Fun With Friends & Family

Sooo many pictures, so much fun!

I must say, this digital scrapbooking on-line for everyone to share is very cool.

Michelle Bennett had a little "open house" of sorts while my parents were here, so we could all get together and party. Connie & Ed Thomas came, and Christine & Katie Parris, and Donna & Jamie Lealos, and we ate, talked, and laughed, and sang, and ate birthday cake, and had such a great time! Mom & Dad just need to move here so we can all have these big parties more often! (Grayson was gone white water rafting with the Scouts, so he wasn't there...)

4 Generations - Grandma Dove, Grammy, Randi, & Boys

Connie & Michelle -- NOW we're ready for a picture!

Mom with Donna Lealos

Jamie Lealos fell in LOVE with Bryson!
Shown here with Hannah Bennett

LoLo and Uncle Sam at the Bennetts

As a surprise to me, Michelle got me a late birthday cake
and of course, Christine led the crowd in Happy Birthday!

29 Again!! Andrew looks at the cake longingly...
(Grammy looks at the "29" longingly...)

Randi, Pops & LoLo

Andrew & LoLo with Uncle Sam

The Three LIBERACE proteges!
Colton, Sam and Rogan

Grandpa Dove at the Bennett party

Mom and I went to lunch another day with my dear friend,
Susan Bridges. We gabbed for 3 hours, and loved every minute!

Grayson

Grayson was awarded 5 merit badges and 2 rank advancements last night at the Scout Court of Honor. Plus the fact that he gave a great talk on temples in Sacrament Meeting that same day. He is 14 -- hard for me to believe! Sure love this kid, and can't wait to see the wonderful man he becomes. He's getting there already...

My Grayson

Cake for the 100th Year of Scouting

Receiving his awards

Family Time

Sooooo much fun while my parents, and my son & his family, and my daughter and her family were here! Lots going on, we partied, we ate, we played games, we laughed, we took pictures like crazy, we laughed, we ate some more, we talked, we went 'bead shopping,' mom and I got mani/pedi's together, we all adored and played with the little ones, we had formal family photos done, and we just totally enjoyed our time together!

G&G Dove with Randi, Andrew, Cielo,
Bryson and Sam (at the Bennetts)

Chris & Grandpa Dove chatting about politics...

Andrew & Ceilo

Colton giving great-Grandpa Dove hugs

Colton squeezing great-Grandma Dove

Friday Family Fun Night (Chris & Nath's tradition) meant watching
"The Bee Movie" with juicy cups, popcorn, and lots of pillows!

Andrew & Colton

Delicious burgers by the grill masters!

That precious face! (Bryson)

Andrew's prime spot for Friday Family
Fun Night's movie!

Colton loved wearing these construction goggles!

G&G Dove, enjoying every moment

Colton, can you say "HAM?"

Great-Grandma Dove surrounded by little ones
who want to see themselves on her camera

Great-Grandpa Dove and Bryson

Grayson had Rogan laughing so hard, it was adorable!
Wish I had videotaped that precious sound...

Playing "Apples to Apples" (Nathalie)

Colton was the 'keeper of the Green Cards'

Colton kissing Sam on the nose...so fast, I missed it the first
couple of times. He could really trick me!

Grammy loving on Andrew and Cielo

Grandma Dove & Randi

Grammy stealing hugs from Rogan & Colton

Of course, the boys had to fit in some PlayStation2

Enjoying another yummy meal together!

More pictures, more fun, more good times to come...!

Happy Anniversary, Mom & Dad!

Yesterday was my parents' 51st Anniversary! On August 28, 1959, they were married for time and all eternity in the Idaho Falls temple. They have created a legacy of love in their four children, 16 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren (so far)! We love them so much, and have been so blessed to have them in our lives -- and in our home this month!

Golden Anniversary - 2009

Tennessee - August 2010

Grandpa, Andrew, Grandma, Bryson, Cielo, Randi & Sam - 2010

Tennessee - 2010

And this is just from ONE of their kids...! :o)

Hugs and kisses to both of you, and can't wait to see you again soon...!

