Jeff's Birthday

Here are a few photos of our celebrations for Jeff on his Birthday!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving this year was a weekend long event. Thursday we had our Thanksgiving at Dad and Sharyn's house. It was very fun! Saturday we had Marcie and Josh's family and April & Vicente and the twins. Sunday, we had a meal with Lance and Kenna, Cade, Morgan and Kara. I will add some photos that tell more than my words, but I will say we are sooo grateful for such a wonderful and incredible family

Starting Something Beautiful

In November, I was invited to serve on the board of "Start Something Beautiful" at UVU. and specifically to help with a program named "The Fortunate 500". Our purpose is to offer scholarships to for non-traditional students to attend UVU. It is an incredible opportunity and I am delighted and grateful to contribute and work with these wonderful and talented women led by Ali Johnson.

CONGRATULATIONS - PERRITON FAMILY!!!

Layla Dee Perriton has arrived on the scene!! She was born around 7:30 a.m. on November 15th. She weighs 8lbs 6 oz. Marcie, Layla, Dad and Liam are already home from the hospital and getting settled in. Here are a few photos to share our happiness with you! That makes five grandkids to join the family in just over two years ~ How Fun!

P.S. There are only a few photos, and none of Marcie whom we are very proud of, but I wouldn't want someone else sharing photos of me right after delivery even if I looked as wonderful as she did ~ check out the perriton family blog for more.

Cade turns 20!!!!!

Fall is a time of many birthdays in our family and Cade's 20th was on Monday!
He had spent several days doing something he loves (hunting) and then Cade, Morgan, Kenna and Lance joined Kara and I for the day on Sunday. It was a beautiful fall day and we just had a nice dinner and then enjoyed being together. Congrats Cade and we hope the coming year is a great one for you!!!

It was a very Happy Birthday!!

While I do not relish every aspect of yet another birthday, It is a wonderful excuse to steal away with some of your favorite people and just "BE" together!

The day began with french toast breakfast with my wonderful kids at Kneaders. Kenna then had arranged for spa treatments for Kara, herself and me, followed with makeup and a photo shoot by a beautiful stream. We then headed to Dear Lizzie's and tried on some wonderful clothes - we had so much fun, we missed thier lunch hours which were why we were there in the first place, so we opted for Thanksgiving point for lunch/dinner! We had a beautiful fall day to enjoy and we laughed alot!

Sunday was a family dinner, Marcie Josh and Liam joined us as well as April, vicente and the twins - The grandkids always make any event a wonderful time!
Cade brought a new face for us to meet. Her name is Morgan Bready. Morgan is an amaxing artist and was a complete delight to have around ( I think Morgan and Cade have something good going on!!)

Jeff made special recipie steaks on the gril, Teriaki Mushrooms and toasted bread. He is a great cook on the grill - Some of us took a walk, and the kids played on the playset - we all loved being out in the perfect Utah fall afternoon!!

Thanks to Jeff for his efforts to make it such a nice day - and all of the kids and grandkids for sharing the day with us!!

The First Five Years

Susan and Danielle's Signing Party - Nashville

At the conclusion of our Disney Cruise, Jeff flew directly to Kentucky for business and to see his folks, and I headed straight to Nashville for Sue and Daniell's signing party with Warner Brothers. I spent a few days there. We celebrated Andy's birthday with dinner at Cheesecake factory and glow in the dark mini-golf. I did my best to help dad with the deck replacement project, and we went to the party. After thier party we went downtown Nashville and went to hear local live bands. It was a GREAT time. Jeff drove up from Louisville, where his parents due to a severe storm were out of power for days, and Robert flew out and joined us as well. Sue and Danielle did a great job and we are all sooo proud of them and thier progress and hard work! Sue has been touring quite a bit with John Rich as he has been playing gigs in support of John McCain. Sue was able to fly on McCains plane and meet him and his wife Cindy as well as Sarah Palin and her family. What fun experiences for her. She is slated to head to Europe to play with John for the troops sometime soon ~ You go Girl!!!

DISNEY WONDER!!!

