Mark & Keri Minson

Engagement Fun

2011-08-22T20:18:00.000-07:00

Steff got engaged on August 1st to Mark Ramirez. Here are a few pictures. This one is a bit dark... She got led on a fun Scavenger Hunt that ended up at the Provo Temple.

Happy Steff with Roses

She said Yes!

The Bling! Good Job Mark! Her ring is so beautiful.

The Big Day is December 30th, in the Salt Lake Temple

Welcome Home, Elder Ramirez!

2011-05-01T21:58:00.001-07:00

Welcome Home Mark! It was a happy day at our house.

Prom 2011

2011-05-01T21:48:00.000-07:00

Al went to SHHS Prom. He took a lovely young lady. They looked so nice together. Fun times!!

Alex and Andrea at the Promenade, looking dashing.
A close up at Promenade.

The house ready for Fondue Fun after the dance.

Cole, Shelby, Alex, Andrea, Emily and Matt. Talk about some beautiful teenagers!

Spring Break 2011

2011-05-01T21:34:00.000-07:00

We took a really fun trip to San Diego, California for Spring Break. The really sad part is that I forgot my battery charger and so when my camera died on the first day, that was that. Darn! Anyway, we went to the San Diego Zoo Wild Animal Safari Park, the Beach, Sunset Cliffs, Coronado, San Diego Temple, Mormon Battalion Museum, a showing of "Soul Surfer", Sunset Cliffs, Old Town San Diego, Little Italy, and Sea World. Rich joined us for half of the trip, so that made it extra fun. We got to see Steffi run at Mt SAC. The boys played basketball and pool and ping pong and ran, and we just plain had a wonderful time together. I'm so sad that I didn't get pictures. So, I'll have to remember what fun we all had, instead. Here are the boys at the Zoo.

Great.... I'm Gorilla-sized.

Baby gorillas...

Butterfly Exhibit

A day at the Zoo.

Girl's Trip

2011-05-01T21:21:00.000-07:00

I got to go on a really fun Girl's Trip with my mom and my sisters. We went to Disneyland for a couple of days, hung out together at a hotel, and spent a day with my aunt and her family. It was SO fun to see each other and have such a great time together. This is me with DeeAnn. I don't get to see her very often because she lives so far away, so it was such a treat to spend 4 whole days with her!
Here I am with Dee and my mom and Mickey!

TOWER OF TERROR!!!

Me and Mom and Baloo, at Goofy's Kitchen.

Me, Mom, Alice, Kathy, (my baby sister) and Dee.

" A Dream is a Wish... Your heart makes!"

Choir Tour in San Franciso

2011-05-01T21:07:00.000-07:00

I got to go along with Alex and his awesome high school choir on their Tour to San Francisco. Everything was SO much fun! The only bummer was the really LONG bus ride! Other than that, we had a very fun trip. Here is a picture of a giant poster on the wall of the eerie Alcatraz Prison museum. It was a cold, dark, and scary place to be.

A view of Alcatraz Island, from the ferry boat we were traveling on, across a mile and a half of freezing cold water.

Me and Al, outside of a high school, where the choir had just performed.

We went on a fun dinner Cruise! This is me with some of my roommates and new friends.

Alex on the Dinner Cruise with his friends.

Choir Tour

2011-05-01T20:55:00.000-07:00

We went to an Art Museum. Here is Al... "Thinking".

St Ignacius Church, where the Choir sang for a couple of Catholic Masses.

A Planetarium, where we saw a movie on a giant screen about the formation of Earth.

A beautiful cabinet made of little tiny pieces of wood from Italy.

A Monet

More Choir Tour...

2011-05-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

The Golden Gate Bridge on a rainy, cold day.

We got to actually walk across the bridge! It was SO fun! The wind started to blow like crazy and it rained, when we were about halfway across, but it was still so great.
Al and a couple of his buddies, Sean and Craig.

Me and Al, on Vay-Cay!

The whole crowd!

Happy Birthday Heather!

2011-03-06T19:05:00.000-08:00

We had a fun party for Heather's birthday! We had a little Mexican food and a lot of cake! Heather's family was able to join us as well... even driving through a winter storm to get here. Since it was Mike's birthday, too, they came along for the fun!

Sweethearts Ball 2011

2011-02-13T18:13:00.000-08:00

We had a fun dinner here for Alex's Sweethearts Ball.

Here's the table before they messed it up.

Tannon, Cheenee, Amaya, and Alex

Then, Brandon and Emily and Matt and Sammi showed up.

Talk about a bunch of beautiful young people!

Salads

Valentine Cookies for dessert.

Happy Valentines Day!

Happy 17th Birthday Alex!

2011-02-13T17:51:00.000-08:00

Al is 17! It was couple of fun days of celebration for our family. What a blessing our Alex has been in our lives. He has turned in to the most fun teenager. He was surprised to go out to move "Miles" early on his birthday morning, and find a new stereo installed! Now we can hear him as he comes rockin' up the road!

Alex and his Birthday-Buddy, Jan! We have pictures of them together, every year since Al was a tiny little feller. What fun to share a birthday with one of our favorite ladies in the whole world! Al also shares the day with my Grandma, Edith Wells, and my dear Aunt Lorna.

What a perfect day to be born!

The Birthday Chair.

Steffi gave Al a fun decal for the back of his car of a Rooster. Very cool idea, Steff!

Happy Birthday to You!

Happy Birthday, Dear Alex!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday Steff!

2011-01-14T17:14:00.001-08:00

It was Steffi's 22nd birthday! 22 in '11 sounds like a lucky year to me!

Dev and I hopped in the car and drove to Cedar City to help her celebrate. We made a plan with her cute roommate, and met her at Dairy Queen, where she thought she was being treated to ice cream.we surprised her and it was a very good time! Zane and Kelsey joined us for the fun, too. Surprise, Steff!

We celebrated the day with a new porcelain 'Mulan' doll for her collection,

and a giant chocolate cupcake.

The gang's all here! Kaylee, Kelsey, Zane, Dev, Steff, Kenzie, and Diana

BEST NEWS EVER!!!!!

