We Love Weber State Basketball

While we were serving in the Young Single Adult Stake we got hooked on Weber State Sports.  Alot of our ward members were on several different teams.  We tried to go to soccer, volleyball, football, and basketball games whenever we could.  It was alot of fun!

This year we got season tickets for the Basketball Games.  Enough seats so the whole family can go.  It has been alot of fun and something our whole family enjoys.  Well . . . Garret not so much.  It is alittle loud for him, we are working on that (ear plugs). 

Landen and Carter think it is great. 

Especially the popcorn, licorice and juice that comes with every game.

Christmas Eve was GREAT!

Having the family together this year for Christmas Eve was fabulous!  There is just something about Christmas Eve that gets everyone excited and wanting to be together.  While I put the finishing touches on dinner the rest of the family played "Zingo" a picture bingo game.  Easy for the kids to play and fun for everyone.

After dinner (which by the way was soooo yummy!) we headed downstairs.  Everyone got to open their PJ present as well as presents from Braden and Michelle since they would be with Braden's family on Christmas.  So fun, as you can see Landen was

ready to start ripping off paper. 

Garret even seemed to think he had hit pay dirt!

Carter decided to share his pez candy with Braden. 

That is after he had already tried it, ha ha.

Christmas was GREAT!  Kent even got to open his present on Christmas Eve.

Rob was great and set it up for him. 

He got a Wii game system.  Not necessarily for the system, for Netflix.  Although Landen is way happy about the system.  Netflix has a huge selection of cartoons.  Kent will never be bored now, he can  watch all the cartoons he wants.  

He has a gazillion to choose from!

Thanksgiving

This year was a new experience for Kent and I.  It was our off year, meaning all of our girls would be at their in-laws for their Thanksgiving Dinner.  Kent and I enjoyed a small but terrific dinner with his mom and dad.  Funny how life changes.  We missed our girls and their families but were so grateful they each have wonderful husbands and their families to spend the holidays with.

Kristen and her family spent the holiday with Zach's extended family at the church.  They had a great time and as you can see Garret totally enjoyed himself.  He is such a cutie!

Carter Has Another Surgery

Carter had his third surgery in a little over a year on November 4th.  We were anticipating it might get postponed due to all the sickness and flu Tiffany's family had the week before.  However, fortunately after 3 hours in the waiting room (did not go well so Carter got drugs) the surgery began.  His surgery lasted about 4 hours, alot longer than we had anticipated and we got very nervous waiting.  Carter's soft palate (the back part of his palate) was repaired with precision cuts and alot of stitches by two fabulous doctors. 

As with previous surgeries Carter was not about to be eating anything so Tiffany and Carter stayed overnight.  I planned on going down and sitting with her, But . . . If you read the next post you will see that the stomach flu was spreading quickly in our families.  And . . yes it was my turn with the stomach flu, YUCK!  So Kent drove down and stayed a few hours with her. 

Still the next day Carter didn't want to have anything to do with food.  Which is crazy.  He worships food!  But not at the hospital.  Dr. Kjar came to check on him in the early afternoon and asked Carter if he would like to go home.  I guess that was the trick.  Carter was at the door in  a heart beat.  IV and everything still attached.

Tiffany brought the little guy home and by the time we got over to visit he was eating chicken nuggets and just about anything he wanted.  Smart, cute little boy!  His recovery went extremely well from that point on.  Everything seems to be healing well and he is beginning to talk.  Just a few words but it is really exciting.  He is such a trooper!

Happy Halloween, Not!

Fall seemed to sneak up on us this year.  We were lucky to get our Halloween decorations up outside.  But . . . we did and the boys loved our spooky lights.  It was a lot of fun. We are blessed to have three terrific healthy grandsons.  Here they are, decked out for the season!

Unfortunately, the flu season came early this year.  Especially for the Green and Toponce families.  First I got a really bad cold.  Ya know, one of those I am not going to survive colds.  Then Carter got the stomach flu, YUCK!  Next Tiffany, double YUCK! 

As luck would have it, Landen got it early Halloween night. 

So . . . no trick or treating for the Green Family :-(

Sad . . . it is one they won't forget!

Green's on the move Again

October kept us busy packing and moving Tiffany and her family.  It takes alot to move a family of four especially when two of them have all their toys, diapers and specialty items to pack.  Fortunately we had a few weeks, so we packed a bunch and moved it to the new place. We did a little cleaning, then made the big move.  The new place is alot like their old place but is laid out a lot better to give them more room.  And . . . the big plus is the landlord is ten times better.  They now live five minutes away from us, just across from Bonneville High's soccer field.  We are a little spoiled!  We love them being close to us. 

FINALLY Michelle has a Big Girl Job!

Yes!  She did it!  One month at her new part time job and she was promoted to the Event Coordinator position at the famous Coppermill Restaurant in Logan.  Way to Go! Michelle!

