Celebrating 21!

James and I celebrated 21 years of marriage on Friday July 18, 2008. How grateful I am to have him with me everyday. He is a wonderful man and my best friend. (Thanks Lizzy for the picture!)
We had dinner and a movie date to celebrate and James in his most kind and gallant way went to see Mama Mia! with me and delayed his Batman experience for a few days. We saw Mama Mia! (the play) in Las Vegas and loved it --and I'm a big ABBA fan-- so I was so excited to go. I wanted it to be GREAT and while it had great moments, I have to say it was just good. Sorry to be a downer--but I get frustrated with the need to use "movie stars" in Broadway roles. Meryl Streep did a good job, Collin Firth was adorable, Julie Walters was DYNAMITE but Pierce Brosanan?????? Why??? Arrogant, obnoxious and a really, really bad singer. WHY??? Anyway ---we started talking about PERFECT movies---movies that are great stories, perfectly cast, classics and came up with a pretty great list. So here are James and Katie's combined list of PERFECT movies--

REAR WINDOW--Jimmy Stewart and Grace Kelly--Do we need to say more? A young Raymond Burr as the bad guy--awesome
CHARADE--Audrey Hepburn--amazing! and Cary Grant--so darling and debonair! Great plot, great twists, great cast
RETURN TO ME--A newer movie, but seriously my favorite movie! Bonnie Hunt and David Duchovny are fabulous, Jim Belushi is hilarious, Minnie Driver is so believable and the old guys are so GREAT!
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS-Our favorite Judy Garland movie and James' favorite movie ever! We love Grandpa and Tootie and St. Louis!
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE-The BBC version with Jennifer Ehle and Collin Firth. Lots of good versions of this book and movie--but this is the best. I think I have it memorized!

So now it is your turn--what are your PERFECT movies? We would love to know!

Virginia EFY

Mollie went to EFY this year at Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista, Virginia. SVU is a liberal arts college that is run by members of the LDS church. It is a beautiful campus with great colonial red brick buildings. We drove her there on a fun road trip with Brad, Liz and Sadie Harris. Sadie and Mollie were roommates and met lots of great teenagers during their time there. I'm so glad they got to go!

Missing Fish Lake and Family

Fish Lake Memories

So many fun, happy memories Feeling a little homesick today--Hope everybody has a fun time at the cabin this weekend! It has been too long since we've all been together. Love and miss you all! Take pictures and SHARE!

Welcome Summer! (Finally)

Been waiting and waiting for some sunshine and flowers---look what we finallllly found!

(Note about flooding--the Mississippi is definetly HIGH and spilling over its banks in several locations within about an hour of us--all the creeks, rivers and lakes are FULL, but so far the closest flooding is about 40 miles away and no serious damage done--they are sandbagging in parts of St. Louis, but thankfully Southern Illinois is being spared)

Champs!

How cute are these two! Congrats on a winning season! Can't wait 'til the next one!

Happy Birthday Kelly & Bill

Two pretty fabulous people--made this great little family! Some of my favorites! Hope you guys had a nice weekend celebrating! Happy Birthdays!

(Not so ordinary or everyday) Miracles

I have been on edge for days--sorry to those I've snapped at--I don't like close calls and I know I should just be grateful and count my blessings--I am getting there--fear is often displayed in ugly ways--but I am so appreciative of miracles in my life.

1. So glad this kiddo is walking around and safe. Emily

had a bad car accident Tuesday and "Tammy" her jeep

was totaled and had to go the the grand Santa Quin

salvage yard. But despite a few bumps & bruises and

a cut on her face--she is fine! Can't wait to put my arms

around her on Monday. Her Dad is with her

--gratefully all is well.

2. Two new babies in our family--I love my nieces and nephews! Say hello to Lucy Grayce and Spencer Daniel Hopkin born Wednesday, May 21, 2008. Happy birthday and welcome to the world little ones!

Congratulations Mary Kaye, Dan, Taylor, Audrey and Whitney!

3. Last but never least--I'm grateful for this guy. He makes me smile when everything else makes me want to cry. He is patient beyond measure and the kindest fella on the planet. Don't know why I deserve him, but I know I am a lucky girl!