2011-01-14T17:01:00.001-08:00

We got the best news we ever heard! Kyle and Heather are going to have a baby! We expect the new arrival around August 15th. They will have been married almost exactly 2 years when it is time for the big event! They gave us this really fun puzzle to put together while we were out to dinner at Christmas time. We all got a piece to fit together. I am so very excited, and truly feel overjoyed at the news. Here's the announcement:

Mark and I are gonna be grandparents! How funny is that? I am SO not that old! Mark is......

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2011-01-14T16:51:00.001-08:00

We had our first "Snow Day" ever! It was a crazy storm on December 22. We woke up to an amazing 'Winter Wonderland". School was cancelled! It seemed like the snowfall I remember from when I was a kid in Bear Lake! It was so beautiful and got us all into the Christmas Spirit!

The view from our front door, across the park.

Can we get to the front door?

Mighty Shovelers!

Yay! Presents!

Christmas Eve

2011-01-14T16:39:00.001-08:00

Can we finally come upstairs? Did Santa come?

The boys passing time on Christmas Eve with a hot game of Monopoly.

Dev was the big winner!

Happy Christmas Eve, Mark and Keri. :~)

New Christmas Jammers.

And boy jammers.

Christmas Morning

2011-01-14T16:22:00.000-08:00

Steff got her annual porcelain doll. A vintage Strawberry Shortcake this year.

So cute!

Al got a Kindle!

Kyle and Heather stopped by to spread some Christmas cheer!

Dev got a big bean bag, and a razor and shaving creme... He's a man, now!

Yay! A Wii!

More Christmas...

2011-01-14T16:09:00.000-08:00

My Downstairs tree is a Teddy Bear Tree. We have gotten a new teddy bear ornament each year since we got married. So, we have a lot of fun memories on this tree!

New elf' outfits for our 'build-a-bear' bears.

Hooray! Steffi is home!

Cute "Marie Cole" statues from Marie herself!

Fun lights in our bedroom.

More Christmas

2011-01-14T15:56:00.000-08:00

This is my favorite Christmas decoration ever! A tree full of Raggedy Ann and Andy!

The heart of my tree holds a darling Rag doll my best buddy, Julie gave me.

My little table tree in my front room.

Another cute doll called 'Christmas Morning' from a Marie Osmond "Rag-A-Muffin" Collection.

No stockings were hung by the chimney with care... but I love my Willow Tree Nativity Set,

and my warm, cozy fire.

Cross Country 2010

2010-10-22T07:16:00.000-07:00

Al and Dev have just finished their Cross Country Season for this year. Al worked very hard and came back so well after the tragic break of his Tibia last February. At the Region Meet, he tied his PR for a 5K, 16:42. We feel very proud of his hard work and hope he will continue to heal and have some more success in his sport. Good Job, Al! State Meet Start Line

Bring it home. Al!

Skyhawks, 2010

Dev's SFJHS CC team.

Oh, Canada!

2010-10-22T06:58:00.000-07:00

Me, Mom, and Dee. This was on DeeAnn's Birthday. I haven't gotten to see her on her b-day for over 25 years. What fun!!!

I got to take a really fun trip to Canada with my mom. We went to see my cute sister, DeeAnn and her family. Her son, Jordan is headed to Mexico City for his mission. so we went to his farewell. What fun it was to be a part of that! Thanks Princes!DeeAnn, Mom, and Me at a Dinner Theater that Dee treated us to right as we got off the plane.

We saw Tuesdays with Morrie. Look who starred!!! Jamie Farr!!! He totally winked at me.
He must know that I am the biggest M*A*S*H fan ever!!!!
We had perfect seats, right on the front row.

Me with Brad's darling girls with an "Ice Man" at their new mall.

Mom, Elder Jordan Prince, and me.

Steffi Home Cross Country Meet 2010

2010-10-22T06:48:00.000-07:00

Mark and I had a fun time driving to Cedar City to spend some time with Steff. We stayed in a cool Bed and Breakfast, and then got to see run at her Home Meet.Go!
Keep on runnin'!

Steff and her buddy, Kindal.

2010 Thunderbirds!

We love our baby girl!

Alex Homecoming

2010-10-22T06:35:00.000-07:00

It was that fun time of year! Homecoming! Alex went to his first high school dance. He asked a darling gal named Jaycee to go with him. This is how she answered him!!!!

He came out of school to find his poor little truck ("Miles")
suffering under the weight of a bunch of bales of hay! Yes, his tire really was flat!!
Isn't that a hoot???? Gotta love farm girls. :~)

Lookin' handsome on his way to pick up Jaycee.

Awww... Cute!

Al has good taste in a pretty girl, ey?

Happy 13th Birthday, Dev!

2010-10-22T06:25:00.000-07:00

Dev turned 13 years old on the 13th of June this year!

The Gang's all here!

Yum! Birthday Pie.

New Room!

New cast, just in time for his birthday. He fell off of a bike and broke his wrist. Talk about bad luck. He actually was still able to go to Scout Camp, and play a little bit of baseball.

No swimming, though!

More cast...

Dev's New Room

2010-10-22T06:05:00.000-07:00

We did a fun remodel of Devin's bedroom last summer. He got lots of new shelves and paint and carpet. He wanted it to be in "Skyhawk" colors, so, here it is!

New closet doors that actually open and shut!

A built in bookshelf....because he loves to read???? Well, anyway, a cool new bookshelf...

Comfy Carpet Pad

New Carpet in the "Sun Room"

New carpet in the living room.

Steffi Steeplechase

2010-05-14T17:04:00.000-07:00

Check out this link to Steffi's awesome run today at her

Summit League Conference Track and Field Championship. She is in Toledo, Ohio.

She had about a 10 second PR. She got third in the whole conference and gets to bring home

her first individual collegiate medal for Track.

Way to go, Steffi!!! We are proud!

Live Results -- Delta Timing Group

If a Picture is Worth a Thousand Words.....

2010-05-12T15:10:00.000-07:00

Okay, so all I wanted was one nice picture of my kids together..... Just One!

