Andie is Ours!

Andie is ours forever! What a wonderful day today. It started with Cole having his temple recommend interview w/ President Stratton. On one question regarding the word of Wisdom, he asked Cole how he knows its true. Cole said how he just follows it. Very plain and simple. President Stratton and Taylor got teared up. President Stratton after told Taylor how he just knew that Cole was such a strong boy in the gospel. President Stratton also said at the end that Andie had been waiting a long time to come to our family.

Last night, John called (who is Kimberly's dad). I had invited John and Annette 6 months ago to the temple. (Annette is the step mom but she has raised kimberly since 7th grade). I called them 2 weeks ago and told them when we were going but I didn't think they would come. At 9:00 p.m. he called to see if it was alright that they come. Of course. When we got off the phone with him we were truly excited that they would come. They ended their date, went home and packed, got in the car and drove 8 hours. They arrived at our home at 6 in the morning and spent the morning with us. Also last night we had a great talk with our kids about going into the temple, who John was, putting their minds at ease that John wouldn't take Andie, why I can't have more kids through my tummy, how Heavenly Father just made a detour for Andie, etc. Just a great night with our kids.

Today was plain and simple and wonderful all wrapped in up in one. The sealer gave some words of wisdom to Cole and then Riley and then he said some cute things to Andie. When he was done, on cue she just responded to him. It was seriously the cutest thing. We went to the alter and they placed Andie there with her hands on ours. I can't remember much of what was said except, "as if she were born under the covenant." It was just the sweetest experience.

Selfishly, I probably would of just liked it with our family. But there was no way we were going to say no to John. Remember, he did not want his first grandchild to be adopted. He wanted to raise her. For him to want to come was huge. Just think, the grandpa unselfishly sitting there, giving up his cute granddaughter. It was just about too much for Taylor and my hearts. He was truly happy for us. I'm just so grateful for this wonderful plan of salvation. Andie is ours. I can't even type anymore because I can't see through my tears...

It's Official! We Have a Finnish Navajo Joining the Clan!

Well, it's official! Andie Walker Dayton is our first finnish Navajo in the family! Yesterday, we went to the court where everything was made official before the judge. Pretty much everything went smoothly except when the judge read that she was navajo. There was some back and forth that went on between him and our attorney about the Indian child Welfare Act, but in the end he luckily said since there was a signed affidavid from our attorney in Arizona he would go with that. He could of put her in foster care until he contacted the indian council. We didn't realize how serious of business this was adopting an indian. Luckily, everything has gone smoothly for us. Believe me, we have heard horror stories.

At one point in the proceedings, our attorney asked me how has Andie changed our life in our home. How do you answer that after everything we have gone through to get her? I got a little tearful and said that she has turned our life upside down in the most wonderful way.

At the end, the judge walked up to Cole and Riley and got down on their level and said that he was issuing a court order on their parents. They had to take them out for ice cream after to celebrate - the kids loved that.

If anyone is going to be in town on September 2, they are welcome to the blessing of Andie at our ward. Our family is going to take Andie through the temple sometime this month. After much thought, consideration and prayer, Taylor and I have decided that it will only be Cole, Riley, Andie and us going through the temple. This is as much a special day for Cole and Riley as it is for Andie and we don't want them to get lost in the shuffle of the 75 of so people that would be in the temple. We hope you all understand but we just really want to eat every minute up that we can with our children in the temple. We will tell you all when it is so you can be thinking and praying for us.

Andie is truly the biggest "tender mercy" in my life. She is the missing puzzle piece. The kids can't get enough of her, Taylor doesn't want to let her cry in the middle of the night and I hold her all day long. We are so blessed to have her.

STADIUM OF FIRE - 13 yrs & counting!

