HAPPY BIRTHDAY SOPHIE! - #1

1st Lemon! 1st time sleeping in a tub!1st bike (thanks Grandma & Grandpa)
1st model pose!

Sophie is having a great Birthday.

As long as she has a balloon to carry around, she's happy.

Draper Back to School

Here's the one pic of the Draper kids going back to school. Emily was the good mom and went into the classroom. Unlike Pam and Kalyn, I was quite excited for school to start. Much less fighting between Mason and Rylie when Mase is at school all day. Back to school was not quite the same with Darren not having to prepare for students. That's it from here...

Recovering from Texas.

DON'T READ THIS JUSTIN or OTHER TEXAS FANS.

Returning home to California we immediately realized (not for the first time) one thing: WE'RE COMPLETELY SPOILED. Texas was incredibly hot, 100+ most days. (Rarely in the summer in Venice does it get above about 87 degrees. Pretty perfect weather.) Texas is ugly. Sorry Texas fans, we just found that everywhere we went, everything was a complete mess. They need a state-wide cleanup, for about a year. Texas has HUNORMOUS (that's a Gunther word) cochroaches. Texas is boarded up. Everywhere we went we saw abandoned shopping malls and Walmarts. It seems they just board up everything and continue to move into the suburbs deeper and deeper. Almost the entire downtown area of Corpus Christi is boarded up. Very sad. Texas needs to change its diet. I have never seen more incredibly obese people in my life than on this trip. I imagine that the longevity of Texans is much lower than in lots of other places. Speaking just for myself, you could certainly say that Texas is a good little dancer. A very good little dancer.



We did manage to find a few things we enjoyed: The water temperature in the Gulf of Mexico is lovely...about 85 degrees. There are HEAPS of butterflies in Texas. Hundreds buzzing around certain bushes. I liked that. The RiverWalk in San Antonio is beautiful, even though it is touristy and commercial. The giant trees along the river are incredible and most of them over 100 years old. Austin is a vibrant and fun city. We had some incredible Thai food across from the University of Texas. I'm sure there are lots of other good things about Texas, but I'll have to leave it up to the rest of you to discover them. Never have more truer words been typed: THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

Trip to So. Cal----Thanks Rand

Kara, Cooper, Sophie and I just returned from a FUN trip to Rand's.
We loved walking Dr. Love around the canals---it is very beautiful!!! Sophie absolutely loved the beach---Cooper loved the beach and the ocean.
The boardwalk was interesting!!!

Coop and Soph loved running around at Rand's---it was freedom inside the locked gates.

Cooper explored---even in Dr. Love's bed!!!
We attempted to get a picture of all of us---Dr. Love would not cooperate---see me coaxing her.
A few more pics to come.....................

First Day Of School....

Kynaston's are getting back into the grind. Can't believe summer has come and gone. The kids enjoyed time off school, but I don't think they fully realized how ready they were for school. (or maybe it was me) Either way, school started on the 17th of August and It's nice getting back into some sort of routine. Happy Blogging. The pictures include the first day of school, a fun visit with Aunt Cole and a Sunday Morning picture of the family.


P.S. Jeff and Erin...I need to know how much I owe you for the awesome family signs. Let me know ASAP.

HI EVERYONE!

Hi there!
I've been going through Blog Withdrawals! I keep looking every few days - and nobody has posted! With Rand on vacation and Pam on a warm beach and all the rest of us getting ready for school, wedding reception, missions, new jobs, and etc.... - we've all been busy.

Last night when we stopped to visit Dad and Norma for a minute, Dad thought maybe the blog was broken because nobody had posted. So.... I thought I would!

Hope everyone is doing well in all their endeavors.

The Utahns are glad to have Lizzy-lou coming a little closer to ZION, as she comes this weekend to Ricks (oops, BYU-I).

Justin will be speaking in Sacrament meeting the last Sunday in September at 9:00 am. The church is 1/2 block south of our house.

