it again next year.

Birthday week!

2010-06-08T10:53:00.004-06:00

Ellyce had three cakes this year. We had this one on Sat. after her Cousins baptism.

We had this one on Her birthday... Sunday. she wanted me to make a vanilla one

This is the one we had made at dairy queen for after the swimming party at Washington Rec. senter

Ellyce playing at the rec. center

McKenna wanted a cake made from me. I needed to practice making a vanilla/chocholate swirl for her cousins upcoming wedding. She was very specific about what colors and what it said.

McKenna wanted to go swimming at the Three fountains pool. thank you to Towa foe allowing us to go there to swim.

Family Pictures in preparation for Parents 50th

2010-06-08T10:30:00.006-06:00

Wew met down at the Temple grounds for most of the pictures. Ellyce had a hard time giving a real smile.

I just love this picture of my beautiful wife.

Here we are with my Grandma, she will turn 99 in August.

Here we are just my siblings.

This one is with our spouses.

Here is the whole gang minus Breadon who is in the mission field

this one is with the grandkids

I like how this one turned out, it was Lara's Idea.

This is up by the Tabernacle

Here are my girls.

playing in the water

I like the way this one turned out too

I really like this one. it was Carolyn's idea

The MidNight Run

2010-06-08T10:17:00.002-06:00

We went to St. George to run the midnight run down at South gate Golf Course. It was a difficult run for some reason. Mendy and I were able to talk Carolyn into walking and Spencer and David into Running the 5k. We all did well. I was so impressed with David. He claims to not like it, yet he finished in 28 min. Not bad for his first 5k and for being so old.

McKenna to pictures, she was so upset that she didn't get one as I came in. I put in my personal record for a 5k. Did it in 24 min. I was so excited. I came in forth in my division and 38th overall, out of close to 500.

Here is Mendy comming into the finish.

Carolyn had a rough one. she walked it an close to the end she fell and really banged herself up pretty good. I am so proud of her at least trying.

End of Year Recital

2010-06-08T09:47:00.003-06:00

We just had our end of year recital a few weeks ago. The girls did really well. As you can tell they loved the flowers at the end, well at least Ellce did. It was held at Cedar High School this year.

here is McKenna with her flowers at the end.
Mckenna is so good at her splits, she hopes to be able to move up to the performance team #2 this fall.

Ellyce has so much fun when it comes to performing. She really is a ham.

This is my favorite costume that McKenna had this year.

This was McKenna's hip hop routine. I think she really loved it.

McKenna started the night with her Solo routine. She forgot her gloves and her leg warmers. She did really well though.

We Ran the "Hell Hole"

2010-05-10T11:03:00.004-06:00

Saturday we went to Wasington to run the "Hell Hole" as they call it. It was named correctly. It started across the intersection of Washington Parkway and Telegraph road. Carolyn and Kimball and Abby ran/walked the 5k and Mendy and I ran the 10k. Carolyn took 2nd in her catagory and Mendy took 1st in hers. Abby took 2nd in hers and I took 1st in the costume competition.

here comes abby, my neice, she is becoming quit the little runner.

Here is Kimball, my Nephew, this was his first race. I was a little worried that he wouldn't like it, but he did. we are all going to do the upcomming midnight run in as couple of weeks.

Here is my Angel wife. I am so proud of her.

Here comes the maniac runner Mendy. She ran all the hills!

Here we all are after the race waiting for the awards.

Right before the awards.

Weekend at Provo

2010-05-02T19:42:00.005-06:00

This past weekend we went to Provo to attend a dance competition. Friday night McKenna competed in a solo competition and she did very well. She placed as First attendant. She missed Queen by half a point. There were three judges and two of them ranked her Queen, but the third judge ranked her as first attendant. the points were totaled and she came in as first attendant. She is our queen, and she danced amazing. Saturday morning I found the Provo city half marathon to run in, so at 8:00 I was running to Utah Lake and back to center street and University Ave. It was raining and snowing and hailing and sleeting on me the whole run, but I beat my personal record by 7 min. according to me Garmin. I finished in one hour 55 minutes. I was thrilled. Saturday afternoon we went back to Provo Hight so that the girls could compete with their classes. McKenna's class took to first place and one third. Ellyce's class took two second place rankings.