Another great year of Stadium of Fire! For the family that has lived here and left without the experience of the Stadium of Fire song, you truly have missed out. We go every year with Judi & any brothers that live here or are visiting here on the 4th. Tonight, Ken, Brendan & Chris's families all were here (they all live here). All the other brothers were here in spirit though. The Osmond brothers - 2nd generation did not play this year - a miracle we are grateful for.
Corbin Bleu was the big attraction for my kids this year - HUGE! If any of you old folks don't know who he is, he is the new Micheal Jackson. (Star of high school musical & Jump In) The cousins all went crazy dancing on the bleacher seats when he came & started singing. I saw a glimpse of riley as a teenager. Also, Brooks & Dunn. I have to say, so far away from my Motown roots. EVERY year they get country (which I can't stand) but these guys actually put on a good show. I'm waiting for the day when The Temptations, Earth, Wind & Fire or Cool & the Gang come. I will fly dad out for that for sure! (We have seen all of those bands & they were absolutely incredible!!! I stormed the stage at The Temptations & the big guy leaned over on the stage & kissed me...that's a whole other story). The highlight of the evening was Andie. She just stared at the fireworks and didn't mind them at all. Her eyes were huge but she enjoyed them. Taylor & I enjoyed just watching her.


Many of you might not know this, but the 4th is probably the biggest holiday at our home (besides christmas although it comes close). My kids are obsessed with fireworks. Cole spends his own money, price compares, makes his purchase and then he will save them all year long. Sometimes, when the 4th rolls around, he still saves them until the next 4th. No joke. Hoards them. Well, the time has come. When william was over yesterday, they allowed Taylor to light a few up for Williams enjoyment. William has no idea what an act of love that was. Right now, it is 11:45 p.m. & my kids & Taylor are putting on their private show for themselves. I must go now - I am being summoned.

*A funny* - I overheard Cole talking to his 5th grade cousin the other day. Jaxson says to him, "Man, I have 7 girls that like me." Cole responds with a complete straight face, "that's nothing! Every girl in 3rd grade is in love with me!"

Alaskan Cruise

Eagles up in Alaska are like pigeons. They are everywhere! I know, you think this is a postcard - my skills are getting good. I chased this baldy down thinking that this was such a great find! Come to find out, hundreds. Seriously, we passed a garbage dump and they were definitely 100's of scavengers.



Here Taylor & I are going out to dinner on the cruise. You eat literally 24 hours a day. It was considered "freestyle" which means you can order as many appetizers, salads, soups, entree's & desserts at one meal. Taylor literally ordered 3 entrees & 3to4 desserts every meal. This picture is just a small portion of his brothers. All 11 brothers + wives + one ex sister-in-law & spouse (now that's a story!) + 1 sister + dad & his wife went cruising. Talk about one big party!

Here are once again a portion of the bro's. They sort of look like these totem poles...

Taylor & I boogying the night away. I believe this was "Motown Night".

This is a replica of our boat made out of white chocolate! One night, they had a chocolate lounge. You could either call it walking into chocolate heaven/hell.

Here is what greeted you when you walked into the chocolate lounge - the chocolate castle. The next picture is the gargoyles that protected the castle. (Sorry, my kids loved the pictures!)


I had to throw in one beauty picture because really, being on an Alaskan cruise really isn't known for bathing suits and sun. The cruise was absolutely breathtaking.

Stay tuned....I'm trying to learn how to upload a great video (one of a kind) of Disco Taylor at his best...I have to get over to the Millers so they can show me how...

Keeping Up With the Millers-I Mean Jones...

Well here I am. Both feet have jumped into the world of blogging. We all know that Taylor wasn't the techno geek behind this. We are so grateful that the Millers live 8 blocks away but trying to "keep up with the Millers" can be very intimidating! Kate just kept saying how easy, how painless and how fast this would be for us to journal our lives. She then proceeds to show us her "simple" site. It is the most professional site I've seen. All this being said, I will try it. Because of Aaron, I own a digital still camera, a digital camcorder, a Mac and now I have my own blog. I'm sure there will be come a day that an iphone will be added to that list.