"they left us something more precious than silver and gold..."

Sunday, August 10, 2008

some vids...classic


~my college friend Makaila came to visit for a weekend and this is only picture we took! we had a fun weekend taking the girls to the pool, shopping, becoming obsessed with Arbonne facial products, going to a hard core workout class, and taking her out to eat to Chipolte for her first time.



~since last fast and testimony meeting at church, savannah has been obsessed with the whole "testimony" idea. i've caught her talking in the mirror to herself..."okay boys and girls, i'm going to share my testimony now..." i caught her doing it the other day but she freaked out when she saw me videoing so i didn't add that edition but she wanted to do it again, so we did. it's pretty cute and kinda funny too.

~check this out my sister amy won DANCING WITH THE STARS: in Chicago...it was a March of Dimes event to raise money for Premature Babies like her sweet little Miss Kate who was born 5 weeks early but now is a spunky little 3 year old! She "competed" against other local Chicago celebs like Chicago Sun Times Columnist Dr Lauren and Jen Schefft (from the Bachelorette :)!...she rocked!
Click here to check it out!



~this last video is just for the heck of it...
i know someone out there will enjoy this...

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

"watcha doin?"

lucy's latest saying..."watcha doin mommy?"
...well it was a busy july...here's what i've been doin


saying good-bye to my sweet grandpa gourley. my gramps passed away on july 19th...at his home, peacefully. i'm not sure if it is ever easy to say good-bye and when i think of my grandpa, it just seems like he will always be there...because he always was there, for every important thing in my life. every one.


alot of people didn't even know that my grandpa had one artificial leg from the knee down. he lost his leg working in the steel fire pits at geneva in provo, ut. he was only off 6 months before he was back to work. that was a lesson i learned from my grandpa..."when the going gets tough, the tough gets going." tough is an understatement...his determination and drive to succeed has been an influential example in my life.


his love for my grandma speaks for itself...high school sweet hearts...60 years of marriage. he would do anything for my grandma and for his entire family. my grandfather didn't have to tell you how much he loved the Lord...he showed you his love for the gospel of Jesus Christ by showing charity, love, and understanding to everyone around him.


i was so grateful to spend the weekend with my sisters, mom & dad...time to rememeber our grandfather's influence and time spent supporting and loving my grandmother.

his legacy...4 children, 23 grandchildren, and 36 great-grandchildren. our kids refer to my grandma & grandpa as the "GREATS" because they are just that. i will miss you gramps, thank-you for your example and so much more.

*"what else ya been doin?"

*soaking up rays at the annual kesler reunion in island park, id...

here's to a week of:


*lots of swimming!

*putting swimsuits on at 8am and taking them off at 8pm!

*no 30 hour work shifts!, limited cell phone coverage, lots of hours driving in the car - quaility time together (kinda!), no tv, and a room at the lodge (thanx babe!)

*actually getting a picture of lucy with me...kinda looking at the camera!


*a little too much time on our hands (this is the very mild version)...



*playing with cousins! that's right 14 cousins under the age of 5!

*lots of games...balancing on the surf boards, family bingo, don't forget the lyrics, long runs & swimming from one side of the lake to the other, water balloon toss, s'mores, scavenger hunt, and the usual "random" kesler late night games (and they wonder why i try to sneak off to bed...jk!!!)
*lots of skiing and boating...did i say lots, i mean seriously alot.


*trying to act legit.


*taking the first ring off our paper chain...our residency countdown chain...11 months to go!

...the update. so now i'm off to check your blogs and see "whatcha been doin!"