Here McKenna is in here lyrical number.

This is Ellyce in her Lyrical number

This is McKenna in her Jazz number, can't leave the nose alone. They still took first place for this number.

This is Ellyce's Jazz number

Waiting patiently to go on stage.

This was McKenna's Hip Hop routine.

Here I am coming in to the finish line.

Soaked to the bone. then I Got so cold that I was shivering for three hours. Couldn't wait to get to the hot tub at the hotel.

Back to McKennas Hip Hop

Taking the timing chip off.

Here are pics of McKenna's solo. this was her stall

Splits with a grin.

Here she is getting her award.

Waiting with bells on.

Hurrican Half Marathon

2010-04-26T13:31:00.004-06:00

My sister Michele took pictures of this race because my girls were in paraowan.

This past Saturday I went to Hurricane and ran their half marathon. It was great! I finished in 2 hours 2 minutes. My neighbor and I were trying to beat the 2 hour mark, but just barely missed it. It didn't help that the course was .15 of a mile too long. Either way I was able to set a personal record, so I shouldn't complain. The girls and Carolyn were at Parowan at a dance competition, so there are no pictures. Michelle and her boys were there and they took pictures and i will post them when I get them. Mendy also ran the half and she also set a personal record of 2 hour 47 minutes. what a fun run. There was a killer hill at mile marker 5 to 6, but we survived. pictures to come later.

primary activity day

2010-04-26T13:07:00.002-06:00

Sat the weekend before last the Girls went with their Mom and the Primary achievement girls to the St. George Temple. They had a great time. Sister Fielding had lined up the activity and they had someone come and tell them all about the temple. Then they took pictures and watched a movie in the visitors center.

Here are the girls with McKenna's friend Melissa on the steps

Here are my girls.

My Ellyce

Dance Competition: Parowan

2010-04-26T12:55:00.002-06:00

We spent Friday and Saturday in Parowan for the girls dance competition. Mckenna danced her solo on Friday night and then she danced with her team on saturday and performed three dances. Ellyce also danced on Saturday with her team and performed two dances. Ellyce's team won superior ratings on both dances and McKenna's group also recieved superior ratings for her three dances. They ended the day by having the dance company win overall best dance company there. the girls were thrilled.

This is McKenna's Lyrical dance.
Here McKenna is performing her Solo routine.

She won third runner up with her solo. Not bad for it being her first competition.

Run 4 Kids

2010-04-15T16:17:00.002-06:00

We went down to Coral Canyon this last weekend and ran the Run 4 Kids 1K, 5K, 10K. Mendy and I ran the 10K and Carolyn and Abby ran the 5K and Maddie ran the 1K.

It was a little warm. I finished 31 over all and 4th in my division.

Carolyn Met and walked with this Grandmother.

Mendy ran the 10k, here she is coming in to the finish.

Here we all are after the race.

Easter 2010

2010-04-15T15:47:00.006-06:00

We spent Easter this year in St. George. We went to the Egg hunt at the park just down the street from my parents home then we came to my parents home and had a egg hunt of our own for the grandkids.

Family pic

Counting their eggs.

The Hunt is on

Hunting at the park

The Easter Bunny was their to pass out candy as well.

Friday night we went to my parents home and colored eggs with Julianna's kids and Will and Jamie's.

Evil look on her face.

her concentration scares me

We went to Sam and Lara's to color with them earlier on Friday.

Check out her hands?

The only time she was quiet.

SUU Safety Fair

2010-04-15T15:28:00.004-06:00

The Girls were asked to perform at the Southern Utah University Safety Fair. Mckenna was asked to perform her solo routine and she was a little stressed because she hadn't practiced it in a while. She did well, and so did Ellyce.

Little miss light on her feet
OUCH!!!

Isn't she so cute?

Such a poser

OUCH again!

I would break in half if I tried this.

