- A Fun Visit with the Moes's -

We felt honored to get a visit from our old neighbors and dear friends, the Moes's. They lived across the street from us until a job change took them to Houston last year. We miss them so much. Thanks to them, we both have blogs now that keep us in touch. Deron had big plans for a Welcome Home sign for his "Buddy, Moes," as he calls him, but they pulled up as we were making it. It gave us all a good laugh, because they know that we do everything last minute, unlike them!

Deron & Casey! What would the world have been like if these two had known each other in their childhood and teenage days? What a special friendship they share. It wasn't uncommon for them to play catch from across our yards, share tools and help each other with projects, lift the other up when he was down, take a trip to Vegas or Wendover... They were lucky to serve in Young Men's together for about a year before Casey moved. Several Priests and their parents have commented that things haven't been the same since they were released. One of the most selfless and lasting acts of friendship was when Casey offered to ride with Deron through the night as he drove my grandparents up to Idaho to be with my aunt and cousins after my uncle Brad was killed in a car accident. My grandma has often mentioned how much she learned to love Casey on that trip. (Deron wanted me to mention that when Casey left a year ago he used to tease him for wearing plaid shorts. You'll notice in this photo that Casey is now wearing plaid shorts. When we first started our blog, Casey welcomed Deron into the 21st Century. Casey, Deron now officially welcomes you into the 21st Century as well.)

These are our spectators enjoying the amazing firework show Deron put on!

This picture is kind of blurry, but it's the best one I have with the kids and the fireworks! (Kaylee, Jake, Ky, Jeron). Kaylee was so fun to have around. She is very outnumbered when our families are together. She and Kyler used to be pretty good buddies, but they've started to figure out the boy vs. girl thing that happens at about that age. She was a cute little mother to Hayden & Drew. We even got to share her birthday with her. We celebrated at FireHouse Pizzeria.

This is Krysta and I enjoying one of our late night computer sessions together. We pulled some pretty late nights while she was here. We often commented how nice it was to have two moms in the house. Dinner was prepared and cleaned up in no time. One of us could stay with the kids while the other ran to to the store. Our time together was too short, because we were both busy being moms to our three children. This is why we had to stay up so late every night. She has been determined to make me a scrapbooker ever since we've been friends. She used to invite me to her scrapbooking parties, even though I usually just came to visit. I'm starting to catch on to the digital scrapbooking idea. Computers are much more up my ally than crafty papers and glue. We'll see what happens from here. Krysta is such a special friend. My house will never be as clean as hers or as nicely decorated.; I probably won't ever be a super scrapbooker like her.; and, I'm pretty sure I'll never be as organized as she is.; but, Because of her, I'm inspired everyday to work on these things. Everything she touches turns to gold! She introduced me to Hobby Lobby and helped me rearrange a few things around the house. Thank you, Krysta for such a fun week. I really appreciate all of your help.

Kyler & Jake took tennis lessons together from my cousin Elisabeth while they were here. Hayden liked to watch with his racket & had to jump in the photo. Ky & Jake were just starting to become good buddies when they had to move. They both look (& act) so much like their dads. It's kind of like dejavu to see them together.

Hayden & Drew eating their Macaroni & Chesse together. These two are only two months apart. It would have been fun for them to grow up as buddies. They still can -- they'll just be long distance buddies. Hayden was only 1 1/2 when they moved, but he used to point to their house and say, "Dew, Dew," even months after they moved.

Thanks, Casey, Krysta, Kaylee, Jake, & Drew for spending so much of your precious time here in Utah with us. We love you guys! You're always welcome here!