September 10th we flew off to hurricane alley (Florida) into the last vestages of Ike. We were off on a long awaited family vacation! April, Vicente and the twins came as well as Marcie, Josh and Liam, Kenna, Lance, Cade and Kara, Tara and Taryn and Jeff and I. Steve was unable to come due to his schooling, and Marcie and Josh and Liam enjoyed disney world instead of the cruise due to Marcie's advanced pregnancy. We had rain upon our arrival but met for a great dinner all together at Old Key West the first evening. The next morning, we were off to the cruise!! It was a first time cruise for most of us and we had a wonderful time. Thank goodness for the seasick bracelets however. The twins and Taryn did very well, and Kara celebrated her 13th birthday on our last evening. One day was spent at Atlantis resort with an incredible aquarium, beaches, pools and fantastic waterslides. The next full day was spent at Castaway Cay where we snorkeled, and went on a glass bottom boat cruise. We highly recommend the Disney cruise for anyone! The service was fantastic and the ship was amazing and on and on!! We hope to go again in a few years when disney launches it's new ship and the grandkids will even be able to enjoy it more - We are sooo greateful for such an amazing and memorable experience - Thanks Jeff!!!

Here are some photos of the fun - Unfortunatly, I we weren't with Marcie and Josh much and Jeff took most of the Armendariz family photos with the video so we don't have as many of them here.

A visit from Argentina!!

Carlos and Tommy Meyer, came for a visit in September - It was Tommy's first visit to the United States and Carlos was eager for him to have an all American experience!
Jeff was a great host as usual, and took them four wheeling, shopping at Costco, golfing at Hobble Creek, Temple Square and to a Tabernacle Choir concert, To the Workman property to study energy solutions, to a high school football game, out for mexican food and Tommy even tried out my stick!. We had such a great time with them. They are wonderful guests and great friends!!! We welcome you again ANY TIME!!

Kara's in Junior High and a TEENAGER!!!

I am relieved and thrilled to report that Kara, upon her return to Public school is officially LOVING IT!! She is blessed to have a great bunch of friends at church and at school now and is really having a good experience. She has some fun classes, is on the tennis team and has a "boyfriend" named Devin whom I have yet to meet, but she says she likes him because he is a gentleman, and funny. Here are a few recent photos of Kara's life!

Tuckett Family Reunion

What wonderful people are the decendents and families of Loa and Leonard Tuckett!!
We were pleased to have the reunion at our home and it was such a great time!
With such an active group, there was fun conversations and activities all over the yard. The zip line was a big hit with the kids and even some adults. There was some pretty intense volleyball ( in honor of the summer olympics in Bejing ) Gary and Diane brought balls, mits, and a shooting game with rubber band guns and milk carton targets though the targets quickly became the moving ones (each other). Jeannies family brought a fun game with golf balls on ropes - I don't know the name of the game, but it is great fun. The kids also enjoyed the playset and had a fabulous time in the pool, with Jeff serving valiantly as Lifeguard! The food everyone brought was as always fantastic and we had a special treat of homemade rootbeer!! The most fun for me was observing everyone having such a great time and reconnecting. There was quite a few of us though it was only about 1/3 of our group.

Kenna and Lance were unable to attend, because Kenna got kidney stones (her first) and then a terrible kidney infection that had her down for days!! I am very happy to report that the huge antibiotic shots they gave her were successful and she is back on top of her game!!

A visit from Mexico

Vicente and April were visited recently by Vicente's Father, Step Mom, Step Sister and his Grandmother!! They came over one afternoon for a barbeque and we had such a nice time! They are wonderful people and very gracious and fun to spend time with even when I understand about 1/4 of what is being said! They swam and rode the zip line. Vicente's grandmother was determined to ride the zip line along with everyone else and it took some determined persuasion to deter her - She did go on a four wheeler ride with Vicente and we all took a nice walk down the lane - it was a beautiful time.

The next evening, we were invited to April and Vicentes for an authentic mexican meal - and WOW - we enjoyed it. What wonderful food, and again we enjoyed a very nice time spent with them -

Perritons in the Canyon

Marcie and Josh and Liam headed up Hobble Creek for a camp over and invited us for tin foil dinners and smores. the evening was beautiful and the food was wonderful. We had a great time watching liam explore

What a weekend!!

