The Band Trip

So, I know I was supposed to start this sooner, but I never really felt like it when I had the time to. The band trip was SO much fun! I had a BLAST! The picture above is before the light show on Saturday night.(my camera died for the actual thing) It was AMAZING. I have to say that my favorite type of fireworks were the ones that when they were lit up they made the whole sky look like it was daytime. It was the coolest thing ever!


To summarize briefly how it went, we left on April 1st to California. We stayed at Embassy Suites during our stay. I took a couple of pictures there, but not very many...

The elevators were cool, I was just disappointed that it didn't have any music inside like I thought they would.

The view strait down from my room. (I was on the 5th floor) I thought that it was funny how they had four square tables and then a circle.

This is where we went swimming the first night.

Venesa and Halie on their bed in our room.

Me and Jessica Martindell on our bed in our room.

The next morning we had to be ready to go to Disneyland in our uniforms by 9:00. We had breakfast in the hotel, then we made sack lunches for that day before leaving. As soon as we got to Disneyland we were on our own until we performed or went to the workshop. I was mostly with Venesa and Halie, but for a while we were with these people and took a couple pictures.

Halie, Me, Caitlin, Sherilyn, Venesa, Jessica.

Garret, Venesa, Jessica, Me, Halie, Sherilyn, Caitlin. We were the last people to see Sully before he left to go on break (pretty AWESOME!)
I didn't really get very many pictures, of either days, but I got a couple. I just didn't want to keep getting it out in between rides, since that's pretty much all we did. We got back to the hotel at around 1o:30 p.m. (it closed at ten on Thusday)

Friday, it was pretty much the same thing only we could wear whatever we wanted to and I was with Rockie and Frank as well as Venesa and Halie. It was a lot of fun to have a whole day at Disneyland and California Adventure.

I actually got out my camera a couple of times. This is connor, Jake and Rockie, on Pirate Island. I couldn't miss Rockie's expression. ;)

This is right before the light show on Saturday night. Rockie and Venesa.

On Saturday, we packed up, went to the beach and went home. It was BEAUTIFUL at the beach. I never got into the water, but it was perfect weather to play beach volleyball. I wish i would have gotten pictures of it, but I didn't. There were TONS of sailboats there. I even saw some dolphins. It was really fun. I am SO glad that I could go on the band trip.

This is for Maria

Maria has been wanting me to put up the pictures of my bed spread that I got from Melinda for Christmas...so here they are...Isn't it so CUTE!!! I LOVE IT!!

You have to have one of the front of course.
I haven't put up the picture of my AWESOME basketball sweater. They're SO comfortable! here's the back...

And here's the front. :)

Don't you just LOVE it???...well I do. ;)

Update

Sorry that I haven't been updating lately. I always give the excuse that I don't have a camera to take pictures with (which is true since I can't take my parent's to school things) but I thought that I would give you an general update. I am in Track now that Basketball is over :(, Dustin is working at Ron and Rhonda Smith's, Chris came home about two weeks ago and is still getting situated, David is at college in EAC, and Mom and Dad are still in charge of apartments and houses. (You can go to Maria and Melinda's blogs if you want their update) Before I get to all of Chris's homecoming, I want to show you freakin AWESOME team. Remember this is AFTER a game, that's why we're all sweaty. Normally we look better than this.

From top to bottom, Coach Staker, Ashley, Lauren, me, (middle) Makenzie, Vanesa , Caitlin, Ty, (bottom) Tara, Shannon, & Becca.

Naturally, there has to be a fun picture.

I may be a couple weeks late, but here's what the house looked like when Chris came home.

Dustin painted the windows. While I was locating and ironing the banner.

Welcome Home CHRIS!!!!!!!

After his Homecoming in church, we went to the social hall to have a luncheon. Here's Grandma and Grandpa Cardon with Chris.

And here is the rest of us. David, me, Dad, mom with Kardon, Chris, Dustin with Kenton, Melinda and Devin with Kindsey.

AND...(drumroll)...all of us together with A. Mary.
After we ate, Chris told about a lot of things that happened on his mission. It was good and fun with really good food. Thank you for coming all of you that could.