I guess it was more than I should have asked of these four HOODLUMS!

We went to Cedar City to watch Steffi run.

I thought it would be nice to have a picture of them together .

They could not even be serious long enough for me to snap a photos of them.

Following are the 20 or so other photos I took before I finally got ONE where they all looked semi-intelligent. Where do they get this from???

Rotten, Rotten kids.....

2010-05-12T15:01:00.000-07:00

Tom Foolery!

2010-05-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

And Still More Shenanigans!

2010-05-12T14:36:00.000-07:00

Southern Utah Track & Field Heading Back to California this Weekend - Southern Utah Thunderbirds Athletics

2010-04-15T12:24:00.000-07:00

Check out this link to Steffi's awesome run last weekend in California. I think the steeplechase is the most brutal, crazy race I ever saw!!! Way to go Steff!

Southern Utah Track & Field Heading Back to California this Weekend - Southern Utah Thunderbirds Athletics

Happy Wedding Day, Liz!

2010-03-28T18:49:00.000-07:00

We just had a really happy weekend! One of Steffi's best friends, Lizzie, got married, so Steffi came up to take part in the festivities. Liz was a beautiful bride. We were blessed to be able to take part in her wedding. Pretty bride and her bridesmaids.

Liz and Steff. Seems like yesterday I was serving tea at their tea parties!

Cutting the cake.

I promised Lizzie's mom long ago that I would make her wedding cake. So, I was brave, and tried my hand at fondant for the first time. It was quite an adventure! Steff and I had a memorable night trying to get it to look nice.

Hop, Skip and a Jump

2010-03-28T18:40:00.000-07:00

Steff's injury is healed and she just started her Outdoor Track Season. A couple of weeks ago, she got to go to sunny San Diego and run in a meet. She won the steeplechase event with a PR time of 11:16. Way to go, Steff!

"Gimme a Break, Gimme a Break. Break me off a piece of that.....

2010-03-28T17:56:00.000-07:00

So, we have had a little excitement in the last couple of months. Since January, Alex had been complaining of shin splints. We had been treating his sore legs as such since then, with ibuprofen, ice, and a little rest. But he mainly continued to run on it. At the Simplot Games in Idaho, he was halfway through his 1600M race, when he collapsed on the track. We took him to the emergency room where they x-rayed and found that he had broken the Tibia in his left leg. Ouch! This is a not very good picture of his x-ray, but you can kind of see how it shattered. We learned that his "shin-splints" were probably a stress fracture all along.

I know... I am Mother of the Year....

Even though the break is only about 6 inches above his ankle, his doctor put him into a full leg cast so that he couldn't rotate and move the bones around at all.

He has had the cast on and crutches for 5 weeks now. He is getting pretty fast on them, but, boy... they are no fun at all! we will go in to the doctor soon and hopefully he will get a shorter cast on for a while.

He's been a pretty good sport, but it has been a long 5 weeks. The hardest part has been that he is out for the whole track season. :( But, it did score him a key to the elevator at the high school!
Sorry Al!

Thunderbird Track & Field Shines in San Diego - Southern Utah Thunderbirds Athletics

2010-03-14T13:13:00.000-07:00

Thunderbird Track & Field Shines in San Diego - Southern Utah Thunderbirds Athletics
Check out Steffi's fast times in San Diego last weekend.
She won the 3,000M Steeplechase and got 3rd place in the 1500M
Way to Go Steff!

Steff Runs Again!

2010-02-07T20:07:00.000-08:00

Yay! Steffi's injury and surgery have healed. After red-shirting a whole year, she is back on "Track". She ran at an indoor meet in Idaho and did well. Way to go Steff!

What a lot of hard work. We are proud.

Happy 16th Birthday Alex!

2010-02-07T19:52:00.000-08:00

Even though it hardly seems possible to me, my Alex turned 16 this week! We had a fun night, starting with a tasty dinner at Tuchano's. Then, Mark surprised Al and all of us with a great present for Al. He brought home a little old truck from work for him to use. Now... to get the Driver's License.....

Woo Hoo! A ride for Al, and an advertisement for the company!

Do you think he is pleased?

Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday, Dear Alex!
Happy Birthday to You!

Al, and his "Birthday Buddy", Jan.

A Very Merry Christmas

2010-01-06T17:12:00.000-08:00

We had a very wonderful Christmas Season, We let the kids vote again this year about whether they would like to have a traditional Christmas with presents, or if they would like to take a Family Trip. They voted for the family trip. So, we had a fun, interesting vacation to Washington DC and Virginia Beach. We stayed for a week and enjoyed seeing all of the sights that we have seen in pictures and on TV for all of our lives. Even though it was pretty chilly, we had a great time together and made some memories. Here is a taste of the fun!

Kyle and Heather on Christmas Eve

The girls on Christmas Eve. Hooray!!

Now there are 3 of us!

The boys, ready for Santa to come.

My new Raggedy Ann Christmas Tree.

And Off We Go!

2010-01-06T16:58:00.000-08:00

On Christmas Morning on the way to the airport.

Dev and the Us Capital Building.

We are marching, ever marching...

Steff and me at the Capital.

The Smithsonian has Big Mac's!!!

More Interesting Sights

2010-01-06T16:47:00.000-08:00

"I'm just a Bill.... I'm only a Bill.... Just sittin' here on Capital Hill....

Steff and Amelia Earhart at the Air and Space Museum.

The Hope Diamond

Al and Dev at Ford's Theater.

The darling LDS church buliding where we went to church with the Capital Hill Branch

More Sights

2010-01-06T16:38:00.000-08:00

Dev, trying to hold up the Washington Monument.... A little off...
So, I guess he will try to climb it!

The Lincoln Memorial

The White House

More White House

Virginia Aquarium

2010-01-06T16:29:00.000-08:00

We went to an Aquarium in Virginia Beach. It was interesting, too, to learn about what kind of sea life shows up in the atlantic ocean. Fishy Faces

Mark and Dev checking out a Horseshoe Crab.

