TIME FLIES WHEN YOUR HAVING FUN

It has been a long time since I posted to this blog.  That is because we are now serving a mission in the Washington DC South mission which is really located in Northern Virginia.  We are loving every minute of it.  It truly is one of the prettiest places in the world.  Mark was called as the mission president and I'm lucky to be his companion .  What a blessing this is to us and our family.  If you would like to visit our new blog, you can go to "armiesof helaman.blogspot.com" and follow up on our mission.  I am keeping a journal of the mission and sharing wonderful missionary miracles and stories.  I will post family happening here on this site when I have time.  

WE'RE GOING ON A MISSION!

We have had a wonderful fall and winter.  We have been given a incredible opportunity.  Mark has been called as a Mission President.  In early Oct. we went to Salt Lake City and met with Elder Bednar at church headquarters.  He visited with us for about 40 minutes.  It was a very special and spiritual experience and we just floated all the way home.  Then in November, President Uchtdorf, called us on a video conference and extended the call to Mark.  He was very kind and we felt overwhelmed.  Our actual call telling us where we will be serving should be here in February sometime. It is exciting as we are preparing and studying to get ready to go in June. 

Christmas 2008

Chri stmas 2008 has come and gone and we are well into 2009.  This picture is all five of our children with their spouses.  This picture was taken on Christmas Eve.  The  girls are all wearing matching sweaters that I got them for Christmas.  From left to right:  Rico and Ashlee Jensen, Brandon and Kelly Albright, Taylor and Nicole Sinquefield, DeLoy and Michelle Blanchard, and Steven and Misti Albright (with baby Mason on board).  We had a wonderful holiday season with lots of parties and family activities.   

Two Sinquefield Princesses

Payton and Bailey Sinquefield are my two oldest grandchildren. They come to Papa and Gramas house alot and we love it. They especially like sleepovers and gramas goodie jar.

Meet the Blanchards.

DeLoy, Michelle, Markie, and Graham. Happy is a constant state at their home. Michelle just plays with her boys all day, and loves every minute of it.

Are we the two cutest brothers, or what?

Markie and Graham Blanchard. Markie loves to Pose for the camera. But he has lots of practice since mom Michelle takes pictures about every day. Of course her subjects are pretty irresistalbe.

Baby Graham is Beautiful

Is this not the cutest little face. He smiles so easily and his big brother, Markie loves him and helps take such good care of him.

Steve and Misti

Steve and Misti Albright at the Belagio gardens. No wonder Madison is so beautiful with parents like these two.

The Genetic Jackpot--Madison Albright

Madison Albright was born January 11, 2008. Steven has NEVER been more excited. She has him wrapped around her little finger. She was born beautiful. When she smiles her little button nose crinkles up and her eyes twinkle. She captivates the whole room. Her parents are completely smitten with her and so are her grandparents.

Markies first trip to hawaii

We rented a place in Hawaii last summer and Michelle and Markie stayed with me for about 3 weeks. Deloy stayed the first week. Markie loved the beach and could stay there all day.

home in San Jose

I visited the Blanchard is San Jose and Markie showed me is bicycle. He was quite proud.

Markie Blanchard Comes to Earth

Markie (named after Grampa Mark) was born Feb 2,2006. He is a miniture Michelle. His big eyes and smile capture you the moment you look at him. He loves to pose for pictures and is an absolute delight to everyone around him

More Cannon

Cannon is almost 9 mths old now. Seems like he was just born. He is the sweetest, calmest little boy (just like his mom). I got to watch him for a week while his parents went to New York and it was really fun. I got to play with him and feed him and remember the days filled with babies. He's a really cuddly one and I held him most of the time.

Cannon Sinquefield -one day old

Cannon was born November 16, 2007. The whole family was there. The first picture is five minutes after he was born. And the last one was on his blessing day with his little baby Tuxedo.

Our precious little Grahm.

Grahm Blanchard was born on January 26, 2008. He Looks just like big brother Markie. A new mom isn't really suppose to look this good right after giving birth. Grahm is just precious. He gave us a real scare when he came to visit in April and ended up in the hospital with RSV for 10 days. Michelle was here for the birth of Ashlee' s baby Dakota and we ended up with babies on 2 floors of the hospital at the same time. Dakota had some problems at birth (all better now) and had to stay in the NICU for a week. So we went from the 2nd to the 3rd floors to see babies.

Quite a week. But Grahm is healthy and adorable now. Incredibly good natured.