My brother Nefi, has moved from Las Vegas to Bountiful this week. Sadly, no more trips to Vegas, but gladly, it will be fun to have him and his family close by. (For those who scrap, Kathy is the amazing scrap book queen. A tour of her scrap book room will blow your minds!)

N & S wedding last week was awesome! The sealer talked to them for a long time, giving them great advice. He pulled up a chair and sat right in front of them and spoke to them, but he was really speaking to all of us in the room. I heard they had a GREAT trip to San Diego and unfortunately have to get back into life. Welcome back you two!!!!

Sadly to say, summer is over. Our prayers and love are with each of you as this year continues. All our love,

Lisa and family

Willeys at Escalante!!!

Willeys were able to get away to Escalante together---we had a great time. We were dissappointed that Kara, Tim, and C & S had to stay home as the kids got sick. We missed them.
Kelly caught tons of fish!!! Can you see how big most of them were!!
Aly and Kristen at Devil's Garden!! It was very hot there, but we had thunderstorms and down pours on the way there and back.
Morgan and Lauren were always entertaining us!! I had to get one family picture---you can see the girls were really into it!
Beautiful arch --- Aly is giving Lauren a ride back to the car--(I forgot to look closely at the picture it may be Morgan)!
P.S. It is Morgan. Love to all,
Willeys

Surely somebody is having a birthday today.

Let me just flip here through my family birthday calendar, yup, today is the day Jon Howell arrived on Earth. And ever since that day he's been figuring out all kinds of left-brained stuff like why it's actually safe to pull a car and trailer out onto a frozen lake for a little ice fishing. I hope he figures out that today is a day of leisure. No work, all play. No liver, all cake. No bills, all presents. No worries, all calm. Happy happy birthday Jon. We love you.

I remember...

Swimming at Grandma Goodfellow's pool. Letting me wear Dad's shoes. Val asking her in the hospital how many children she had for the Doctor and she said " not enough!" Bottling everything in season, just to give away. Delivering bread to the neighbors. Paper routes in Opal station wagons. Teaching me how to hold a baby bunny to feed with a doll bottle. Protecting me from Mrs. Eldredge when I did'nt deserve it. Dressed in white in the Temple. Spanking the bread. Handmade shirts and dresses hanging on the curtains at Christmas. Frying chicken then baking it in the oven. Bulgur. Mixing the milk. Holding my hand while Dr. Clarke took out my tonsils. Apricots at Aunt Ella's. A handmade brown quilt for my water bed (Matt still sleeps with it in the basement) Wiping away my tears at Dr. Stutznegger's dentist office, wow that was scary!!! Caring for Uncle Tell one day a week for eight years to give Aunt Ella a break. Pennies by the inch for 33 years! Primary Children's Hospital. Loving the Missionaries in New Mexico. Teaching me to walk in the light... Laughing and crying and loving and praying... just for me, often when I didn't deserve it. Watching her smile when Dad called her "Looa" Thanks Mother for the memories, I think about you every day when I log on to my computer with my password of "Eula" I miss you and love you and hope to see you soon. Mark.

Happy Birthday...

Today is the day Jorel joined our family. That means today Jorel doesn't have to do any chores. Today you get to eat cake, blow out candles, open presents, eat your favorite dinner, pop balloons, and probably enjoy some other traditions I don't know about. Don't worry looking for any gray hairs in the mirror Jorel, you've got a few more years for that. Have a wonderful Birthday Jorel. We love you.

I REMEMBER....

I remember many things....
...canning salmon in the trailer in Alaska because Mark and Dad wouldn't stop catching it

...having the one on one time with her doing her stretches and excercises in the last months of her life

...welcoming me with open arms and telling me how much she loved me

...always being able to look at her - no matter what - and see a smile on her face

...always knowing she would add: but she's a good little dancer

...telling me it's ok, not all of us are blessed with the same talents (quilting)

...and many more. I miss you mom. I love you. I can't wait to be with you again.

xoxoxoxoxo, LISA

I REMEMBER.......

