"Grandpa" Kanavel

Edward Grover Kanavel Jr.

Novermber 13th, 1926 - October 26th, 2007

Although "grandpa" Kanavel is not my real g-pa, he has been an important male figure in my life. When my mom graduated from her small town high school she found herself wanting to get out of New York. She started her journey across the country and somehow ended up in Utah (I know she's told me the story, but I always forget it). While in Utah she started dating the Kanavel's son and actually got engaged to him at one point. After realizing that he wasn't the "one" she decided to break it off. However, during that engagement she became very close to his family and she remained in in contact with his parents, and to this day we still consider them grandma & grandpa Kanavel.

My grandpa never missed an important event in my life. He was there for my baptism and actually confirmed me the following day at my church. He also sat as my witness during our wedding and filled in for my late grandpa Cox in all of our wedding photographs. When I was little I remember having sleep-overs at their house and my g-pa would help me pick out a movie from their huge personal blockbuster library and my g-ma would teach me how to crochet and press flowers between wax paper. I learned many things from my grandpa, but most importantly he taught me the power of repentance. I have a vivid memory of my g-pa sitting me down on my baptism day and talking to me about the importance of the covenant I just took. He also taught me that old age doesn't have to stop people (certainly it will slow them down). Even up until this past year you would have found him in his wood shop making shelves for family and friends. In fact, just a few months ago he practically amputated his hand off while working on a project for someone else. He would have done anything for anyone even if he didn't have the muscle power to do so--he would have still tried.

This past summer, we had the opportunity to celebrate my grandparents 60th wedding anniversary. I watched him as he sat their slumped down in his big comfy chair and I realized that he wasn't going to be around for much longer. On the other hand, my g-ma was still going strong, running around like a mad woman making sure she greeted everyone with a happy smile. Just thinking about them I feel so grateful to have them in my life. My grandpa has been the purest example of patience and service and I can only hope that I will be one fourth of that for my grandchildren.

Ahhhhh Happeee Birfday!

Meg turned 22! The above picture was taken moments after Kailee and Tim got into a spit wad fight in the restaurant. Of which one of Kailee's amunition got away and landed on the table next to us.
I thought this picture was funny so I had to post it. Probably the most pathetic puppy dog face ever! :)
I thought I would take a few moments to say how much I love my little sister (and possibly conjure up some good memories from our childhood). When Meg and I were little we would build elaborate forts in our formal living room with our baby grand piano, coffee table, blankets galore, pillows...etc. etc. etc. (you get the point). We could play for hours with each other. Most of you remember our backyard on Woodmoor street and how the hill to the back yard sloped down pretty steep. During the winter months we would build tracks in the snow and use our sleds as bobsleds. When the snow was deep enough we would build underground caves and we were always saddened with the snow would begin to melt our hard work. Even earlier in the life we loved to build little people and towns out of clay. I don't remember watching TV when I was little. We were always outside playing fairies in the "forest" with braided flower crowns from our neighbor's garden (we thought we were so sneaky, but they knew we picked all of their flowers). When we got older, Meg was always my biggest ice skating fan. She never missed a competition or ice show and was always the loudest cheerer. But, on the flip-side...I am Meg's biggest dance fan. She is probably the most amazing dancer I know. Many of you don't know this because she is so humble about it. In high school, she was the only girl allowed on the cheerleading squad and the dance team. Both groups needed her and allowed this rare exception. Currently, you'll find Magoo (Meg's nickname) serving people sushi at Mikados, studying like a mad woman (she wants to be a nurse), rock climbing at Momentum, or hanging out with her adorable puppy Moku. Anyone that knows Meghan knows that she has a zest for life and is always looking for the fun in it. She's adventurous and is always up for just about anything. I love you Meg! Happy Birthday!

AMENDMENT: I have been made known that there were several dancers on the cheer squad. However, I still think little Meggers is the best in the west. :)

Gloom and Doom

Tonight the Rockies lost their third World Series game. It saddens us that they have come so far and yet are struggling to even stay in the game. This is going to be painful series to watch. The pictures above were taken during happier times, when they swept the Diamondbacks. Our poor dogs put up with us more than they would like...I'm sure!

Welcome Logan Grant Fuller!

On Wednesday the 17th Sabrina and Tad had their baby after a long and hard delivery. Due to the long delivery Logan was immediately placed in NICU and was watched for 24 hours until his blood tests came back clean. When born, he was 8lbs. 7 oz and 22 inches long. When we were looking through the NICU window we attempted to take a picture of him (see below), but this picture doesn't do his cuteness justice. He is definately a Fuller baby. He was large in size and had the Fuller nose. Do I dare say that he even looked a bit like Teisha when she was a baby (that's what Peggy said)? We are so excited to welcome him to the family. He's the first baby to be born into the family that carries the Fuller name!!
We're so excited for Tad and Sabrina. They are going to be the cutest parents.

