The Davis Family

The Radmall's Halloween Party, '08

2008-11-20T09:58:00.007-07:00

Birthday Compliments

2008-11-16T20:49:00.003-07:00

Celeste: A great match for Richard. Funny and very smart. Thinks carefully before speaking and, therefore, speaks intelligently. Is goal-oriented, but still lives 'in the now.' Has a gorgeous, big, white smile. Is very patient with her nieces and nephews.

Nelson: Has the mind of a stand-up comic (G-rated). Is very helpful, but always quiet about his acts of service. Has twinkly, joyful eyes. Is man enought to 'fro his hair and dance in tight white pants, and also wear green tights. Works hard. Runs marathons.

Julie: Is disciplined. Likes to laugh, especially at Robbie. Helps anyone, anytime. Is petite and cute. Is great at 'doing hair.' Loves kids and has endless wells of patience. Is a fantastic dancer.

Love,
Laurie

Mom and Grandpa

2008-11-16T20:02:00.006-07:00

August 2006

Love,

Laurie

. . . In which Richard and Celeste begin their blogging-life together

2008-09-15T10:44:00.004-06:00

Hi all,

We wanted to let everyone know that Celeste and I have started a blog together at richandceleste.blogpsot.com (also it's linked in the title of this post). We actually started it a while ago, because we wanted there to be a few things to read before we started sending people there. You'll notice that there is a survey where you can vote on what the title of the blog should be. Feel free to voice your opinion (as we don't have one ourselves).

And to make this post even more fun, here's a fun picture of Darth Vader on a swing set! Whee!!

Thanks all,

Rich

Happy First Birthday, Jaxon!

2008-08-18T17:27:00.003-06:00

What a cutie! He had a happy birthday, and loves playing with his new toys. Thanks to Grandma and all his aunts and uncles for making his birthday so special!

Love,
Laurie

"This is a great dance party, Mom!"

2008-07-23T23:22:00.005-06:00

Okay, okay, I know I'm posting a ton of photos of my kids. But I can't resist! These are a couple of short videos from the reception.

Our Vacation/Reunion Back East

2008-07-23T22:46:00.006-06:00

Riding the merry-go-round at the carnival on the Boardwalk in Point Pleasant, NJ.

Savanna and her cousin Emma building sand castles at the beach in Point Pleasant, New Jersey.
Where Jaxon was lying aleep, safe and sound, before the scary wave incident.

Before the nap and wave. Jaxon was a good sport to smile for me - he really didn't like the sand or noisy ocean.
Palmyra temple in the background (we're next to the Smith family log home).
At Niagara Falls, on the "Maid of the Mist" boat that took us close to the falls.
The "Big Piano" at FAO Schwartz in NYC.
I know it's corny to take pictures of signs, but I forgot t0 take a picture at the theater. Plus, I left my souvenir "Wicked" cup in the taxi afterward. Sniff. :(

Austin was a really good sport about all the car traveling we had to do. He slept like this for a long time, until I finally moved his head up for him, so he wouldn't wake with a sore neck.

Laurie

Draper Days!!

2008-07-20T19:58:00.005-06:00

20/July/08

Hey y'all, here are some pictures I took of the D-days fireworks. I don't know how many other pictures got taken, and I didn't take pictures of anything else, but there were some volleyball matches played that I think will live on in the memory of many. . .

(I picked this next one because it looks like a UFO. Exploding.)

-Jon

Journal entry about Savanna and Austin

2008-07-20T12:26:00.002-06:00

Savanna: I’m a talker! I’m talkin’ a lot!

Laurie: That’s good! That means you’re a thinker, that you’re smart.

Savanna: Four plus four is eight! Five plus five is ten!

S: (after a pause) Mom plus Savanna equals love.

L: Ohh! How sweet!

S: Mom plus Mom equals love! Mom plus Jaxon equals love!

L: What about Mom and Dad?

S: Mom plus Dad equals one hundred percent love!

July, 2008

Austin’s current favorite catchphrases include the word “double.” And two exclamation points.

We get ice cream?! Double sweet!!
I fell on my knee and it was double ow!!
Jaxon is double cute!!

The Answers!

2008-07-12T23:41:00.003-06:00

Figured it out yet? Well, if you haven't, here it is for you to see!

Poem #1 was written by Mom about a lizard-skin Gucci handbag.

Poem #2 was written by Jon about a Mr. Potato Head.

Poem #3 was written by Robbie about an oil spill.

Poem(s) #4 was written by Carrie about a corn dog.

Poem #5 was written by Tam about a missionary name tag (surprise!).

Hope y'all enjoyed it! This was a great game Mom, Jon, Rob, Tam and I played on Monday night when Rob & Tam invited us over to their house for dinner. I think we should all play it together, sometime!