I remember endless patience.......
loving me for who I am.....
all the wonderful things already mentioned.....
never a negative word about anyone else.....
no complaining......
taking Christmas to someone We didn't know...anonymously of course
ringing and running so we weren't caught!
ringlets....
tears with tarred dresses......
hugs......
veggies on the walls, so the little ladies would have fresh produce..
many Friday night 3 handed hand and foot games.......Dad was cheer leader and refreshment getter!!
drying tears....and assuring me it would all work out
trusting in the Lord
Pennies by the inch....

Most of all unconditional love to all of us---her family----
.....I wish you would run over carrying your wallet and wanting me to go somewhere with you...I love and miss you so much Mother.
Pam

The Thing I Remember

When I think of mother, the one thing I remember the very most was the way I used to feel around her. However she did it, she was able to make me feel completely loved and 100% accepted when I was around her. I haven't met many people in my life who could make me feel that way, although there are a few others in the family. It's a quality of mother's that I am completely aware that I don't have, and one that I'm always trying to work towards.

I Remember...

One of the things that I remember the most and that I think about all the time is the Thanksgivings we used to have when Grandma was here. She had all the tables set with your own jello and name tag. So much love went into those Thanksgiving and I am so grateful I was a part of them.

Some of the other things......


I remember the Sunday root beer floats.
I remember how much I loved getting my hair braided on the Denny Family Campouts.
I remember grandma always having time to sit down and play any game I wanted.
I remember having so much fun at sleepovers.

I miss grandma so much and I am so thankful she taught my mother so many wonderful things and I see so much of her in my mom.

I Remember................................

Eating gummy worms in her trailer from the "trout".
Staying with her and Grandpa may times while my mom was at young women's camp.
Drinking hot chocolate with REAL marshmallows in it.
The mug tree, hat tree, ramen noodle tree, etc.
Getting my hair braided in every way you could think of.
She ALWAYS had chapstick in the kitchen window sill.
I LOVE YOU GRANDMA!!!!!

Dear Mother

A few things I will never forget...

Big mounds of fragrant, soft bread dough on the kitchen table.
Onion and cheese casserole every Thanksgiving.
Freshly filleted and fryed trout in Windsong
A calm, happy smile at the dinner table while the rest of us were hysterical with laughter.
a "never too tired" attitude when anyone needed anything she could deliver.
a quiet confidence in her abilities and ours to do anything we set our hearts on.
Hot, homemade chicken and noodles on a cold winter day.
Divinity with walnuts every Christmas ( I still can't make it like she could)
Totally forgiving nature.
"good little dancer" positive attitude.
A warm touch and ready smile to always let you know you were loved and welcome.
Crocheted edges on the baby blankets.
a summer of endless quilts for a service project.
Special Primary Children
piles of homemade fat noodles drying on the kitchen table
endless patience to teach anyone whatever they wanted to know, from cooking to crocheting, and heartaches to baby care.
Mom, this is how I feel...what do you think I should do? I still want to call her with those questions.

I could go on and on as I discover a new thing that I owe to my dear Mother everyday of my life.

Thank you Mother,

I love you

Janet

For Mother's Birthday: One post, many Authors.

Today I'm remembering our wonderful Mother and Grandmother on her birthday. I invite you all to join in by adding to this post underneath mine.

I will always remember:

Homemade warm cinnamon rolls after school. Starched nursing caps and cool pins. The tithing chest of drawers. Joint art projects. Sitting on her lap at the giant pressing machine. Letting me watch her clean a pheasant. Homemade Sourdough biscuits in Windsong. Free shots for anyone who needed them. Her card shuffling prowess. Picking apples together at Mrs. Olsens. Lying my head on her lap in church while she tickled my hair. Black licorice. And so much more. I love you Mom. From Rand.

Happy Birthday Big Sis.