Michelle has a big girl desk and office, yeah!

After several months of doubting and many prayers this job is the perfect one for Michelle. 

Her talents and education have given her everything she needs to be very successful. 

The management loves her! 

She loves the job! 

And . . . the new pay check!

Another 3rd Sunday Dinner

Fortunately this month we were all able to get together for 3rd Sunday Dinner.  It has been absolutely perfect weather and we decided to capture some precious moments with our
3 grandsons on camera.  Here are just a few.

Someday, I will be bigger than this ball, you'll see.

Garret is 3 months old already and growing like crazy! 

With his long fingers we are bound to have a basketball player in the making.

This is one absolutely adorable boy!  He is quickly showing his playful personality. 

We get a lot of smiles and the giggles are coming.

Landen is going to be quite the athlete.  There isn't a sport he doesn't like. 

Today we brought out the baseball T, he can really smack that ball!

Carter, not so interested right now.

He would rather pick the flowers :-)

But who can resist this, Just Precious!



Last Bits of Summer

Summer is just about over, Dang.  But we are trying to get every bit out of it.  Recently I had a pass for a free night at the Dinosaur Park.  We had a blast.  It was one of those perfectly not hot but not yet cold nights.

It was interesting.  Carter preferred checking out the big dinosaurs and the

sounds they made.

Landen preferred the playground.  It seemed to be much safer.

Carter didn't have any intentions of just sitting there for a cute picture either, ha ha. We had a great time and the boys as well as adults left exhausted!

Life Can Be Like a Whirlwind Sometimes

The last couple of weeks have indeed been like a Whirlwind for our family.  We have had some exciting things happen and some touching moments and tears.  Since Christmas we have been planning a "family" vacation.  We didn't want to have to travel far so Kent and I rented a condo in Park City at the Mountain Resort.  It would be perfect and we were so excited.

Unfortuately late afternoon on August 3rd (the day before we were leaving) Kent went next door to check on his brother and found he had passed away.  Both Kent and I have discussed and felt we would encounter this challenge and in some ways we were prepared for it.  As we realized the phone calls we had to make it became very difficult.  It is not the kinda of phone call you want to make to anyone, let alone his mother. 

I contacted Viron's exwife, Maria and she contacted his two boys.  Which were both out of town at the time.  This, however, gave our family time to enjoy our trip to Park City. 

On August 4th we met at the first rest stop up Weber Canyon around 5:00 p.m. and headed up to Park City.  It was so much fun and just what we all needed.  Our whole family together, uninterrupted and simply enjoying each other. 

We got there, ate dinner and everyone headed for the pool.   



It was a large indoor/outdoor pool with a nice hot tub.

After swimming it was Play Station Time.  Note the intense look on the guys faces! 

This is serious!

Carter was quite content just hanging out with everyone. 
He didn't need no stinking sleep time!

The next morning we enjoyed a little more swimming time and relaxation.  While the boys played more Play Station the Girls, Grandpa and Kids took the bus up to Park City Main Street.  We walked around for a bit, got some ice cream and did a little sight seeing shopping
as they were setting up for the Arts Fair.

While we were enjoying ourselves on Main Street the boys went golfing.  Rob has clubs but hasn't used them for years.  I understand he was a little rusty but enjoyed the challenge with his brother-in-laws.  Zach really enjoys golfing and has quite a good game going.  But I don't think either Rob nor Zach realized just how good Braden is.  It is truly one of his passions and he will play whenever he can.  I understand they all had a great time.  That's all that matters.

It was our last night. The girls had gotten dinner ready while they were waiting for the boys to come back from golfing so . . . the boys were on clean up duty. 
 They did a great job!

We had a great time!  Even cute little Garret was wonderful.  We have already discussed adding one more day when we do it next year (Our annual Toponce Retreat)! 

We topped off our weekend all together with the beautiful blessing Zach gave Garret on Sunday.  In a time of great loss for Kent, being with family and realizing how blessed we are was just perfect.  It was a really special time for all of us.

We are so blessed to have these incredible individuals in our family. 

Our beautiful daughters have chosen outstanding men to be their spouses. 

They fit right in with us and with each other. 

God knows each one of us and our needs. 

Our family is perfect!  Really!

Viron Hart Toponce was laid to rest on August 11, 2011 in Ogden, Utah.

He has left us with many special memories and we know that he is in the loving care of family and a Heavenly Father who loves him.

Sleep Over Fun

Grandma and Grandpa Toponce had Landen sleepover on Friday Night.  We had a great time.  We first went to Chic-Fil-A, his absolute favorite place to go.  It has great chicken nuggets and a playground.  You just can't beat that.  Then we came home and did one of Landen's favorite things . . . watered the flowers.  As you can see we have moved on to bigger and better things.

