Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Monmouth Park Horse Races

Last Sunday we went to the Monmouth Park Horse races. Come to find out, this horse track has a lot of history, with many jockeys winning major horse races here. It was really cold that day, but we had a lot of fun.

This is the winning horse with the Jockey. Once the race was over the winning horse and Jockey get a picture with the owner and his family. After the picture the Jockey has to go and stand on a scale to be weighed. I guess this is to make sure that they aren't cheating and that he is in the right weight class.

There wasn't a lot of people there as you can see in the back ground, but they were all beating.

Justin Bankhead, me, Jared Kalama and Taylor Dames. I'm holding the ticket, but I didn't bet, it was the ticket that lost Jared $10.

This is like the Hall of Flags at UVU. This where everyone hangs out, places bets and enjoys a hot dog and a cold beer. There were so many people betting. All of the banners hanging up behind me are of winning jockeys and the years that they won here at Monmouth Parks.

Before all the horses race, they walk the horses down this parade route. It allows people to see the horses and the jockeys and I guess it helps them decide on who they are going to place money on. The kids would have really liked this. Plan on going to one when you come out.

I'm not really a horse guy, but these horses are beautiful.

Underneath the Monmouth Park it states that this is the home of the $1,000,000 Haskell Invitational on August 2nd. We might just have to come out to this race and see it we can finish the summer out strong.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

A Day in New York City

It felt like home to be back in my old stomping grounds from my mission. New York City!!! I love this place. If I could only convince Mandy to move here. You feel so alive. For those of you that have been here, you know what I mean. Sundays are our only days off while we are out knocking doors in New Jersey, so we try and take advantage of the opportunity to go to the city. Time Square was closed off for some rally that was going to happen. Usually Broadway is full of taxi cabs up and down the street where I'm standing.


Braden Spence, Matt Stevenson, me and Ryan Starks all went into the city. Again we are standing in the middle of Broadway. I have never seen Broadway so empty, it was kinda weird.


Matt Stevenson, Ryan and Ryan Starks getting more pics in Time Square.


I don't know what Matt is doing behind me, but we where having fun. M&M's anyone?

Matt Stevenson, Ryan Starks, Braden Spence, Taylor Dame and me standing on the steps that lead down to that famous water fountain that has been in a lot of movies. The only movie I can think of is in Ransom when Mel Gibson's son is kidnapped. It was a beautiful day and we all had a great time.

This was a family that was singing together. They were actually really good. You see a lot of this all around New York. Everyone was taking pictures and giving them money.


This is where all the New Yorkers come to hang out. It is so funny, people act like there on the beach. Girls have bikini's, guys are playing volleyball and everyone is sun tanning. This is a day at the beach for most people who live in New York. You always see a lot more than you are planning for as well. We probably walked through this park three times for Ryan Starks.

You have to get a picture in front of the David Letterman Show. Taylor Dames, Braden Spence, me and Matt Stevenson. We have a great time and plan on doing it again really soon.

Friday, April 24, 2009

Makeup!


Ellie loves makeup! She always wants me to put it on her but I rarely do it because I don't want her going anywhere with it on, like school or church. On this evening we decided to have makeover night. I did Ellie hair and makeup fancy, and she did mine. She looks gorgeous and I love my green eye makeup. Don't you just love ALL the green?


Ellie can never make too many serious faces at one time.



McKay wanted to join in on the fun and NO we didn't mean to almost touch toughs.



Clara Turns 2!!


Our baby is 2!!
I can't believe how time has flown by. I think Clara is one of the happiest, easiest, goofiest kids ever. She has been a joy to have in our family. Her big brother and sister especially love her and take such good care of her.



We had both sides of the family over for pizza, cake and ice cream for her birthday party.

Jackson, Whit, Grandpa Jeff, Grandma Sherrie, Clara, and Hailey.




Wyatt with the soon to be Mrs. Wyatt Grow, aka Courtney
and Lindsay with the birthday girl.



The cutie enjoying her dinner before she could open presents.


You can't see her whole face here but you can just hear her saying "Ahhh!" all excited. The best part is that it was just some clothes. She did that for every present, and almost every present was clothes. That's what Mom asked for, not her.




Enjoying one of the few toys that she got, a Sesame Street remote control.



Learning all about animals.



Modeling one of the cute outfits she received.



Then it was time to sing.



Once we blew out the candle she asked for more. You can see she is doing the sign. I think we relit the candle and blew it out again about 4 times.








I guess this time she is embarrassed.




Mom and Dad with the birthday girl.




Finally she got to enjoy her cake.
We love you Clara!
Happy Birthday!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Baby Poppy is Here!!



Poppy Lind Catano
Born April 22, 2009
6 lbs 8 oz
My kids were so excited for the birth of their newest cousin. When I told them this morning that Poppy was going to be born today they all screamed and Clara started saying "Poppy, Poppy". They couldn't wait until she was born and we could go see her. Tonight they got their chance.

The proud parents
Aaron & Lindsay
Aaron is sick, hence the face mask.
Lindsay, well, she is queen of ugly faces.



McKay couldn't wait to hold the new tiny addition to the family. He looks so proud of himself.






Ellie didn't want to let go. She is such a little mother to her sister Clara and now she has an even tinier person to take care of.






Clara didn't really like holding Poppy but if anyone else had her she loved to hug, kiss, and pet her. She didn't even get jealous when I held her. Good sign.



In my family no one besides me has had a child for 12 years. It's so fun to have another baby in the family. It's also so different having a sister have a baby when I'm a fellow mom. I know exactly the magical feeling.




Poppy's cousin Kim.



Enthralled!!




Welcome to the family Poppy!
We love you already!

Monday, April 20, 2009

I'm OLD!!

I am now 30!
I actually was looking forward to it and claiming 30 for a few months prior to my birthday.
For the last year I have been building up my 30th. Talking to Ryan about what we should do for it. He took all the not so subtle hints and surprised with a trip back to Reno for the weekend before my birthday.

For my first morning there the girls brought me 30 black balloons and gave me my fabulous presents before we headed off for breakfast. Then some of us spent the rest of the day shopping until it was time to meet up for the night.

First on the agenda, pedicures. Who doesn't love soft feet with freshly painted toes?

Next on to a wonderful dinner at the fondue restaurant The Melting Pot. Everything there is so delicious, but the company was the best part.


After dinner we went to a late movie. That is pushing it for 5 moms. The next day was again spent shopping, eating and going to another movie. Great food, great deals, and a good movie, my perfect day.
I had such a wonderful trip!!
I still miss all the girls. Ryan really knew what to get me for my birthday.



On my actual birthday Ryan and I went out to dinner and then on the next night he threw me a surprise birthday up at his parents.

My Dad and Me



The fabulous husband who made it all possible.




Ryan invited everyone. Both families were there plus lots of friends, old and new.

Breanna, Christie, Me, and Rosie
I have been friends with all these girls for over 20 years.
I had a great birthday week and appreciate all the work and love that Ryan put into it to make it so special. I love you babe!