Our Biggest Fan

Our Biggest Fan

So far, the one downside of Grenada is that my upload speed is only 1 Mbps. It’s painfully slow. So last Thursday, as I was trying to upload a 297 MB video, our bandwidth was completely occupied and it was taking for-e-ver. It also meant that the efforts of those trying to get ahold of us via FaceTime and VIber were futile. 

Then, out of habit, I opened FaceBook and the bandwidth let through one new status, my sister-in-law’s. It said, "We have been so blessed to be able to live with my grandpa over the last two years, he has been an amazing example of faith and dedication. He returned home to be with his dear wife this morning, we will miss you James Davies! We love you!”

My eyes read faster than my mind choose to comprehend and I re-read it not quite understanding. Then I realized “returned”, “miss you”… wait what? 

Oh grandpa! 

I immediately started crying and called Ryan. Through tears I told him grandpa had died. He surprised and we talked for a few minutes before I hung up. And about two seconds after I hung up, my mother-in-law called to tell me. He had died at home, in his chair, before his health declined too much—for which we are all very grateful. 

Grandpa was always our biggest fan. He looked forward to us blogging and I feel a little guilty that I slacked off a bit.

When 

We were able to FaceTime the funeral, I loved hearing stories of his life, his challenges, his gifts, his antics, and his love for his family. I especially loved that Adi got to join in singing “

As one who never knew either of my grandfathers, the past seven years have meant so much to me. This past week as we've reminisced about Grandpa, we rediscovered wonderful memories and gems in the photos from our times with him. 

Here’s to a wonderful man, grandfather, and great grandfather. Grandpa, we miss you!

Grandpa, Ryan, Brad, and Adi on Adi's Blessing Day - April 2010 

All of us and Grandpa at Graduate School Graduation - April 2010 

Lunch at Grandpa's favorite Japanese Restaurant...

Our Christmas Present to him - December 2010 

Grandpa and Adi at Adi's First Birthday party - February 2011

A paparazzi snap from Dani and Jon's wedding - Summer 2012 

 Adi (Age 2.5) and Grandpa licking the beaters (Date Unknown) 

Adi (Age 2) and Grandpa  (Date Unknown)

Grandpa's 85th Birthday with everyone - 2012 

Adi (Age 3) and Grandpa (Date Unknown) 

Ryan, Adi, Grandpa, and me - July 4, 2014 

Adi and Grandpa at the Cabin - 24th of July weekend 2014 

Grandpa with Gavin, Adi, Ava, Case, and Jake - July 2014 

Grandpa and me--him in his chair and me on his couch - September 2014 

Uncky Austy

The Binx got to spend some awesome quality time with Austin and Bri yesterday. 

She pretty much LOVES them.

What's not to love? 

I'm pretty sure they need to hawk Google Flights and come visit us in Grenada. 

February 2013 Highlights

February 2013 was full of fun... 

I went back to blonde!

We road tripod from Provo to Vegas and from Vegas to Anaheim...

For a birthday celebration of this little's 3rd birthday (and my dad's birthday) at Disneyland... 

at Sea World... 

and at the beach. 

January 2013 Highlights

January 2013 Highlights - Lots of fun, playing, and cousins

Cousins running on the way to the Cabin 

Snuggles 

Fun at the Mall 

Adi's First Primary Talk

We are so proud of the little Binx. She did such a great job! 

"Heavenly Father loves me, and Heavenly Father loves you. Because He loves us, He wants us to live with him forever.

Part of God's plan is to follow the commandments and Jesus Christ. The commandments are God's rules for our Happiness and Jesus is our older brother and Savior.

Another part of God's plan is Eternal Families. Heavenly Father gave us families to be happy and to help us make it back to Him in Heaven.

I love my family and my Heavenly Father. I know he loves me and has plan for me. 

I say this in the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

Our Little Gymnast

This year we debated: dance or gymnastics. And gymnastics won (although now I'm thinking maybe both, but perhaps that would be overkill.) 

So, we asked Maleen where she took her kids and signed Adi up at Arête Gymnastics in Lindon.

It's a huge facility and I've been pretty impressed with the staff, the equipment, but especially these young athletes. It's pretty cool and they're really good!

Today was the big day we'd been counting down for (we made a paper chain to count down because Adi was devastated that we couldn't stay last time) and voila, success! 

She did cartwheels, backbends, backwards somersaults, and twirls on the bars. She was smiling the entire time! And she had a blast! 

