Travis Is Leaving

Hi everyone!

Travis is entering the MTC on Wednesday, Dec 15th on his way to Macon, Georgia. This Sunday, Dec 12th, he will be speaking at 11:00 am. The old white West Layton church is on the corner of Gentile and 2200 West. After Sacrament Meeting, you are all welcome to come to the house for lunch and visiting.

Love you all,

Lisa and Mark

and ELDER DENNY

Matt is having MULTIPLE CHILDREN!!!

Well, I knew that would get everybody's attention, so first I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend- some of us enjoying the 3 days of celebration we got this year in Utah! It was great!
It gave me lots of time to reflect on the sacrifices many have made in my behalf. And of course it always makes me so proud of Matt and what he is doing! So we had a great phone visit with him last night and all was great - then bam, we are out of connection with him - none of us can reach him.

Turns out he was busy trying to give birth to multiple kidney stones!!! As many of you can agree - they are extremely painful and they knock you to your knees. Well, he was talking with all of us on the computer and was sitting on the couch when he started hurting really bad. The sharp pain threw him to the floor, but he was able to crawl to the bathroom, before he threw up 4 times. Then he crawled to his phone and called a friend. Pretty soon, he was on his way to the hospital. (Matt freaking out in pain is not a fun picture! "Nurse, could you please hurry and give him something to calm down!")

After some good ol' morphine and other liquids, he was calm enough and had a CT scan and found MULTIPLE stones. Thankfully they caught them in the early stages and so good drugs will be his friend. But in the next few days keep him in your prayers so that as he has these 5-6 children, he will remember what all us moms go through to bring them to earth. All his females bosses there were just reminding him that so he could have sympathy for Lindy later on down the road!

He's still going through some pain - but doing much better. He is on bedrest now, and from what I hear, pretty bored and can't sleep, so if you get a phone call from him, he's just reaching out and spreading his love. In the last 12 hours, I've heard of 5 people he's called - isn't that great of him though! Down and in pain, but using this time to still spread love to family and friends!

We love you Matt, and if they ever give you the stones, I dibs naming them! Rest, drink lots of liquids and call lots of us!

xoxoxoxoxoxo

A mellow family gathering...

Hi everyone - with all the things going on in the family this week, this gathering at our house Monday evening is going to be really casual and easy. It's at 6:30 ish.

We'll have stuff cooking on the bbq and whatever else others bring, we'll eat. It's so neat to see "the second generation" bring the "third generation" and watch them play together. Its the CIRCLE OF LIFE- and that's what brings us together in this crazy world full of adversity and pain. So all - COME!!!

PS.... no pool, no pony rides..just a very casual gathering! But we hear it's been really, really hot, so there might be some water games! So have the little ones (and the big ones who are still young at heart) bring their swimsuits and/or a change of clothes. IDK, maybe like pool softball, water balloon volleyball, or whatever I have time and energy to come up with.

If you have fun water toys - bring them. If you have empty 2-L plastic soda pop bottles, bring those as well.

xoxoxo The Mark Dennys....
who at the current time includes: Matt & Lindy, Travis & Becky, Justin, Lisa & Mark, as well as Nacho!

Andrea and Kent are coming!

HI everyone,

Some of you know that Janet is having a 'mini' reunion at her new beautiful house with her children coming in and staying and visiting a while! Well after they leave Wild-oming, they want to come to ZION (Utah) and visit family and friends. So Andrea thought it would be easier to try to make a date and place and people come here to see them, rather than them try to stop and see all of you. So here's the plan, and we apologize for it being so close to the father's day bbq, as we know many of you are coming to that.

Andrea and Eddie and kids arrive in the Layton area Sunday, the 27th in the evening to Mark and Lisa's house. Kent and Tori and kids arrive around the same time, but to her mom's house is south salt lake. (Sorry Tori, I call everything south of the temple- south salt lake)

So on Monday night, June 28th at 6:30 pm-ish, we are gathering here at the Mark Denny house (1512 W Gentile in Layton). It will be very simple - so bring something you want to share (but not if you are an out of towner - let us in towners do more) and we will figure something to do.

Andrea and Kent LOVE their aunts and uncles, but they were hoping for the second and third generation to really come full force! So come one, come all!