Here McKenna is doing her solo.

Look at the air she gets on this.

A final OUCH!

My neck would hurt for a week after this.

The Principal and the Pea

2010-03-24T09:22:00.002-06:00

Ellyce was in her school play. She worked so hard to get in it and to learn her part. She was so cute and had a great time. It was called "the Principal and the pea". this is a picture of her and her mentor. It was so nice of her to come, I think it was more important that she come than Carolyn and I.

McKenna did her hair for her and it turned out so cute. Glory hallalooya (SP?) I didn't have to do it!

Spectrum 10K

2010-03-24T09:12:00.002-06:00

Last Saturday was the Spectrum 10K. It was from Snow Canyon to Ivins park. Carolyn didn't get the camera turned on when I came across the finish line, so she had me run in front of my Parents home so that she could take a picture.

She also took a picture of me in front of the finish line. So lame. Anyway, the run was fun and I was able to do it in a 8:46 min. mile. I felt pretty good about that. I reduced my pace by 1 min. since January.

Mendy also ran the 10K. She did awesome! She has reduced her mile pace to just under 11 min. in January when we ran the half marathon her pace was a 14 min. mile.

Lake to Lake 50 mile team Relay.

2010-03-08T09:55:00.005-07:00

Saturday, march 6th, Mendy and I got together a team to run the lake to lake 50 mile team relay. It was amazing. Our team consisted of Mendy, Myself, Tim Roberts (my neighbor), Kemille (From Salt Lake), Jaimie (Kemille's Friend from St. George). We started out at Gunlock resivoir and ran to Sand Hallow Resivoir.

This is the first hand of from Jaime to Tim. Two miles into Tim's run, his back froze up and he landed on the pavement. Lucky for us Kemille's cousin Sean had come and was able to fill in for Tim.

Here is kemille handing off to Sean.

Mendy did legs 5 and 6 consecutively. She did awesome!

Then it went to Jaime, He left after his run to go to a family baptism.

Then to Kemille for leg #8

I then did the last two legs. It was brutal! Up hill on dirt/sand roads and the wind was blowing sand directly at me.

Here we are at the end. what a fun / challenging run. Can't wait for next year.

Southern Utah Performing Arts festival

2010-03-08T09:27:00.003-07:00

Last weekend we took the girls to St. George to perform at the Southern Utah Performing Arts Festival. They both performed with the team and were judged for thier dance. It was done to help them prepare for the upcoming competitions. Here is Ellyce with her class.

Then McKenna performed with her class. OUCH!!look at those splits.

McKenna was also asked to perform a solo. This is her first time performing it and she did so well. She scored an excellent. My Mom made her costume and it was so perfect for the song. She Danced to the song, "Head Strong".

The St. George half marathon

2010-01-28T10:17:00.005-07:00

Okay, I think I have totally lost it. Another Half marathon? Actually it was great! Mendy ran it too. what a great experience. I shaved 8 minutes off of my time from the last one. There is a 50 miler coming up in march. It is a team relay, "Lake to Lake" should be fun too.

A little pain on my face?

Mendy did great!

OH, how sweat! It was so nice to see this.

here is a link to some more pics: http://www.zazoosh.com/events/searchPhotos/258?query=3918&keyword_1=
if you want to see some of mendy type in her # 3917.

Christmas

2010-01-28T09:59:00.004-07:00

It has been a while since I have added anything to this. Sorry. These are some pics from Christmas. The first one is of me opening a Runners survival kit that was given to me from Mendy. it was so fun.

We got a work out video to do as a family. it is a killer.

Such a grateful child. she was so thrilled, can you tell.

wakee, wakee.

Here they come.

Santa left great stuff in the stockings

The village

Look at those gifts.

Ethan run

2010-01-28T09:40:00.002-07:00

The first part of December Mendy, Carolyn and myself ran a 5k for this 6 year old little boy that is battling cancer. It was so fun and it was such a rewarding experience to do this. It was Carolyn's first run and Mendy's second.

Snow Canyon Half Marathon...AM I CRAZY???

