A spaceship to Jesus?

Today we were driving in the car and we saw a Raddison Inn that looks like a castle. I explained that is was a hotel and the kids decided we needed to go stay there sometime. Brooke tells me that our churches are like Jesus' castle, to which Riley said, "No the temples are Jesus' castle." I then try and explain that yes the Church and the Temples are Heavenly Father and Jesus' "houses" but that they don't live there like we live in our houses. Brooke then asks well then were does Jesus live, to which I reply, "In heaven." She asks "where's that?" and Riley chimes in with "Past Outer space". Brooke thinks about this for a second and says, "Well then we could take a spaceship and go visit Jesus there." Sometimes I wish we could Brookie...

29 days and counting....

Since we found out that Candi and Kelly were coming to visit us Brookie has asked several times a day, "Is Jennie (or Cassie, or Erik) coming to my house today?" So today we finally got around to making a chain to count down the days till they arrive. Now whenever Brooke asks all I have to do is send her to check how many chains are left. We'll see how long that appeases her. Needless to say, we are all VERY excited.

Denver Aquarium...

On Saturday afternoon after the Bronco's game we went to the Downtown Denver Aquarium. Tom and I had been when we came out with Krystal and Chris. It was a lot of fun and the kids loved all the animals. Elle even liked it. There is an animatronic Orangutan in on of the exhibits and Brooke was positive that it was real. It was so funny to watch her get all nervous about it. Anyways enjoy all the fun pics, Dani
P.S. I'm sure you are all glad about the short post....YIPEE!

Broncos Training Camp

I had heard on the radio that if you wanted to see the Broncos at training camp this would be the weekend to go and see them. I informed Caterina that we would be attending practice this Saturday and she had better get ready. The minute those words came out of my mouth she immediately jumped for joy and couldn't contain herself. She began by making the most incredible bows you have ever seen with beautiful "Bronco" orange and blue colors. I let her enjoy the moment and then informed her that practice started at 8:30 A.M. and we would need to leave early to see some of the starters.

The reality of Saturday was this, we finally left the apartment about 9:30 arrived at Dove Valley a little after 10:00 and practice wrapped up around 10:50.

I would now like to share some thoughts that I had during practice. Enjoy!!!!

I was grateful for Caterina's eagerness to attend practice but for the first few minutes she and Elle mistakenly thought this was just another day a the park!

I think Riley had a good time but you never know with this kid. Anytime you ask him to get
ready for a picture you don't know if he's getting ready to do number 2 or smile.

Brooke loved her Bronco colored bows and she received many comments from the other fans about her bows.

She also has learned some of Riley's photo moment techniques. This is known as the number one face.

I tried to get some pictures of some the players. Overall it was pretty cool. I didn't realize how close we would be to the players. It was like being at your sons football game we were right on the sidelines.

This is the starting defense.

Those guys were HUGE.

If I were to stand next to them

I would probably only come up to (#24)

Champ Baileys helmet.

The Starting Offense.

As you can see in this picture Mike Shanahan (Broncos Head Coach) thought he saw in me a potential walk-on water boy!!!!!!!!!!

Then......I stood up!!!!!!!!

Anyway we had a good time and enjoyed watching a little football. It actually worked out great that we were only there 45 minutes any longer and the kids would have probably exploded with heat exhaustion. (Just kidding we had plenty of water) It's just amazing to think that these guys are millionaries(Overpaid? Oh yeah!) and that they get to play football for work!!!!!!

Christmas in July.....or September...

I just have to post real quick and then Tom is going to post about Bronco's training camp and the other fun of our weekend. His first post this should be good...Anyway Tom talked to Kelly today and we found out they are coming to visit us over Labor Day Weekend....YIPEE!! I know it has been less than a month without seeing anybody from home but I miss everyone so much. Especially Candi and Kelly's family. Candi and I got together at least once a week and usually more so than that. I have missed Erik and Jennie so much, I didn't realize how big a part of my life they are. So needless to say when Tom told me that we were going to be getting visitors for Labor Day I was excited, OK excited is an understatement. Anyway here a few pic's I just had to share...So now that we have our first visitors scheduled you all are on notice to make your reservations....

Kung Fu Madness.....

