End of Summer Disneyland Trip

This is just like a picture we took back 6 years ago.

So, we took a couple night trip down to Disneyland to close out the summer. We now understand why we don't normally make a trip in the summer. Just way to crowded! We saw The Electrical Light Parade on Thursday night. Got up Friday morning and hit the park early and then went back to the hotel for a swim and dinner at Old Spaghetti Factory. Saturday morning we opened the park again and did some shopping and headed home! We of course will be planning another trip in the next few months, once it cools off and the crowds thin out!

The Women in my Life

This has been a long few weeks. But, this past week has really been tough. Arlene Waters, Tami's Mom, past away on Sunday July 26th from cancer. It was her 73rd birthday. She was a remarkable women. She was just one of the best. She had a heart of gold. She loved her family. She loved when everyone was home for Sunday dinner at her house. I think that there were times she forgot to eat because she was so busy visiting with everyone! But that's how she was. She was unselfish with her love, and she loved unconditionally. And she was proud of her family and would tell anyone who would listen. We had a beautiful service here on Thursday and then on Friday we all drove up to Idaho (that's another blog). We had a service and burial there. 22+ hours of driving in 3 days gives you time to reflect and remember. I am so grateful for her love for me and for my family. From day 1, I don't think I called her Arlene, it was always Mom. It makes it even harder, because just 3 years ago, the day after Arlene's service, was the anniversary of my Mom's passing. So the drive home on Sunday also had me consumed with thoughts of my own Mom. She too was a great women who loved her family. She was always there for us when we needed her. She loved us, she cared for us, and she too loved her Grandchildren. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her and miss her.


When I think of these two great Mom's, I can't help but to think of the best Mom ever to my own children. Tami. As I watched her over the last couple weeks, my heart broke for what she was going through. He emotions started to catch up to her physically, and the Parkinson's kicked in even harder. But she never complained. She wanted to keep going and doing, and I made her stop and take it easy. She is my absolute strength. She is the reason that I am who I am. She is my eternal companion. She is my all.

The other women in my life have to include my beautiful and caring daughters. They bring so much joy to me and to their Mom. We are so proud of the wonderful and compassionate women that they have become. They were there for Tami when she needed them the most. I am also so grateful for a wonderful sister. She is always there for us. She is someone who I can turn to when I need a friend. I am very thankful for Tami's sister Tonya. She was there everyday with Arlene. She filled in for Tami when she just couldn't be there. I know that Tami will be forever grateful for that. There are others too. Like Aunts, Nieces, Sister-in-laws, Cousins, and Friends who all rallied around the family during this difficult time. To all of you I also say Thank You.

I can not express enough the love that I have for my two Mom's. I miss them, but also know, with all my heart, that I will see these two great Mom's again.

Catch-up!

So alot has happened since our last post and so I am going to do a quick update with some pictures to get everyone up to date. Going to start with Trevor's last day of school. Here he is with his medal he won for reading. There is also a picture of me on stage with him when I presented the school with 50000 Campells School Labels that I won in a contest and donated to his school.

We then took an overnight trip to Disneyland. It was great as always. Sometimes the only time we relax is when we get away.

Taking pictures with new cell phones.

Then last weekend we had everyone over for Soren's Birthday and Fathers Day. There is no greater joy in my life as when everyone is home and the house if filled with laughter and fun.

Till next time...

What Are The Odds...

So, what are the odds of this happening. Here's the story!! For Tami's Birthday, my family bought us tickets to see Donny and Marie. The show was last night at the Flamingo Hotel. We got to the show and got our seats at the table. Right before the show was to start, this women walks past us. I thought I recognized her. She then walked past us again, and I realized that it was the women who got me the job at the Osmond Studios in Orem, Utah 30 years ago. So here is some history: Back in 1979 while going to BYU. I met Patti through a friend who was a good friend of Marie's and worked at the studio. She got me a job as a tour guide at the studio. I worked there for about a year doing tours and working during taping of their shows. So now, fast forward 30 years and I see her. I stand up and reintroduce myself to her. After a second, she remembers me too. We talk for just a second before the show starts. It was a great show. Very fun and entertaining. So after the show, she invites us back to the meet and greet. So we are standing there catching up with Patti , who had just flown in that day to hang out with Marie, when Donny and Marie walk in. Now there is at least 50 people waiting to meet them, when Patti brings us up to them and introduces us to them. Tells them that I used to work at the studio. They were both very nice and gracious to us. We then had our picture taken with them. We then stood and talked with Patti and a friend of hers for an hour while they did the meet and greet. It really was a fun night. So again, what are the odds of us being at that show, at that table, when Patti comes into town and walks by and recongizing her. It was meant to be.

Tami's 50th Birthday Week!

It was Tami's 50th birthday on Wednesday. We took the whole week to celebrate. Just the two of us went down to Disneyland for her birthday. We spent 3 days just taking it easy and with no set schedule. We went and saw a movie one day (Star Trek, highly recommend it), did some shopping and just relaxed. It was a nice and a fun way to celebrate Tami's birthday. After that, the fun really started.

We have been planning a surprise party for Tami for months. We started planning this even before we knew of Tami's diagnosis. Well the day finally arrived. She had no clue until the moment I had to push her through the door of the party. We planned a Fiesta At 50. Each girl had a part of the party, and it was a great success. Tami's brother Jeff and his wife Jennifer and girls came up from CA. My brother Tommy and his daughter Melinda flew in from Virginia. My oldest brother Gary and his wife Kathy came in from Dallas. Joan and YB and kids came up from San Diego. We had lots of other family and friends there to help us celebrate.

These are the great kids who put this all togeather!

My family: Joan, Me, Tommy, and Gary

We had make your own taco's, cake and ice cream and plenty of left-overs. We even had a pinata! We can not Thank everyone enough who help to put this all togeather, who cooked, who travelled near and far to be part of this celebration.

To Tami, all I can say is how much I love you and how fun all of these past years have been. You are a great wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, daughter, sister, and friend. I know that I speak for everyone to wish you the Best Birthday Ever!

Trevor was a TREE!!

The 3rd grade did a play in school this past week. It was a take on "Little Red Riding Hood." Trevor got to play a tree. Not just a plain old Oak. No these trees were singing and dancing. It was fun to watch all the kids get into the music and do their parts so well. He was a very good tree!

Quick Trip to California

So we had a quick trip to San Diego to go to Legoland and have breakfast at Potato Shack. We did a stop at the beach and hung out at my sisters. Thanks Joan, YB and kids for letting us drop in. It was a fun trip even if it was quick.