Denos Family Camp Out!

We got back last night from Kory's family camp out. It was so much fun! We left Thursday night and got up to the camp site (Box Elder Camp Grounds) around 9:00 pm. We quickly set up and then spent some time with those who were there around the campfire. Not a lot of people come up Thursday night, but we had an even smaller turn out this year than usual. It was really nice to be able to visit with Mike and Shannon, and Tiffany and Luke. The kids had a great time and were so happy to have friends there. That night we got to sleep in our new pop-up trailer for the first time. The kids were so excited! They have been asking when they get to sleep in it since we got it about a month ago.

Getting ready for bed. Holland wanted to wear Skylar's Pajamas.

Putting the girls to bed.

Friday we woke up to rain. It was windy and rainy all night Thursday and then a little cold and rainy Friday morning. So, we mostly hung out in our camper and took it easy. A little before noon the skies cleared up and it was a beautiful warm day. We were able to eat some lunch outside and then head to Mantua Lake for family fishing. The lake was beautiful and the girls were excited for Daddy to teach them how to fish. We bought them a little Barbie fishing pole and Kory practiced with them for a while before putting a real hook on the end. Once the girls had enough practice Kory went to put a hook on and get his pole. He went to get his pole and the crank was missing! So much for Kory fishing :( Well I told him he should use the Barbie pole once the girls were done. He decided that was better than nothing. So we all took turns fishing with Barbie! Right before it was time to go, I decided I wanted to try casting the line once or twice. So I threw it out and on the third time, I caught my first fish! The girls were so excited they were singing "Mommy caught a fish, mommy caught a fish!" It was really little and I didn't want it to die so I put it back in the water, but before I could get my camera it got off the hook all by itself - so no pics of my first fish :(

Daddy helping Skylar fish

Daddy helping Kortnie fish

Kory showing off his Barbie fishing pole

Holland slept the whole time we were fishing. (I was playing with my camera trying some different features, so that is why the colors are off.)

Skylar at the lake. (I was playing with the settings again.)

The girls at the lake.

After fishing we went back to camp and enjoyed hanging out with Kory's family. More people were starting to show up and we helped them get set up. Then we started cooking for the potluck dinner. We made dutch oven apricot chicken and rice. It was a favorite and I think we will definatly make it again. I have already thought of some ways to alter the recipe. When dinner was over everyone sat around the campfire and sang songs. Kory's family is always so much fun to do campfire songs with. Most of them can sing really well, but they also really enjoy having fun and getting silly. One of our favorite parts of the whole campout was having Kory's brother Keith lead us in some great songs! Thanks Keith!

Singing "Tooty Ta" around the camp fire.

Kortnie and Holland with cousin Andrea at the camp fire.

Saturday morning we woke up and cooked breakfast and got ready, then we all played games together. We played a couple fantastic rounds of catch phrase. Then I played a game of scrabble, while Kory took the kids on a walk. We had lunch, cleaned up and came home.
The number were small this year, but I think it was one of our families favorite years! We wish more people would have been able to make, but we still had a blast!

The only downside to the whole weekend was that we encountered a massive wreck on the way home. We had to completely stop on I-15 for 45 minutes. Life flight had to be called in and take those in the car to the hospital. I am not sure how many people were involved or what their status was, but it was a scary to see the wreckage. Skylar was upset and even asked us to pray for those who were hurt. It was a sad end to a wonderful weekend. We did say a prayer though and hope that those involved will be okay.

Next year we are talking about doing a day at the park instead of the family campout, in hopes that more people will come. We can't wait to see everyone again next year!

Back from the Dead!

The last few months my blog has been VERY neglected. I feel like I am finally getting back to normal, although there is never a lack of things to do. I kept thinking that everything would slow down after the temple celebration, but my time is just being filled with other activities. We have been busy working on our basement, gardening (or at least trying to!), working on trying to get a little more organized (always a work in progress for me!), teaching dance lessons, teaching school, taking the kids to swim lessons and tumbling lessons and the park, etc., etc., etc.,

Well, the life of a mom!

I am recommitting to posting! I hope you all have a fun and enjoyable summer!

I love to see the temple...