Al, looking at the biggest sea turtle we have ever seen!

Help! Shark!

Jamestown

2010-01-06T16:18:00.000-08:00

Jamestown was very interesting! We got to see where some of the first colonists lived, and died, and where they first landed in America. It was cool to actually see where Pocahontas walked and saved John Smith from being executed by her father.Monument to John Smith

Outside the Fort where the big ships came from and left to England.

Steffi, pretending to be Pocahontas.

Dev, chasing Virginia geese

So long, Jamestown!

Yum!

2010-01-06T16:07:00.000-08:00

We found a fun "All You Can Eat Seafood Buffet" in Williamsburg. It was seriously the best food we have ever eaten!

Alex, enjoying the meal.

Steffi, wondering what to do with a crab leg!

There was a fun light show all along Virginia Beach. They gave us a CD of Christmas music at the beginning, and we listened as we drove along. It was really cool!

Al and Steff at a lighthouse on a military base.

Al found a festive turtle on the beach on a misty night.

Thanksgiving

2009-12-10T20:30:00.000-08:00

We had a bash at our house for Thanksgiving! It was a full house!

Wall to Wall Folks

Good Food, Good Friends, Good Family, Good Fun!

Uncle Mark entertains the troops.

Holly, Steffi, Brandi, and Shea

Me and my sweet girl

Kathy and Steffi

Sleep-Over fun!

More Giving Thanks...

2009-12-10T20:23:00.000-08:00

Steff and Dev...AFTER.... Heather and Gomer stopped by for some fun.
Al and ShelbyMichelle and Shane

Steffi, showing off her 'Moon-Walking" skills

And More Fun....

2009-12-10T20:15:00.000-08:00

Me and Steff, Cookin" up a storm!Dev and Zak, playing football.
Grandpa and Mark, hanging out.
3 cute potato peelers!
Brandi, Shea and Holly

Pretty tables

Rain Dance

2009-11-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

I was browsing through some pictures the other day, and found this group of goofy ones. One evening last July, Kyle and Steff and Al had just gotten home from their jobs, when it began to downpour! It was one of those awesome warm rains with giant rain drops. My children have always been extra bright, and at least "have the good sense to go out in the rain". So I found them outside doing their "Rain Dance". I thought they were so funny that I took pictures....Then, I thought it was extra funny to lock them out of the house until they sang the

"We Love You, Momma" song.

"We love you, Momma,
Oh Yes, We Do-oo..."

I love those 4 people 1,000,000 Summer Rainstorms!

My babies....Aren't they so stinkin' cute?

State Cross Cross Country 2009

2009-10-24T16:08:00.000-07:00

Alex ran at the State Cross Country Meet at Sugarhouse Park in SLC last week. It was his first time at a really big meet and he did so well. He ran a 3-mile course in 17:33. He was 64th overall in Varsity, and came in 8th out of all sophomores. It was a beautiful, cool fall day for a run. It was a good season.

Coach Esplin, Kyle, Jordan, James, Al, Coach Thompson

Blake, Tyler, Nate

Going, Going, Gone...

2009-10-19T20:35:00.000-07:00

We have just begun a new adventure in our family. Mark's sister, Michelle, has come to live with us for the next couple of months. She has cancer in her trachea and in her thyroid. The best place for her to be treated is, of course, the Hunstman Cancer Center in SLC. Michelle lives in Pocatello with her sweet husband and cute daughter. So, it is very difficult for her to be away from them at this time. So, we are trying to make our home a happy, and peaceful place for her while she lives here. She has one chemo treatment a week, and 5 radiations treatments. So... we trek to SLC every day. We made it through the first week with no trouble at all. She is doing really great. So far, she has had no side effects. We assume that they will begin sometime soon. But, until then, she is feeling really good. We did notice her first bald spot today, though. As disheartening as that was, we found a silver lining in that cloud. We met a nice lady today at Huntsman that had a beautiful head-wrap on. We stopped her and asked her about it. She immediately took it off for us to examine. We were so surprised to see that it was made out of a plain old t-shirt! So, on the way home, we stopped and bought some cheap t-shirts and found some really nice scarves, as well. We had a lot of fun tonight, making them for FHE. Check out all the stiles! (the boys were even good sports about it. She's gonna look really groovy!Aunt Michelle and Dev.

Dev has a different idea of what would be attractive....

Head turbans.... Guy style...

Gal Style

Wild Thing

2009-10-02T07:44:00.000-07:00

Here is a look at my latest creation! Our Library here in Salem has been open for a year. To celebrate, they had fun games and activities for children. One of the fun things was a cake walk. My friend Sandy is on the library board, and needed a cake for it with a theme coming from a story book. So, I 'went out on a limb' and tried my hand at a picture from "Where the Wild Things Are". I think it turned out pretty cute.

SHHS Letter Jacket

2009-10-02T07:34:00.000-07:00

Look! Al's Letter Jacket finally arrived! We ordered it clear back in June.

It seemed a long time to wait for it until today. I think it is so nice looking!

I do love the SHHS school colors! They are very close to my beloved Bear Lake High School colors. (Sorry, Kyle and Steff....red and gray are good, too.)

This jacket represents a whole lot of miles run,and a whole lot of lawns mowed. Way to go Alex!
And from the rear...

Soldier Hollow 09

2009-09-13T20:07:00.000-07:00

Alex has begun his sophomore Cross Country season. He has been doing very well. Some runs are better than others, but all in all, he is getting stronger and faster every week. We made the trek through Provo Canyon to a cool place called Soldier Hollow. It is where they had the cross country skiing for the Olympics in 2002. There is a BRUTAL race course there that his team had to run. Many hills and dips up a dirt and rock and grassy trial.

It was hard to even watch! Start of the race. Go!

Big finish. 18:37 for a 3-mile course. He was 32nd place overall.

Al and his buddy, James.

And another friend, Tannon.

All in Skyhawk blue at the finish line. Good Job Alex!

Me, Steffi, Kyle, Mark, Al, and James.

Let the Celebration Begin!!!!

