Natalie's Poem

I was cleaning out my documents folder on my computer and I found this fabulous poem that Natalie wrote for me.......

    A Poem For My Big Sister

Rachel you make me smile, and every once in a while… You don’t.

I love you very much… So much that I would live in a hutch…. For you.

If you just happen to read this poem… well I’ll make you go home.

Of course if you are already home… I would make you a clone… And then I would send it home. You are a joyful human being, and you don’t have trouble seeing.

If you ever do have trouble and you are seeing double, then give dad a call, unless of course he’s at the mall. If he is you have no hope, you will just have to marry the pope. If so Travis would be very mad, and he would go to the dark side (AKA bad)

Well this is very tragic!! I have to go to bed, so work your magic. Your magic will fix everything, and it will urge you to play pong-ping. Goodbye for now my dear sister, and don’t forget to bring you mister, and don’t let him get a blister. See you later alligator!!

Natalie is a poet and didn't even know it!

Too Cute for Words

Need I say more?

Les Miserables

On Friday night I gathered my kids and a few more to go and see Josh in Les Mis.  Josh was Javert and he was FaBuLoUs!  The play was very well done and I was pleasantly surprised by all of the amazing talent there.  You can tell that some of the kids will go far with their voices.  This is one of my favorite plays and I was choked up quite a few times.  First when Josh came out and started singing  - I kept saying "is that my baby brother up there?".  It was a bit surreal to see him looking so big and scary and singing so low and so well.  I was so proud that I choked up right there and didn't stop during the entire play.  It is such a fabulous story or redemption.  It was a little hard trying to explain to Tanner why Josh just killed himself at the end (the Javert suicide scene) especially since Tanner kept asking and didn't understand why Josh was playing a bad guy.  ;) Luckily he still thinks Josh is awes.  The kids were all very good due to some great and funny scenes and a whole bag of candy.  It was an unforgettable night!  Go Josh!

We had quite a crew waiting after to see the famous Javert

Josh with all his make-up and creepy sideburns.  They wouldn't let them come out in costumes but his were amazing.

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Trevor

Trevor left us for the MTC on August 5th. We really miss him but my Mom decided to bring "Trevor" around everywhere the family gathers. He has been to a BBQ - he didn't swim because he is a missionary, a car trip and is now a greeter at my parents house. His happy face cheers us all up and if we ever need a Trevor boost we can just go sit by him and laugh. I guess this makes it official that my family is odd - as if any of the 5 readers who read this didn't already know this important fact.

Clever Jofes Davies

STATS

I am interrupting this blog to make an important announcement. This post will contain all sorts of shameless bragging. If the reader is offended by this please don't read on. Spoiler alert: there will be much gushing and fawning below.

I know I am a proud parent and sister but I have to be honest I am no expert on basketball. I have to ask Travis to help me understand the fundamentals of the game. Although I never played basketball expect to throw a mean granny shot I do love watching the kids play. This season was a really fun one to watch. At the end of it Kaden was the number on scorer in his league. Natalie was number one in her league and Taylor was #13. They all did amazing! One mom came up to Natalie and told her that someone needed to stop watering her because she was growing so fast. Taylor is amazing on defense and really gets her team pumped up. It was fun to watch all of them out there trying their hardest and having a blast.

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING

So I have this crazily talented sister who cracks us up all the time. If you look at the pictures I take of her, the majority of them are her smiling with a goofball face. Up until a couple of years ago I didn't realize she had this side of her. When I saw her in her first play Beauty and the Beast I was blown away and shocked. I didn't know that my quiet sweet sister had this sassy, funny and creative side to her. She really hams it up on stage and entertains all who watch her. She is mesmerizing whether she is playing a duster or in a Shakespeare play. This play was no exception and I once again was proud and awed by my baby sister who is growing up to be abeautiful, funny, talented and amazing young woman.

COLORADO SPRINGS COLORADO

Congratulations to my brother Trevor Joseph "Josef" Davies. He has been called to the Colorado Springs Colorado Mission. He goes to the MTC on August 5th. He is setting such a great example for our kids. The kids all adore Uncle Trev. Congratulations Trev! The people of Colorado Springs will be lucky to have you in their mission. We all know you will do great things and touch so many lives in your 2 years there. We are so proud of you and

love you so much~

Trev - playing it cool

JOSH'S GRAD

In June we went to Josh's graduation. He graduated a year early at 17! We are so proud of him. He worked really hard so he could finish early and get a year of college under his belt before he leaves next year. He graduated with a 4.0 and took the ACT and got a 27. He will be ready to go to BYU next fall. He has been homeschooled since 5th grade and has been a role model in so many ways. He has done mock trials where he argued legal briefs, staged mock debates where he would debate both sides and has been in numerous Shakespeare plays. He is pretty well rounded and I love to bug him about how the girls think he looks like Edward Cullen. He and I have a Twilight debate going on. He hates it and I love it. Secretly I think he really likes it but doesn't want to admit that he likes a love story involving vampires.....