Tonight was a fun night. We tracked down a dollar
theatre in Arvada and took the 15 minute drive to check
it out. It's actually a pretty nice theatre and we are glad to have somewhat of a replacement for our beloved Kaysville Theatre. We decided to go see Kung Fu Panda and we were pleasantly surprised. It was a fun movie and, minus the 2 men that had to laugh obnoxiously loud at anything remotely funny, What's up with that..there's always one. it was a good time. It is almost a miracle that of the past 2 kid movies we have seen (Wall-E) they have both been really good. Tomorrow should be
equally enjoyable day...we are going to the Bronco's Training Camp. Bet you can't guess who's idea that was? It should be fun and we will probably only go for an hour or so so hopefully the kids will be good. Oh what I do for the love of my husband...I think I am going to find a scrap booking convention to drag him to...that would be payback. Well I will post some pic's of tomorrow..

Our Summer Vacation...

Since we have moved we have decided to try and spend the weekends finding fun things to do around here. Since we aren't technically going on vacation we have decided that these little weekend trips will be our summer vacation. This last weekend we went to Rocky Mountain National Park, and stopped in Estes Park, on our way up. It was so much fun, and so beautiful. Being in the mountains helped with my homesickness a little bit, I guess all that fresh air... As we were driving we saw a HUGE ARK, on the side of the road so we had to stop. It was ESTES ARK. It is this huge ark that is chuck full of stuffed animals. The kids had so much fun looking around and we even let them each get a stuffed animal. Riley got a emerald tree boa, Brooke got a cat, and Elle got her new true love, Floppy Fred the Bear. He even has red hair like her other favorite Fred. We made out like bandits as it was under $24 for all of it. See why I like this place so much? We made our way up to the Entrance of Estes Park and the kids loved feeding the Squirrels, they were huge. They would eat straight out of your hands and we learned next time to bring peanuts. We had a picnic in Rocky Mountain National Park and the kids had fun flying their airplanes. In a little meadow we stopped at there was a stream that the kids played in. It was so interesting as the water looked like someone had dumped a huge container of gold glitter in it. It sparkled and anytime you kicked up the dirt it looked like a snow globe. Tom and I wonder if it really was gold, but with our luck someone probably did just dump glitter in it!!! It was neat non the less and someday we will figure out the mystery. We then drove on a narrow, curvy road for much longer than I would have liked (I get nervous about 200 ft drop offs) and at one point were 2 miles above sea level. It was a long day but we had so much fun. I am trying to learn to live in the moments and enjoy right now. Tom and I let the kids feed the squirrels for over an hour and that was probably the highlight of the day. Anyhow expect more pic's and more extremely long posts...Sorry!!!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

Another Week...

Well another week has come and gone and I think we are beginning to get more use to Tom's schedule. We have been keeping ourselves busy with walks around the lake, swimming, movies, and ice cream (thanks Lutz kids). Hopefully the extra activity makes up for the ice cream. The kids have been adjusting as well as can be expected and they are getting along for the most part. I am realizing how nice it was for them to have cousins and neighbors around that could break up the time they spent with just each other. They have been with each other literally 24/7 for the past 2 weeks and are being to get annoyed with each other. Luckily our ward has a park group that meets once a week so that should help. Tom and I haven't quite decided what we are going to do this weekend. I was telling Becky that it is weird, for the first time since we had kids Tom and I will look at each other and say "what do you want to do tonight?", or "what should we do this weekend?" With as busy as the past year has been it is weird to have sometime on our hands and we are loving it. I joked with Tom that we would move out here and end up getting divorced because we would actually get to spend sometime with each other and realize that we can't stand each other. Luckily that hasn't happened yet and it seems like I still actually like Tom so we should be safe! Any how Tom should be home soon and I have not even attempted dinner, during the summer it is just so hard to cook. Maybe we will order some pizza...yum-oh! That's the fun part of living in a new city so many new things, and restaurants to try. I'll try and take some pic's of the apartment and post them this weekend.

Elle's 1 year old...really....

Well today is officially Elle's first birthday. I can't believe a year has past by. It had been such a busy year but Tom and I both admit that the highlight of the past year was when our dear sweet Elle Rose was born. There is just nothing quite like that moment when you first see your baby. I remember Tom and I just looking at each other crying and laughing all at the same time. Elle is such a sweet girl with a personality that is so different than her brother and sister. She is a little mischievous and has this silly little grin she does to get mine or anyone within eye distance to look at her. She has started walking everywhere and it has become her main mode of transportation minus momma carrying her when her legs get too tired. She is the most fearless baby I have had and is never afraid to try new things as long as no one tries to hold her! She is the apple of her daddies eye and loves it when he comes home, if he leaves the room with out her she will throw a fit until he comes back. Tonight was a fun night, Tom came home and we went and ate at a fun little diner for dinner. Elle of course was the star of the show and everyone kept stopping to see her. Brooke even got a little jealous and had to come sit closer to Elle to get some of the attention...After that we went to Costco (yipee), and then came home, Elle fell asleep on the way home so we had to sing to her while she was sleeping on momma. Of course as soon as that was done, she woke up luckily in a happy mood. We opened presents (Riley and Brooke used their own money to buy one) and then had cake. Grandma Lillywhite had sent a card and then called and all the babies got to talk to her so that made the night even better. The kids were thrilled today as they all got letters from the Lutz Clan and even money to go get some ice cream (I know what we are doing tomorrow). Grandma Lillywhite had also sent a package with stickers and other goodies so it was a good mail day for them. Anyways this is a way long post but if this is going to be the closest I get to a journal then so be it. We are still settling and I must admit the homesickness is setting in but we are doing great in all, I am looking forward to the weekend. I'll post some video's tomorrow.

