Daxton Otto Danklefsen

I would like to announce that my handsome little nephew has finally come. This is Korey's and Stefanie's little boy. He looked a lot like Korey besides the fact that he doesn't look like a hairy ape as Korey did when he was born. There was a lot of family waiting there during the c-section. When we first saw him no one knew if he was the right baby. Brook even asked if it had a penis? Really? It was pretty funny at the time. Anyways, has soon as we was told that it was little Dax we all rushed to the window and started to take lots of pictures.

moments into the c-section

 We had to wait a little wait for Stefanie to get comfortable after the c-section and do Dax's first feeding before we was able to come and see the whole new family.

Korey introducing the new family member to all the family there.

 Unfortunately I was having a hard time about this point due to the miscarriage and wanted my own little miracle. And to top it off there was just so many people there that I just waited until it start clearing out (actually Korey came and got me and told me to come in). When Logan and I walked in there Korey told Shami to hand over the baby to me and Logan. I do have to say that little man sure did wake up my mother instincts. Moments after getting him, he just stare in the direction of my face (I know that babies can't really see at this point) and I felt like we bonded right there. After Logan took my picture and I handed him off to Logan. I wanted to see him hold another infant in his arms. (I have always loved seeing Logan hold a new born infant. He's just so gentle and in a way it lets me know somewhat what he will look like when we have our own.)

Logan's first time holding little Dax

 Logan did hold him for too long because Stefanie's sisters came in at that point so we handed him off too them. I do have to say that this little man sure was a blessing to all of us that day. I can't wait to see what he turns out like.

One day off little Dax

Special Day For Korey and Stefanie

(So post is very short)

Korey and Stefanie had a very special day today. Today they got to figure out what they are having. And it is a BOY! I am so happy for them. I can't wait for the little guy to come in November.

Day 1, 2 and 3 of Pisa Trip - Traveling to Pisa

Well, it's been a really busy schedule for us. We took two days to get here. It was so much fun.

Day 1 was on Thursday May 9th. We had a lot to do the day that we headed to the Airport Inn Hotel in Salt Lake City. I had to 1)finish packing everything, 2) go see Dr. Wheeler for my appointment, and 3) finish Daniel and Kala's wedding cake.

As for the packing, I had most of it done so I wasn't really worried about it. I had most of the clothes packed the night before and all that really needed to be put in the bags was hygiene. As for the wedding cake...that was a different story. I had gotten both layers buttercream and fondant on it but I still had a lot of details to do. And they were tiny deals. It was my first time using royal icing. I was so glad that it turned out and I was able to use it. Although, as I was doing the last step of the wedding, I noticed that the dust wasn't coloring like it was suppose to be. I had asked a lot of people about what dust to use and everything...I guess I was told the wrong one because it gave it a gray shimmer. I had to call up Daniel's mom, Karen because I didn't have Kala's phone number to get a hold of her about the cake. Lucky Karen kind of knew how we was short on hand for time and just asked me to take the royal icing off that had the dust on it and just redo those details.

As for the appointment with Dr. Wheeler...I am kind of surprised in a good way but not at all surprised about anything else. She had finally said to try the natural progesterone cream (that's what surprised us...only a tiny bit). What didn't surprise us at all was the fact that she had no clue why exactly we want to do it and what it can do for me. She is pretty much putting this in my hands for about 6 months and wants an update at the end of it. She also wants to put me back on Clomid after the cream...I don't know if I am very for this considering that it was making me so sick a few months ago. I also have to schedule another appointment to see her in about 6 months. I am just hoping that the progesterone cream works for me. I see a lot of the benefits of taking it but it's kind of sad that I and Logan can understand why this would work but not my doctor. I guess life is different for everyone in a way.

