Family

The Porter Family

Danielle, Brandon, Brenda, Randy, Me, and Dustin

A few people are missing...Jason and Lindsay (in Michigan visiting Lindsay's family)

and Emma and Mya (both in the NICU)

The Boone Family

Brett, Shea, Dad, Mom, Me, and Dustin

Dustin and I went back to Utah for Christmas. We stayed at Brett and Shea's house and had a great time eating and watching movies. The neighbors (Justin, Julia, Milana, and Halle Rae) came over for the family nativity reinactment and we opened gifts with my family on Christmas Eve. Milana, who is two years old, wanted to open our gifts for us and it was so fun to see her eyes light up with each gift. We let Milana open some of our gifts, but she seemed to have the most fun with the bubble wrap. Of course, Diesel was intrigued by this little girl and followed her everywhere.

Baby Update

We finally got to see our brand new nieces while vacationing in Utah for Christmas. Both are so precious and so tiny! Above are pictures taken while the girls were being monitored in the NICU. Just yesterday, Emma was allowed to go home and today Mya was released.

Aunt Dena and Uncle Dustin!!

We are now Aunt and Uncle to two beautiful, identical twin girls!! They are about one month early, but are healthy and breathing on their own. Their names are Emma and Mya and both weigh about 4 lbs each and have strawberry-blonde hair. Congratulations, Danielle and Brandon!! Give them a kiss for us!

Thanksgiving in Florida!

This Thanksgiving, Dustin, Diesel and I went to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bentrude (Dustin's Grandparents) in Naples, FL. We really enjoyed the 75 degree weather and were able to soak up some rays by the pool and do a little shopping! Jason and Lindsay also met us there and we just had a super time! :) See you guys in a few weeks in cold UT!

Throwing Leaves

Our friends from Chicago, Drew and Christy, came to visit us last month. Christy wanted to go outside to 'throw leaves.' We went to one of the metroparks by our house and Christy put her camera on the fence that Drew and Dustin are posing on.

The pics with all four of us took many takes because we were not sure when to throw our leaves. As you can see from the pic below, I thought the timer had already gone off and I was laughing.

Thanks for a great time, Drew and Christy! See you for b-ball in Chicago!
PS SHHH...I'm hunting rabbits...

Tagged by Jamie

Thanks for tagging me, Jamie!

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:
1. I was 15 years old and in high school, I guess.
2. I was enrolled at Brighton High School for their drivers ed program.
3. I was saying 'goodbye' to my brother as he left for college in Kansas.
4. I was picking out what car I wanted, but ended up driving my brother's car.
5. I was eating cheeseburgers and tater-tots all the time because I was playing volleyball and basketball.

5 things on today's to-do list:
1. Exercise
2. Go purchase the Twilight Soundtrack
3. Rake leaves
4. Frame our diplomas
5. Bathe my dog

5 treats I enjoy:
1. Twizzler Nibs
2. Ice Cream
3. Brownies
4. Cake Donuts
5. Ummm...I am hungry, but I try to stay away from these!!

5 things I would do if I was a millionaire (you mean 'when'):
1. Travel
2. Buy Jason a new car
3. Pay for a nanny for my sister-in-law who is having identical twin girls!!
4. Pay for a housekeeper for me!!
5. Start a family business

5 places I have lived:
1. New Port News, VA
2. Littleton, CO
3. Salt Lake City, UT
4. Bay Village, OH
5. That's it!

5 places I have worked:
1. Foothill Orthodontics
2. Maxfield Orthodontics
3. Rosander Dental
4. Beautiful Smiles
5. Voiers Cosmetic Family Dental

5 people I tag:
1. Dustin
2. Christy
3. Skye
4. Casandra
5. Chanci

Buzz Buzz

Diesel and our neighbor, Andrew. Andrew was nice enough to let Diesel play with the ball he won at his school's Halloween party. Sadly, Diesel destroyed the ball a few minutes later. To make up for this, we let Andrew take a few more pieces of candy.

Diesel loves to chase the neighbor kids!! It almost looks like he is flying...

Here is our Bumble Bee!! Happy Halloween!

Hey Pumpkin!

Dustin and I have never carved pumpkins together so we decided that this would be the year! Mine is the one with the bat and Dustin's has a very scary ghost face. We can't put them outside just yet because the creatures of the night will steal them (raccoons, squirrels, etc.)

Our neighbors have informed us that we should be expecting 80-100 kids on Halloween. I have prepared for this by purchasing a huge bag of candy at Costco.

Happy Halloween!! Can't wait to see all your costumes!

Celebrity Collage by MyHeritage

MyHeritage: Family tree - Genealogy - Celebrity - Collage - Morph

Happy 28th Birthday, Dustin!!

Last Monday, October 20th, Dustin celebrated his 28th birthday!! We had cake and presents and lots of phone calls from family. Usually we go to his parents house to celebrate birthdays, but since they are now two time zones away, we had to have our own little party. Happy Birthday to you too, Jason!