Free tractor rides for all! Maybe I could validate a coupon I have and arrange for free pony rides too! Any takers?

Or if its warm enough (yeah right), I could arrange from another neighbor for a pool party for us in his backyard!

I will let you know - most likely through texting. So you texters.... text away to me!

LOVE YOU ALL!
Lisa and family

PS. We will be "incomunicado" from early Sunday the 20th until Sunday night the 28th. Then Andrea and Eddie will be here when we get back. Then Monday morning, we are getting our foreign exchange student from Spain that will be with us for a month! Many of you will meet him at the reunion at Lava. His name is Nacho, and he is 17.

Anyway - hope to see you soon!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MATT!

Wow! Hard to believe you are 25 years old today! (Well, yesterday in Japan) I still remember as they put you in my arms and I was amazed at how beautiful you were - eyes wide open and so alert! Little did I know how proud you would make me, 25 years later!

I love you and miss you so much, but know you are in good hands and people are caring for you and loving you - maybe not like your momma, but they are there for you!

I hope you had a wonderful day and you were a little spoiled! Be good, my son. Remember who you are. No regrets.

Grandpa gets a visitor

Imagine my surprise when I walked in to see Dad on Thursday, Jan 28th around 1:00 and there was President Thomas Monson sitting on the couch talking! It was just the two of them. A few weeks ago, Travis sent a letter telling him Gpa Denny would love to see him before he passes if he could possibly find the time. (Travis mentioned this to several people, all who didn't pay much attention to him, until our Bishop told him absolutely, he would love to send it!) (We are also trying to get Travis to write down what he remembers.)

We visited well over an hour, with Pres. Monson sharing many stories. Several times, a little different each time, he said he was in the SL Temple that morning and had the promptings to go and visit his dear friend, Edgar M Denny. He likes to listen to the promptings the spirit gives him so he decided that day was as good as any to go take a drive to Bountiful. He also wanted to give dad a priesthood blessing. I called in Dan, his driver that was standing out in the hall, and they gave him a blessing. Dad put one arm on the arm/shoulder of Dan and the other on Pres. Monson, completing a circle. I don't remember all the details but Pres. Monson said the Lord was very aware of Edgar and his struggles and he wanted him to know how much he loved him. (That was repeated different times.) He blessed him with peace through his struggles. At one point, I opened one eye to peak, and there were tears streaming down Dad's face.

As they were leaving, I asked if I could take a picture of him and dad and he smiled and said, "Why of course!" (I'm so thankful for cameras on cell phones!) Then he asked me to stand in the picture and had Dan take a picture.

It was a very simple, quiet visit, with Pres. Monson telling story after story. Some about Dad, but mostly about his own experiences. What a great big jolly soul. He laughed a lot, winked several times and just enjoyed telling stories. Throughout the visit, dad was very aware and very keen. He was able to answer simple questions that Pres. Monson or I would ask him, and he was part of the conversation.

I am in the process of writing down the experience and will mail each family a copy, with the two pictures attached. I can't remember everything, but hopefully in the next few days, the Lord will bless me to remember and be able to write the thoughts and stories so that all of you may pass the story down in your families that the prophet took time out of his day to visit his dear friend, Edgar Denny to let him know the Lord is aware of him and loves him very much.

Matt's Migraines

Hi everyone,

Some of you know that Matt has been having severe migraines, for over 6 weeks now. On a pain level of 1-10, they hover around an 8. In the beginning, he had an entire battery of tests, to look for a cause. Nothing in particular was found, but many things were ruled out. So, that was good.

But the migraines continue and he has no relief in sight. Many treatments have been started, but nothing has helped yet. Currently, they are trying to detox his body and he is only eating fruits and vegetables and drinking water. That's been going for over a week, and still they are severe. He is also seeing a chiropractor and may begin some acupuncture next week. Another possible treatment may be botox injections into his brain.

We are having a family and friend fast this weekend and are hoping you can join us. Thank you for your prayers and support. We love you all and are glad for this "CIRCLE OF FAMILY" that we have and know we are a strength for each other.

Lisa and Family

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARK!