Day 2 was filled with flights. We ended up going to SLC airport around 8:45 am and waited for the first flight for a little under 2 hours.Than we jumped over to LA, California for about 80 minutes. The flight itself was about an hour and thirty minutes. During the 80 minutes, we had a 30 minute walk to the other side of the terminal, go thru security again and find lunch and postcards for our nieces. We was very lucky to get there about 10 minutes before we was called onto the plane. The flight time from LA, California to Amsterdam, Netherlands was about 10 hours. The funny part of the whole thing is that I only slept about 20 minutes at the most on this flight. Logan didn't get any sleep at all. He did try to towards the end of the flight but than the lights were turned on so he gave up on it. We wasn't bored at all during this jump. We had brought stuff to do and they had stuff to do too which was great! We landed in the Amsterdam, Netherlands at 9:05am. It was very green...probably due to all the rain and it was a little cold too. When we got off the plane we asked where our next gate was. But to our amazement we was told the wrong gate. It was the wrong gate but it had a flight for Pisa, Italy earlier than when we had to leave. We had a lay-over for 4 hours.Our final jump was from Amsterdam, Netherlands to Pisa, Italy. This one was a quick one too in a way. I read most of the way there but towards the end I felt asleep for about 10 minutes. When we got our bags, we went out front to find a bus/taxi to take us to the hotel. I don't think I really like Italian drivers...I was so scared with the way the guy was driving. I swear we almost got in an accident a few times. We got here at the hotel and got the room (which by the way is lovely) and felt asleep for about 2 hours. We went downstairs to eat dinner in the restaurant that was located in the hotel. It was such a disappointment. We can literally swear we will not go there again. After to dinner we came back upstairs to our room and fell sleep.

Day 3 was pretty bored for us in a way. We pretty much got up and ate breakfast and went back to sleep until about 2:30pm (that's pretty much how much jet lag we have).  Logan actually did paper work while I slept.  At that time we got up and got ready to Skype everyone for Mother's Day. Let's see, we (in Italy) talked to Amanda (in Denmark), Kate and Nathan (in California), Carolyn and Joseph (in Utah) and Barbara (in Idaho). We talked for about 2 hours and 25 minutes. It was amazing to have everyone on Skype. After talking to them we left to have Logan register for the conference and get some groceries for we can eat food.  With our luck, the grocery store was closed on Sunday, which is nice to see although it left us without food. So we walked all the way there to find that out. So we walked back to get on a bus but come to find out (again) the bus had stop working at 8:45 pm. So that meant that we needed to get back to the hotel by walking back. It was beautiful at night tho. I wished that I had brought a camera with me when we left but we thought it was going to be quick and wouldn't need it. On the way back, we stopped at a panini (sandwich) store and got dinner (I can pretty much tell you that I will need to do a quick 3 day juicing detox because of this trip...I feel like I've already gain all those pounds that I lost.). One of the weird parts of today was that Logan received a gift from the conference...it was a bottle of (from what I can see) good wine, olive oil, jam and a small bag of biscotti bread. I don't know if you guys found it as funny as we do. But we plan on taking the wine home and giving it to some family friends of mine. I'm betting that I will become their favorite...just kidding. ^-^ Another thing, Logan has this really fancy dinner that he has to go to on Wednesday night at Corsini Palance in Florence, Italy. Well, to come to find out...I didn't know that it was fancy...to the point that I needed a nice shirt to wear. So now we have to go find one either tomorrow and Wednesday before we leave.

That's pretty much it for these last 3 days. Unfortunately it was Korey's birthday, and I wasn't able to get him anything before we left. Also on the 14 is my niece's birthday, Natalie's, and we lucked out and found her something the night before we left.

Korey's and Stefanie's Wedding

Today was Korey's and Stefanie's Wedding. We all had a blast. I cried so hard when Korey was sealed to Stefanie. I was so happy for them. After the sealing they went to the front of the Temple and told pictures. I did a few myself also. I figure I may as well, because there were a lot of family that I have not seen in a very long time. After that, we all when our home and took naps...besides Logan and I. I was still finishing the wedding cake that day just so that I would not melt while we was outside. I finished putting on the fondant just in time to head over the park for the reception and finished the final touches on the cake. It turn out so great! I was surprised with myself. We than waited for the reception to start. For an hour Logan and I went around and was talking to family members and friends. After that hour, we than started dancing...well, not really. I only dance a few time within the first hour and than I thought "what the heck...my brother only gets married once" and walked out on the dance floor with my sisters. NOW, Logan was different on the other hand. He would only come on the dance floor until it was a slow dance with me. 

We really missed having Cale here with us. We all know that he would of been out on that dance floor with Korey and Stefanie to the very end of the night. We missed you so much!!!

Here are some pictures from the temple. I hope Everyone enjoys them. 