Too Cool for School

This is a big year for us, because after 5 years at Moore Elementary (including Kindergarten), Sam is now leaving this fabulous school and starting at Freedom Intermediate as a 5th grader. He was excited to go to FIS, but was very worried about getting lost in that big school...but the thoughts of having his own locker overcame his fears, and he was pumped to get going. They have a dress code, but not as strict as the high schoolers. (Collar shirts, tucked in, belts, etc.)

Happy 5th Grader!

Grayson was leaving Freedom Middle School, and entering Centennial High School as a 9th grader (can this really be happening?) So far, it's been great, I hope the novelty of being in high school doesn't wear off...he's enjoying all the social activities, football games, volleyball games (to watch some of his friends, who happen to be girls, play), and all the "stuff" that goes with being in high school. He doesn't even mind the dress code! (Collar shirts, no denim, no cargo pockets in the pants, belts, and only blue, white, gray or khaki). Let's see how he does with the actual classes!

He also started early morning seminary, and GRATEFULLY carpools with the Fiskes at 5:50am. Bless them!

It frustrated his mother that he was 'way too cool' to smile for his photo on the first day of high school...

Too cool for school...

Genetic Preference

My cousin, Mary, and I have been told we look alike -- must be that Dove blood.

And we definitely have the same taste in men...!

Mary & AJ

Lynette & Steve

More Mississipi Memories

Lots more photos of our fun family times in Mississippi...(I think all of us have lots of the same ones, because cameras were a-flashing like the papparazzi)! Here's more pictures of our group in every possible combination. We all ate lots of good food, shared old photos and memories, sang hymns around the piano, and took millions of photos. I'm so glad, because who knows when we'll all be together again...I hope it's not too long!

Dani, Uncle Vern, Aunt Glenda, Dad, Friend Linda

Brittney & Her Kids: Zaden & Alorabella

Cousin Barry Starr & Wife Sheryl

Dani holding Zaden, Brian, Racine, Greg & Alorabella

Cousin Nicole with her boyfriend, Dustin

Siblings: Aunt Glenda, Dad and Uncle Vern

Chit-Chatting around the table

Kelsi (Keith's wife), Me, Brian, Barry, Keith (Brian's son)

After Church: Brian, Dad, Mom, Uncle Vern, Grayson & Sam

Aunt Maxine, Nicole and I after church

After Church, Uncle Vern took us down by the Gulf Coast
to see the beach, and where Hurricane Katrina had hit

Dad, Grayson, Mom, Uncle Vern, & Sam on the beach

Kelsi, Me, Cousin Mary & Brian's wife, Jo

The Girls -- You should see the one of the "funny faces"
(I'll have to get that one off Facebook)

Talking, talking, talking...

Cousin Mary & Aunt Maxine

Cousin Mary and Barry's wife, Sheryl

Me with Aunt Glenda and her friend, Linda

Me, Mom, Beth, Mary and Patrick

Mary looking at the scrapbook I made for Mom & Dad's
50th Anniversary...Vern sent me several photos from the
1940's and 50's that I included in the book

Awwww...Me & Mom

Me, Mom, & Nicole

Mom and Jace's wife, Beth

Mom, Glenda and Mary

Mom, Me, Dad and Jace's daughter, Meghan

Those Cuh-razy Guys! Patrick, Sam,
Grayson & Dustin

Aunt Glenda with her kids Racine & Barry

Singing Old Gospel Hymns Around the Piano --
We sang three at their Methodist Church on Sunday
(How Great Thou Art, How Beautiful, and
God Be With You 'Til We Meet Again)

Son and Father Singing To-Geth-Uh

More Hymn Singing...

Nicole's Delicious Chocolate, Peanut Butter Cup CAKE!!

Jo's Delicious Raspberry Cheesecake -- Sensing a Theme Here?

Brian, Vern, Jace, Dad, Grayson, Patrick & Sam

You GO, Girls!

Uncle Vern & Dad (Love this photo!)

Look-alike Cousins
People kept telling us we look alike -- I guess we do!