Drapers (from my blog)

With the passing of Darren's grandpa we had the opportunity to spend some time with the Drapers.

In hearing people speak of Grandpa Denny, I was reminded of what an incredible man he was and what a faithful life he led.  He was an amazing example of enduring to the end.  I feel very blessed having known grandpa before his Parkinson's got too bad.  (One of the few Draper spouses that had that privilege.)  I enjoyed visiting him - talking backgammon and fishing strategy, but mostly watching Darren and him interact.  He was a man of integrity and I can only hope to hear a fraction of the attributes awarded him at my funeral.


During this time I was reminded of his legacy in his family.  I am so grateful to be a Draper and have a strong, wide family circle.  I'm thankful to know these people and call them family.  We snapped this shot at the cemetery:

Emily - A go getter who is always laughing.  She can handle anything that comes her way.
Becca - Another one that gets things done.  Anything her hands touch turns sparkling clean.
Heather - She's the peacemaker - the one who nevers gets upset or offended and can be a mediator.  She has such a positive outlook on everything and brings a great point of view to the table.
Cole - The most generous person you will ever meet.  She is always doing things to lighten someone's load and make them smile. 
Josh - The funniest guy ever!  His laugh is so contagious.  He rolls with the punches and makes anywhere he goes more fun because he's there.
Jenn - She does such a great job at bringing the family together.  She is very creative and talented.
Clayton and Sandee - A person couldn't ask for better in-laws or grandparents for their kids.  Clayton helps with car repairs and other broken needs.  He enjoys the outdoors and shares his experiences.  He takes the grandkids camping and hiking and biking.  Sandee is so accepting and patient.  She's amazing in so many ways.  She's a great cook.  She can help you in whatever church calling you are in.  She means so much to me and I have a deep respect and admiration for her and Clayton.  They are down to earth people who are very giving and truly care.  I have learned how to be a better parent by watching them.

Although they could work on the "goofy" picture a bit - and their "barbie hands".


And then there's D - a simply amazing man.  Everyday something will remind me how lucky I am to be married to him.  I wear the title "Darren's wife" proudly and graciously.

And that is the end of a way too serious post for me. That happens...

Granpa's funeral and weekend!!

 (are you all impressed at how quickly I posted this time??)

Although the occasion was not an overly happy one, I really enjoyed getting together with my family this past weekend.  ALL of my siblings were there (we missed those spouses who couldn't make it...but thanks for taking care of the kids!!!), and it was so fun to hang out with mostly just adults!! Here are some pictures I tookover the weekend.  Enjoy!!

Even though it's a little blurry, it was the best picture I had of all the cousins that went out to Five Guys after the viewing

This picture was supposed to be of the "triplets".  I guess it wasn't a great angle.  But at least I caught Cole giving Lilee a big fat drink of Diet Coke!! :)

I tried to get a good picture of Bec just sitting there while East was asleep during the burial...but it didn't quite work out. (weird, right?? I'm usually such a great photographer!)

Apparently none of us are very good at the "goofy" pictures

Here we are BEFORE Emily introduced the Barbie hands....(You'll know what I mean when you look at MY hands in the next picture)

Oh...there's the Barbie hands!! Yep...Nicole has them too resting on Jenn...oh look, even Jenn has them!! (Emily's at least look normal!!)

I absolutely loved this picture...even though I can't see Rylie's eyes!!

Here I am with my daddy-o  It was REALLY bright!!

This is what I got from Bridger every time I asked him to pose for a picture...so there ya go!!

 After the funeral, Nicole decided to invite EVERYONE over to my parent's house for a little family party (which I am so glad that she did!...Thanks so much Mom and Dad for the Accomodations!!) Here are some pictures of some of the party-goers

Here's cute East just hanging out eating a little MacNCheese! Thanks Mom and all the other aunts, uncles, and cousins that fed Blake while he was sitting at the counter for like an hour!!!

Extra points go to whoever can guess what she's acting out!!

I had SO much fun with all of my cousins!!

You know I can't have a family post without one of these sweet pictures!!

This one's even better!! Brooke even squeezed into this one!

 The next day was my parent's FORTIETH anniversary, so to celebrate we went out to dinner with NO kids!! I'm not sure that's EXACTLY what they wanted to do on their anniversary, but I had a TON of fun with all of my family!!!

