I sat. I waited. I got one.

I've always been an early adopter, but never has a shiny new gadget delighted me so much; I just had to share. If you haven't gotten your hands on one, go to the Apple Store and take a test drive. This thing is mind blowing. LOVE it.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALY 1/4 OF A CENTURY!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY--ALY!! WE LOVE YOU.
Aly claims this is her first speeding ticket??? Alyson and Mom bonding!
Hiking buddies---it was way too hot!!! 115 degrees in Moab

Have a SUPER birthday

Love,

Mom and Dad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALY!!

I can't believe I beat everyone else to it! Happy Birthday Aly! I hope you have a fun day! I would post some pictures but I don't have any on this computer. Does anyone else have some pictures of Aly to post? UPDATE: (from Rand) I searched for BABY pictures, but couldn't find any. Here are a couple.

Happy Birthday Red Bones.

I hope you've taken the day off Vida. I'm sure you deserve it. And I hope your kids are going to wait on you hand and foot all day bringing you presents, and bon bons, and a five tier cake smothered in chocolate (or vanilla or lemon if you prefer). Have a WONDERFUL birthday Vida. We love you. Too bad we're not closer so that we could share the day with you. PS: Don't forget to update us on you and your family here on the blog. I know you remember how to do it. PSS: I don't recognize any of the girls in the picture. Do you?

Denny and Howell Weddings

Hi everyone, As you know we have a couple family weddings coming up! So.... if you want to go in on a group family gift, let me know by calling and/or responding to the blog and let me know the amount so I know how much to spend. (No minimum required and it will be confidential!) I'll talk to the groom and/or bride, or just do something that they registered for. Thanks ya'll! LISA Howell wedding is 07/07/07 Denny wedding is 08/08/07

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, COOPER!!--4 YEARS OLD

COOPER'S NEW WHEELS!Now I'm 4 years old---do you like my hair cut!
Grandma and Grandpa love you, Cooper! Have a SUPER birthday!

Hannah Banana.

Hannah is TWELVE. Today she and Cooper are all about new purses, and new clothes, and new jewelry, and new stuff for her hair, and new...wait...Cooper doesn't care about any of that stuff, but Hannah sure does! She's even officially now old enough to wear EYE SHADOW! She's chosen lemon pasta and caprese salad for her birthday dinner and after we open presents we'll be off to PINKBERRYS. If you don't know what Pinkberrys is you'll have to google it. Happy Birthday Hannah! We love you.

Super Cooper.

Cooper my boy
Today is YOUR day.
Let the party start early
and get on with the play.
There are mud cakes to bake
and water fights to be had.
There are games that need playing.
There are dragons that need slaying.
There are presents to tear
(maybe even new underwear).
There are bugs to start catching
and plans to start hatching.
Yes, Cooper my boy
today is all yours.
Have a WONDERFUL birthday.
And remember NO CHORES.

We love you COOPER!

Grateful for our blessings--remember others

The Willey and Draper families are very very grateful tonight for the safety of their husbands and fathers and son. The killing today of a correctional officer hit very close to home. He was doing a job that is similar to a job Kelly and Clayton do. Josh is also at the prison working with many different prisoners, not knowing what each day may bring.

I would hope that our family will thank Heavenly Father for their safety, today, and also pray for the family of the officer that was killed.

Love to all of you--
Pam

Make a wish EMILY.

Our darling Emily is having a birthday today. I think she's 22. Now that it's summer I hope you started your day with a little breakfast in bed, whipped up by Brian and the kidlets. And that only after sleeping in for several hours. And as for the rest of the day? I recommend you enjoy every moment being grateful for another wonderful day (which I know you will). We wish we were close enough to have some cake. Have a fab birthday Emily. We love you tons.

Amee. Forgive Mee.

We've been on the road all day today (returning from Utah) so I didn't get to my email until I arrived home EXHAUSTED! But, I didn't want the day to pass without wishing AMEE a very, very, very happy birthday. I hope you've been utterly spoiled today and then some. We love you Amee. Happy birthday.

Summer at the Jeff Willey House

Lauren is really into pulling funny faces.

Morgan likes to do what her sister does.

They both enjoy babysitting their cousin, Tate.