Isn't she Lovely--Dakota, My Newest Grandchild

Every one of my grandchildren is priceless and a I love them all equally and completely. I just didn't know where to start with 7 little ones. The oldest ones I don't have pictures downloaded., they are on oldfashioned film. So I picked Dakota, because she is the newest. She was born April 17, 2008. She is beyond cute. She is just very petite , with all this curly dark hair and oh sooo loved. Ashlee and Rico have learned what Heaven is truly about. You have to become a parent to really understand what I mean.

Boys will Be Boys

Steve and Brandon still liike to have fun. They went to the sand dunes and "tried to kill themselves" Good thing I wasn't there watching.

Beach beauties

 

 

The sound of an Angel

This is Brandon at his best: with a mike in hand and that killer smile.
Joseph and the...Highlights!!

Brandon & Kelly- Our American Idols

Our son Brandon Berrett Albright was the middle child. There are many ways to describe him but one of the best is that He is a triple threat. He is a multitalented and loving young man. Even as a little boy he was focused. He worked hard too accomplish whatever he put his mind to. He always wanted to please his parents, teachers, and friends. And so whatever he was involved in he tried to do his best. He played sports of all kinds (baseball, basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, swimming, snowboarding, motorcyles, skateboards, BMX bikes) . Brandon was involved in scouts from 8 yrs old until he recieved his Eagle Scout in high school. He also was a leader and was involved in student government many years of high school. He had such a great speaking voice that they loved to use him for all the assemblies. Brandon played tennis and volleyball in high school. The girls also love Brandon and from the time he was a first grader we were trying to fight off all the adoring girls.But most of all he loved music. As a mother I should have noticed much earlier his true love and talent: music. For his 8th birthday all he wanted was to go see "Phantom of the Opera". So we took him to Calif. to see it. He knew all the songs. In 5th grade he sang in choir the solo, "ain't nothing like a dame", in Jr. high he was in choir, and in high school he finally asked to take voice lessons. His true passion was finally focused on and He is a
real star. His voice teacher, Jeffrey Skousen, helped him develop the great potential he has reached. He starred in his high school plays, and sang a solo at the graduation. Brandon started performing in community theater in high school. Brandon went to BYU and played hard. He served a mission to British Columbia Vancouver, Canada spanish speaking mission. He was a great leader and served as Assistant to his pres. He was able to use his music talents and sing and record and give firesides on his mission. When Brandon got home from his mission, he was asked to audition for the prince in "cinderella". Kelly Fotheringhom had already been cast as Cinderella. Well, he hadn't talked to girls in two years, and got to kiss Kelly in the audition. And the rest is history. He not only got the part, but married the princess in real life. Kelly and Brandon are a perfect match. She is a BYU graduate in "dance, music, theater", performed in Japan Disney, and an off Broadway tour for a year. They share the same passion for music and theater. Kelly is a Real Estate Agent along with lots of performing. We love Kelly who has made Brandon complete. Brandon performs all kinds of music and has the unique ability to cross all genres well. Brandon is still pursuing a college degree in philosophy. Attends college full time, works full time at a jewelry store, loves the gospel and puts on firesides and teaches the teenagers in his ward, and devotes lots of time to a music career. He has starred in many shows, most recently a show at the Rio, "All In" and "Aida" at Spring Mt. Ranch Summer Theater. You can tel l that I am Brandon's biggest fan. He is my affectionate boy and loves to hug his mom.

grandbabies galore

We have been blessed with 7 grandchildren in the last 6 years. the first two pictures are at Shannon Albrights wedding and the last one is greatgrandma Joyce with greatgrandkids.

Albright Family Photos Dec 2008

Mark Gets Released

Mark was released as Redrock Stake President in Nov 2007. Elders Zwick and Hamula were the visiting authorities.
It was bitter-sweet after ten wonderful years of service. Steve Weston and Blayne Ence served as councilors the full 10 years. The 3 of them were a devoted, amazing, and fun Presidency, loved dearly by the Redrock Stake.