2009-11-10T11:25:00.003-07:00

this is our nephew Ben and his Daughter Annie. Aren't they cute. She was so delighted ot see her Daddy after the race, and he was so tired.

Here I am after the 13 mile run, I can't believe it, who would have thought that I would have been doing this a year ago? NOT ME! the weather was beautiful.

The best part of this was the complimentary message, I asked are you sure that was 5 minutes? I think it was 30 seconds. It was not nearly long enough.

This is Ben's wife Kim. She looked and acted like she had just done a short walk. not fair! I wanted to die.

Here comes Ben. we were all starting to get worried about him.

Halloween

2009-11-10T11:00:00.004-07:00

I know it has been a long time since I have put a new blog on this site. Shame on me. This was Halloween Mckenna decided at the last minute to be a witch. So we went to Smith's to find a costume. It was too short and cold looking so I stayed up late making her some warm pants to wear under her dress. Ellyce was a poodle girl and Carolyn had fun making her skirt.

How does Your garden grow?

2009-07-29T12:33:00.002-06:00

Here is my garden, it has really taken off. The beats are just about ready to pick and bottle.

Temple open house

2009-07-29T10:52:00.003-06:00

We reciently went to a family reunion up at Morgan Utah. On the way there we stopped at the Ocre Mountain Temple to go through the open house. It was great. The Girls really enjoyed it, the temple has been a source of many questions for them and for them to get to see it was good. It answered alot of questions for them.

Here is Ellyce posing for her pic in front of the temple
Then McKenna posed for hers

The whole family

Here we are again. Think the sun was a little bright?

Heres the girls.

While we were there at the reception tent we ran into Brandon Spevak and his wife. They were there as the Coordinators of the reception tent. It was fun to get to see them and visit with them.

4th of July

2009-07-08T15:46:00.005-06:00

We had an eventful day on the 4th. We started the day off by going down t the church for breakfast in the parking lot that the Young Women and Young men were putting on. then to the Parade so that McKenna and Ellyce could march in the parade. They really injoy it. Then to the park for visits and booths for the kids. We then went to St. George for a bar-b-que and fireworks show. Here is McKenna, she is growing up too fast.

Ellyce doing the pom pom thing.

While we were in St. George we took the girls to the new water park on main street for some cooling off. They needed it!

Then it was time for the fireworks. My parents live right in the middle of town around the corner from the Sun Bowl where they light off the foreworks and just down from the Red Hill where they light of the other half. A perfect view to both from thier front lawn.

This is my favorite pic of them.

This is my Mom and I watching the kids light fireworks.

The Garden and back Yard

2009-06-19T13:58:00.004-06:00

Okay, so here are some pics of the back yard and the Garden. This has been the strangest year as far as the weather goes. My poor garden is slowly growing, I mean slowly! My poor Zuchinni won't even come out of the ground. The Water mellon plant died. We need to have grave side services for it. The Cucumbers haven't grown since I put them in the ground too. And last of all the peppers are dying too. Hopefully it will warm up and decide to be summer. I spent several hours the week before Ellyce's baptism trying once again to fix the pond. It still has a hole in it, it's just down one foot instead of three feet as it was last year. I guess I should be thankful for that. I think it turned out really nice. Maybe I will tackle it this weekend again to see it I can get it fixed right. Wish me luck.

Utah Summer Games Opening Night

2009-06-19T13:17:00.003-06:00

Last Thursday we went to the opening ceremonies of the Summer Games. Both Girls DAnce Teams were invited to dance in the pre-show. They both did very well. Here are some picks.

What a Week!!!!

2009-06-09T12:12:00.006-06:00

The week started out with McKenna's birthday party on Monday June 1st. We had several girls over for Nail painting and a movie with popcorn. Then presents and cake. Then On Friday we had Ellyce's birthday party. Her Birthday was on Saturday, but because of the Baptism we held her friend party on Friday. We had planned to go to the pool at Three Fountains but the weather would not cooperate so we had them at the House. They painted ceramic figures and then we painted nails. We made homemade pizza then had a pinatta followed by presents then gifts. Staurday was Ellyce's baptism. It was so nice. afterwards we had a dinner at the house. About 50 family and friends came. Ellyce wanted to have babyback ribs. So, we had baby back ribs and short ribs and various salads and desserts. It was great! Ellyce wanted Mexican wedding cookies and Almond butter chocolate chip cookies and cream puffs and Key lime cheese cake. So thats what we made. Whew!!!!