Morgan likes to dress herself whenever she can.

Nothing like reading the paper on the front porch

They decided to have a party with the shredder paper while Jeff and I were still sleeping this morning. This is just a snapshot of the mess. It covered the entire upstairs.

Braydens first letter

Hello to everyone, welll I made it and all is well. my first comp is elder post, he is from salt lake city, thats in utah if you didn't know that already. I got the canadian money that you sent me thank you. They said that mail takes along time like 7 days but its all good. They also told me is you send any thing send it through regular mail not fedx or anything else cause I will get taxed big time. My first area is calgary north so I am just barely outside the city. How is everything down there they said it gets to -40 degrees thats a little to cold. Any ways my home address is 6103 centre st NW Calgary Alberta T2K0V1 I live in a basement of someones house I have not meet them becuse they are gone for 5 weeks but any ways its weird everything is in metrics so the temp is 24 cel one of the hotties days so far well I love everyone and miss you all I just wanted you to know all my info so I GET ALOT OF LETTERS AND EMAIL well love peace and chicken grease Love Brayden.

Ben's Going on a mission!

Ben has recieved and finally opened his mission call! He will be going to the Missouri, St. Louis mission and he leaves for the MTC September 19th. His mission has southeast and central Missouri and the south west corner of Illinois. He is excited to serve and we are glad he has a few more months home and a little more time to prepare before he goes. Talk to you all soon.

Love,
Jon and Val

Happy Father's Day Dad, and Thanks!

Happy Father's Day Dad. I'll always be grateful that I was lucky enough to have the kind of dad who'd hand his fishing pole to one of the kids when he felt a fish on the line. You're a wonderful person and someone I'm proud to have as a father. I hope you know how much we love you. Hope you have a great day!

Have we got a deal for you!!

This all came out backwards since I am a rooky at posting pictures. Sorry. We are also looking for a home for Hairy. Very lovable conversation piece. We are giving him to the pet store if no one wants him. Thanks Tim for him , we have loved him. We might put him on ksl.come also to see if there are any takers. lol.

She watched every move and is worried she might be for sale also. Make us an offer, as I have threatened to replace her with an iguana if she keeps getting muddy in the fields. Gently used, but lots of life. Mind of her own. Must provide references before any consideration of adoption.

We're also selling these 2 living/entry southwestern tables. We still like them, but they aren't going to fit the new decor. Their too nice for the barn for workbenches!!!

We're remodeling our living room /kitchen area and are selling this table and chair set. It is solid oak with 2 leaves and 8 chairs. We bought it new in fall of 02' for $1,200.00+ and are going to list it on ksl.com for about $800 obo. If any one in the family could use it we will make a killer deal. Call us asap or post on the blog so we know before it goes to ksl.com.

Viva la raza, Mark & Lisa

A GREAT SUMMER DAY!!

Nothing quite like sharing an apple and a chair with your best
friend and sister on a beautiful summer day!!!

Family Favorite Recipes: Cafe Rio Pork

Someone left this recipe in a comment on my blog, and I thought others might like to have it. It's definitely not South Beach friendly with the Coca Cola and brown sugar, but it did sound to me like it would be very good. (I rewrote the recipe a little so it's in more standard recipe form, but the ingredients are just as the person left it in the comment.)

Cafe Rio Pork
(Recipe from Shannon Peterson of Orem, in case anyone knows her.)

3 lb. pork roast
16 oz. salsa
1 can of Coca Cola
2 cups brown sugar
water
½ pack of fajita seasoning
1 can green chilies
2 tablespoons of taco seasoning

Fill crock pot with just the roast, and fill it half way with water. Cook on high for 5 hours. Take the pork out after the 5 hours, and drain the liquid down the drain.

Cut the roast into 3 or 4 sections and place back into the crock pot. Puree the salsa in the blender and transfer to a bowl. Add the Coke and brown sugar and mix. Pour over the roast and cook on high for 2 more hours.