I have only one sister who:
Used to ride me like a pony, and then dismount to lap up milk and popcorn from a bowl along with me and the other little pony. Our corral was in the entry way at 305 North in Bountiful.
Has eyes that are the shape of an almond. (I'd say what we called her, but it's not exactly politically correct anymore.)
Speakes fluent Spanish. (Actually I probably have more than one sister who can do that.)
Won a pie everytime she hit a homerun in softball. I loved the pies. I liked the softball.
Cut her hair REALLY short one time and wouldn't come out of her room for days. I remember telling her over and over: "It looks cute."
Proudly carries the title: The Tasting Queen.
Presented me with an honorary membership to the PTL CLUB when I was a kid. I had such a fascination with televangelists.
Has three really smart kids and one really smart husband.
Lives in a place that's OK. Although I'm sure it's really a nice place to live.
Happy Birthday Laurel. Have a wonderful day. We love you.

Soccer

Hello everyone. For a little update, Kenzie has made a competition soccer team that we are excited about. Hopefully it stays fun and not too competitive. She loves it, and they have a cute team of a bunch of 10 year olds. (Just imagine the giggling.) If anyone needs a tax write-off, they could use a little money to help fund their tournaments and buy sweatshirts. No pressure, just thought I would ask. They do have a tax # if needed. Thanks for reading.

D Drapers

What's the saying....Everybody loves a parade!!

Sophie can walk!Kristen and Shane...
Erin....is this fun?? Cooper and Grandpa think it is.
M & L definitely think it is hot!!
Aly and Sophie ---front and center!

Many of the Willeys enjoyed their tradition of going to the 24th of July parade. We were joined by Dave & Amy, and Mark & Lisa.

Lauren and Morgan thought it was HOT!!

Anybody Need a Beach Vacation?

Sun. Sand. Surf. And a Min Pin. Free. Bradley and I are trading our beach for a little beach time with his family in South Padre Island, Texas and wondered if anybody would like to stay in our house while we're away. Here's the deal: We leave August 16th and return August 24th. We'd be happy to fly two people down to LA, provide a car, the house, kayaks, boogie boards, sunscreen, and the beach for that period. The only catch? The house comes with an adorable Min Pin that will gladly ask you to throw the ball for her 24/7 while you're there. And she will expect you to feed her...rather serve her her meals. We figure a free vacation for a little dog sitting isn't a bad trade. Let me know if we have any takers.

Bateman family update...

I just wanted to let you all know that Danen recently accepted a position at Novell (in Provo) so we will be moving shortly. Danen starts his new job on Monday and will be staying in Salt Lake while I try to get our house here ready to have renters move in. We are looking for a new place to live anywhere between Lehi and Santaquin. We have a great realtor (Ryan Torsell) who's been helping us look at houses. Bridger is getting bigger everyday and is excited to move a little bit closer to some of his cousins. That's our update for now...I'll keep you all informed! Thanks for all you do!

What can I say about Bradley?

He's kind. He's brilliant. He's calm. He's compassionate. He's funny. He's crazy about "So You Think You Can Dance." He's strong. He's playful. He's creative. He's a good cook. He's a wonderful father. He's temperless. He has the eyelashes of a cow. He's sad if a day goes by without boogie boarding. He's a listener. He's thoughtful. He's not judgemental. He's fun. He could live on Indian food. He loves design. He has great taste. He's impossible not to love. And he's a year older today. Happy 38th Birthday. We love you Bradley.

Happy Birthday Sophie

Today Susan's little girl Sophie turns five. I can't believe it's been that long! Here's a picture of her. She had fun playing with Ethan, Emma, and Livi when they were at my house.

Gimme an E...Gimme an M... Gimme another M...Gimme an A!

What does that spell? It spells cake and ice-cream, it spells cards arriving, it spells choosing your favorite things to eat, it spells presents, it spells balloons, it spells a party, and it spells a wonderful birthday for a completely darling niece: EMMA. We hope you have an amazing birthday Emma. We love you.