Steven and Misti Albright -- Madison's blessing day - March2008

Steven Mark Albright is our oldest son. A great word to describe him is energy. He loves to go, go, and do, do. Watching him can make you tired. Steven is incredibly devoted. He will defend you to the end. I know I can always depend on him if I need help. As a little child his energy was endless, hard to contain. He was the friendliest little boy on the block. (brought home a homeless lady from the desert and got us involved with her). As a youth Steven played every sport we could sign him up for (baseball, soccer, basketball, football, tennis, golf, wrestling) City sports teams filled our evenings and Saturdays. In high school he played Volleyball and tennis and swam on the swim team. Steve is very coordinated and athelic. I'm always amazed at his strength. Steven has an incredible sense of humor and keeps everyone laughing. In school he was involved in theater and kept the audience laughing. Snowboarding in the winter and water sports in the summer were his favorites. Scouting also kept him busy, he loves camping and hiking and received his Eagle Scout award. Steven attended UVSC as a freshman and then served a mission in Iowa, spanish speaking. He loved his mission and was a great leader, serving as Assistant for the last few months. Steven is currently enrolled at University of Phoenix with plans for Law School in a yr. He works for Intermountain mineral as a salesman. Steven also loves the gospel and is the first person the ward calls for anything they need done. He has turned out remarkably handy, (stained the floors, paints wall, strips and finishes cupboards, etc). And his garage is sparkling and organized--who would have guessed?Steven is a joy to watch as he has become a great man and father. The joy of his life is Madison, his baby girl. As he put it "we hit the genetic jackpot". His wife Misti is an angel. She is the softening agent behind the scenes. Thank you Misti. She is a nurse in the NICU at Valley Hospital, a very stressful job that she is great at performing. I get to watch Madison a day a week. Lucky me. We love Steve and Misti much more than they know.

The Sinquefield Family: Taylor, Nicole, Bailey, Payton, & Cannon

My oldest daughter is Kelly Nicole Albright Sinquefield. One of the best words to describe Nicole is gentle. She is quiet and peaceful and sweet. And from the moment she was born she was beautiful. Even as a child she was driven and hardworking. (the oldest child syndrome). She loved all her baby siblings and was the worlds best babysitter. And now she is just as good of a mother. Nicole was born in Provo, Utah, but raised in Las Vegas. She grew up dancing in all her spare time. Was on "Stars" dance team for years, and took dance at Dance Works . She was a cheerleader all through highschool and she excelled academically, graduating 6th in a class of 1000. She attended BYU for college, transferring to UVSC for the Dental Hygiene program. She works at a dental office 1-2 days a week.  She and her  husband Taylor are Regional Vice Presidents for a company called ACN, an MLM co. that sells telecommunication services. It's hard to believe that our shy little Nicole gets up and does training in front of thousands at conventions for ACN. Nicole has always been committed to the gospel and teaches Relief Society in her ward. We love Nicole with all our hearts. Her husband Taylor is fun loving, loud, musical, athletic,and missionary minded. He keeps the family laughing and playing, performs whenever asked (he has a beautiful voice). He makes everyday seem like a party. Taylor loves the gospel also and we love having him as a son in law. Bailey, Payton, and Cannon are a joy to our lives. We are so blessed to have them living close to us. They come and visit grama alot and keep me laughing.Grandparenting is the best.

I thought I would write about my family and how incredible each one of them is to me. I have 5 grown children. Kelly Nicole Sinquefield, Steven Mark Albright, Brandon Berrett Albright, Karyn Michelle Blanchard, and Ashlee Danielle Jensen. Raising them was a joy and I really loved the years I spent as a young mother. I'm going to be using my blog as a way to keep a journal but also to journal the past 30 years. I have so many wonderful memories of those years and fun stories and experiences to share. Thanks to my girls who helped me get started -- this might become an addiction. This first picture is of the whole family at Ashlee's wedding reception. We only had 3 grandchildren at that point. From left to right in the photo: Brandon and Kelly, DeLoy and Michelle and Markie, Rico and Ashlee, Nicole and Taylor, and Misti and Steve. On Papa Mark and Grama Karyns laps are Bailey and Payton Sinquefield.

Our Family--Sept 2006

Seven Angels from Heaven

These are my 7 little angel grandchildren. They were all swimming in our backyard and we got this crazy picture.

Disneyworld trip

We went to Disney World in Orlando Florida in May. It was just Mark and I. No kids or grandkids. Our first solo trip as empty nesters. We had a great time. Disneyworld is an amazing place. There are 5 major theme parks; Animal Kingdom, Disneyland, Epcot, Disney Studios, Towntown Disney, and 2 waterparks, sports parks, lakes, camping, pools, many lakes with boating and lots of water activities, 16 resorts, golf courses, and lots more. Our resort was on a big beautiful lake. We could get use to this.