Sorry I don't have a picture of my wonderful husband!... especially at this great landmark birthday of 55!
What a great man he is! I am so blessed to have shared 26 years of his life! That's almost half of his life!!! What a great blessing for me and for our boys! Honey, I know sometimes you get overlooked because of sharing your birthday with your dad, but you are always so great about it! Maybe we can post a picture later of your birthday present!

HERE'S WISHING A GREAT DAY TO THE TWO OF YOU!

I love you both and hope your day is MAGNIFICO!!!!!!

Con mucho amor,
Lisa

Photos from Brayden and Kaylie's Wedding

Prom Night Fairy Tale, WELL ALMOST

This is Becky, the pretty princess all dressed for the ball.

This is Travis,the handsome prince, sweeping the princess off her feet with his token of love and adoration. (and a rented tux!)

This is the prince and princess headed off to the magical evening. They started the day with her being kidnapped for breakfast! They they hung around and then went to a movie. Then they all went home to get ready. (It takes the princess longer than the prince) The group of 22 went dinner was at Rodezios - which is Prince' Heaven! (The Princess was also in Heaven!)

This is Utah Power and Light and Layton City replacing a telephone pole because the prince and princess had an 18 hour fun filled day and the prince was tired after dropping the princess off.

About a mile from his home, he could no longer keep his eyes open, and the next thing he knew he had wiped out a specialty ornamental mail box and ran into the pole - going 30 mph. All the prince had time to do was open his eyes, grab on to the steering wheel, and say a prayer while he hit it at full speed. (It happened in front of our friend's home, the family of Julia Barlow.)

We are sorry no pictures were actually taken of the pole, but the people there were all much more worried about important things - like the police questions, the ambulance medic questions, taking the prince to the emergency room, and so on and so forth) The pole created a great visual, hanging only by the wires!

This is the Fairy Godmother's carriage (aka mom) which was only lent for prom because it was a special occasion.


This was the star created by the princes' head that went over the little airbag that deployed. The prince received minor scrapes, bruises and airbag burns, seat belt burns, a concussion,
but no serious injuries!!!!! (The brain did slosh around some, but so far, the prince is still the same prince he was before!)

So next time, you are thinking of driving and you are exhausted,

PLEASE THINK AGAIN, and let the

prince remind you of a lesson:

DO NOT DRIVE!

BUT.....

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS BUCKLE UP!

IT WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE!

Photos from the Funeral

Just a few photos I took the day of Norma's funeral and I thought people might like to see them. Sorry I couldn't have been there later to take more pictures when everyone was there.

Mary Jade, looking very cute!

A bunch of Denny, Ostler, Stouffer kids. (Sorry Jake, but Amanda was making a face in the other one and I thought she might care more than you do.)

Another cute smile from M.J.

Does this look like anyone you can think of?

Finally, another picture of the handsome marine!

WELCOME HOME MARINE!

The 3 brothers are glad to be home, even though they were all freezing after being in sunny San Diego!

Hre's a proud mom and dad with the newly graduated Private First Class Marine, Matthew Denny. He's only been allowed to smile for the last week, so we have to remind him!

Here is Matt with Lisa's Aunt and Uncle that came down from Central California at the LDS Branches luncheon for graduates and families put on by the senior couple missionaries on base. This shows Matt's "portholes" - his glasses he had to wear while shooting, but since his SDI knows he hated them, he had him wear them on graduation day too!

The 3 Denny brothers walking together, having not seen each other for 3 months. But we weren't allowed to hang on to him while he is in uniform. The only "touching while walking" is he could hold his arm out to his mom and she could lightly touch his elbow. Which was fine with him, because he doesn't like to be touched!

This shows Matt really, really close to us (about 8 feet away) after the 4 mile motivational run they do so we can see them and they can see us, but we can't talk to each other. We, of course, were cheering and clapping, and this was one of their tests, to see if they could show no emotion while being able to see and hear us. He did really well, and only after he ran away from us did he break into a big smile, which we didn't see of course. The next time we saw them was about an hour or so later, with them showered and changed and looking handsome for us.

We are so proud of you Matt!

What's next?

On March 17th, he will go to Camp Pendleton for combat training for 3 weeks, then from there he will go to his job training for Combat Correspondent for about 3 months in Maryland. From there he will be assigned to his duty station. We don't know if he will have any leave at that time.

