Cornelius Chronicles

  Maeve's "I Love Utah" Video Maeve, Grandma P, John, Diana, and I had fun making a great YouTube video for Maeve's school "I Love Utah" project.  We learned lots of fun Utah animal facts and that Maeve is a born star!  Enjoy the video! John approves of Grandma's set design. :) 

Daddy Daughter dates are some of the best perks of having beautiful daughters. Dustin and Maeve got to head out for a fun evening of dancing, snacks, and all around fun with the best of company at the elementary school's Daddy Daughter Dance.  It was a 1950s sock hop theme this year.   We didn't have anything too authentic for costumes, but we sure had fun getting close with what we had in the closet and jamming out to 1950s rock n' roll while Maeve got ready for the big dance.  Everyone's favorite part of getting ready was painting nails.  We pulled out the cherry red nail polish and Maeve got some pretty fancy nails.  John was so excited about all the dance prep that we had to paint his nails too, but we convinced him to just pain his toe nails (he had preschool the next day, after all).  Dances are fun, but I think they are more fun because we get to do them with Maeve.  I love her adventure spirit! Check out these good lookin' kids!

When did my baby boy get so big?!  This hansom face is 15 years old and we're talking driver's ed, college applications, and summer jobs already!  I have a hard time wrapping my mind around it all sometimes.  I sure love this guy.  What a lucky mama am I to have him in my heart as my Loyd.

It's the American Library Association's national read aloud month and we are doing our best to participate.  We all read for pleasure and education just about every day.  But we are doing a few extra reading challenges to kick up our reading game this month.  Maeve and Owen are doing a read-a-thon at school and John is completing a 21 day reading challenge for the county library.  Diana is doing her best job of listening to everyone read fun stories to her and I'm having a ball reading lots a lots of wonderful children's books.  Oh, how I love reading and the spirit it brings into my home!  I'm so grateful for literacy!! Maeve and Diana Owen, John, and Diana

I am having too much fun snuggling and cuddling and staring into this sweet baby face!  Diana is such a joy and blessing in our family.  We all just can't get enough of these big, beautiful blue eyes, happy baby sounds, and the best big grins ever!  Love you Baby Diana!  

We had a special, spiritual weekend.  Owen was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Dustin performed the ordinance and we heard tender testimonies on baptism and the Holy Ghost from Grandpa Cornelius and Grandma Phillips.  It was such a special experience.  After Owen's baptism and confirmation we took the opportunity of having our family there to give Diana a name and a blessing for the records of the Church.  Dustin gave her a special Priesthood blessing reminding her she is loved and an important part of our family.   After our spiritual feast we headed to Grandma P's house for a fun breakfast of muffins, fruit, hot chocolate and orange juice, followed by lots of fun cousin play time on Grandma's awesome snow hill! It was a wonderful day to honor Diana's mortal birth and to witness Owen spiritual rebirth as he followed the example of our Savior, Jesus Christ, as was baptized.  I am so blessed.  Of course none of the kid