Stefanie and Korey

Shami and Korey

Breanna, Trina and Shami

Shami, Dad and Breanna

Brooke, Mom, Grandma, Char and Danni (Char's girlfriend)

Char and Danni

Breanna, Opa, Oma and Shami

And finally here is a picture of the cake!

August 16th - Doctor's visit

I will say this now...this one will be very short. I do not remember a lot about this one because Korey's and Stefanie's wedding was two days later and than two days after that we went to Cali to visit Logan's brother Nathan and his family (another post that I am hoping to get to).

Doctor will talk to me about another diet that I should try. It's called the Palio diet (I think that's the name)....? Pretty much I would be cutting out dairy and breads and eating lots a legumes (including lots of beans...). I've been trying it, but I always get headaches and bread always seems to make it go away. Why you may ask? To tell you the truth...I do not know. I think it may be due to the fact that recently I've been having smoothies for breakfast.

She also commented on that fact that my body is starting to portion out better. I guessing that's due to the fact that I started on Callanetics (which I have recently been slacking off on) and Zumba (which I'm slacking off on too). I've was eating a lot healthier but with all the traveling that I have done this summer it may take me about a month to get back to what I used to eat. I've also notice that my clothes are fitting really weird now due to the inches that I'm losing.

We also talked about fertility medicine. Logan and I have both decided to go on clomid for 2 reasons: 1) It will help with my PCOS problem of  not releasing the eggs and 2) We would LOVE to start our family. The doctor was going to put me on it right after that appointment but I told her that Logan and I wanted to wait until October - November time due to the fact that Logan has his second conference trip in Italy and I kind of wanted to go with him because it will probably the only time that we will ever go on a big trip like that before having kids. So the doctor and Logan let me make a choice on when to start it and I chose October.

That's pretty much all I can remember from the trip. My next appointment is schedule on Oct. 4th to make some finally decisions and to see how I doing now that I'm not traveling a lot.

Korey's video

So, tonight I was looking on Facebook and I notice that my little sister, Shami, posted a video of Korey, my brother. It's so funny!!! But don't just take my word for it watch the video yourself. ^-^

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=486259808068598

Surprise from Korey

On Friday the 4th ( think that was the date...I may be off a few days but it was around than), Korey asked if he could come over and spend sometime with us considering that we hardly see each other anymore because he's so busy with everything going on in his life. So, he comes over and asks how I am doing and what I've been up to. Than afterwards he told me he had some news to tell me and he thought I should of sit down for it. Than surprise, surprise!! He's was going to ask his girlfriend to marry him. I thought it was great. We get to add another wedding to the summer and guess what he asked me? He asked me to help out with the cake...it's a little depressing because I have to make it with someone else but I know them. But I'm happy for him. They plan on getting married at the Idaho Falls Temple on August 18th. I'm happy for him. Here's a picture of them both recently:

Korey is HOME!!

The day before Korey got home, I got together with Brea and Shami so we could make his homecoming poster that we took 2 1/2 hours to make (can you guys believe that!) I do all the big words and what not and the girls did the rest of the post with really funny things. We had such a blast hanging out and do it together. We really haven't got together for quiet a while...I think the last time we did something like that was last Christmas or sometime like that. I'm not sure...anyway.

Korey arrived home 20 minutes earlier than plan because the plane got here faster. He arrived at 8:50pm on November 9th ( this almost sounds as if he was just born, not coming home...funny) and boy was there a crowd. Mostly family came and support us and so did a few of Korey's friends...even Korey's bishop stop by too. After an hour, we all decided to go home. There were a few people who cried when Korey started giving out the hugs...I did which surprised me. Shami was also the first one to get a hug from Korey than any one (which by the way, she cried the hardest out of everyone). I guess I have a really great bond with him without even know.  Logan and I went to Dad's to hang out with him for a while with the girls and Dad. We (Logan and I) actually stay there until 2 in the morning talking about his experiences and family and friends. I probably should have gone home sooner because I had a doctor appointment the following morning. But for some reason I could not leave him...in some ways I thought I was just daydreaming about the whole things but I wasn't. Anyways...the pictures that I have are blurry because Logan doesn't know how to used my small camera. Here you go. ^-^

Korey's Last Email

Can you believe that Korey is coming home next Wednesday!!! I can't and can! I missed him so much. He's done such a great job during his mission and we are all proud and happy to see him again. I still have to make his home welcoming banner some time soon. I'm trying to get my little sisters to help out but I don't know if they will or not. I'll see in the next few days. Plus I need to make sure I wrap his birthday present from May. ^-^ So much to do in so little time ^-^.  Anyways, here's his last email to all of us.