What a stud....We really are so proud of him and I know that he will do great things with his life.


In June



His graduation was unique in that each teaacher got to tell about each graduating student. It made it more personal.

It was a rather long ceremony......



The kids favorite part was the cake and drinks afterwards

To the best Dad 7 kids could ever ask for.  We wanted to share some of our favorite "remember whens".  We love you Dad!

*Remember when you taught me that 7x7 was 49 just like the San Francisco 49ers?  I have never forgotten that lesson

*Remember when we were driving to work and we drove past a really nice car on the freeway and I said how I wished I had a nice car and you told me that even if you had all the money in the world you still wouldn't buy me that car because you wanted me to earn it first?  You taught me the meaning of work.

*Remember when you sat us down in the tent in the back yard and told us we could pack up one bag, not tell any of our friends, leave our house and belongings behind and we needed to go to the Wilderness?  After Jake and I were shocked and I was crying and Jake was pumped you then taught us the meaning of sacrifice and helped us develop our own testimony of Nephi and Lehi's faith.

*Remember when you always corrected us when we said "Me and Sara"?

*Remember when you would quiz us on what the speed of light was?

*Remember when you would always say "Where's Kevin?" on every trip and freak us all out?

*Remember when you would always tap on the steering wheel to whatever Christopher Cross, Peter Cetera or any band/song that caught your interest?

*Remember when you would hear a song and then go and duplicate it note for note on the piano?

*Remember when your nose would twitch when you were telling a joke?  Oh wait, it still does!

*Remember when you would see the mile markers on the road and ask mom and I when we could see them while you and Jacob patted each other on the back for your perfect vision?

*Remember when you used to read every Far Side comic and laugh hilariously?

*Remember when you bought the Plymouth Laser and took me, Mom & Rachel out for a spin on a snowy Michigan evening and did donuts all over the parking lot? You taught me the value of a fun car and the importance of learning how to handle a vehicle regardless of weather conditions.

*Remember when you taught me how to pitch and used to spend lots of your time catching for me in the backyard so I could improve my skill? You taught me the importance of spending time with those you love.

*Remember when you whacked the Florida Davies' dog across the room when it was getting quite frisky with me and I asked you what he was doing? You taught me the importance of protecting innocent children from crazy little male dogs.

*Remember when you drove me to your office and sewed up my knee with 18 stitches after I split it open in the backyard? You taught me that even though kids do silly things sometime, you still have to love them...especially if they're YOUR silly kids.

*Remember when you got sick in Guatemala and I was able to participate in my first Priesthood blessing ever (at the gorgeous Quinta Real hotel) with the help of Meech? You taught me that everyone needs help some time or another...so we'd better be ready when that time comes!

*Remember when one of your internal bubbles found its way out the back end as you tucked me in for bed that one night @ Mimi & Pops' house in Stuart...and we both laughed because it was the first time I had ever witnessed that from you...and I was at least 8? You taught me that we're all human and it's ok to laugh at yourself sometimes, especially when sharing a bonding moment with your Son.

*Remember when you ran into someone you knew at a random Gas station in the middle of a cold nowhere and Rachel and I thought that was so crazy you (Mom included) knew everyone? You taught me that it's important to make friends wherever you go, and that it's even more important to remember their names (which I believe you did)!

Remember when kristin and I were little and we would jump on your feet and ride around the house as dads laughing slippers!

Remember when we went on a quick and very exciting scavenger hunt to find me a puppy!? Oh sammy... or when the woman we bought him from asked us how long we had been married!?

Remember when you use to come home from work and I use to lay next to or under the piano and listen while you made up all sorts of songs?

Remember when I was attached by a dog (the first time!) and only a few weeks before you had told me that 'if I were ever attached by a dog, that I was to make sure I rolled on my stomach and protect my neck and face'... which saved the left side of my face from nearly 55 stitches on the back of my head. Just a bite or two away from neck!

