Kaley has a sleep over.....(April '08)

So Kaley's friend, Hailey, is finally ready to sleep over. When I asked what they were going to do, my answer was...."Well, duh, we're going to have a pillow fight, paint our nails, do our hair & play dress up!" Geez, I should have known! The question is, how did I end up with such a girly girl?!! Oh, they're too cute though!

Daniella comes for a visit (April '08)

Again, little bit behind on it; but, didn't want to leave out the nice visits with good friends that we've fortunately got to have this past month. Daniella, our ol' softball buddy from Fidelity, who has moved to Jacksonville, FL, made it back to Salt Lake for a nice visit. Always good to know, no matter where life takes you, you're friends are always there! :} And we don't get many chances to see the rest of the gang, so we'll take any excuse we get! Besides the great benefits & decent paycheck, it's the friends that you truly miss when you leave a job. But, life takes you on different paths...so, you go with what your heart tells you & be glad to know you can still see/talk to them whenever you can (and that's why you've got to love the power of technology these days..so it's easier to do just that! :})

By the way....don't we all just have adorable kids?! :} They sure had a great time together (especially that big kid down in the middle of the football tackle!)

DYLAN TURNS 10! (4/7/08)

OK, so let's forget this is a month later.... doesn't mean I forgot! :} So, yes, our Little Premie has made it out alive for 10 years now! Why do I say it like that you ask? Well, do you KNOW our cute Lil' Dyl Pickle?!! Oh the stories we have!! Like starting the fire in our living room while also breaking Doug's Oakly sunglasses at the same moment; climbing underneath a concrete truck & hiding out (both at the ripe age of 2 mind you!); getting bitten by a big dog ("What, they don't like it when you stick your face in theirs?); the broken arm from the trampoline; lying down in the middle of a street (because apparently that was funny); being stuck on the rooftop; and many more, trust me! And nevermind all the times we want to strangle him! (OK, just a saying....not REALLY! :}). But, look at that cute little face? How can you not love him?! :}
We also can't help being reminded by how fragile life is, and what a true mircle giving birth to a child can be, when we think of the time when he was born. First trying to come out at just 29 weeks & me doing my best to keep the little bugger inside, with him finally being delivered at 33 weeks! He was a fighter from the beginning (and I mean the beginning....since I started having problems from the day of conception. He loved to stick his foot in my rib & just leave it there all day!) & despite being an itsy bitsy thing at first, he chunked right up & proved he was a survivor! (Grandpa Leach is sure Dylan is Dylan because of the steroids to help his lungs grow! :}) So, as hard as some of those moments have been, know we're ALWAYS entertained with Dylan around & couldn't imagine life without him!

Help join us for the cause

As Team Captain of Team Jazzercise, I would like to personally invite you to join us in the Susan G. Komen's Race For The Cure. Whether that's by actually participating with us on that day, May 10th (which you know I'd LOVE to have you do!) or by making a donation towards the cause. I think we all, unfortunately, know someone who has had to suffer this disease...which tells me that's just too many people! I truly believe together we can, and will, make a difference!! Just check out the link below for more information.

EASTER WEEKEND IN SOUTHERN UTAH (March '08)

As Doug was needed down in St. George for work, the rest of us got to join along for the ride. Since we've had ENOUGH of the cold weather this winter (it's been a doozy here in Utah this year, that's for sure!), we were more than glad to head to where it was warm!! It was all the better that other good friends of ours; Suzanne, MaryAnn (who lives there), Tracy & her kids; just happened to be down there for the long weekend too! We took full advantage of the free time (which we all know is all too rare around here!!) & the warm sun! While Doug was busy working (sorry Doug!), the rest of us headed up the canyons to Zions National Park. What a spectacular place with such incredible views! We also were lucky enough to be down there to see my cousin & his wife, Dave & Victoria Tate, play at the St. George Arts Festival (and what beautiful voices they have!). And, fortunately, the Easter Bunny DID find us at the hotel (Kaley made sure to tell him where we would be when she saw him at the mall prior to that) & he even hid some eggs at our house for when we got home too! He's so smart!! :}

BRADON TURNS 12! (2/21/08)

What I want to know is, how does your own child instantly go from being a kid to becoming a little man?! It's happening right before our eyes! He enjoyed a day of having friends over for a little Guitar Hero competition, pizza, and of course, a game of football (which has become his FAVORITE thing! He rarely sets that ball down anymore!)

GIRL'S TRIP TO CALIFORNIA (Feb. '08)

It was truly a MAGICAL weekend in Sonoma Valley, with good friends, to celebrate MaryAnn's 40th Birthday. We stayed at this Villa which was an absolutely gorgeous home in such a beautiful setting! Some of the highlights include getting to tour the wineries, relaxing back at the pad to visit & play games, getting an afternoon in the quaint town of Calistoga, the day at the spa in Napa Valley (just what we ALL needed!), and getting to FINALLY get back to one of my favorite places, San Francisco (it's been way too long!). We couldn't have asked for more! How fortunate we are to have such amazing friendships that allow us these opportunities! Just something to never take for granted!!