2009-08-18T09:29:00.000-07:00

The fun we have been planning all summer long finally came! We had a dinner at our house to celebrate Kyle and Heather the night before the wedding. It turned out so well! Who knew we could fit so many people into our yard! Kris (Mark's partner) and Kim Ashby, were here to see the fruits of their labors. They both worked very hard for a long time to make our landscaping look just perfect for the big day. Kris worked his magic and we love, love, love our yard!

Tables ready to go.

Steff lighting candles in the lanterns.

Dev and his buddy, Will, supervising the cooking....

Our dear friends, the Ford family, cooked a dutch oven dinner for us!

It was delicious! It was so fun to have them out in our driveway all day long, cooking away! It could not possibly have tasted better.

Thanks, Aubri, Brooke, Tim, Misty, Mary and JD!

Wedding Dinner Guests

2009-08-18T09:24:00.000-07:00

Wedding Dinner

2009-08-18T09:14:00.001-07:00

Random pictures of the guests at the Wedding Dinner

Kyle and Heather's mission president couple, Blair and Jane Bennett, came to the festivities! They drove all the way from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada to be a part of it. (That is about a 20 hour drive!)

It was so much fun to finally meet them, and learn for ourselves, just why they are so beloved! We agree!Sister Bennett, Heather, Kyle, President Bennett

Wedding Day

2009-08-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

We had a marvelous day at the Draper Temple for Kyle and Heather's sealing.

It was more beautiful and fulfilling than I could ever describe, to see these two young people make sacred promises to each other. It was an absolute priveledge to witness it. The only major mishap we had was poor Uncle Rich, getting hit by a car, while running back into his house to fetch his temple recommend! He is okay, a little bumped and bruised, but not too worse for it. We are so glad that he was not badly hurt and was able to make it to most of the wedding fun. Coming out of the temple for the first time, as a married couple.

Look! We did it!

President and Sister Bennett with the happy couple.

Kathy's cute kids.

Sisters.... I know, I am the cutest.....

Wedding...

2009-08-18T08:51:00.000-07:00

The family waiting patiently for their turn at the camera.

Kyle's darling new mother-in-law fixes his boutonniere.

Katie, Steffi, Heather, Missy, and Lisa

Mark and his mom.

More Wedding

2009-08-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Heather's family hosted the most beautiful wedding! It was at "Le Jardin", some amazing greenhouses that they own. It was simply magical! What a day full of memories we all have! Thanks, Larkin's!Gr &Gr Minson, Mark, Heather, Kyle, Keri, Gr & Gr Wells

Ammon brought his parents to the reception.
We love them!

Cut the cake.

First Dance to "Me and You" by Kenny Chesney

Catch the bouquet.

The Babies

2009-08-18T08:17:00.000-07:00

Our family was blessed with 2 new babies this year! Ken & Halle May and Brad & Cody Jay.

Andrea, Ken and Halle

Ken and Halle

Porch of Fire

2009-08-18T08:04:00.000-07:00

We had a super time at Uncle Brad's annual "Porch of Fire". It was a beautiful night with good food, good company, good entertainment.

Lots of family fun!Winners of the "Basket-Brawl" game.

Nice block, Uncle Snip.

Mom, Dad, Andrea and Baby Halle watching the game.

A swing from Steffi.

Brad, explaining the world, to Heather and Kyle.

Bear Lake Fun Run

2009-08-18T07:50:00.000-07:00

The boys did their usual race from Montpelier to Paris on the Fourth of July. It was fun for Kyle, because he missed in for the last couple of years while on his mission. Steffi's foot was still healing from surgery, so she didn't get to run.

They did well!Kyle rounding the Ovid turn.

Al, looking tough.

Al was 2nd place overall! Awesome run, Al!

Victory!

Yippee! They survived!

Devin is a Deacon

2009-08-18T07:35:00.000-07:00

Dev turned 12 on June 13th. We decided to wait until July 4th to ordain him a deacon. In our family, we had 2 babies to bless, and a baptism and an ordination all at one time. So we went to Uncle Brad's ward in Georgetown and did it all at once! What fun! Dev and Dad

Cousin Shelby was baptised, too!

Steffi and Heather

Steff finally has a sister!

The Minson's, Plus One. :~)

Ken, Brad, Mark, Dev, Kyle, Grandpa Ross, Grandpa Bob, Al, Johnny and Chad

Disneyland 2009

2009-06-28T21:11:00.000-07:00

Grandma and Grandpa Minson are celebrating their 50th Wedding Anniversary in July. They generously took their whole family to Disneyland to help them celebrate! Mark's sister, Michelle and his brother, Mike, and their families came along with us. It was especially fun to bring along our new daughter, Heather! We just had the best time ever! Thanks so much, Grandma and Grandpa!

We will never forget the spectacular time we had together!

Lunch with the Princess'

2009-06-28T21:05:00.000-07:00

We had a lunch with the princess'. Tasty and fun! Me and My Sweetie

Dev and his..... ha ha...

Al and his...

California Screamin'!

Dev and Mr. Potato Head.

Breakfast at Goofy's Kitchen

2009-06-28T20:55:00.000-07:00

We had a delicious breakfast with lots of characters. Fun!

Steffi got her first proposal.
Happy 50th Anniversary, Grandma and Grandpa!

Enjoying Breakfast.

Dev and Jasmine. He is thrilled....

Steff and Dale and Dev.

More Disneyland Fun

2009-06-28T20:46:00.000-07:00

Al, in true character.
Let Us Out!!!

"Hero" Poses on Main Street.

"Princess, will you marry me???"

She said yes....

Sea World

2009-06-28T20:35:00.000-07:00

We got to spend a day at Sea World. What a wonderful day we had!

Shamu
Cirque de Le Mer put on an amazing show.

Ready to watch the dolphing show.

Hoping to touch a Sting Ray.

Shamu, up close.

California Fun

2009-06-28T20:25:00.000-07:00

Mark & Al get ready to see a 3-D Show.
Heather & Kyle

3-D Fun

Dev and Steff, playing "handicapped" so that we could get to the front of every line!