Remember when you thought you died... oh wait, that's happened a few times :)

Remember when I use to say, 'I don't have any friends'... so you volunteered... and started asking me if you could be my best friend :)

Remember when we were picking up Jake from his mission... and Kristin and I would always ask, 'what are they saying?!' and for some reason everyone was always asking, 'why is she wearing so much make-up'!! Oh and do you remember how many iguana parks there were? Every grassy patch we would yell...'Oh look, iguana park!'  

Remember when you and Bishop Bullick without hesitation saved Jenny's life? It was a reminder of what an amazing father I have and the great lengths you will unselfishly go to, even if it meant risking your own life to save another's. You have always been my hero and I know you are for many others. I'm lucky and grateful I can call you mine! Hands down, I've got the greatest dad. Happy Father's Day! I love you very, very much. 

Remember when you used to come coach me in between innings during my softball games.

Remember when we opted out of the school dance and went to Outback and to see Vertical Limit instead.

Remember when ( I was like 4) and you taught me I could just lift my dress up to go to the bathroom instead of un-zip the back and take the whole dress off. (You probably dont remember that, but it was a big turning point for me)

Remember when mom would go out of town and you "made" dinner. aka we all got 99 cent famous stars.

Remember how we stay up late watching 24 because Jack Bauer is the MAN!

Remember when my friend needed a blessing and I knew you were worthy and I could call you and you came right over?

Remember how I want to thank you for being the best dad ever! Thanks for picking me ;P

*Remember when we watched the family videos and you always left the camera on all the time, like with the camel ride? I don't know why that is, but it's was always enjoyable.

*I can't really put a specific time, but all the times we have those deep conversations are some if the best times I have. 

Remeber when we had the fathers interviews every third Sunday? Those were interviews that I loved and I know helped me in my life.

*remeber watching 24? Sure, it wasn't the most virtuous show on earth... But that time in my opinion was very spent. Every time I wasn't allowed to watch it, it was terrible. It wasn't the same watching it later without you. Any time spent with you is amazing.

*Remember when we were in Pompeii and I said that the Ferrari was my favorite part of the trip? The car is nothing in comparison to being able to spend time with you. That was not only the best thing about the trip, but one of the unforgettable parts of my life.

*Remember when you would always ask "who?" when I would say me and megan?

*Remember all the times we read "Chicka, Chicka, Boom, Boom" and snuggled up in bed?

*Remember when we read "Swimmy" so much that you went out and got a black clam for me?

*Remember when I would come into the piano room while you were playing a song you wrote and I would ask you how you did it?

*Remember when you, Josh, Trevor and I would go camping in the backyard when Mom and the girls would go to girls camp?

*Remember when we picked up Claim Jumper and you said "I'm a violin" while the Claim Jumper Lady asked you for your order?

*Remember when I would laugh at all your jokes... even though I didn't understand them? (You probably didn't know that at the time)

Love Story meets Viva La Vida

This is a family favorite

EASTER BEACH 2009

We had a very busy Easter. It is such a huge blessing to have so much family nearby. We have both sides of the family here which we NEVER thought we would have. We knew we would always have the Baker side but the Romneys? No way. Never in a million years did we think we would lure them to San Diego. Althought I think it may have been the weather more than our amazing personalities that brought them here. Just a guess. Whatever the reason, they are here and we love it. As Henri the bird says in An American Tail "Never Say Never". On Easter Sunday we had family dinner later in the day at the Bakers but we were able to go to Ann and Mitt's house and have a beautiful walk on the beach before family dinner. Tons of cousins were there and it was one of those days that you want to capture and remember. On Easter Sunday when we remember the sacrifice of the Savior it was a perfect opportunity to appreciate our many blessings.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY MOM

Happy Mother's Day Mom! To the greatest Mom any child could ever ask for. Thank you for being there through the good, the bad and the ugly. Thank you for your guidance, inspiration, time, love, compassion, understanding, strength and example. For being there through sickness, trials, teenage years, childbirth, young motherhood and now. For being my friend, my mentor, my counselor, my confidant and most important of all for being my Mother. For raising the bar so high that every day I try to be better just to be more like you. Happy Mother's Day! I love you more than you know and enough to show you by living a life that you would be proud of.

ONE GIANT LEAP

I wasn't alive when man first landed on the moon but starting creating the Davies Family Blog is comparable to that historic feat in time. This day, May 10, 2009 will go down in the Davies family history as "THE DAY". The day our family blog was started and we began our virtual family history. Hip Hip Hooray, the Davies family is LIVE!