I'm not sure if you can tell, but my drink is EMPTY! Yep...I guzzled that bad boy!!

Here is the cute couple!! I can't believe they've been married for forty years!!

Now it's "couple" picture time.  Here's D & Ang...what a cute couple

Aren't these guys cute?!  They were spouse-less so they got a "couple" picture together.  This one is WITHOUT barbie hands...

Here we are.  I can only hope that we make it to FORTY years!! That seems so long to me!! :)

Here's the Barbie hands for you

Here is my favorite one that D took of the two of them....oh wait, where's D??

Josh & Brooke---also a very cute couple

This is Becca saying that she doesn't like taking pictures with her because I'm really small....I guess she didn't know that my mouth would be as big as her whole head in this one!!

I'm pretty sure that Brandon is wondering what he got himself into here!!! :)  

I had a blast with everyone and can't wait to do it all (except the funeral), again next year!! Love you all!!

 

January 2011 Snow Days

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Been a good month so far...the kids have missed every Monday this month in school either from a scheduled day off or snow day! Having a little snow/ice storm right now....good times! The great piles of snow is one of many things that I miss about Utah! See you all soon.

Shootin'

We spent our Martin Luther King Jr. day off in Richfield shooting the BB and air soft guns.  It was lots of fun.  Here's some pics. 

 I'll bet there's good shootin' spots in Rangley, not to mention Saratoga Springs...

BYU Indoor Track Meet

Kenz ran at a BYU indoor invitational today.  She ran the mile.  She rocked.  Man I like watching her run.  Although these individual sports sure make me more nervous than team sports.

She took 1st in her heat with a time of 5:48 (a personal best).  She was sitting pretty until the last heat of the day.  She ended up taking 14th.  I think it's pretty darn awesome to be in the top 20 of high school runners.  Great job Kenz!

Today I learned a couple of things:
I learned that I am old because we used to practice softball at Smith Fieldhouse like 15+ years ago.
I learned that I still have a lot to learn with my camera.  
I learned that Kenz is a great runner.  Oh wait - I already knew that. 

Mason's Hoops, 2011

Mason had his first basketball game today, beginning his fifth year of league basketball.

Happily, I caught him on video making a basket.

Kids Are Fun(ny)

I know you all weren't here for this, but wow this was sure a fun day (May 28, 2007)! As I was going through old pictures for Dad, I couldn't pass up this collage.

I love going through frame by frame and seeing the wheels turn in each of the kids' heads. :-)

Great times, and I'm already past ready for Summer.

Ice Skating

What a good afternoon.  We headed to Murray to ice skate and then hit Red Robin for some food.

Ice skating was a success even though my ice skating skills are much less than adequate.  Something about winter sports that do not fit me well. 

To sum up the ice skating - Cam was having lots of fun until we crashed, Rylie went around the rink "like more than 12 times", Mason crashed the most, Kenz was accused of making Cam fall, and Sadie went skating for her first time ever.

I think my favorite part of the afternoon was eating at Red Robin.  It was so nice to be confined to a booth with my family so we could chat and eat fries.  I loved it - as did Sadie.  After taking a bite of her grilled cheese she said, "Mom, you gotta try this." :)

To add to the day I finally watched "Forever Strong".  Kenz has been wanting me to watch it for over a year and we finally did with Mase joining us.  Good flick.  And now it's time for bed cause 9am church comes early on a Sunday morning.

More Visitors

Jax and his project board

Rub-a-dub-dub five boys in a tub

Blake and East had lots of fun playing on the bunk bed

Blakers loved this little chair

 TROUBLE - right before they started jumping on the bed

Ramen noodles - yum

East gave Aunt Heath tons of loves

Hot models

Blake and East thought it was so fun playing on the table

Heath, Bridge and Blake made the drive to Rangely to come hang out for a few days. It was lots of fun. Blake and Easton played so well together and made each other laugh several times. Jax and Bridge played lots of Mario Bros while Huds hung out doing a little bit of everything. We managed to make it to the Rec Center to swim only to find out we could only swim 20 minutes before the pool closed. So worth it! The kids had a blast. Betty's for lunch. Lots of hang out time playing, really doesn't get much better. Heath and I had "date night" watching Eclipse, eating Chinese and of course cherry turnovers. Great visit!