Cousins Camp 2010

So we had all of our Davis cousins out to Cedar Fort for our first annual cousins camp. I had a million plans of what to do and activities to participate in but we ended up enjoying a lot of just playing. Duh. 2 years of a masters degree telling me how important unstructured play is and I'm still surprised at how true the application of everything I learned really is.
3 days of fun with the cousins. My favorite results include Eve knowing Nigel's name, Johnny walking around the next day after the cousins had left asking for Lulu and Ila, and Nigel's words during camp "Tiney, I'm crying!" and walking by a 10 year old and his grandpa working on their yard and Nigel calling out to the 10 year old "Hey, little man!". Can't wait for Cousins Camp 2011.

To every thing there is a season

You know you have been living out of boxes for too long when your children are content playing with the internet cord and packing tape and whatever else has been left out to pack. We just moved into our new home in Cedar Fort, Utah. We love it. We've only been here for a few days but we've been packed for 2 months hoping to move. Hence, the adjustment in play toys. These kids are troopers.

Hebgen Lake 2010

6 hours of driving with 3 in-laws and 2 cute little kids both 2 years old and younger and 1 large pregnant belly and 1 boat in tow and driving through 3 states with 1 stop for Subway are totally worth all the memories of Hebgen Lake 2010.


I would like to consider him as supportive of fighting breast cancer instead of dwelling on the fact that the only color he can recognize is pink. These were borrowed shoes from some generous cousins. Johnny is proudly displaying a bug he just caught.


Poor papa recovering from back surgery. We gave him a man bouquet - fake flowers with gift certificates for movies and pizza.

That man knows how to put his shoulder to the water.


There are too many funny things to mention about this picture, but I will try. He is body surfing after letting go of his surf board. You might be wondering about the helmet. He didn't use it for safety because of his surfing tricks, but rather for his sunburned head. And his facial expression is just pure joy. He's not joking around. He's happy to be gulping gallons of lake water.

Driving over to the 2010 Olympics. May the best team win bragging rights for a year from competitions such as cheer (we won), tallest human tower (we lost), relay races (we lost) and team swim (can't remember, didn't participate, but totally remember my first summer at Hebgen it was an individual event and I represented my team and caught up to Christian Morris just in time to take the victory. Only 5 years in the family and already I am reliving glory days).

We are the red dynamite!
We've got the heavy, We've got the light
We don't wear our suits too tight
Do not mess with us in a fight
Kaboom! We're dynamite!

That is real blood on his face. Red team does not mess around.

We sat out the swimming events. But these cousins are cuties. Eve and Joseph.


Johnny jumped on the sand court for the annual Covey/Richards game.

Annual Hebgen Lake muscle shot with at least one cooperative John.

Parrish Family Reunion

Grammie Parrish hosts a picnic party every summer. One of the aunts took amazing pictures of Evelyn. I am in love with Murray Park. I love our family.

Notre Famille

My boy

We'll just chalk it up to too much time at the art easel unsupervised.

This past weekend, we drove down to St. George for the Mangus reception. It turned out to be an incredibly wonderful vacation! And that was nice because I wasn't even expecting it to be relaxing. Fun, but not relaxing. Usually trip planning and execution (there is actual research on this) is stressful for moms so that's why they need a vacation from their vacation, but this was awesome. Reception and then party at the pool.




Here are photos from the actual wedding day, July 1, 2010. Welcome to the family, Van! Here is the wedding luncheon song we wrote for you to the tune of Aladdin's A Whole new World:

Katie’s wearing the ring
Shining, shimmering, splendid
Tell us princess, now when did
You and Van ever decide?

Katie opened Van’s eyes
That girl dances like a wonder
Over, sideways and under
On a magic cruise ship ride

Katie is Van’s girl
The t-shirts say that it's true
Started on a tandem bike
Katie knew what she liked
more than Mexico dreaming

Van rocks Katie’s world
He’s so attractive and alive
In Salt Lake way up here
It's crystal clear
That now St. George is not too far to drive

Unbelievable style
Indescribable art work
Certified yoga instructor
And he shops every day at DI

Katie is Van’s girl
(She knew it from the start)
A thousand miles on her car
(Van will buy her something better)
Occupational therapist
Just passed her test
We all know that you were meant to be.

Repeat after me
Mangus Family
Eternity for Van and Kathleen

3rd of July

Maakoa provided t-shirts and Kathy Bennett provided the babysitting. We rocked out at Stadium of Fire with great fireworks and entertainment. It's a once a decade life experience so, we'll see you again 2020.

Fourth of July was the Sabbath Day, so no fireworks, just burning in the bosom as we have been attending our Cedar Fort ward where we want to be living. It is a DARLING ward. Johnny boy is the only nursery age child in the congregation. So I kind of think he's behaving well, but when your child is the only one opening his mouth, it sounds very irreverent. I was completely encouraged when a good brother after sacrament said, "Hello to the Coveys! You're unforgettable." And I replied that our sacrament performance makes it that way. He got very serious and said, "Oh, don't you worry. That will come with time." How kind! I felt so understood and grateful because sometimes when people move past a certain stage in their lives, they forget that stage and hold others accountable in an unrealistic way. What a tender mercy to have him acknowledge my stage - and the fact that it will pass!

Fifth of July was the Provo Parade. Thanks to Johnstons for staking out an awesome and shaded area for us to watch. Thanks to Mom & Dad for paying for close parking so we could just walk right up to it. Thanks to Steve & Sandra for letting us use their pool for a huge family party afterwards.


This girl melts my heart. I'm so curious if she's going to have a little brother or a little sister?!?!

Rodeo Drive

Lehi Rodeo did not disappoint. This child was loving every second of being up close and personal with all of the horses. Even though there wasn't any mutton busting, we enjoyed ourselves.

It's official!

The Mangus family will be officially formed on Thursday, July 1. The announcement makes it real. The priesthood of God makes it forever.


Let's just say that Johnny might not have had anything to do with them meeting, but he has been a fan for a long time.