Grandpa Bess, We love him!
Grandma Great! will be 98 in Aug.

Grandma and Grandpa Stucki, So fun to have them here!

One of Carolyn's friends from Minnasota sent this flower cake to Ellyce, So we sang to her and she blew out the candle. She was so thrilled.

At the baptism, She looked up and was so excited, she could hardly wait.

More pictures of the dinner. We had originally planned to have it in the back yard, but the wind was strong and cold, so we had it in the garrage.

Her is a picture of the men in the circle for the confirmation.

Just us! dosen't she look cute?

All in white, look at her hands, do you think she is excited.

The newest member of our ward.

Birthday pics

those that came.

The girls got Wii for their birthday. They are so excited.

Mckenna's Birthday!

Carolyn and Kim, Ben's wife, our Nephew

Proofs are in

2009-05-13T15:56:00.001-06:00

If you are interested in viewing our family proofs, e-mail me at bstucki@utah.gov and I will send you the login and password to view them. Here is the link http://tiffanydphotographyproofs.blogspot.com/ You have to be invited to view them.

Family Pictures

2009-04-29T11:05:00.001-06:00

Well, the sneak peak of the family pictures are on the blog page of the photographer. Check them out. they turned out great. can't wait to see the rest of the proofs. http://photographybytiffanyd.blogspot.com/

Family pictures

2009-04-21T13:26:00.003-06:00

We are going to have Family pictures taken this Wednesday. I am very excited. Here is the link to her blogpage. http://photographybytiffanyd.blogspot.com/ She is very good. I will post some of them after I get a copy. The photo shoot went really well. She is amazing and very patient. Check out her blog and see the deal she is offering.

Easter 2009

2009-04-20T12:44:00.004-06:00

Easter weekend, Friday night we colore eggs at my mom's house. The girls had so much fun.

Then we went to Ivin's for the annual egg hunt there. It was raining and very cold and you can see on Ellyce's face. The kids got alot of eggs, but the rain kind of made it not so fun.

Here is a pic of the rewards.

Then we went to my Mom's for our usual picnic and egg hunt there. It was still raining when we had our picnic, but then it warmed up and we were able to have the egg hunt outside. My siblings and I get plastic eggs and fill them and count them and divide by how many kids there are and then hide them.

we then had family pics. So fun as you can tell.

Easter Sunday pics after church.

More Dance

2009-02-20T14:19:00.003-07:00

Last night we went to St. George to have the girls perform at the Southern Utah performing arts Festival. They both did so well and had a great time doing it. It was a little hard doing it on a school night, but they were able to get up this morning and get to school on time. I only worry about tonight after school. I fear they will be so honory and whinny that I may have to leave the house. or drug them.

This is a fork...A what?

2009-02-20T14:06:00.004-07:00

Elders party/Social. Feb13, 2009. What a great time!

THIS IS A SPOON! Friday the 13th was our Elder's quorum social. It was a game night. I feel really bad that I didn't get the camera out until after most of them had left. We had a great time! This was a great game, we laughed so hard.

The Rigby's were so funny, we saw a side of them that we haven't seen before.

Grandparent's Day

2009-02-20T13:59:00.002-07:00

On Feb. 13, Ellyce's class had Grandparent's Day at the school. Ellyce took two plates of sugar cookies that she helped make. They had made invitations for the kids to take to thier Grandparent's and then they had a program where they sang to them and then gave them refreshments afterwards.

They played the Uks and sang to them as well. Mrs. Haight is truley amazing.

Here we are after the program.

It was so much fun to see what the class has been doing all year. the kids all drew pictures of thier Grandparents and made cards for them as well.