"Wow, I can't believe it has been two years already and then again I feel it as well it has been a long time since I have been home.  I am making sure that I am working as hard as I can out here and not let the fact that I am going home next week get to me.  It can be quite a challenge when everyone around you is always asking me how far away airplanes are, mission joke I can explain it latter.  We went to the temple today and everyone who goes home next week had the opportunity to go into a meeting with the temple president together.  It was really cool since how yesterday the old temple president left and now there is a new one.  Also because he himself presided over this area a while ago as a mission president as well except when the Washington DC North, South, and Baltimore mission were all one in the same.  Because of him and his wife we have what is called the "Festival of Lights" every Christmas and "Why I Believe" every month.  Tomorrow I get to go for my final interview with our mission president President Matsumori, I am very excited for that it will be a really amazing experience.  I am going to make this last week a good one and then I will see all of you shortly.  Love you all."

-- Elder Korey Danklefsen

Korey's Mission

I got email from Korey this morning. It's been a while since we heard from him, so I was over joyed to hear about what's going on with him and his mission. We also got some pictures too. ^-^ Surprisingly, I started crying. I'm so happy that he's enjoying himself. I'm going to post the email that I got from him so everyone can read about it. Oh! I'll also post the pictures. One of them made me burst up of laughter.

By the way, I still have some great news! I'll post it on Friday night, ok. Talk to you later. ^-^

"Things are going really well.  I am still in the same place but it sounds like I will be moving here on the 13 of April when we have transfers, because I have been here for about six months.  It is not normal for a missionary to have served in so few areas like I have, or at least in our mission.  Some missionaries will end up having up to ten twelve different areas that they have served in.  Lately we have had the priviledge to see two people get baptized in the past two weeks.  One of them is from West Virginia, she is a really nice lady who we have been working with for about five months now.  She is 69 years old I have sent you a picture of us at her baptism with two other missionaries that help to teach her as well.  The other girl that we baptized was 14 years old her name is Anahita (Anna) she was born in Canada but her parents are from Iran and are athiest.  Anna had a really good friend who asked if she wanted to come to seminary and church with her and that is how she found the church.  We actually are getting ready to see another person get baptized that we have been teaching fairly recently.  Her name is Niknaz I don't have a picture of these other two ladies but I will soon.  Niknaz is actually from Iran and she has only been in the States for about six months.  She didn't know any english when she first came.  She is super cool and loves the church.  Her family is muslim which normally is a big problem because in Iran it is not against the law to kill someone in the name of religion so it took a little work to make sure we could teach her but once we started she just started to do things on her own, for example she stopped smoking, and drinking tea cold turky which is pretty amazing because just about everyone else that I have worked with have had a hard time with that.   There is still a lot more going on but I unfortunatly don't have enough time to write all of it.  Love you."

-- Elder Korey Danklefsen

Look at Korey's face!!! It will make you laugh so hard.

I don't know what this picture but it's pretty cool.

This was the elder lady that Korey was able to baptism.

November

This month was so busy. There was a lot that happen.