Dev's wound from our friendly neighborhood dog and Steffi's wound from the surgeon.

Last Day at Disneyland

2009-06-28T20:14:00.000-07:00

Our last day at Disneyland was a lot of fun! We were sad to have to leave!

Our time went by way to fast! Kyle, Heather, Al, Mark, Dev, Minnie, Keri and Steffi in California Adventure.
Ice Cream Break. Yum!

More Ice Cream.

Buzz Lightyear Ride.

So Long, Disneyland! Thanks so much Grandma and Grandpa.

Happy Anniversary!

Alex graduates from Junior High

2009-06-28T19:53:00.000-07:00

Alex graduated in style from SFJHS! He did well and had a lot of fun in junior high. There was an awards assembly and he was presented a lot of great awards from his teachers. Way to go, Al! President's Gold Award

Al is a very good student and never received anything but an A grade for all of Middle School and Junior High.

Kiwanis Club "Hope of America" Award. Al was the big winner at the school and earned a scholarship of $200. Thanks Kiwanis Club!

Al was chosen as Outstanding Geography Student.

Way to Go Al! We are proud! Go Lobos!

Dev 6th Grade Graduation

2009-06-28T19:41:00.000-07:00

Dev passed the 6th grade! He finished his last year in Elementary School. That is a little bit of a sad day for his momma. it was a really fun day, though. His teachers put together a fun program for the students and their parents. Ammon and Dev, one last elementary school photo together.
Dev and his super teacher, Mrs. Turner. What fun we had together in her class.

Dev, getting his award, with a girl walking right in front of the camera....

The whole group. Dev is the cute one with the white hair. He is always easy to pick out, because his hair kind of glows.

Region Track 2009

2009-05-10T17:55:00.000-07:00

Alex (freshman) got to have his first experience with a really important Track Meet. It was a beautiful morning, and our team got to host the first-ever Region Track Meet at home. He was awesome!

Here is the start of the 3200M race. Go Al! Go Skyhawks!Here is the beginning of the race, with a tight pack to break through.
About halfway through the race.

At the "Gun Lap".

The finish line. Al had the race of his life. He ended up with a huge PR time of 10:43, and was 4th in the region. This was just good enough to allow him to compete in the State Meet next weekend.

Above left: that is a picture of half of "Coach Minson" at the finish line.

Kyle was a proud coach that day.

It's Official!

2009-04-26T19:41:00.000-07:00

As miraculous as it may seem to those of you who have known Kyle for many years, he has proposed to a lovely young lady, and she has bravely said "yes".

We know....it is amazing. Kyle was brave himself this week, and ventured to Salt Lake to have a visit with Brother Larkin. He came out of it not too injured, with the "go-ahead" of his life. The big day is planned for August 13th, in the Draper Temple. We are so delighted for them both and are anxious for all the festivities coming along this August. Congratulations! This is a fun picture of Kyle and Heather on the phone, calling President and Sister Bennett in Bulgaria. They wanted to call their mission president first thing. They were able to get through to them and invited them to their wedding. We will all keep our fingers crossed that they will be able to come, as they will be returning home in July. We all love the Bennetts!
The "Bling".

Adios, Elder Ramirez!

2009-04-15T09:11:00.000-07:00

Here are the last couple of photos we were able to get of Steff and her boyfriend, Mark. He enters the MTC today! He is headed to Merida, Mexico. He is a great guy. His farewell was quite remarkable, and his talk very sweet. We will all miss him very much. Good Luck, Mark!

Happy Trails to you....until we meet again....

Happy Easter!

2009-04-13T15:11:00.000-07:00

Awww... Aren't the kids cute on Easter morning???

Happy Birthday Mark!

2009-04-13T15:00:00.000-07:00

We had a lot of fun celebrating Mark's Birthday! It was fun because it was Conference Sunday, so no meetings! Rich invited us to his house for a 'Conference Brunch' in the morning. Thanks Rich! It was delicious!
The only sad part was that Mark had a killer toothache. That was a bummer.
But, somebody ought to get the fire extinguisher! Make a Wish!

Happy Party-goers: l to r:Claudia, (Friend from Germany) Theresa, (Kathy's exchange student from Germany) Kathy, Chad, hiding Rich, and Al.

The 'wild' table: Dev, Steff, Mark, Birthday Boy, Kyle, Heather.

Mark, Mark,and Steff, serving ice cream.

Ta-Da! Finished Bathroom

2009-04-13T14:50:00.000-07:00

Bathroom Remodel

2009-04-13T14:33:00.000-07:00

We have just finished remodeling the last room in the house that needed it! Hooray! Here is a look at our new upstairs bathroom, in the process...

Kyle and Heather

2009-03-15T19:44:00.000-07:00

I just took a couple of fun pictures of Kyle and his girlfriend, Heather. They met in Bulgaria while they were both missionaries. Heather returned home, to Salt Lake, just in time for Christmas. Today, Kyle and Steffi we asked to sing at Ward Conference. They sang a beautiful arrangement of Savior, Redemmer of My Soul. Heather showed off her mad piano playing skills by accompanying them. They sounded really good! Heather is an amazing pianist! I could hardly count the notes on the page that she was able to play!
Thanks, Heather!

Get Away to Florida

2009-03-13T16:35:00.000-07:00

Mark and I had a really fun get away to Florida a few weeks ago. We went with his partner, Kris and his wife, Kim. We had a really great time together. Mark and Kris went to a Convention to learn and work, and Kim and I got to go along to play! I read a couple of books, and got to see a lot of really amazing sights. We saw Disney's Magic Kingdom, Disney's Animal Kingdom, Disney's Hollywood Studios , Downtown Disney. Mark even got to go underneath Disney World and see how everything works there. (I prefer to believe that it is indeed...MAGIC.)
Here we are at Downtown Disney one evening where we went for dinner. we ate at the Rain forest Cafe', then wandered around watching shows and shopping a little bit. We graduated from the "Disney Institute", complete with a diploma, and Mickey Ears.