Last Weekend (Aug 1-3) We did a split. Jeff went fishing at Lake Powell with Josh and Brad Brown for Stripers. The report is that the fishing was fair and it was VERY hot (Powell in Augugst!) Yet, they had a good time and Jeff and Brad were able to discuss the new business (SolTech Solutions). I haven't written about that much yet, as it is in such early stages, but Jeff is busy and doing what he is very good at, so I am excited and will share more as it comes to light!

As for Kara and I, we accepted an invitation to bo backpacking in the High Uintas with McKenna and Lance - and how HAPPY we are that they asked and we accepted!

This was rather a historic trip, because though I have packed quite a bit in the past, I have never gone with either of my daughters! This was Kara's first pack trip and she did fantastic both at packing, and fishing and starting a fire with flint and steel!!!

I can't tell well express the fun it was for me to observe and enjoy this time with my girls and Lance! I am ever impressed with Lances wisdom and abilities! And what a joy to watch Kenna and Lance work together and to watch my girls fish and enjoy nature!

Lance was our anchor - the first night we packed in mostly in the dark, and at one point we had to cross a log over the river in the dark. I was NOT comfortable in my ability to accomplish this without ending up washed away in the river in the middle of the night, so we shone the flashlights on the log in front of Lance while he carried our three packs across!! Kenna is a strong and able mountain woman and loves being in the mountains. I was so impressed with her stregnth, ability and drive.

Kara fished with a fly rod as we all did and she wondered how she would do, but no worry, she did fantastic!! As for me - I am older than last time I went, (by 15 years or so) and I could tell, however I think I did well and only really struggled on the steep (up the hill parts)

We went to Norice and Pryord Lakes - I had not been there for so long, but it has always been my favorite!

I am including some photos - There is a bit of an imbalance as Jeff only took one photo on thier excursion and I must have taken 100. Don't worry though I have not included all of them

Again - Many Thanks Lance and Kenna (and Coca and Che - the protector and fisher dogs) for such a wonderful trip and cherished memories - we look forward to doing Red Castle next year!!!

Happy Pioneer Day!!

What a fun Holiday this was for us!!
Jeff, Kara and I met Liam and Marcie at the park for the Pancake breakfast - which was great, then off to scout a spot to enjoy the parade. It was great- no comercial products, mostly primary kids on ward floats or following on thier decorated bikes and scooters. Following the parade, it was off to the art exhibit to see the displays - Jeff displayed three of his paintings - this is his second year to do so - he got some very positive comments on them!
We walked around for a bit, to see all that was happening and Kara took off with some friends to try the games.

The afternoon was spent at home. April, Vicente and the twins along with Marcie and Liam stopped in - we played some music for the kids, took some photos and visited- it was very fun! Katherine is lifting her head incredibly well (see the slides) and Liam did a bit of dancing.

Jeff and Kara and I attended the evening patriotic performance of music and history and then waited for the fireworks. I didn't expect much - being such a small town, but I must say we were all very impressed!!! Laying on the grass under the show with great music playing - it was really my favorite fireworks ever! It was really a wonderful 24th celebration for us -

Kenna and Lance went backpacking with thier children (Coca and Che) check out the photos on thier very up to date Blog -

A little Camping

Monday night Jeff had reserved a RV from Toy Share, so we invited the kids to a cookout/family night up at Whiting campground. Lance and Kenna and Marcie and Liam joined Jeff, Kara and I. We enjoyed traditional summer camping food ( hotdogs, hamburgers, potatoe salad, pop, cookies chips and smores) Not exactally "healt" food, but it sure tasted great!

Jeff gave a great and very short Family night lesson on keeping the colors of our life bright and happy not dark and confusing -

After Marcie needed to take Liam home for his bath, we took a short and very beautiful walk and then sat around the fire and visited. After everyone left, we read for a bit and went to bed...............around 2:00 a.m with both Jeff and I still awake and very hot - we decided to head out. Arriving home, Jeff went in to bed and Kara and I slept in the RV (in the driveway!) and we all finally got some sleep -