Add fajita seasoning, 1 can green chilies, and about 2 tablespoons of taco seasoning to crock pot and cook one more hour. Drain liquid into pan and reduce to a thick sauce. Shred pork with a fork, and serve with the sauce.

campout?

a few of the siblings (dave denny's, Kelly Willeys, Clayton Drapers) have been talking about going on a campout. today I booked four camp sites at East Canyon State Park up by morgan. the dates are Fri. July 20, sat 21, sun 22, mon 23. checking out on Tuesday the 24th. Dave Dennys, willeys, drapers have taken 3 of the sites. one more already booked site is available if someone is interested. please call Dave asap. (801-430-4602 cell) all four of the sites are full hookups and about $25.00 per night. sorry if anyone didnot want full hookups, but I had to decide and it's 12:30 p.m. some of the booked sites have room for tents. as of this date there are still about 10 sites still available, but hurry if interested. I hoped that this site was kind of close to salt lake, so some married children could come up if they wanted. it's close to the lake for fishing, wave running, or swimming, but sorry not too much shade. the campground is brand new last year and real nice with showers, toilets, etc. call if you have other questions, or look up reserveamerica.com and then look for east canyon state park. we'd love for the married kids to plan to come up at least satruday or sunday for a BBQ and games. right now, sandee is in #3, Pam is in #5 or #29, and Dave is in #27. look forward to hearing from you and seeing all who can make it.
Dave

More Thomas shots...

A little better hair picture
















Grandma sucking face






A rare shot of open eyes

Say hello and welcome to Thomas Edward McClelland

Finally he has arrived (about 5 days late!) THOMAS EDWARD MC CLELLAND

Born 6/12/2007- Columbus Ohio

8 pounds 10 ounces

20 1/2 inches long

lots of 1 inch long reddish brown hair!!! ( I will try to get a good picture of the hair for you)

Mom and baby are doing great and we are very thankful and thrilled.

Thanks for all the love and support....

Love to all

Janet

More Shower Gifts!

Thank you Pam, Kara, Ally, Kristen, and Erin for the baby monitor! It'll definitely get a lot of good use for years to come.

Thanks to D, Ang and their adorable family for the BYU onesie! I think it'll fit perfectly, don't you? Go Cougs!

And for the awesome box of cute goodies, thank you Heather and Becca! All things we will definitely use - 2 sleepers, 2 blankets, 2 binkies, an adorable little dinosaur rattle and a box of disposable washcloths (good thinkin!)

We love all of you and appreciate your thoughtfulness - it means A LOT!

Update: yes, I'm still pregnant and 2 days overdue but I'm having some labor pains as I write this so hopefully within the next day or so we'll have someone to introduce to you all. Cross your fingers for us!

THANKS AGAIN!

Happy Birthday Andrew.

Today is your day Andrew. It was on this day in history that the entire family (especially Jacob who was getting a little brother) jumped for joy at the arrival of a darling little boy. A darling little boy named: Andrew. Now a few years have passed and guess what? We all continue to jump for joy (although perhaps a little slower and more crinkety than on your arrival day) that you are part of our family. And since you'll be enjoying cake today, as you blow out the candles know that every one of us in the family are wishing you a WONDERFUL day filled with love, laughter, and peace. We love you Andrew. Now get on with the party!

3 Months Old

Not much going on with the Drapers. I'm just watching the kids grow up and enjoying the first fruits of summer. Just thought I would share a picture of Sadie with ya'll. Now where is that McClelland baby?

Jennica's Graduation

Woo Hoo! Jenn graduated yesterday! It was a fun day!

Matty, Matty, Matty.

Just look at that face in the picture. Is that cute or what? And now our little Matt has grown up into a kind, incredibly polite, respectable, creative, adult. I'd say it all happened when he switched from a PC to a Mac, but he was all those things before that so that blows my theory. Actually I think he had it in him all the time. Keep creating Matt and have a wonderful birthday. We love you.

Jaxon's Buzz

Jax got his first haircut yesterday. He thinks it's pretty cool!

Sweet Nicole.

Today is Nicole's birthday. I'm sure right this very minute Ben is slaving away in the kitchen making some very special breakfast (And all from SCRATCH) which will be served in bed. And then later Nicole will blow out the candles on the four level tiered birthday cake that Ben made with the homemade icing and Raspberry filling. Again, all from SCRATCH. We just wish we were there to give hugs on this historical day. We hope it's WONDERFUL. Even if none of it ends up being from SCRATCH. We love you Nicole. Happy happy day.