Ashley Turns 50

2009-02-20T13:55:00.002-07:00

My Brother-in-law turned 50 on the 11th of Feb. My sister Michelle arranged to have a surprise party for him at the Firehouse in Hurricane. There were about 70 people there. I was asked to make a black carrott cake for the festivities. lots of fun.

Dancing at the SUU Women's game

2009-02-20T13:49:00.003-07:00

Mckenna danced at the SUU womens basketball half time. She is in an older performance team this year. She loves to dance. Grandpa Bess went with us to watch her. Ellyce was all whinny until she caught a cup that the Cheerleaders threw out from Dairy Queen. She was thrilled, and we of course took her to get it filled after McKenna danced.

2nd grade program

2009-02-20T13:38:00.003-07:00

A few weeks ago the second grade at Ellyce's school had a program. Ellyce was so excited to have us came and here her sing. this is her teacher Mrs. Haight.

This is McKenna sitting in the audience with her class.

Here is the whole 2nd grade.

Mrs. Haight again. she is the best!

Here is Ellyce sitting with her best friend, selene Roundy.

update

2009-02-02T09:02:00.003-07:00

Sorry, no pictures this post. Just wanted to update you all on the Diet. Both Carolyn and I are really thrilled that we are still losing. Just wanted to brag a little. I have lost 70 pounds as of yesterday. I have dropped below the dreaded 200 mark. Carolyn is now wearing a size small in most tops and is wearing a size 10. She has lost 67 pounds! So great!!!. We have encouraged my sister to start and she has lost 20 pounds in two and a half weeks. Way to go Michelle!

last weekend

2009-01-21T10:08:00.006-07:00

This past weekend we went to Alpine for the Open House of Nick and Ellysa. They were married on Dec. 27th in Texas. Nick is Carolyn's Nephew. I was asked to make the cakes. I made 7 of them and froze them and took them to the hotel to frost and decorate. On Saturday morning while I was frosting the cakes, Dad and Carolyn took the girls over to the Dinosaur museum at Thanksgiving point. We stayed at the Marriot next door. McKenna and Ellyce were able to make some things with plaster.

Grandpa was there to help. What a great Grandpa he is. I don't know what we would do without him!

This is at the open House. It was held at a Cousin of the Bride's father's home in Alpine. It was a beautiful home.

Here is Nick and Ellysa with the girls. They came to Cedar in the summer with another couple and played with the girls on the back lawn. The Girls had a great time. They even had Nick trying to do a back bend.

Here is a picture of the cakes that were displayed. I made four other cakes that they could cut and serve. the Carrott cakes went first. they were all gone by 6:00. so they cut into these.

Here I am trying to get them finished before the guests arrived.

Nick and Grandpa.

It was sure nice to go but it was even better to get home!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-08T12:14:00.005-07:00

For New Years we went to My Mom's house and spent the weekend. We played games and ate junk food. Shame on us. Carolyn ended up gaining back 7 pounds and I gained back 10. We then came home and got back on the diet wagon and lost what we had put on plus each of us has lost an additional pound. So Carolyn is at 58 pounds and I am at 56 pounds.

Here is a picture of Will and Jamie on new years outside during the fireworks.

Here is Michelle passing out fireworks.

Carolyn and the back side of Clairissa

Here is part of the family out watching the fireworks put on by the city.

Carolyn and the girls

Here I am with the girls. it was so cold! but it was colder in Cedar.

When I was growing up my parents had a tradition that on New Years night the New Years Fairy would come and leave a bowl of nuts on the table with change in it. She would also bring a toy or what ever. My parents used it to give the gifts that they had missplaced for Christmas and couldn't find on Christmas eve. Anyway, here is what we got from the New years Fairy. Carolyn and I gave each other a necklace and a ring that we had given each other another time and that the girls hadn't seen. The girls got books and a doll for Ellyce of TinkerBell. Loads of fun.