Mark and Kris at the entrance to Epcot Center. Wow was that ever cool!

This is a picture the resort we stayed at. It was called Disney's Coranado. What fun to not have to make the bed for a whole week!

Fireworks Show at Epcot.

All we want for Christmas....

2009-01-11T19:06:00.000-08:00

... Is a real good tan....
We had a fabulous trip for our Christmas holiday! Last year, when we got to talk to Kyle for Christmas, we asked him if he would like Mark and I to come and pick him up from his mission...or we would take the whole family to Hawaii for Christmas in 2008. He thought about it for a week or two, shoveled piles of snow in Bulgaria, and then decided that a trip to Hawaii sounded like a lot of fun! And a lot warmer!!! So, we began making plans.
We warned all 4 kids that they would be receiving no gifts, but would get a trip instead. They were all very happy to comply with that and started to get excited, too.
One of the best things that happened, was that when I invited my sister, Dee Ann, and her family along for the fun, they accepted! So, they made their way as well and we met on Oahu on Dec. 22nd. We spent a couple of days on the Big island, then made our way to Maui, where we spent about 5 days.
The last day we spent on Oahu at Pearl Harbor, and BYU Hawaii and the Polynesian Cultural Center. We came home on Dec 30.
We had the time of our lives! it was just incredible! It didn't feel too much like Christmas, though! the best part was hanging out with the Prince's and seeing the sights together.
Following are some posts about all the adventures we had together.
ALOHA!!

Kona

2009-01-11T18:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the beautiful Kona Hawaii temple. It is quite small, yet has the same beautiful temple feeling we are all familiar with. We were there in the evening, and there were some odd street lights on, so it gave it an interesting glow.
We wished the kids had brought along their recommends so that they could do some baptisms. Kind of a dark picture, but here we are at the temple.

Dev and a crazy captain bench he found.

Steffi, outside of a fun restaurant called "Bubba-Gumps". There she is, on the bench in Forrest Gump's shoes. "life is like a box of chocolates...."

Gomer....a picture is worth a thousand words.....

The Big Island

2009-01-11T18:42:00.000-08:00

We had a lot of fun on the Big Island. My dear high school friends, Sandy and Bruce, allowed us to stay in their beautiful home. Mahalo!!! Thanks so much for your generosity! I think it is my favorite island. Here Ky, Steff and Al are at the mouth of a beautiful hike to a waterfall. This beautiful view is less than a mile from Bruce and Sandy's house. Imagine seeing that every day!!!! Lucky, lucky lucky!

That is a black sand beach below. Most everyone ran down and then back up one morning. It was straight down a cliff! Black sand is really cool! It is kind of powdery and fine.

Here we are at Akaka Falls.

Kyle slept outside for a couple of nights on this hammock! He thinks it was the best bed in the house. Until he got woken up by an insane rooster!

Road to Hana

2009-01-11T18:32:00.000-08:00

Al, "the Rooster" has finally found a a place where he fits in.... We found a little park that had tons of wild roosters roaming around! We tried to set Al free, (We even sang 'Born Free' to him...) but he kept coming back to the car, so we had to bring him home with us.... We got caught in a rainstorm like I have NEVER seen before. One minute we were dry and the next minute, we were soaking wet! It was the craziest thing ever! Funny, funny funny!

More drowned rats.

Look, at what??? The Lookout we were trying to hike to. Now, what were we supposed to see? We just saw rain!

Whale Watching

2009-01-11T18:19:00.000-08:00

We took a Whale Watching Tour while we were on Maui with "Captain Steve". We saw a lot of Humpback whales and even some friendly dolphins showed up for a bit. The whales were enormous!!! It was so incredible to see them in the wild. They are there this time of year to have their babies. The dolphins were very fast and close to us. Me and "Ol' Graybeard" on the boat. I only got a little bit seasick. Not enough to feel miserable, just a little queasy.

Dev, on the lookout for Moby Dick.

Mark and Al enjoying the deep blue sea.

The whole crowd getting ready to leave dry land.

Christmas Day!

2009-01-11T18:11:00.000-08:00

Imagine this! A beach and sunburns on Christmas Day! It was so much fun! We spent a lot of the day on the beach just playing and laughing. Here is Dev, totally buried in the sand. Now, how does a 'Boogie Board" work?

Gomer, taking a little Siesta in the sun.

Here is our "Snowman"! hahaha

Now they are getting the hang of it.

Christmas Morning

2009-01-11T18:02:00.000-08:00

Kyle, happy that Santa filled his stocking. Al, happy that Santa brought him a Slinky.

Steffi and Cousin 'Squid' having fun together on a bright and shiny Christmas day.

Look! Christmas Jammers!

Laie Hawaii Temple

2009-01-11T17:46:00.000-08:00

The beautiful Laie temple was the background for this photo. It seemed so funny to have palm trees by a temple, instead of piles of snow! Here, in the Visitor's Center, was a globe with Books of Mormon under it in many different languages. Kyle was happy to find one in Bulgarian. He read a little to us out of it.

Here is a statue of Jesus in the Visitor's Center, surrounded by Christmas trees.

A view of the temple as we were driving up to it.

Here is their Hawaiian version of the Christmas story. I love the Hawaiian touch to the "hut" stable.

Oahu

2009-01-11T17:34:00.000-08:00

We spent our last day on Oahu. Here are a few pictures. What fun we had on our last day! This is the Arizona Memorial from across the bay. Here are Steff and I at the front of the Museum at Pearl Harbor. It was a an interesting, quite sobering place. It was pretty amazing to see what I have pictured all these years.

We had fun zipping around Oahu in a couple of cute PT Cruisers!

Here are Craig and DeeAnn at the bush where they say they "fell in love". AAhhh isn't that sweet???

Here is an amazing Samoan man that we watched climb that tree in about 10 seconds! It was awesome!!!

Science Fair

2008-11-18T16:34:00.000-08:00

It was Dev's Sixth Grade Science Fair today! He (okay, we) did a good job learning about the Center of Gravity. It was a good day. Especially for me.
My last elementary school science project.....yippee!!!!!

