We love you Grandpa

We lost my grandmother the end of September and about two months later my grandfather decided it was time to join her. It seems they wanted to spend the holidays together. What true love! We love you grandma and grandpa! Rest in peace.

George Allen Dahmen 1922 ~ 2008 On Sunday, December 7, 2008, George Allen Dahmen, 86, left us to join the love of his life, Dolores. He was born on October 7, 1922 in Uniontown, Washington, the first of four children to Frank and Lucy Dahmen. George married Dolores Theresa Suchy on January 25, 1947. They were married for 61 years until she passed away on September 27, 2008. Together they raised six children in Spokane, Washington and Salt Lake City, UT. George served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers during World War II. He retired from Chevron Oil after 35 years and traveled extensively throughout the United States and Canada for too many years to count. He especially loved salmon fishing in Alaska, woodworking and living in Surprise, Arizona during the Salt Lake winters. He was a man of great faith and a devout member of St. John the Baptist Parish in Draper. Survived by two daughters and three sons, Sue (Ernie) Daigle, Tom (Lis) Dahmen, LuAnn (Steve) Culligan, Bruce (Debbie) Dahmen and John (Wendy) Dahmen, 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, brother Roy of Spokane, WA. Preceded in death by his parents, his wife, daughter Carol, sister Adelle and brother Bob. A Funeral mass will be celebrated Friday 9:00 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 300 East 11800 South in Draper. Entombment Mt. Calvary Cemetery 4th Ave. & T Street. Funeral Director's Neil O'Donnell & Sons. We would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to Kathy at Good Shepard Hospice, Dr. John Luras, Dr. Richard Frame and everyone at Utah Cancer Specialists, especially Tina. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to the American Cancer Society; please call (801) 483-1500. Thanks Dad. You gave us more than life; you gave us a way of life. So have a Merry Christmas and wipe away the tears; remember they're spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

"CRASH" - My brush with fame

Starz has a new original series called "Crash." We had a launch party at work where a couple of the celebrities made an appearance. Here I am with Brian Tee, better known for his work in "The Fast and the Furious," and Jocko Sims, who was in "Dreamgirls," "Jarhead," and several TV shows including one of my favorites, "Private Practice." If only I could get Starz to do a series with Josh Duhamel or Brad Pitt!!!

(Left to right: Jocko Sims, Mandie, Amy, Brian Tee, and me)

Copper Mountain

Our friends, the Farrell's, have a great condo up at Copper Mountain. Since the husbands were planning a hunting week-end, Cindy and I decided to take the kids and spend the week-end up in the mountains. The weather was awesome and we had a wonderful time. Thanks Cindy!

Ready to hit the hot tub!

The kids didn't want to leave, but they enjoyed the ride to the car!

Happy Halloween 2008

Carving pumkins...Micah went for a shape-themed face, while Mikayla chose Ivan Chorblood.

This year Mikayla was a Dark Angel and Micah was the cutest little skeleton I've ever seen.
The kids started their trick-or-treating at my work, Starz, where they filled their buckets with tons of candy.

Micah found "Mike" from Monster's Inc in one of the haunted houses.

After trick-or-treating at Starz, we had everybody over for food, drinks, and trick-or-treating in the hood. Look how cute all the little ones look.The moms get a little party of their own when the dads take the kids to get some goodies. From left to right we have rock-star Cindy, Kelly, me, Jen R, Suz, Stephanie, and Becky.
It looks like the wagon was used as a cooler while they went from door-to-door. Luckily all children we accounted for when they made it back home!

In loving memory of my Grandma

The memory of my grandmother inspires me to be a better wife and mother. She was a wonderful woman with old-fashioned class and a huge heart. She had a love for crafts and was great at baking. She had a tradition of making several different kinds of candies and cookies during the holidays that I am proud to continue with my own children. She will never be forgotten. We love you and miss you Grandma. Dolores Teresa Dahmen 1925 ~ 2008 Dolores T. Dahmen died September 27, 2008.Born to Joseph and Anne Suchy July 10, 1925 in Urbank, Minnesota. She married George Dahmen January 25, 1947. She was a very devout catholic and member of St. John the Baptist parish. She is survived by her husband and their children Sue (Ernie) Daigle, Tom (Lis) Dahmen, LuAnn (Steve) Culligan, Bruce (Debbie) Dahmen and John (Wendy) Dahmen. Sisters Olivia Klimek, Midge Benzinger. 16 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tues. 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church 300 E. 11800 S. Draper, UT. Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. also at the church. Committal Mt. Calvary Cemetery 4th Ave. & T Street. Director's Neil O'Donnell & Sons. The family would like to thank Sunrise Assisted Living Center and Good Shepherd Hospice for their excellent care given. In lieu of flowers please make contributions to Alzheimer's Association 855 East 4800 South Suite 100 SLC, UT. 84107.

Disneyland & Sea World

For Micah's 3rd birthday and our 11th wedding anniversary, we took a family trip to California. The weather was perfect and we all had a great time at Disneyland and Sea World. Micah was a trooper; going on every ride he was tall enough for including Matterhorn Mountain! While he would take his afternoon naps, Kaleo and I would take turns with Mikayla on all of the big rides. We can't wait to do it again!

Micah turns 3!

Micah turned 3 in September and he had a fun birthday party with his friends at My Gym. Here are a few pictures from his celebration.

Thanks everybody for all of my wonderful presents!

A Rising Tennis Star

Micah now takes tennis lessons on Saturday mornings at a facility called Drop Shots.

Here he is all set up for a powerful forehand.Look at that concentration! Good eye on the ball Micah!

Nice follow-through. We have a tennis champion in the making.

Micah sets the pace for the obstacle course...

and finishes the lesson with a cone stacking game.

Kaleo Loves His Job

The Army does practice flights over the Sunflower Redevelopment Property that Kaleo manages in Kansas City. Last week he was invited to go along for a ride in a CH-47 Chinook Helicopter to get a different view of the 9,065 Acres that he calls home during the week.

Dance Team Results

This past week-end Mikayla auditioned to be on one of the competitive elite teams at the Colorado School of Dance. Results are in and she is now a dancer on the Elite Rubies team. She skipped an entire level from the team she was on last year! Mikayla, we are so proud of you. Keep up the great work!!!

3RD Grade

Yesterday was Mikayla's first day of 3rd Grade in Mr. Allen's class. She's starting the school year off with no front teeth! Time is going by fast because I remember very clearly watching her go through the front doors of the school on her first day of kindergarten.

Here's Micah wishing his sister a good day. He'll be going with her soon enough.