Mom wasn't around so anything is game at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  Landen had a great time soaking himself, trying to soak grandma and making sure the neighbor girl, Launa, didn't make it back home dry either.  Puddle making was another plus!

We had so much fun!  He is so cute.  I can't wait till the next one.



Finally a Watermelon Picture!!!

Last year I scrapped each one of my daughters and their families a calendar.  It was soooo much fun and a big surprise.  One of the hardest things was to come up with the pictures for each month without them knowing about it. Well this year I told them they needed to help with the pictures.  For about a month I have asked Michelle and Braden to take a watermelon picture (my paper for June has watermelons on it).  So . . . On the 4th of July I finally cornered them and took a watermelon picture.  Way Cute!!! Thanks.

Eaglewood Fireworks! Yeah!

Since Braden joined the family we have made it a tradition to head up to the Eaglewood Golf Course annual fireworks which are held a day or two before the 4th of July.  It has always been so much fun and this year was no exception.  We had a great time!

GARRET GUY WARR

Our newest grandson, Garret was born on June 15th.  He weighed 6 lbs. 13 oz. and was 19 inches long.  He is absolutely beautiful!  As our family continues to grow our hearts do to.  We are so blessed!

Here is Garret shortly after birth looking into his Aunt Tiffany's eyes.

There is nothing like being the proud papa!  Congrats Kristen and Zach.  Job well done!



RECIPE OF THE MONTH

As most of you know, Michelle has been working at Kitchen Kneads in Logan.  She has become a wonderful cook.  We have reaped the joys of this many times.  This month's recipe of the month was a treat she brought to the annual Toponce Terrace Days Firework BBQ.  It was sooooo yummy.

Peanut Butter Chex Mix

1 cup sugar
1 cup light corn syrup
1 cup chunky peanut butter
1 (12 oz) box corn chex
1/2 bag milk chocolate chips
1/2 bag butterscotch chips

Pour cereal into a large bowl.  In a sauce pan heat sugar and corn syrup together until bubbly around the edge of the pan.  (Almost to boiling but not quite)  Add peanut butter to sugar mixture and whisk together until smooth.

Pour peanut butter mixture over cereal and stir carefully until cereal is well coated.  Pour onto platter or tray lined with parchment paper.

Melt chocolate chips in a double boiler or carefully in the microwave.  Drizzle melted chocolate chips over cereal.  Then melt butterscotch chips and drizzle over top of everything.

* Guittard or Nestle butterscotch chips melt best

SCHOOL IS OUT!

I know that it is like swear words for moms all over the world, but for someone who works there it is like a miracle!  Truly a beautiful miracle!  No really it is just really nice to have a break, sleep in a little and enjoy life.

Our Friend Tim Toone and Dinner

For the last four years we have made alot of great friends being assigned to the Young Single Adult Stake.  One of them is Tim Toone. 

We were able to hook up with him on his most recent visit to Utah.  Here we are enjoying a wonderful meal at Texas Roadhouse with him and his girl friend Christina.  We had alot of fun!

Boys Birthdays!

Both Landen and Carter had birthdays in May.  Yeah!  Landen turned three years old.  It is so hard to believe he is that old.  He has grown up so much and is so much fun to be around.

Carter turned one year old and alot has happened in that one year for him.  Unlike his older brother, Carter loved his first birthday cake.  He didn't want to be interrupted.

Grandparenting is the greatest and these two boys make it sooo much fun!

Easter Sunday

Tiffany and Rob brought the boys over in their suits on Easter Sunday.  They were extremely incredibly handsome!  We had dinner, opened an easter basket and had a quick egg hunt.  I have been looking forward to grandkids old enough for an egg hunt.  It was awesome!  I can't wait until next year.  We will have one more.

Landon got right busy looking for the eggs.  He was snatching them up quickly.

Carter took the more . . . Throw the eggs out of the bag approach. 

He thought that was great!

Once Landen figured out there was candy in the eggs he had to open each one and check out what was inside.  It was a great find for any soon to be 3 year old.  Thanks Tiffany and Rob, we had a great time!

Baby Shower

On April 16th we threw a baby shower for Kristen.  Cheridan was kind enough to let us use her house.  She has a beautiful house!  We had alot of fun preparing for the big day.  On the pedistals are cake balls that are wonderful!  Michelle learned how to make them while working at Kitchen Kneads in Logan.  We had one practice day and the final product turn out absolutely yummy!  The punch had floating duckies and we served one of our family favorites, Chicken Bowtie Pasta Salad. (Recipe Below) 

Kristen got some wonderful gifts and enjoyed the company of everyone that came. 

It was great to have all the girl cousins together.  We are a small group but tight group.  Cheridan has had great advice for all of us.  Thank you Cheridan for your kindness and heart felt honesty.  It makes us laugh, cry and pray.  We love you!