Mom and Dad came to OHIO!

I realized that I forgot to blog about my parents visit to Ohio last month! Oops! Anyway, we had a great time, but all it did was rain and rain. The waterfall you see in the pic is a few minutes walk from our home and feeds Lake Erie. Dustin was feeling a little daring as he walked out on the slippery, pier...or pie! Such a rule breaker!

As you can see, Caesar was a little cold and didn't want to have his pic taken!

The Best Brother-In-Law, EVER!!

I was told last night that my brother-in-law, Jason, checks our blog every day. So, I decided to do a "tribute post" in honor of Jason!

Jason is my husband's twin brother and just married a lovely girl named Lindsay this past August. They live in Salt Lake City, Utah along with their dog, Shasta. Shasta is Diesel's best friend and he misses him terribly.

Jason works at ACS and is a Finance Manager. He just loves his job!! About as much as we all do! Lindsay is working on her dance major at the University of Utah where she is on her tippy-toes all day. She is our tiny dancer...or ballerina! She will be done with her degree next year.

Miss you guys!!

Our Anniversary...Wine Time!!

Yesterday, we celebrated our 5th Anniversary at Wolf Creek Winery. I forgot to take my camera so we settled for Dustin's camera phone (sorry for the poor quality). We brought a picnic basket with us and were able to partake in a wine tasting. How romantic!

Serve It Up

Enjoying the summer while we can...

Dustin and I joined a co-ed beach volleyball team. Most of the team is made up of Dustin's co-workers at Key Bank. We play at a place called Whiskey Island on the beach of Lake Erie. We have a 'super time' and will continue to play in an indoor league this Fall.

Street Family Visit

Today, Aunt Brenda and her girls, excluding Amy, came to visit us in Cleveland. They live just outside of Cincinnati and decided to take a four hour drive to hang out with us for the day. We had a great time eating, shopping, and walking on the beach. Diesel was also able to make a new friend, Ginger!!

The "Stand-Off." Diesel and Ginger got along very well, except when it came to sharing toys. Growls broke out so we had to put the ball away. After that, all was good! Ginger enjoyed her walk to the beach and Diesel enjoyed his new playmate.

Lake Las Vegas

Retirement can sure be nice when you have a view like this! My parents have come to love their resort life and new home at Lake Las Vegas. Caesar likes that there is no snow and my parents love the golf courses. We took these pics a few visits ago...I am sure my Dad has traded his pants and jacket for shorts and a tee shirt with the over 100 degree weather that they are experiencing this summer!

Did you say, "Ball?"

Diesel (left) with Caesar. Diesel really misses his buddy and will be so excited to see him next month. I have not told Diesel that Caesar is coming to visit...it will just have to be a suprise!

A- Attached or single: Attached
B- Best Friend: Dustin, my Mom, and Sheri
C- Cake or Pie: Cake
D- Day: Saturday
E- Essential Item: Lip gloss, mascara, and a cool hat
F- Favorite Color: Pink
G-Gummi Bears or Worms: Bears
H-Home town: Salt Lake City, Utah
I -Indulgences: pedicures, massages, and key lime cheesecake
J- January or July?: July...but not in Vegas.
K-Kids: none yet...maybe soon??
L-Life is incomplete without: family, friends, and Diesel
M-Marriage Date: September 27, 2003
N- Number of Siblings: One brother, 2 brother-in-laws, 3 sister-in-laws
O- Oranges or Apples: apples just because they are easier to eat.
P- Phobias or Fears: creepy-crawlies and leaving my straightening iron plugged in and the garage door open as well as the stove on.
Q- Quote: "If you wanna keep em', floss em'!
R- Reason To Smile: I am blessed to have such a wonderful husband who takes care of me and family and friends who love and support me!
S- Season: Spring
T- Tag Three: Shea, Skye, and Dustin
U- Unknown fact about me: Some of you may already know this, but I have a slight sun allergy. Bring on the shade and the SPF 50!
V- Vegetarian or Oppressor of Animal: I like meat!
W- Worst Habit: making sure my straightening iron is unplugged before I leave. Although this may be a good habit, I check it about three times before I leave the house. Very annoying!!
X-Rays or Ultrasounds: X-rays. I take them alot and make sure I stand 6 feet away!
Y-Your favorite food: Mexican food
Z: Zodiac Sign: Gemini

The Boone Family

Here is my other sister-in-law, Shea, and my favorite and only brother, Brett.

Here is me with my Mom, Brett, Caesar, and Diesel on our deck in Utah. My parents just sold this home and we will no longer be able to enjoy this panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley. I guess we will just have to cope with the resort life of Lake Las Vegas...so sad...jk

The Porter Family

PRESENTING... Lindsay! She married my husband's twin brother, Jason, on August 10 in Michigan. Welcome to the Porter Family, Lindsay!!



The Porter Family!
Danielle, Brandon, Dena, Dustin, Lindsay, Jason, Brenda, and Randy (from left to right)