Korey left for his mission on the 4th. I went with him when he got set apart at the stake center. I bald my eyes out...it was so hard for me to left him go. Bubba's family also when to it along with Perry, Carol and Zackary. I made Carol cry because I was crying so much. Mom is also having a hard time too. I think that she thought that Korey was going to go on one. Well, he surprise us all. I got a letter from him this month too. He's doing great. He went to the Provo Temple and helped out with some sealings. He also was called to be district leader two days after he arrived. He also said that he could feel the spirit so strongly that it made him want to do better and that he was having so much fun. I hope I get another letter from him soon. I do really miss him.
My dad had to go back into surgery. The doctor up in Salt Lake City messed up on the bypasses. So my Dad had to go in again and get two stints in the arteries. Last time that I heard from him, Dad was going to sue the doctor for it.
This month was Brea's, Katlin's and David's (Logan's Father) birthday. Brea got an Oreo cake from the store. She was also spoiled a lot too. We gave he a gift card to Barnes and Noble too because she also loved reading books too. I've notice this month at she is going to be the biggest tom boy with in the family and more than I was too. She still looks up to me a lot. I'm so surprised that she is knowing her mother (by the way, she hates me). We also went to David's grave that weekend and gave him flowers. I still feel lonely when it comes to him. I didn't get to know him as much as everyone else did. I wished I had. Katlin turned 21 this month. It's so funny. She can do all these things now but she's pregnant so she can't but she wouldn't anyways. We gave her a gift card to Deseret Book. When she got it she wanted to go to spend it. So, all the girls (Katlin, Carolyn, Amanda, Logan's mom and me) went. She got some Christmas music for her and Nathan. When we got back we played with one of the gifts she got. It was a stamp that for recipes cards so I gave her some recipes to put on them. I was a lot of fun!
During Thanksgiving break, Logan and I visited his family. We had a lot of food. I think I ate a little to much because I kept on fall a sleep. Logan also had to work a lot so I got to stay home and do nothing. It was pretty boring.
After Thanksgiving Break, I had a final. I passed it too! I was also doing better too. The break helped out a lot. I got back on my feet and got all my stuff done. I was in the Bake Shop for my last rotation for school. I made a lot of bread and cookies the first week. The second week we did quick breads too.

June & July 2009

In June, we moved to Pocatello and have enjoyed it the whole time. We live at the Katsilometes Courts at 695 N. 7th Ave Apt 9, Pocatello, ID 83201. We still haven’t finished unpacking yet because we’ve been so busy with work and getting ready for school. We love the apartments…they seems so open. We have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, kitchen with a bar, dining room and living room. I’ve yet to use the front door…Logan has used it a few times. We love the fact that we get two spots to plant whatever we want. We’ve not planted anything yet…we are waiting for the fall, so we can plant some iris. I’m so excited!!
Logan has gotten a job down here at Sears in the Pine Ridge Mall. He is enjoying this job as much as his last job. He works in the electronics department. He’s actually quite good at what he does and the job doesn’t make him work all the time which I’m grateful for. He still has a job up in Idaho Falls with the engineering lab for ISU, which he only works once or twice a week. I’m still working at the Aquatic Center in Idaho Falls up until the end of the month. Also I’ve been coaching a swim team for the last two months. They did a great job, but unfortunately my team was the one that ended up having a lot of my kids gone for both of the meets. But they almost took 2nd place for them both. I’ve applied at the aquatics in Reed’s Gym and as yet to hear from the lady who is in charge. She went on vacation when I turned in my application. If I don’t get the job, I plan on applying at some other places. Hopefully I will get a job soon or I won’t be able to get a job.
My family has been good. Earlier this month, our nephew, Oaklen, turned one on 4th of July. He got so spoiled and so did my niece in a way. He got a lot of clothes…I think he had plenty to last him up to two years for the summer. Taylor, our niece, is growing up so fast! She’s still in the middle of her terrible twos at the age of three, but I’ve been talking to her mom, (my sister Amanda) and she is starting to get over them. Amanda has been having some health trouble ever since her miscarriage and the doctors don’t really know why either at the moment. Korey turned in his papers for his mission and now he is waiting for his cal which we are all excited for! Shami and Breanna have been having a great summer. They have been to Lagoon a few times and camping many times. My father has been at work for quite a while now. He’ll be getting back in state on August 17. I’m not sure what he does while he has nothing to do while at work but he as a blast at the casino in Nevada that he is near. Mom has been doing great. Cale has been working for the whole summer to make money so he can play football in the fall for Idaho Falls High School’s Football Team. Char took Driver’s Ed this summer and just finished. I’m not sure if he passed or not but it sure scares me to think that he will be driving soon. My mom and Cale just got a new red nose pit bull dog and she is so much like her father, Shilo who lives with them and there may be a chance that my mom will be getting Bristle who is the mom. Brooke has been playing a lot with her friends and hanging out with me when I’m off and in town. We have two family reunions coming up on the 1st weekend of August up in Black Tail Lake and one in September down in Nampa. Logan and I are planning on going to Lagoon on August 22nd with one of my friends and with Cale, Char and Brooke. The kids have never been there so we decide it would be fun to take them there for a summer vacation.
We wanted to thank everyone who came to the funeral and supporting us through it. It meant a lot to us all and we enjoyed seeing everyone there, too.