Cleola turns 50

2009-01-08T11:59:00.003-07:00

On Dec. 30th we went to St. George for a surprise party for Cleola. Kim, our cute niece put together a surprise party for her 50th birthday. It was so fun. Cleola is my sister in-law. She is always doing for others and it was fun to see her get surprised. Cleola is the Relief society president in her ward and they had the bishop call her to his office on her birthday to discuss some of the things in the ward. She said that it was her birthday and wanted to know if she could come another night. The Bishop told her that he really needed to talk to her. Once she was there they talked about a few things and then the Bishop brought her down to the Relief Society room to look for a place to hang another picture. We were all there waiting to surprise her. It was great! She had no clue that we were there. I was asked to bring a cake for 50 people. So I made a carrott cake and frosted it with black frosting. I took some dead roses and spray painted them black and put them and some black ribbon on the cake.

This first picture is of Charlie, her husband watching for her to come around the corner so he could alert us all of her coming.

This is some of the family setting up the dinner table.
Here is Cleola, cutting the cake.

This is when she first came in the room.

Here is the cake. Have you ever tried to make black frosting? I hadn't before. What a challenge. Needless to say I was worried that it would turn everyones mouth black or purple, but it didn't.

Happy birthday Cleola.

Christmas Morning

2008-12-29T11:29:00.005-07:00

Santa came and ate his cookie and drank his juice. He read the letters from the girls and went straight to work. Filling the stockings and dumping out his bag of gifts.

The girls Uncle Sam made them each a doll house bookcase. I painted them so that they would be ready for Christmas morning. The girls were thrilled. Mckenna got a New Bike and a paint set and Ellyce got a camera and a doll from Santa.

The girls woke up at 7:00 am and had to wait until 7:45 for grandpa. At about 8:00 Uncle Randy and Jake came to watch them open thier gifts.

Carolyn got her Chocolate Pearls. She was so excited.

Byron got clothes. All and all, it was a fun day. Later Uncle JB and aunt Karen came to Dads and we went down to see them. Then we went to St. George to see my family.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-29T11:18:00.004-07:00

Christmas Eve. We always open up Pajama's.

Here are McKenna's slippers

Ellyce loved her TinkerBell Slippers

High School Musical and TinkerBell Pajama's were a hit

Every Christmas Eve we have a dinner and invite family that can come. we have prime rib and lots of good food. we had 23 this year.

Grandma Great! came and enjoyed her meal. It is always so much fun to have her here at our home. Hard to believe that she is 97.

Mom and Dad

Keith and Randy

Here is a pic of all of us.

Piano Recital

2008-12-29T11:10:00.002-07:00

McKenna and her Teacher Kendall after the recital. McKenna played Jingle Bells

Here they are playing a duet

As if we didn't have enough going on the Sat. before Christmas.

Christmas Dance recital and Family pics.

2008-12-18T10:59:00.008-07:00

Last night our girls performed in thier first Christmas recital. The Dance group has not done a recital at Christmas before. They did so well. After the recital Carolyn and I decided that since thier hair already done that we would try and get our family pics done too. I think that they turned out good. Carolyn has now lost 57 pounds and I have lost 55. Hard to believe how over weight we were. What difference! Anyways here's our pics

My mom made the dresses again this year. I think that they get better every year. I don't know what we would do without her. We are so lucky to have her.

This is before the dance recital. Thay had all of the parents bring a wrapped gift to the recital to donate to a needy family this year and they used them as the decorations at the recital. What a great idea. If you knew of a needy family, you were invited to come up and pics some of them out and take them to the family that was in need.

All Decked Out

2008-12-18T10:35:00.006-07:00

We finally finished our decorating for the holidays. I didn't think it would actually happen before time to take it all down. I think it turned out great!

This is the family room

another view in the family room

Family room again

this is the entry, it is our Santa Collection

The living room tree. We have the lenox collectables and glass ornaments on this tree.

In the living room we have put ourcollection of nativities.

This is above the sink in the kitchen. We made these the year we were selling them to raise money to do invetro-fertilization to get McKenna and Ellyce. I we made so many Santa's that we thought we were going to throw up Santa's for the rest of our lives.