Up, Up and AWAY!

Several years ago, Nick challenged Steele to go skydiving with him on his 60th birthday.  Steele said "sure" but figured that Nick would forget when the time came.   Not so...when  Steele turned 60, Nick reminded Steele about his "promise" but Steele said "No way!"  So imagine our surprise several months later when we got a call from Steele saying he had gone sky diving!  Steele was in Nevada on a business trip with "Breitling" and they offered to take him skydiving, so Steele jumped!  (I am glad he told me about it AFTER he went!)  He said he was nervous, but not nearly as nervous as he was when he climbed the Grand Teton!  Here are some fun pics of the jump!
By the way, the lady who jumped before Steele..... her chute didn't open! Luckily the second one did!

The calm before the storm...

Ready...

Set...

GO!

Free falling!

Pulling the chute

Getting ready to land

Safe and sound!

Ellen....whoot whoot!

We did it!!  After 7 years of trying to get tickets to the Ellen show, we finally did it!  The "girls" and I have been making our annual rollerblading trip to California now for 16 years.  Although our trip centers around the beach, blading, biking and Hof's, we have also worked in trips to Disneyland, Universal Studios,  The Bonnie Hunt Show, The Tonight Show (with both Leno and Conan) and now finally...The Ellen Show!  Whoot! Whoot! We've had fun at all of them, but we danced our hearts out on Ellen!  

On our way!

That's an "E" for Ellen

Shawn smiling in anticipation!

Parking was TIGHT!! About 6 inches on each side!

Having fun while we wait!

Holding the "Golden Tickets!"

This is sort of like "Where's Waldo"  If you can find us, my "hats off to you!

It was a long wait, but well worth it!  We were there during Ellen's premier week and saw Eva Longoria, but the highlight for us was when they pulled our very own Tammy from the audience and brought her up front to dance!! She was the first one up and stole the show!  Her 'dancing debut' may have never made it on air, but her moves certainly won the audience over!  Ellen's crew must have loved her too because she got to dance for a very long time...and she never ran out of "moves!'

Tammy...wooing the audience!

Surprise!

This post is long overdue, but certainly blog worthy...especially to ME!!  About a year ago I decided to convert the study BACK into a nursery for our grandkids! I picked out a crib, sheets, blankets, a glider and even paint!  Unfortunately, the paint sat in the corner of the room for several months.   It seemed that every time I tried painting... something always came up, (or I just lacked motivation to get started!)  So when Steele, Blake, Nick and I flew to California for the Grand Prix, Chelsea, Bre and Bryan went to work! They spent what little free time they had to come over and paint the nursery!  (The girls had plotted it all our a few weeks earlier!)  So imagine my JOY and my SURPRISE when I came home and found this....

They also bought me a beautiful vinyl quote.  But when I tried peeling it off, I wasn't sure I could put it up straight!  So, once again... it sat waiting in a corner! A few nights ago, I came home from the store to find Nick, Chelsea an Tess here putting up my vinyl lettering...nice and straight! Yet, another great surprise! How blessed am I to have such wonderful kids!!!  (Especially  to have such amazing daughter in laws!  I love them all!)

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you ALL!  I couldn't have been more surprised or more grateful!!  

Graduation Day

He did it!

On Friday, April 29th we had the privilege of watching Blake become our third college graduate! Blake graduated from Utah Valley University with a Bachelor of Science in Communications.  It was a perfect day! (Even if the weather was more like February!)  Bryan, Bre, Steele, Chelsea Tess, Grandma, Steele and I were able to watch Blake walk across the stage and receive his diploma.  We are so proud of him!  School has never been Blake's favorite thing but that didn't stop him!  He was determined to complete his college education!   I love Blake's unyielding spirit!  I know things got rough at times, but he continued to pursue and prevail!  Congratulations Blake on a great accomplishment!  We love you!

Proud Mama!

Proud Papa

Ok...Steele thought it was a little long!

Grandma Davis was able to join us from California!

Lucky Blake...to have these amazing women in his life!

Tess and Chelsea

Congratulations Blake!!

Growing older...

I'm not sure how I feel about growing older...  In truth, I don't really feel that old until I pass by a mirror and see my reflection, or until I try to keep up with all the 30 year olds in my palates class!  Then it hits me... I really am getting old, (something I could NEVER imagine when I was young!)  Time has taken away  my flexibility, my endurance, my coordination,my figure, my brain and my youth, but in it's place it has given me time! Time to do the things I never was able to do when my kids were young.  I have  time to read, time for my friends, time to cook, time to play,  time to spend with my "Young Women", time to go on dates with Steele, time to travel without having to arrange for sitters and most of all...time to spend with my grandchildren!!  They are the payoff!  Time spent with them is priceless! So I will gladly relinquish my youth just for the privilege of being a grandma!

Tess and her guardian

Steele

Blessing Tess

Tess in her (and her mom's) blessing dress!

It's January 23rd, and before the month is over I need to share the highlight of the month... on Sunday, January 2nd, Nick and Chelsea blessed their beautiful daughter, Tess.  It was a very special day!  Tess was perfect as she was surrounded by her father, grandfathers and uncles! Nick gave her a name and a beautiful blessing! He blessed her with a kind manner, with mental, spiritual and physical strength and to be able to overcome illness.  He blessed her with an open heart and an open mind and the ability to judge people by their hearts and not by their outward appearance.  She was blessed to be an example to her friends so that they will come to her for help and for counsel.  She was blessed to find a worthy companion who could take her to the temple where they could be sealed for eternity. Lastly, Nick blessed  Tess to know that she can always come to her family for help, support and love and that she would  know how proud her parents are of her and how much she is loved.
Grandchildren really are one of the Lord's greatest gifts! Tess and Steele James are both blessed with wonderful parents! It is pure joy watching your children become parents and start families of their own!