Love, Care Bear

Fun fun and fun!

2008-07-10T13:03:00.002-06:00

I have some fun poems for you! On Monday, I played a game in which any kind of poem was written about any thing, and once everyone had written theirs, the poems were read and guesses were made as to what the subject of the poem was and who had written it.

Those of you who played, know who you are. As for the rest of you, see if you can guess who in our family wrote which poems, and what they are about! I'll post the answers on Saturday.

Poem #1:
Slung over her shoulder with style,
She carried it mile after mile.
Her stiletto heels matched perfectly
Its flexible scaly surface-ity.
So expensive it was,
From the top house of duds,
That it remained quite fashionably emptily.

Poem #2:
The news was out, the chase was up, was it true? The word was "yup."
This was the last time their spud'd be beaten up.
An ear, an eye, a little hair, bits of things everywhere-
A gruesome sight- Oh, who would dare?
The children rallied, and what a sight
To see the big kids all take flight.

Poem # 3:
"We've run aground," he mumbled
Stubbled beard rasping on the radio headset.
"Nothing major, just a barrel or two."
A slick, well-oiled excuse
To hide a huge. Sticky. Black. Filthy. Lie

Poem #4: ( A collection of three, describing the same item.)
1.
sweet, bread on a stick
you hound me to eat you- now
my taste buds crave you

2.
My favorite meal of the summer,
To health nuts is oh-so-a-bummer.
It isn't a squash,
Nor is it goulash,
It's fat on more fat, which is yummer.

3.
Oh, sweet, sweet animal!

Twere it not for your carb count
My taste buds would surely
Devour your every inch.

Oh, if only you would be
Not so clogging to my arteries!

My fist longs to grasp
Your splintered handle.
But it is not to be,

Oh sweet, sweet animal.

Poem #5:
It describes who you are at every door
And the dedication to what you stand for.
Worn with honor and pride,
And only four inches wide,
It causes non-members to exclaim:
"Hey, you both have the same name!"

So there you have it! Think long and hard and Saturday you will find the answers...

my trip back to slovenia!

2008-07-07T12:26:00.007-06:00

Hey guys, just wanted to post a little something of my trip back to Slovenia. I struggled with the decision of whether or not to go back for a while, but I'm really glad I did in the end- it was totally worth it.

First off, heres the new chapel. I can remember going there before I left when it was just concrete and just imagining all the members gathered in for the first sacrament meeting. I can't believe I actually got to be there! It was amazing to see everyone so happy in their new building.

This is Tanja and I at the beach. Tanja is who I stayed with. Shes been a member for a few years now but is less active, anyway, shes great.

This is Stanka, Tanja and I in Piran- a city on the Slovene coast.

Piran, which looks like most of the cities in Slovenia.

This is Jozica and I on our trip to Croatia, where I stayed for 2 nights with one of my investigators- Danica, who has a beach house there. Jozica is Danica's cousin.

Labin, Croatia- the beach where we went swimming.

This is Vesna and I at Bled, Slovenia. Vesna is my favorite convert and probably the person I'm closest to in slovenia- she got baptized 2 weeks before I left in December. It was so rewarding to me to see how much she has grown in the gospel since I left. She used to be a dancer on a cruise ships and worked for a string of hotels and her life was partying. She has totally changed her life around and is completely devoted to the Lord. Spending the day with her was definately a highlight of my trip.

Bled.

This is Monika, Sister Maloy and I in Zagreb, Croatia. Monika is another one of my converts who got baptized in September. We found her while contacting on the street- it was a really cool story and she is definately God's elect. Sister Maloy was like my mom on my mission and calls me her 7th daughter.

Crazy Cute Jaxon!

2008-07-02T21:59:00.003-06:00

You've all seen how Jaxon used to zip around in his walker at Mom's house. He would run so fast, we'd have to watch out or he'd smash into our ankles and run over our toes.

This is one occasion (April 30) when he was really, really excited about being in his walker.

Stevenson Update

2008-07-01T20:06:00.000-06:00

On Memorial Day, we visited the grave of Brady's Stevenson Grandparents.

He's like a little monkey -always holding things with his feet.

Julie, does he remind you of another other cute, chubby baby?

He loved to chew on those little plastic bottles.

At This is the Place Heritage Park.

Another cute one from the cabin.

It seems like our summer is flying by! This is good, because I was worried that Savanna and Austin would be really bored, after completing kindergarten and preschool, as well as not living close to their Draper friends. They miss Grandma and Carrie, but love to visit them and look forward to each Draper excursion.

We're really excited to see Jon Jon on Thursday! Wow - like Mom mentioned, so many changes to our family since he left (new babies, new fiances, etc.).