Hello....Again...

Tom has been bugging me to update our blog for nearly a week now. I just haven't been motivated as I have been unpacking and settling in. Our apartment is nice and we lucked out with a first floor unit right next to the play ground. The kids love it so far and we have even been swimming. Elle has NO fear when it comes to the water and hates to be held or sit in her floaty...can we say drowning danger? We are trying to take a family walk every night and it has been soooooo nice to have Tom home by 5:00pm every night. It is so weird but I love it. I think it will take at least a few more weeks to really get use to our schedule and not feel like we are on vacation...Speaking of vacation. We are all pretty much settled, (it helps that we got rid of a ton of stuff and also are renting a garage), so if anyone wants to come visit the Lillywhite hotel we are open for business. We offer deluxe accommodations that include, foam mattresses on the floor (so posh), a big comfy couch, and a private bath. We went to our new ward today and I have to say it was different. It was such a nice ward and I think it will be good but it's just hard to start a new ward. It has been hard getting use to not knowing anyone and I am still trying to get my bearings. It didn't help that Tom had to go to Seattle on Friday and didn't get home until 11:15pm last night. So that meant for a long weekend by myself. I was proud of myself that I ventured out to Costco, and Target. This is a big feat considering before we moved here I hadn't driven further than Provo, Logan, or Evanston. Yeah, I suck...Anyways I made a funny observation their are 3 places that I think no matter where you are feel like home, Walmart, Costco and Church. Sad but true for me. I guess it's probably because those are the 3 places I spend the most time besides home... All in all we are doing good and minus the homesickness, ( I know it's only been a week) we are doing good. I laugh because I have had the cheesy song "Homeward Bound" stuck in my head since we got here. I will write more about the actual trip sometime this week. We love you all and already miss you all, just knowing I can't run and see you guys when ever I want makes me weepy, but like Tom's says, "We are were we are suppose to be, and we are doing what we are suppose to do." Oh yeah and just so you all know, We made it to Denver on 1 tank of gas in our Van crazy good so come on....come see us...
We love you all....
Love, Rosa

Shell Shock....

Well we have arrived in Colorado after much fun and drama...but we are here and somewhat settled. As most of you have noticed we have changed the blog address. This fits a little better and ofcourse Tom loves it... anyways I will post more later. We love you all and miss you even more...

We're still here...

We have just been super busy, surprise, surprise! We are packing like a banshee and trying to spend as much time as possible with those we love!! I was able to get my hair cut on Thursday with Candi, (thanks Hun) and then we all came down full force with a horrible cold. Do you all hate summer colds as much as I do, I mean its one thing to be sick and housebound in the middle of winter but in June!!! I hate that. Luckily we are all getting over it and it really is a blessing we all got sick this week instead of next week when we are moving. On Saturday 2 of our favorite people, Candi and Kelly, took us out to dinner. We went to Iggy's and relived our Hawaiian vacation with some good ole' Lava Flows..delicious. Emma and Brad watched the kids and Brookie was still talking about it this morning so they must have had a fun day. We even topped off the night by watching some fireworks from our couch...the best way to watch fireworks...Anyways this week is gonna be crazy so I don't know when or if I will post again but we will see. Adios...

Busy, Busy, Busy...

We had an eventful weekend, We ran errands on Saturday and then on Sunday we had an early birthday party for Elle. It was so fun to get together with everyone and just enjoy family. Elle loved the cake as you can see. Thanks to everyone who came and for all the presents, Elle now has ton's of her own toys, and is dressed to the nines... Last week was so nice to have Becky and the boys come and visit and just reminded me of how much I miss her. I have started with the water works if I think for too long about being away from all of you. Luckily we are super busy so I don't have much time to dwell on it. Elle is continuing to try her hand, or feet?, at walking in fact tonight she took 4 steps. She is too funny and has tons of bruises on her little toosh. I guess that just comes with the territory. Brooke and Riley are doing good though I think the stress of the move is starting to affect them. Tonight Brookie got all weepy eyed and crawled on my lap asking, "Do you still love me momma?" I don't even know were this came from as she hadn't been in trouble all night. Luckily she got some cuddle time with mom and it seemed to pass. I need to remember to make time to just play with them even though we are so busy. Any how I better go it is after midnight and I need to try and get some sleep, Tom and I don't know how we are so lucky but for the past 2 days the kids have been sleeping in until 9am...I am not betting that it will be permanent but I am loving it while it lasts...until I post again...