I LOVED having her in dance last year, but it wasn't nearly as active as this first forty-five minutes. We'll see how the year progresses. :)

In true Adi fashion, I said, "Smile" and got this gem. Love my little girl. 

Adi on the first day of gymnastics - 8/12/13 -

Age 3 1/2 to the day

The Pink Convertible Bug

Yesterday morning, the Binx told us she was going to go for a ride in her "pink convertible bug" (I have a feeling that this little one is going to be even more of a handful as she gets older.) Just to get a better idea of what she was envisioning (it's all about setting expectations early, right?) we took a look at what was out there. 

We quickly passed over some of the more practical options (as if any pink convertible bug could be classified as 'practical') and immediately found her car. 

Fully loaded, pink accessories to the max.

Did I mention it had a make-up case in the trunk?

And remember that part about having our hands full when she grows up?

Luckily, I can have a convertible, too. 

A blue one.

And this was it. 

(Not too shabby, but I hope she's paying.)

Then, she went on to tell me which convertibles belonged to whom.

This was Papa's because it would go fast:

This was Grandma Jennifer's because she likes red and it's shiny:

This was Grandma Diane's because it was also red and shiny and she likes it:

This was Grandpa's because it was orange:

And this was mama's: 

Nice, but I think Grandma Jennifer got the better deal.

The Big Dance [Recital]

Today was the big day!

After nine months of dancing lessons, Adi and her classmates performed! They did so well! (Honestly, I was quite shocked and wondered where it had come from it was so good.) 

Adi, Maizey, and Hattie in the green room

Adi in her costume and make up (and for the record, putting eyeliner on Adi is one of the hardest things I've ever done.) 

\

Faces... 

Smiles... 

The giggles. (Seriously her eyes are so gorgeous!)

Adi and Hattie holding hands on their way down the hall before showtime!

Adi and Haley before the show! They're so stinkin' cute! 

On stage, getting read to dance "With my foot I tap, tap, tap!" (Although you can't tell, Adi is the third from the left.)

After they all danced, they brought the house lights up with all the dancers on stage and when Adi saw Austin her face lit up. It was seriously precious.

---

Have you ever guesses that Adi is spoiled and "the only baby ever born"?

Evidence.

Twenty people (all of her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and two great grandparents--we really missed Adi's Great grand-mother, Joan) who love and adore this little girl. She is so precious and we love her.

After the show we gathered together for a group photo!

Top Row, Left to Right: Erin, Jennifer, Jake, Austin, Bri, Sarah, Grandma Ellen, Nate, Grandpa, Grandma, Adam, Brad, and Grandpa Great

Bottom Row, Left to Right: Tyler, Ryan, Chris, Adi, Gavin, Hannah, Andrew, and Me

Outside, we took even more photos. And I will just say I have one photogenic little three-year-old. (Yesterday the photographer for their dance pictures said Adi was a cute little poser, because she put her hands on her hips and started to strike a pose.)

May 11, 2013 - Adi, Momma, and Dadda at Adi's first Dance Recital | American Fork, Utah 

Momma and the Binx. 

More evidence of spoiling. Daisies from Grandma Jennifer and roses from Dadda.

After the recital, we headed to Paradise Bakery for some yummy dinner. This little Binx was rewarded with a mini Carrot Cake cupcake. (So funny, when she started seeing the orange carrot in it she started picking it out--she'd already eaten half of it--and said she didn't like it. Until she tried it that is.)

Yummy cupcake!

A four-generation picture on two sides! 

Grandpa Great, Papa and Grandma, Daddy, Binx, Momma, Grandma and Grandpa, and Great Grandma Ellen

We were even able to snap a cousins picture--the first ever with all three kids looking at the camera.

Success!

Cousins! Adi (Age 3 years, 3 months), Gavin (5 years, 1 month), Jake (2 years, 9 months) 

Last, but definitely not least, a snap shot of this little girl and her daddy (they both adore each other and I love it.)

Adi and Ry

All in all it was a fabulous first recital, the first of many I'm sure for this little girly girl. 

Last Day of Dance

I can't believe a whole year has already gone by with this Binxy in "dancing lessons." 

This Saturday is their recital. I'm sure it will be full of wonderful memories, and perhaps a $10,000 prize courtesy of America's Funniest Home Videos. It should be great! 

Aspire Dance Academy - Itty Bitty Combo Class

May 8th, 2013