We're also looking forward to our Stevenson Family Reunion/Vacation, and I'll be sure to publish some pix when we get back. We are also really excited for the wedding!

See you all soon! Remember, you're welcome to come to our house and watch the Thanksgiving Point fireworks on July 4th.

Love, Laurie

Stevenson Sleepover

2008-06-15T20:59:00.002-06:00

Look at our blog (radmallfamily.blogspot.com) and check out our post about our sleepover with Austin and Savanna. We had a great time :)

23 Days!

2008-06-09T10:17:00.008-06:00

We are excited to welcome home Elder Jonathan Davis from his mission to Curitiba, Brazil on July 3-- 23 days from today!

Cabin Pictures

2008-05-30T13:43:00.017-06:00

James and Bethany :)

Richard and Celeste doing a little Karaoke

S'mores

Wow

Richard and Robbie's spontaneous and synchronized backup dancing

Savanna singing one of the many verses of "Mother Goony Bird"

Baby Jaxon

Playing kickball in Uncle Robin's yard (the team that won)

The Long-awaited TALENT SHOW:

At the Manti Temple

Launching water balloons before the rain/hail

A great time at the cabin!

2008-05-27T18:59:00.003-06:00

Wow! We packed alot into 3-1/2 days! What a fun time we had together, inside and out, while we dodged thunderstorms and rain. Ping pong, foos ball, air hockey, table and group games, walks to the reservoir, muddy 4-wheeler rides, watching (and hearing) sheep and new lambs, kick ball on Uncle Robin's front lawn, pool in his basement, frisbee, a treasure hunt for the kids (they made, put around, then found the clues), karaoke, a marshmallow roast and 'some more's,' an amazing talent show! (can't say enough about that), to church at Uncle Robin's Ward, photos at the Manti Temple, birthday dinner and games for Brady, shotgun shooting, DDR ('dance dance revolution'), water balloon launching, playing with the babies, and way too much food! Thanks everybody for the special meals you prepared. It was a memorable and wonderful family time. Plan on next year, Memorial Day weekend, same time, same place. And start preparing your talent now. :) Love to you all! Mom

Austin's Preschool Graduation

2008-05-22T22:51:00.002-06:00

Austin had his graduation from preschool today. The kids sang a lot of songs, including Austin's favorite, "Fifty, Nifty United States."

In answer to his teacher's question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Austin answered, "A football player." At home, he expounded on that to also include a "baseball player, a soccer player, and a police officer."

Happy Birthday Daddy!

2008-05-21T18:46:00.004-06:00

Dear Daddy,
Happy Birthday! I love you. You are special and I like when you wrestle with me. You are cool because you like to play football with me and Austin. You are special because you are a special daddy. I love you!
Love, savanna

I love playing with my Daddy-- no one makes me laugh harder!!

Love,

Jaxon
I love you Dad. Yessiree. I wanna have a great day at your birthday and have a fun time and I love you Dad. Bye.

austin

To My Beloved Children

2008-05-13T23:17:00.003-06:00

I can't tell you how much I love and respect and treasure each one of you! My feelings are so much deeper than I could ever convey. I was so touched by your thoughtfulness to me for Mother's Day. Each of you are amazing and so important to me. Laurie. Brady. Savanna. Austin. Jaxon. James. Bethany. Alessia. Cardston. Robbie. Tamra. Richard. Celeste. Julie. Nelson. Jonathan. Carrie. As I say each of your names and picture you in my mind and think about your special qualities, tears well up in my eyes and my heart overflows with tender feelings for each of you. I thank you with my whole soul for the people that you are - full of integrity and righteousness and sensitivity and compassion and humor and intelligence and dedication - and on and on. I am so deeply honored to be your mother (and mother-in-law and grandmother). Let's always stay close as a family and put each other's needs first. Please let me help you in any way I can. You are everything to me!
All my love, forever and ever!
Mom

Austin Bostin Gostin

2008-05-11T14:32:00.004-06:00

"I love you Grandma. Yes siree. I like to play games with you and I like to play basketball with you and I like ta ride my bike with you and I like ta go outside and play with you on the swing set. And then I want to play with you after that. Inside. And play a game. Whoa- that’s a lot of typing. (Julie- Should we be done?) Um- I think there’s more stuff. Whisper- Nelson help me say the words. I like to ride my bike with you and I wish I could live in a new house with you and that’s all. Actually, there’s more. And A-U-S-T-I-N. I love you Grandma. I like to ride bikes with you and ride bikes with you and play outside and play a game with you. And I love you Grandma, too, so much. I like to play outside with you and sleep over at your house. (Julie- Okay- we need to be done Austin. ) No! I want it to be filled all the way! I like to ride bikes with you and play outside with you. . . Can you help me go to Savanna's Webkin?"