Fall in East Canyon

Last week we had a work retreat up East Canyon and the leaves were beautiful. I just had to take a picture of them to show my Dad how amazing the mountains look in Utah. I feel so lucky to live in such a stunning city. How often can you rock climb, kayak, snow ski, and water ski in the same state? I LOVE UTAH in the fall!

Burritos & Banditos!

This past weekend, our friends invited us to a murder mystery party. We had a blast dressing up and playing our parts. Some were better than others. If any of you have ever been to one of these parties you know the names of charaters are quite clever. My name-- "Seniorita Bonita" and Tim's name-- "Warren Peace." As you can cleary see above, Amy was a photographer and Wes was a Mexican gangster (with arm/sleeve tattoos and all).
Tim was suppose to be an American writer, but he just had to grow a sweet stache for this occassion (even though it didn't fit his character).
christina was a Native American medicine woman and her husband Chris was a hill billy Mexican sheep herder...etc. etc. etc. Chris is a pro at this game and keeps us all entertained with his great accents. Speaking of accents, Wes does a great distressed German one. :)

Cleaning Day!

While Tim was at home due to Fall break, he decided tha the was going to clean our house of all our undesirable items. I came home from work one day to find him head deap in our master closet. All of our clothing (and when I say "all" I mean it) was sprawled on the bed and he was carefully picking through the apparel and throwing out the unwanted. During this process Gus found himself a nice and comfy bed on the pile of consignment clothing.
Later, Gus found himself an even more comfortable bag of clothing that was intended for the D.I..
I think Tug was feeling a little left out. Sadly there was not a big enough pile of clothing for Tug to curl up on. :(

HOW SWEEP IT IS!

The Colorado Rockies are going to the World Series!!!!!! They swept the Arizona Diamond Backs last night 6-4 and we couldn't be more thrilled. I have some seriously funny pictures of Tim sitting on the couch holding his broom, and with the dogs dressed up in Rockies hats. However, I'm at work cameraless.

Just messing around

To be fair!

okay to be fair...I'll post a hideous picture of me too! This was taken amidst our construction...yipes...I love that I look most like a litte boy. I also enjoyed that I look 66% like an asian girl. Good stuff.

This is cruel

okay so I had to...I found this hideous picture of meg (which is really hard to do, because she's is so naturally beautiful). Isn't it hilarious though...I love that a couple of the pictures are of men or women that look like men. Too funny! Sorry Meg...I had to, it was too good to pass up. :) Love ya. Oh and by the way...I don't think Meghan looks like any of these people. If I were to post one of her everyday "normal" pictures, the heritage website would surely match her up with models. :)

A Spontaneous 5th Year Anniversary!

This past weekend I decided that we needed to do something special for our 5th year anniversary. So...last Friday morning I called the box office of Coors stadium in Denver, Colorado to see if there were any available tickets left for one of the last Rockies baseball game. Surprisingly the man on the phone said "yes" and within one hour I made all the arrangements for ourselves and our dogs. After this was done, I called Tim at his office and told him to come home and by noon we were on our way. Tim of course was so excited because he has never been to a professional baseball game and the Rockies are his fave.
On Saturday we had the whole day to kill in good ole' Denver. I was really excited to visit the Museum of Nature & Science and knowing Tim I knew he would be on board too. We asked this kind gentlemen at the Library how to get there and he explained the directions and then proceeded to tell us that it was within a mile's walk. So...we began to walk and about an hour and half later we were still walking (come to find out it was about 5 miles). However, the museum was awesome. They had outerspace exhibit that Tim thoroughly enjoyed and they also had numerous exhibits on mountainess animals. After our long journey to the museum we opted to take the bus back for $3 (worth every dollar).
After eating an early dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, we arrived VERY early at Coors Field. It was really cute to see Tim's face light up upon entering the stadium. He was like a kid in a candy story and you could tell he was in awe. We then proceeded to take our seats up in the THIRD messanine (that's all that was available).

The game was so much fun. I wish we had a professional baseball team in Utah, because we would have season tickets. The Rockies crushed the Arizona Diamondbacks 11 to 1 and two days later went onto win a spot in the playoffs. If the Rockies make it to the world series, Tim and I are seriously contemplating returning to see them in action once again. The game was fun and all, but being with Tim made it perfect. These past 5 years have been awesome. Everyday he amazes me and everyday I find myself falling in love with him more and more. I love you babe! Thanks for being such an radical dude!

I'm in heaven!

Yep! No need to rub your eyes...you are seeing what you are think you are seeing. Some of you may have already encountered your very own iPod vending machine, but I just witnessed one for myself last week in the Las Vegas airport. I don't understand it though. They had all sorts of iPods for sale and unless you travel with your iTunes at hand all the time, why would you buy one for your travels? Nonetheless, just the sight translated me to heaven.