Steffi Regionals 08

2008-11-18T16:13:00.000-08:00

Steffi ran her last race of the season last weekend. Mark and I surprised her and drove to Colorado to watch her run. It was pretty hilarious! I had been in kahoots with one of her teammates, and so we knew exactly where they were when we drove into town. The look on her face was so cute when we walked into the restaraunt where she was eating and waved at her! It was a long trip, but fun, and totally worth it to see her cross one more finish line.
This is her, warming up, trying to pretend that she doesn't have an injury...
(She has a sore, bruised bone on the bottom of her foot.) That is her buddy, Kate, right next to her. Team gets ready to start.

Go!

Steff, looking strong for a minute. After the race. They look awfully pretty to be such tough athletes, don't they?

Ammon and the BYU Cougars

2008-11-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

We had the best time a few weeks ago! Our friend Ammon was nominated and chosen to be a 'Thursday's Hero" for the BYU football team. He and his family got to go and watch a practice and meet all the players and coaches. They were kind enough to invite us along! How lucky were we???? We got to have a tour of the offices, locker room, and fields. We sat in a little theater and watched a film of last year's highlights. We saw all the players who are currently serving missions. We saw trophies and paintings of former greats. Then, we actually got to walk out onto the field and meet the players. After they presented Ammon with armfuls of cool stuff, we got to shake each one of their hands. Boy, were Dev and Al in heaven!
This is Ammon wearing his "Quest" shirt. He was a little overwhelmed by the end, but had such a big smile almost the whole time. Way to Go, BYU! Austin Collie and Max Hall came by to say hello. Isn't Ammon's face cute?

Al, Collie again, and Dev trying really hard to look tough. (Hall in the background.)

Some of my favorite people in the world are in this photo! This is Ammon's family. They are a spunky bunch and I think they are a hoot to be around. Ammon's mom, Chris, is standing directly behind him. She is one of my dear friends and a 'kindred spirit'. She works harder and loves more deeply than any woman I know. How I wish I was like her...

Fun picture of Dev, who can't believe he is standing this close to Max Hall!

Watchin' the Cougs!

2008-11-18T15:41:00.000-08:00

Ammon and Coach Bronco Mendenhall having a little Pow Wow. More Coaching

The team gathered while we waited to talk to them all.

I love this picture of Ammon and Dev. They are just watching practice and waiting until we get called onto the field.

Ammon, a true hero!

More BYU Football Fun

2008-11-18T15:31:00.000-08:00

Here is Dev, doing the "Haka" He looks menacing, doesn't he? Al, checking out Max Hall's locker.

Dev thinks Unga's sweaty clothes were a good place to stop!

Dev and Ammon on the balcony, 'overseeing' a football practice.

Dev and Al, enjoying the view! What fun we had! Thanks so much for inviting us, Clarks! We love you guys!

Minson Mile

2008-10-19T20:24:00.000-07:00

A highly anticipated day in our family has finally arrived! The "Minson Mile". Steffi and Kyle and Al made a challenge to each other when Kyle left on his mission about who could run the fastest mile when he got home. Kyle put on his old Spanish Fork Dons uniform. Steffi brought home her SUU gear. And Al donned his brand new Skyhawk Blues. Mark and Dev joined in as well as our football playing cousin, Johnny. We all made bets as to who would win and went down to the new track at SHHS. Coach Thompson met us there to be the official timer. Once he got the starter gun to work, we had a race. funny funny funny!!!

Here is the 'before' pose. Ready, Set, Go!
Kyle starts out with a strong first lap.
Still thinking he is really fast...
Oops, who's in the lead now???

The Big Finish

2008-10-19T20:11:00.000-07:00

Look who pulls away at the end! Way to go, Al...Lets hear it for the Skyhawks! Kyle, making it to the finish line in pretty timely fashion for a newly returned missionary. Go Dons!
Al, then Steffi, (In her defense, she had already raced that day and run 8 miles. Go Thunderbirds!) then Kyle, then Mark, then Dev, then cousin Johnny. Al feeling proud of himself. Steffi, not so proud... Kyle, in the background, trying to breath again.
Kyle, not feeling so well.

Al, A Big Bird

2008-10-19T20:00:00.000-07:00

Al made it! He is an official Eagle Scout. His Eagle court of Honor was on Saturday, October 11th. It was a really fun night for all of us. A big thank you to all his great leaders over the years that helped him accomplish this!
This is a picture of Al with our good friend and neighbor, Doug Pearson.
Doug has a longstanding tradition that he let Al be a part of. He brought a kangaroo skin home from his mission. He lets every young man who makes Eagle Scout sign it. Here is Al with Doug and his signature on that precious kangaroo skin. Thanks Doug!

Dev led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Kyle was the speaker.
Uncle Shoog gave Al a witty and touching tribute.
Brother Ivey led Al in the "Eagle Charge.

Mission Accomplished

2008-10-03T08:03:00.000-07:00

Welcome Home Kyle!!!!

2008-10-03T07:48:00.000-07:00

The Day is finally here! Kyle came home! Here we are, waiting for the plane to land. Granny Ruth, Dev, Snip, Andrea and Kathy joined in the fun. The boys are a' waiting. Snip, Al, Grandpa Bob and Shoog looking down the alleyway for our missionary to appear.
Aunt Kathy and Uncle Chad made a long trip from Idaho with Ken and Andrea, just for the evening, and then headed back home. Thanks for coming!
Mark and Grandma and Grandpa Minson
The sign at Fast Gas on the edge of town.

More Welcome Home Kyle!

2008-10-03T07:28:00.000-07:00

The family, minutes after the plane landed. My baby boy, back in town!
Gome, saying hi to Steffi who was not able to be at the airport. She was on her way to Notre Dame to run in a race. Very sad for her to miss this big event. Uncle Rich commentated on the phone for her so that she could feel a part of it.
"The Three Bulls". Dev and Al have grown a lot in the last 2 years, surprising to their big brother.
Us with Grandma and Grandpa Minson and Mike and Corey and Hanna and Heather.