Builder of Men

My Grandpa Richey passed away May 13 at the age of 92.  He led a long and fulfilling life, and I was grateful we could drive to Arizona to see my extended family and attend the funeral.

Grandpa served in the Air Force during World War II.

Sixteen years ago, Grandpa asked me to play "How Great Thou Art" at his funeral.  I found a lovely arrangement that my uncle and cousins sang to.

I'm sure he had a joyous reunion in Heaven with my Granna, who passed 3 1/2 years ago.

My dad and his siblings.

Spring Break

 On our way to my parent's house we stopped in Page, Arizona to tour Antelope Canyon.

The canyon, made up of sandstone, was formed by flooding and wind.

We drove 3 miles to the upper canyon in a back of a pick up.  Since it's on the Navajo Indian Reservation you have to have a guide and get permission from the tribe to walk through it.

After walking a quarter of a mile through the canyon, the girls took a break to make sand angels.

The girls loved the pink sand.

Tourists come from all over the world to take pictures.

Once we got to my parents, we decided with the 90 degree weather we should hit up some splash parks.  We went to Riverview Park and Eastmark Great Park in Mesa.

We went on a tour at Cerreta Candy Company in Glendale.  The girls got to make their own chocolate pizza afterwards.

We also walked around the new Phoenix Temple.

Grammi and Grandpa came with us to Enchanted Island Amusement Park at Encanto Park.

Since school is in session, the park was nearly empty.  The girls had free reign to ride as many rides as they wanted, how many times they wanted.

We finished off our break with a Jazz Game in Salt Lake.

Cousins were there too!

This little lady took a visit to Primary Children's and received a clear bill of health from her doctors.  Her pacemaker and shunt are working great!  Time for some monkey bars and trampoline jumping.

Arizona Activities

On our drive to Arizona, which was awesome because of clear roads and cheap gas, we spent the night in Vegas.  We drove the strip and saw the fountain show at the Bellagio and the erupting volcano at the Mirage.

We went swimming at the condo and the girls enjoyed the view from our room.

Once in Arizona Dustin did a lot of golfing.  My dad, sis-in-law Stacey, and Libby joined him on separate occasions.  We also went out to eat and saw a few movies.

We got family pictures taken.

Dustin and I went to the Fiesta Bowl on New Year's Eve.  

Boise State won 38-30 against Univ of AZ.

Libby asked me a month ago to get her ears pierced, and I told her we'd take her once in Arizona.  Gramie, Aunt Meridith, and Cousin Mariah came for support.

She was very brave and didn't shed a tear.

After a negative experience five years ago, Elaina decided she wanted her ears pierced again.  She made her decision about an hour before we left and surprised us all.

The girls picked matching crystal-stud earrings and were rewarded with stuffed animals and suckers afterwards.  The six of us finished our girls-day-out by using our gift cards at Charming Charlie, picking out lotion at Bath and Body Works, and eating lunch at Paradise Bakery.

Christmas Morning

We made it to Arizona in time for Christmas Eve.  We ate soup for dinner and had a musical/nativity program with the Richey's, Richards', and Peters'.

Christmas morning we opened stockings while waiting for Great-Grandma and Grandpa Peters to wake up.

Libby patiently waiting...

Let the unwrapping begin!

Elaina got a coat, an MP3 player, a baking set, and a DigiBird.

Libby got a lot of Doc McStuffins toys and a nice dress from Great-Grandma Peters.

Dustin was excited about his new golf clubs.  My parents and grandparents bought him a generator, but had it shipped to our house.

Libby got a putting green to practice her strokes.

My mom, grandma, and sister all went in and bought me new dishes.  After 11 years of marriage it was time for some replacements.

Gramie and Grandpa Come to Visit

Gramie was on Fall Break from school, so she and Grandpa Richey came to Rupert to see our new house.  They only stayed a couple of days, but we had so much fun.  They met the girls' teachers and saw Dustin's school; we went to lunch and did some shopping.  The highlight of their visit was going to the pumpkin patch and decorating Halloween crafts.

Hawaii Day 6

The girls and I went to a carnival at Kualoa Ranch while Dustin went snorkeling at Hanauma Bay.

We also went on a family-friendly hike to Manoa Falls.

10 Days in AZ

After our trip to Hawaii we flew back with my parents and stayed ten days in Arizona while Dustin finished up Science Camp.

We kept busy and did lots of fun things.

Haircuts from an old friend, Barb, who cut my hair twenty-five years ago.

By brother Ben recently began going to RISE, a facility for those with disabilities.  He was proud to show me his name and give me a tour.

Making cookies and cupcakes with Gramie.

The girls played endlessly with Ellie, another type 1, who lives two doors down from Gramie.  One day we ventured out to Jumpstreet.

Lunch and swimming at my friend Natalie's house with her four kids.

Grandpa took us to American's largest butterfly atrium in Scottsdale.  We watched a 3D movie and then took a walk in the butterfly conservatory with 2,500 butterflies.

Arizona is home to 334 species of butterflies.

None of the butterflies landed on us, but I don't think the girls were disappointed.

There was also a touch tank of Motoro stingrays that Elaina was brave enough to try and liked the feel of them.

Grandpa scored Phoenix Mercury basketball tickets for Elaina and Ellie.