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-11T14:15:00.004-06:00

Happy Mother’s Day, Joan! It’s great to have you as a mother-in-law. I feel like I receive twice the motherly concern, twice the love, and twice blessings from a mother. I want to tell you a few of the things that I appreciate about you and your example for us.

One thing that I really appreciate about you is your example of forgiveness. It seems to me that this is something that is always a work in progress and something that you are constantly improving. You seem to be willing to give others the benefit of the doubt and to see things from their point of view. I am impressed with your deep understanding and application of the atonement as you see others nearer to the same perspective as our Heavenly Father sees us.

Also, I feel like I am blessed by your example of generosity. It makes me have a greater desire to use my means and talents to benefit others. This is another area in which I believe you put others before yourself and your own wants.

Finally, I am blessed by your example as a parent -- by the way you humble teach and strengthen your children. How blessed I feel to have an additional influence beyond my own parents to guide me in my own life and teach me the ways of raising my own future children in righteousness.

I love you,

Nelson

I love you, Mom!

2008-05-11T14:15:00.003-06:00

Happy mothers day, Mom!

I hope you liked the talk I gave, and since I know I already gushed over you, I'll just remind you yet again how much I eternally love you and am grateful for you.

Please enjoy this wonderful day dedicated to YOU!

All My Love Forever,
Care Bear

I'm grateful for you, Mom!

2008-05-10T22:26:00.004-06:00

"Blessings on the hand of women!
Fathers, sons, and daughters cry,
And the sacred song is mingled
With the worship in the sky--
Mingles where no tempest darkens,
Rainbows evermore are hurled;
For the hand that rocks the cradle
Is the hand that rules the world."
-- William Ross Wallace

Where would we be without Mom? She is the gravity that keeps our hearts centered at home, and on the Gospel truths we learned from her and Dad. Mom's life has been, and is, devoted to her children and grandchildren. I wonder what the world would be like if all mothers were as focused as Mom on the nuturing of children.

I am so grateful to you, Mom, for showing me a good example of motherhood. I think of you when I hear Sister Beck speak about "women who know," and women who have a "mother heart." Because of you, I know that my knowledge and talents can best be used in the home, as I care for my children -- even when the world would have me believe that motherhood is somehow less fulfilling than other roles.

"There is no limit to what a woman with a mother heart can accomplish. Righteous women have changed the course of history and will continue to do so, and their influence will spread and grow exponentially throughout the eternities."
-- Julie B. Beck

I love you, Mom. I will always be grateful for your example and unconditional love.

Love,
Laurie

Happy Mom Day

2008-05-09T17:04:00.003-06:00

Well Mom, it's hard to know what to say about a lady so great as yourself. I guess I can boil it down to a few things (for today): You have always been a great friend to me, which is probably an odd thing for someone to say about his mom . . . but it's true! I can't think of a time in my life when we didn't generally enjoy each other's company and really have a good understanding of each other, and that's been very special to me through my life. I also appreciate more and more the love of music you helped me learn, as well as the countless opportunities you gave me in my formative years which led me not only to the love of my life and amazing experiences and travel opportunities, but also to a career path. (I hope.)

In general, I can add that you are an extremely competent, hard worker - in every field you've been involved in throughout your life. You are very generous with your time and goods. You have taught us by example to love the gospel, love each other, and love life. You are very dear to all of us, and we are grateful for the chance to honor you this mother's day (and hopefully everyday!) I can't wait to see what you'll post on the family blog! What fun this is going to be.

Love, Rob

Happy Mother's Day!

2008-05-03T23:37:00.004-06:00

Some things I love and admire about Mom:

1. Her humility.

2. She is such a great listener! Mom never disagrees or offers advice to quickly when you just need a listening ear. Mom is also a great conversationalist.

3. Her wisdom and love of learning; she knows about so many things from life experiences, researching things herself, or from her school years. She wouldn't hesitate to go look in an encyclopedia for an answer to a question we had, even in the middle of dinner.

4. How she loves to take pictures, video tape, and document our lives.

5. She is such a thoughtful gift-giver.

6. She stays in a flexible mindset. I have come to appreciate the importance of this since I've been married, and I'm sure kids add a greater need to be flexible in plans and not get upset if things don't go just as planned.

7. She's great at planning. I think Mom could be paid to be an event planner. . . She is an event planner for our family! (Tracy Radmall tells me often that when Michelle get's married, she's "just calling Joan!")

8. She never makes rash decisions-- she is a good researcher and rational thinker.

I love you so much Mom! I hope this blog can be a fun way for our family to share experiences and pictures.
Love,
Julie