Happy Birthday Suz!!

Happy Birthday to a awesome girl, and a great mom! Thanks for always being there to chat and commiserate with. I am so glad I get to call you "Sis". You make Denver even harder, I am going to miss you so much!!! Love ya!!!



edited: For some reason this wouldn't post last night, so better late than never right!!!

Hello Summer...

So summer has officially arrived. Sorry I haven't posted Becky has came and visited with the boys for a few days and we have been having so much fun I haven't taken the time to post. Enjoy some pictures and an awesome video...

Elle's newest trick...

Last Thursday I started trying to have Elle stand up by herself. She has a little hippo that she had been cruising around on for a couple of weeks so I thought we would see how that went. She is the most fearless child I have had to date, I guess she thinks she is a big girl and had really taken off. In fact yesterday she took 3 steps before face planting it into Tom's knee...sorry I don't have the video for that though I think Candi may. I can't believe Elle is almost a year old, she is growing to fast. Anyways enjoy the video and Rileys awesome videography skills. Also we found out that our appraisal went thru and things are on track for us to close on the 25th. It is coming so fast, I think today was the first day that is has all started to feel really real. Here come the tears...

Fathers Day 2008

Thank you for being the one that our children call Daddy. Thank you for being the one who protects and cares for us all. Thank you for being willing to do everything and anything for your little family. Thank you for teaching our children to choose the right, and that family comes first. Thank you for loving, cuddling, and playing with all of us. Thank you for honoring your priesthood and helping us be an eternal family. Thank you most of all for giving me our 3 beautiful children and for loving us all like you do. Happy Fathers Day Babe...

What the heck?

Whats this you may ask, are the Lillywhites trying out some new grilling technique? No, this is a birds nest...yes a birds nest. Tom and I planted the lawn in the back on Monday, we noticed a lot of birds in the back yard and I even saw some carrying twigs and thought, "Oh that's cute!". Well yesterday Tom went on the deck to grill up some hamburgers and this is what he found when opened the grill, a HUGE birds nest. People they built this thing in a day and half....what is this world coming to? It was like they were building a habitat for humanity nest, I mean come on... Luckily their were no birds and even better no eggs yet. Tom came and got me, I laughed, took a picture and left him to clean it up. This may have been a bad idea as about 5 minutes later I smell what smells like a campfire. I go back out to the deck and yes, it's what you think, Tom fired up the grill...What the heck? I was laughing so hard. What was he thinking, now I do give him credit he had cleared out as much as he could but "couldn't" get the stuff out of the bottom of the grill, so he fired it up. Yep, thats my hubby...and thats why I love him, he makes me laugh every day...

The Great Debate...

Tom and I are working on sorting and packing, I am rethinking my plan to have Tom help as he is worse than Riley and Brooke when it comes to keeping junk. Prime example...the shirt, Tom bought this shirt for Riley and from the moment he brought it home I hated it, it is made out of pajama material and is just ugly. Luckily we are moving and so I thought it the prime opportunity to dispatch it to some other poor soul. Well I made the unwise decision of having Tom manning the DI/Yard Sale bag and he intercepted it. So now it's up to all of you to decided whether I have to see this hideous shirt on my son..or if I can be freed from it. We have set up a poll and you will have until tomorrow at noon to decide. Comments are also welcome...


p.s. after watching the video I sound really winded and onry, Tom and I had just been wrestling for the shirt right before so that explains that...

Just Busy...

I have no excuse for not posting other than the fact that we are so busy. Life is picking up at a breakneck pace and is unlikely to slow down until we move. Since last thursday we have had a trip to the zoo, 2 overnight babysitting with the Lutz family, (Riley and Brooke haven't been happier), and a BBQ at Frank and Amys. We have also had the addition of a new nephew, Hunter Leland Goldthorpe. Congrats Marianne and Steven, this is Tom's sister that lives in California and these two lucky people ended up with a red headed boy, maybe next time for Tom and I. I will hopefully be able to post some of the pictures from the last week but don't blame me if it takes a while. Off to bed, I am so sleepy...