Short Announcement

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!! ;)

2008 Christmas Letter

Dear Family and Friends, December 2008

The time has come to reflect again on our activities during this past year as we count our blessings and realize another year has speedily gone by. Last Christmas we traveled up to Benson, Utah to spend with Anna’s family up there. It had been over 20 years since she had been home during Christmas, so it was a lot of fun, almost like having another family reunion. We also attended the Cardon Reunion in June at Price, Utah at Anna’s brother John’s house. It was a real highlight to have Brant Theurer (Anna’s nephew who has been in a neuro-care center following a brain injury 13 1/2 yrs ago.) be able to attend. He was so happy to participate in the family activities it was enjoyable to witness his happiness. John and Debbie had planned a lot of fun things and it was great to renew family ties.
In March Verl was called to be a high councilman for the Snowflake Stake. It has been a growing experience for him in many aspects. He has appreciated the brotherhood that exists there. Both Verl and Anna continue to schedule the Social Hall and Anna also does the Sunday bulletins for the ward. She continues to teach piano students, play in the symphony and take violin lessons along with Chantelle.
In April Jordan graduated from BYU and in May he, Maria and McKay moved to Santa Clara, CA where he works for an industrial construction firm. They enjoy seeing the surrounding sites and the nice weather there.
In June Dustin and Chantelle went on our Snowflake Stake Youth Pioneer Trek. They had a hard, but fun time pulling the handcarts and participating in all the pioneer activities planned. It gave them an appreciation for what the pioneers went through.
In July Verl and Anna were in charge of the McCleve Family Reunion. We held it in downtown Show Low, AZ and had a great time. One of the highlights was doing the “Amazing Race McCleve Family Style” which Maria helped us organize. It took family members around to special locations where the original 10 McCleve children grew up so all the posterity could get a feel for their experiences (walking up hill to school in deep snow etc.). We appreciated all the help our daughters were for the reunion and hosting family before and afterwards. It was fun to have our 4 grandchildren here all together as we attempted to get pictures before Maria and McKay (1) flew back to CA.
Devin and Melinda reside in Mesa where Devin is a full time student at ASU. Melinda keeps busy with Kenton (4), Kardon (2 1/2) and Kindsey (1) and seeing they get to their therapies and other activities. We enjoy having them whenever they can make it up to the mountains.
During the summer months David sold home alarm systems in Indiana. He learned a lot. He is continuing his education at EAC and received a tuition scholarship which he was grateful for.
Chris is finishing up his two-year mission in CA and his release date is on Maria’s birthday, February 11. He is currently serving as a zone leader and has been able to occasionally eat a meal with his A. Mary.
Dustin continues to work part time during his Jr. Year in high school. He enjoyed wearing the “Batman” outfit Anna made for Halloween. Both he and Chantelle take Ballroom Dance classes and participated in a “Nutcracker” production this Dec. They both did a good job on their dances. Chantelle is also on the Freshman Basketball team.
We hope you are doing well and would love to hear from you. Our e-mail address is:mccleves@yahoo.com Drop us a line so we can keep in touch. We hope this New Year brings happiness and growth in your lives.

Love Verl, Anna and family.

Birthdays

Sorry I haven't posted in a long time, I guess I just got caught up in school and basketball to really post anything. It's a lot harder to post when 2 hours have been taken out of your day after school. But I'm not complaining. ;) This post is actually really late...but...I decided to post it anyway...This is of Melinda and David's birthday. Neither one of them were here for their birthday, but we didn't want to miss it. While they were here on December 5. This is a picture of Melinda opening her present...sort of.:)

She had a little bit of help to find her shirt and lotion.

David had to leave a little later than Melinda and Devin, so he stayed and opened up his present later. It's a stereo that plays i-pods, cds and the radio.

I think he liked it a lot.:)

FHE and Dance

For FHE last night, we made candles. I made the five small cans for my friends for Christmas and also the orange heart. Dustin made the red heart and other candle. the rest of the candles aren't on here because we just hurried and took a picture of them before we went to school since we wouldn't see them again. Dust was giving his for the white elephant gift exchange. I gave my heart to Sarah since it was her Birthday. In case you're wondering, I gave the orange one to McKenzie Whittle, the blue one to Ariana, the red one to Tycee, the green one to Brooklyn, and the Purple one to Halie. They should be on the blog by my graduation pictures if you want a picture...besides Halie...she left too soon for me to get a picture with her.:(

Dustin and I are in silver ballroom and we had a performance on Saturday in the Nutcracker. (we were in the waltz of the flowers) I guess it went pretty good. Well, here's some pictures of afterwards... With every dance picture you have to have a pose when my mom's holding the camera. ;)

Just so you know, I don't normally put any blush on, but it's the stage make up. Just so you know.