Also, for those of you who live close, please feel free to come by Friday evening, March 6th from 6-9 pm to visit with him!

MATT - 15 days!

Denny Family,

I was so excited to get the package of notes that a lot of you wrote from the superbowl party at my parents house! You have no idea how motivating they were! It was good to hear from so many, so thanks to all of you!

And I am glad Tim gave me the gossip about Rachel eating all the hotdogs!

I want to challenge you all, when you are out this week and when you see military men and women on the street, or if you know someone in the service, to tell them a simple "Thank you for your service!" It means so much, no matter how many times people say it, it is a great motivation to keep sacrificing!

And also, everyone, when you hear the Patriotic songs, listen to the words. Just listen. Thanks again and see you soon. I'll leave you with a poem I wrote last week and it is Marine all the way!

As the sun sets, the man is weary.
As the moon rises, the man is hurting.
As the sun rises, the man is lonely.
As the enemy strikes, the man is ready.
USMC - Oorah!

I love you all lots and miss you so much!

SUPERBOWL PARTY

FEBRUARY 1, 2009

PITTSBURGH STEELERS -vs- the ARIZONA CARDINALS

Yep, less than 13 days to the Annual Superbowl Party at Mark and Lisa's!

So wear your yellow and black (Steelers) or your red and white (Cardinals) --- or whatever color you want for those of you that don't know or don't care!

Kickoff is usually around 4:00 - ish.

Bring your appetite!!!!

We will have soups and breadsticks as the main course, and then whatever else ya'll supply.

We'll have all the paper products; if you need something specific for your dish let us know.

Bring 1 liter of what your family drinks and we'll provide the ice water, for you non-soda drinkers!

Reply with your number of who is coming and, if you want, what you'll bring so others don't duplicate it.

Bruce Springsteen is the half time show. Jennifer Hudson (American Idol finalist several seasons ago) will sing the national anthem. We will stand and have our hands on our heart for Matt and all those serving.

For those who don't live nearby or aren't coming - we'll miss you! But it was sure fun to see a lot of you at the after Christmas party! Thanks for making the sacrifice to come!

Mark and Lisa

Updates from Marine Boot Camp

Hi Family:
We got mail from Matt. If you'd like to be on our email list, let me know by replying with your email address. Otherwise, you can periodically read how he is doing.... which is great, hard times, but the changes are already apparent! (This time I'm posting quite a bit, but usually I won't, you'll have to get on the email list because it's a lot of re-writing! His letters are hand-written on different little papers and shoved in an envelope.)

Here's a few of the highlights:

**I have 66 guys in my platoon and half of us are sick. I have bronchitis, one day in medical.

**This is the hardest thing I've ever done. You can't breathe wrong, touch your face, relax, talk out of turn, nothing! If you get told to do something, you do it loud and fast and vicious or else you pay for it.

**I forget there is a world out there until we march towards the San Diego skyline and there are people living normal lives that don't get yelled at all day. I have no voice, none of us do, we yell all day as loud as possible.

**I prayed a lot asking for good health and I woke up feeling better.

**Last night we experienced a drill instructor hurricane - they emptied our bags, our foot lockers, took our blankets off our bed and locked our combination locks together and ripped our names off so we had to try every lock till we found ours. Good times.

**I am the prayer leader of us. There are 4 LDS in my platoon.

**Oh and I have lost 16 pounds already and feel great. It's all mental here.

**Everyone calls me the cookie monster because of my voice. I hardly have one.

**I am the witch doctor. I wrap ankles, deal with blisters, and deal with all the other small injuries. (He worked with a trainer on the LHS basketball team.)

**I am sore evey night and day, and as soon as lights are off, I pass out. It is taking every thing I have and even some I didn't know I had. But I keep remembering what I am doing it for.

**A cool thing is we lay in bed at 2100 hours at attention and during taps we remember those who have fallen before us. It's pretty cool.

**I have become closer with God. I pray 3-4 times a day.

**Give my address to everyone cause mail call is the BEST time of the day.

**Remember when the SDI said you could send stuff? well you have to send 75 of it cuz there has to be enough for everyone plus the leaders.

**Being at church is a great feeling. It's the only time of the week I feel at peace. As soon as I walk in I can feel the spirit strong.

