Mississippi Memories

On my way home from Chicago on business, I picked up my parents at the airport coming from Salt Lake City for a wild and crazy 13-day stay that never quite slowed down to a vacation-ly pace! It was so GREAT to see them and spend time with them, especially given the recent health scares that had us wondering how much time we had left together. Gratefully, Dad is feeling fine, and was able to travel. So travel we DID!

A couple of days after their arrival, we headed down to Biloxi, Mississippi to see my Dad's brother, Vern, his wife Maxine, and lots of other Dove family. We see these relatives so rarely that it really is a treat to get together! The first night we arrived, we went out to dinner, and the cameras came tearing out like bulls at a rodeo!

So I'll do this in spurts...these are just from the first night at dinner...

Dad, cousin Brian & Uncle Vern

Uncle Vern & Aunt Maxine

Jo (Brian's wife) & cousin Mary
(right BEFORE Jo dropped the camera)

AJ (Mary's husband), with his mother

Mary's Son, Patrick with Grayson & Sam

Keith (Brian & Jo's Son) and Kelsi

Nicole (Brian & Jo's daughter) and I

Me and my Mama

Okay, we made it all the way around the dinner table! Stay tuned for MANY more photos from the fun Dove family reunion in Mississippi!

The Windy City

PHS Correctional Healthcare (my day job) launched our new marketing campaign at the annual American Correctional Association conference in Chicago the first of August. It was "my baby," and the launch was a big success (whew!). It was fun to see all our hard work in designing the new ad campaign finally out there 'in the world.' We presented a new booth, marketing brochure, flyers, trade publication ads and website. I needed a nap after this project...so I went on vacation! Haha (see next post).

Janet Vogelaar and I at our new PHS Trade Show Booth in Chicago

Janet and I in a quick sight-seeing walk down Michigan Avenue

Part of our event in Chicago was hosting some clients at the Chicago Cubs game at Wrigley Field. We were in the Wrigley Rooftops venue where they have literally built bleachers on the roofs of all these old homes, and now they rent them out for corporate events. I've never been to a real baseball game before, and don't follow baseball at all, but it was pretty cool to be there in the middle of stuff I've only seen on TV! Even though the Cubs lost 18-1...that was not cool.

Some of the BD Team: Scott McDaniel, Me,
Lauren Balmer, Jon Walker

Health Generation

In July, I attended my first national convention as a coach for the best health & weight loss plan out there today (go to http://www.mypowerlosers.com/)!

It was fun to get to know other coaches from around the country, and I learned a lot about helping folks get healthy!

Susan Awbrey and I on the patio of the beautiful Gaylord Texan Resort (although we didn't get any food that night, because we kept getting in the wrong line, right after they ran out of "lean & green!")

Having my "breakthrough" moment karate chopping a
piece of wood in half with my bare hand! (Excellent
presentation by motivational speaker, Brian Biro)

I thought I saw Lee Greenwood at our restaurant, but nobody
believed me so I went over by him, got my picture taken,
and proved it! We didn't realize then that he was the
entertainment at our event that night.

At Dinner with Sandy & Brian Renfrow

Dallas Gaylord Texan Resort - Fun after dinner one night

Kim Fiske, Weight Loss GURU

My new friend, Chef Mary (from Nashville)

Part of our Group Before the Final Dinner

With Kim Fiske at the Final Dinner

The Fiske Team at the Final Night's Event

Can't wait until 2011 in Orlando...!

July 8 is GREAT!

July 8th is a historic day in our family -- my MOM's birthday, my son, GRAYSON's birthday, and my grandson, COLTON's birthday!

So...let me share some pictures of my Grayson to start with. He was born July 8, 1996 -- 11 years after Randi, so he basically grew up like a first-born, with four parents! (haha) Not spoiled in any way, as I'm sure you can imagine...

Grayson - 6 months old

Halloween 1997 - 15 months old

Grayson - 2 years old

Grayson - 3 years old

Grayson - 3 years old - Forrest Crossing Pool

Grayson in a tree in Nauvoo - Summer 2002

Kindergarten - Fall 2002

Grayson - Summer 2003

DisneyWorld - February 2006

Pinewood Derby - April 2006 - 10 years old

Uncle Grayson with Andrew - October 2007

Cutie Patootie -- Summer 2009 @ Chris' House

Ready for 8th Grade - Fall 2009

Grayson & Chris - 4th of July 2010 - in Nebraska

What a handsome 14 year-old! July 2010

Such a smart guy...in ponder mode.

Grayson, we love you, and are enjoying watching you grow into an even more wonderfuller young man!

4th of July in Nebraska

Steve and the boys went to Nebraska to spend Independence Day with Chris and his family (I had to travel for work, so was unable to go this time.) They had a great time!

All the Guys

Chris, Nathalie, Colton & Rogan

Sweet little Rogan -- 17 months old!

Rogan & Colton in the 4th of July Parade

The Gang went to the new "Toy Story 3" Movie -- Loved it!

Grayson & Colton Share a Bday -- Nathalie made them
this very cool GUITAR cake!

Independence Day Picnic

TENT FUN!!

Colton - Big 3 year old!

Colton's 3rd Bday "Toy Story 3" Cake

A good time was had by all...!