Denver revisited; Videos and more pictures

It was so fun to go to Denver this week-end. The drive seemed short with Dan's dad and grandma with us for entertainment. I am always worried when I visit my grandkids, that they won't like me anymore. Its always a relief to see that they still love us. We went out to Applebees the first night there; thanks for the gift card Grandma and Grandpa Ellis! Tessa likes to do everything herself these days. She likes to frown as you take pictures, so you have to catch her off guard. Jess and Dan's grandma Chapman. She traveled with us. It was fun to get to know her better. I never noticed the resemblance before. Dan and his Dad look alot alike, don't you think? Grandpa reading about Little Ponies with Tessa. Sophie is more fun than ever. Dan showing off he lawyer muscles. Actually this wasn't his idea, can you tell? Dan was hot and sweaty (it was about 85 degrees) with his robes ( or as Sophie said; "beautiful dress) on over his shirt and tie. The girls were tired and not in the mood for pictures after 3 hours of sitting at the ceremony. Jess had run her 6 miles that morning, but she still looked fresh!This is how Tessa spent most of the time at the graduation; with Grandpa or Kim or Jake in the halls. Sophie held her doll pretty much the whole time we were there. She got lots of compliments and comments from people on their matching dresses. She kept trying to get Tessa to hold her doll. Once when she brought it to Tessa, Tessa threw in on the ground and stomped on it. That girl has some personality! Sophie in her Belle nightgown her momma made her. The girls both love both of their grandpas. Dancing with their dolls.

Tessa eating yogurt.

Congrats to Dan!

WAY TO GO DAN!!! We love everything about you finishing your Law Degree, except for the hat they made you wear to graduation. Not only did Dan graduate on Saturday, but his dad, Tom, turned 60! Gotta love the awesome monkey hat they made for him at the Texas Roadhouse that night! Sophie and Tessa loved the cowboy atmosphere.

Here's the very tired girls after sitting at the graduation for 3 hours! Dan and Jess with their awesome friends Kim and Jake, who came to the ceremony and helped with the girls! The happy family! Grandpa Tom being wished a Happy Birthday by the cutest girls in Denver! Sophie loves to draw smiley faces. This is one of my favorites. Note the nostril, the small ears and the hair over her/his? head. I think she's pretty talented! I'll post some more pictures and a couple of videos tomorrow!

Jack leaves us, Grandma Jones visits and life gets busy.

Jack and Richard took off for Washington on Thursday morning while I was still at the Leary's. They made it to Redmond by early afternoon on Friday. Jack's apartment was waiting for him, they rented a few basic pieces of furniture and settled in. Bad news is that the furniture won't be delivered until Tuesday. Richard bought a queen sized airmattress that they shared on Friday night! Richard flew out of there Saturday night and got home by 10:30 last night. Sadly he missed this fun gathering of the King family for Dolores' 80th Birthday Party! This is a shot of Dolores and Grandma Jones at the party. Dolores is Grandma Jones' best friend from Illinois. They were both young widows. Dolores married Jack King and moved to California. When Marge's husband died, she sold everything she could, packed up her 3 boys and headed to California. There they lived with the Kings until she could find a job, a place to live and get settled. The Kings introduced them to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day-Saints. Marge and her 3 boys were all baptized! We owe a lot to this women and her example to her high school friend. Our Jack is named after Jack King who was like a father to Richard.

This is Dolores as we sang Happy Birthday to her with her two youngest girls, Michelle and Kellie. Grandma stayed up and came to the airport to pick up Richard with me. We even convinced her to stay the night! Its nice to have Richard and I in the same house again!

Steph and her mom came over this morning and we got some more wedding planning done. Then I made it to a wedding shower and took Jonathan to get a present for his best friend, Alex, who's turning 17 today before the big birthday party. Now to get Josh and Meg safely back from Lake Mead!

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Gotta be this or that

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Jonathan is the furthest right tenor. Alex is the furthest right bass.

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Chile Con Carne with better acoustics than at the Jazz Dinner Dance

Tending fun kids and Jonathan's last performance in Jazz Choir

I've spent the last 2 days tending these cute Learys. I have really enjoyed getting to know them. I brought them home last night so I'd be here for 11 year old scouts to meet, fed them dinner, then went back to their place for the night. Okay, this is the last performance of the last concert of the year for Jonathan's Jazz Choir and my memory card was pretty much full as soon as it started, but I didn't feel too bad cause Jonathan was right in front of the choir director and couldn't be seen anyway. You can find Alex on the front row (Jonathan was a couple over from him) and Jazmine and Sara from the ward in there. BTW I sat with the McCurdys. Erin is home from her mission, as of last night at 7:00! It was great to see her! Of course I wasn't smart enough to get a picture of her!

Some very important Mothers!

Here's some of the awesome mothers who gathered at my mom's tonight. Me and my cute little mom! I had to throw in this shot of Dean with his first grandson! He and Dex seem to like each other! Joni and her roommate came over and I had to get a shot of Joni's amazing outfit!

From the future wife and mother of Jack's children...

to my amazing mother of 10 ... And then my own daughters and daughters by marriage I want to wish you a Happy Mother's Day! Thanks so much for your examples, love and support! I include my awesome sisters and sisters-in-law. Of course my daughters and daughters-in-law are the most important mothers in to world to me! My grandchildren are the most precious people I know! I love being a mother, but this grandmothering stuff is the best thing ever! Thanks! PS Good News! I am now a Primary Teacher!

Homeowners!

Here's Josh and Meg's house! It was awesome to see them doing yard work in their own yard! Josh said that it took him an hour to mow the lawn!! This is the BIG rec room downstairs! This is the Princess room in the basement. Sophie, you will love this room! This is the upstairs hallway. This is the cute playroom under the stairs! My persoal favorite! Meg's craft room! The Master bedroom. Josh getting the new faucett ready in the kitchen. Meg cooked us a delicious meal in her beautiful kitchen! Such a nice place and in a really nice quiet neighborhood! Can't wait to hear what calling the Lord has in store for these two in their new ward!

A Wedding in August!

Yes!! While we were in Houston Jack proposed to Steph! We are so excited that we get to keep Steph in our family! She is awesome! If you want to hear about the proposal in their words check out their new blog; its linked on my list of favorites as Steph and Jack.

Beautiful ring! The plan is for a wedding on August 13th! Hope you can make it!

Videos of the Houston kids

Sydney rolling.

Fighting cousinsDean discovers his voice.

Houston Highlights!

Okay these images are opposite of chronological order. I had to get this sweet shot of Dean sleeping just before we left. He actually sleeps with the blanket on his face. I moved it for the shot. Here's Sydney is her cute new dress! Nicole has a cute picture of how she sleeps with her face down on top of her hands on her blog. This is a bonus shot of the darling Quincy family AND the cute wall grouping Nicole put together over their fireplace. Here's the cute Kendalls. Back view. Front view. Grandpa after rubbing Sydney in his hair. Dean the first time we saw him Friday morning. He smiles and goos and laughs alot, but now when the camera comes out! He is seriously interested in it! Sydney the first time we saw her! Nicole and I watched the babies in the museam while the others went to the 3D IMAX theatre. Here's a huge geod. Behind the zebra display. The gang at the park. The entrance to the butterfly display.

Grandpa and Grandma enjoying the cuties! The Kendalls on the train ride. The Quincys on the train ride.

Jonathan in the caboose!

I loved every minute of this trip! Thanks for all of the great food Jenny! Thanks for the great cookies Nicole! Thanks Dean and Sydney for still letting me snuggle you! Thanks to James and Jason for all of the chauffeuring and entertainment! I love you guys and miss you already!