**Boot camp is very straining on the body and mind, I will be sore until I die.

**Oh and I am the only one who comes from a good stable income and home. most of the guys have a rough life. so thanks mom and dad.

More Photos from Justin's Homecoming

Welcome Home Justin!

New Eagle Scout; 67 Days!!! Sir, Yes, Sir and ...20 DAYS!! YA'LL

And here we have our newest lastest Eagle Scout! He did it! Finally finished off the paperwork and had his board of review. (His court of honor probably won't be until November) We're proud of you Travis! (Sorry, this is an old picture) But, I will shortly be posting a picture of Trav in his SPEEDO!!!! Nope, not nasty pictures.... but Trav is on the swim team at Layton High! I'm sure I'll have to sneak one in of the speedo, but I'll keep trying!

Sir, yes sir. No sir. I'm ugly sir. Yes sir, you are better looking than me sir. Yes sir.

This was a proud day for the Mark Denny family....

On July 31, Matt swore in as a marine. This is Sgt. Estrada, his recruiter.

He was so ready to sign and papers for his country. Happy day! (Ya'll will notice he's very proudly wearing his Denny Family Shirt!)

This is where he took his oath (and mom got very emotional watching him be so proud and happy!)

He signed up on a delayed entry program, so that he can have 6 weeks to make Elder Denny "normal!" On Dec 1 (the Monday after Thanksgiving), he swears in again with his final oath. Then he drives off to the airport. Any and all of you are welcome to come for the swearing in. It's an emotional experience, plus it would mean a lot to us to have your support.

Then.... there's this other big news..... 20 days. Wow!

Wow It's hard to believe that in 20 days, Elder Denny will be home. We pick him up on Wednesday Oct 15 (Trav's birthday) at 9:10 am at the SLC airport. He won't be released until about 5:00, so we're taking offers for visits!!!! We'll probably go visit grandpa and grandma and then of course have to each lunch somewhere and then hang around and follow mission rules for awhile. I wish I was smart enough to scan a picture he sent us, all decked out in boots, wranglers, western church, and of course a Texas size hat! He looks pure Texan!...with the biggest smile on his face!

Any or all of you are welcome to come over that Wednesday night, if ya'll can't wait till Sunday.

He will be speaking at church on Sunday, Oct 19 at our stake center at 2:30. Please respond if you need directions (or come to the house first and they'll be a map on the front door) Let us know if you are coming, so I can have enough food. We're probably just doing rolls and meat, so salads and dessert would be a great way to help! And pray for good weather!

Sorry it's been such a quiet and lonely blog. We're back in school, back in stress, Lisa's in the RS and busy, busy, busy. Matt's trying to tie up loose ends. We're trying to get things finished up on our remodeling and hopefully trying to get a room for Justin. I think we finally decided not to paint it. (good, since there's only 3 weeks left) But mostly, we need to find all his stuff. It was pretty well labeled and duct taped and in a corner until his little brother discovered it and mixed it all up. Now with the remodel, we're not quite sure if we found everything. Oh well, good thing they come home happy and pretty much carefree about the things of the world!

I'm sure everybody is in the same boat - with school and things going 100 mph! Plus we hear big things are happening Rand. Any blog updates??????

We love you all and hope you at least have time to breathe slowly and deeply 10 times! (do it now!)

Happy Birthday Elder Denny

Wow! 21 years ago, Elder Justin Denny was born on April 20th. Here's a few pictures to remind everyone how much we love him! The first is the 6/7 Denny boys at Nate's wedding (Stu was on a mission), then a family picture at the same wedding, and then with his favorite buddy. Maybe it's having the same birthday as Garrett, but Justin also always has a happy smile on his face! He's just always happy; especially doing what he's doing at this time. Hard to believe he's been gone 18 months!

We love you Justin! Have a great next 6 months. Work hard. Be obedient and of course, keep on smiling!!!!!

Wasn't this a HAPPY DAY!

I dug back a few years for this picture of a VERY happy day in our family: The day LISA became a part of it. And just to show Lisa how glad we are that she's ours, why don't we throw her a party today. Let's make her a cake, blow up some balloons, wrap some presents, and sing her songs. Oh, and let's also wish her a very very happy birthday! We love you Lisa!