Over the last three months I have been very busy with the temple. I have mentioned before that I was called to be an assistant choreographer for the Temple Dedication Celebration that was held at the Conference Center on May 30, 2009. This was an amazing experience! I hope that many of you had the chance to watch it. Practices started clear back in March and I was soon picked to help with the roller skating section of our 50's number. I was sooooo excited. Then I found out that most of the girls that I would be working with could NOT skate, and most had little to NO dance experience.
The other choreographers and I decided that it would be best to keep things very simple, mostly arm movements and not a lot of skating. I put together a routine and started teaching the girls. It was so much fun and so hard! These girls did not stop talking. It took a lot of patience and a lot of tricks to get them to listen and pay attention. We were lucky that Classic Fun Center made it possible for us to come and borrow their skates every Wednesday and bring them back every Thursday morning. I don't know what would have happened if my girls would not have had the chance to practice each week on these skates.
Well we felt we had the routine down pretty well and so we started combining with the dancers. What a MESS! They lost all confidence and did not do very well. I am not sure if it was that they got confused or if they were scared to be in front of their peers. Well we kept practicing and practicing and practicing. It was starting to look great.
Then we got to the conference center for the dress rehearsal. Another Mess! This was Thursday, May 21st.
The church had 2 vintage cars donated for the performance. They were originally supposed to go on the side stage, but when we got there we found out the cars only came part of the way on stage, and of course they came out right where we were told the roller skaters would be coming out. My girls didn't know what to do. They couldn't get on stage and the conference center did not give us any time to block things out and change it, until everybody had left which didn't help because we needed the dancers. I was so frustrated I was in tears. I did not know what to do to help these girls. I came home that night devastated. I was awake all night trying to think of what I could do to help them.
The next morning, Friday, I called one of the other choreographers and told her what I was thinking. She said that what I had thought of was a great idea, but that she had a better one. YEAH!
Me: What is it?
Jessica: I think you should perform with them!
Me: What!?!
Jessica: It would help build their confidence and they could look at you if they forget.
Me: I don't know, this is for the youth!
Jessica: You could look 17.
Me: I don't know, let me talk to Katie (the other choreographer) about it, and see what she thinks.

Well Katie said do whatever I thought was right. I really felt that this celebration was for the youth and I didn't want to take away from that. So I decided I would just rearrange some formations to put some of my stronger skaters/dancers in the front. Then Sunday I got an email from Katie.
Katie: I've been thinking and I think you should do it! It would really help your girls.

Next thing I know I am getting fitted for a costume and trying to teach the girls all new formations 3 days before the final performance, with girls that are very new to performing. AAAAAAAH!

Well we got to the Conference Center the night of the performance and everything went AWESOME! I have not seen it yet, but I can't wait to see the DVD so I can see how my girls did. I feel so much love for the 23 girls that I was able to get to know and work with. The night of the performance was not perfect, but the spirit was so strong and all of my girls smiled and shined like they had been performing for years! I am so thankful for this opportunity. It was hard, challenging, fun, exciting, crazy, always changing, but most of all it was an amazing testimony builder for all involved.

Outside Classic Fun Center After the Performance

I am so thankful for the temple. I am thankful that I have a temple 5 minutes from my house now. The open house is now in full swing. I have already had the opportunity to help with the open house by being an usher. I was lucky enough to be in the marriage waiting room and see how the spirit affected those coming out of the sealing rooms. It was a great night. I get the opportunity to be an usher again tonight, and we will be going through the open house with most of my family in July. If you have not had a chance yet to go, please take the time to make a quick reservation - it is beautiful!

All about Kortnie

Kortnie has been busy over the last month. Some of the highlights include her spring dance performance, trips to the park, and using an entire tube of my lipstick to paint her face, clothes, blankets etc. This girl loves make-up! I think I am going to be in trouble! I wish I had thought to take a picture of it, but I was too mad at the time to think about my camera!


Getting ready for her dance performance.

On her bike

Swinging at the park on Memorial Day.

We are also busy with swim lessons and tumbling this summer. We bought a new camper a couple of weeks ago and Kortnie cannot wait to go camping in it.

All About Skylar

Skylar has been very busy through the month of May. She learned how to ride a two-wheeler, graduated from preschool, played on a soccer team and had her spring dance performance. She is growing so fast and I can't believe that I will have a kindergartner in the fall.


On her bike - she learned on this smaller bike, but actually has a bigger bike that she now rides.


With her diploma after preschool graduation. She is getting so big!


Right before our dance performance, May 29, 2009


This is the only picture I took, then my battery died. Kory took some more, but I haven't had time to load them yet :(

We are now busy filling our summer with park days, swim lessons, and tumbling lessons. We are busy and having fun!

Holland's Party

We had Holland's first birthday party on Saturday, May 16th. We did it at a park nearby the house. It was a beautiful day and I think Holland had a lot of fun, although I think he also got a little overwhelmed. He loved his cake. The frosting was blue and he had it everywhere! He looked like a little smurf! He wasn't sure about presents - he didn't really understand, but he is now loving playing with everything he got!

1st birthday update:
Holland has 8 teeth
He is walking
He is starting to copycat
He is 25th percentile for weight (20.13 lbs)
He is 75th percentile for height (31 inches - I think)


Before the Cake

After the Cake

Holland with the blanket I made him.

Grandpa's 80th Birthday

May 7, 2009 - Grandpa Denos (Kory's Dad) turned 80 years old. We had a large family party for him on Saturday, May 9, 2009. This was an especially significant birthday, not only because Kory's dad turned 80, but because just a little over a year ago he was diagnosed with prostate cancer for the second time and was told he did not have much time to live. He is in great health today and we hope to have him around for many more years to come!

As part of the birthday celebration my sister-in-law put together an amazing video of his life and family. I loved all the old pictures of him and wanted to show some of them.
Dad as a kid (He is the one in the middle)

I think this is my favorite picture. It makes me laugh. It is hard to imagine Kory's dad as a goofball!

Dad and Mom on their wedding day. March 11, 1950. It will be 60 years this March.

Kory's dad in military uniform.

Heidelberg, Germany 1954

Germany, 1954

Cleaning? I think they had to get a picture of this to prove it happened (at least according to my mother-in-law.)

All dressed up!