This Is All of Us

Recognize this picture? This used to be my blog header. 

The original Dentons and our first in-law.

Now look at us.


All 22 of us.

I had big plans for a great family picture just before Thanksgiving dinner this year, but I forgot to charge my camera battery, and we only got a few mediocre shots.

But look at all these people that I love.

I'm so blessed in my life. That's the truth. Can you identify everyone from their Memoji?


Look out, 2020. Here comes everyone from the Denton Sanatorium!

Idaho Wedding

Brad and I got to celebrate my nephew's wedding a few weeks ago. Strangely, I have not a single picture of the bride and groom, but I do have lots of pictures of Ellie!

Heidi drove down for the day with her oldest and youngest, and Ellie loved being part of the adult world with no other little kids around. She snatched my phone, and when I got it back, there were two dozen of these selfies:

Ellie is such a good girl, and it was fun for me and Brad to have to talk with her about her exciting life in Idaho.

Kate also came along for the trip, and she was definitely loved on.

Ellie loves looking at Grandma Tucker's box collection, and since there were no little ones around, Grandma allowed her to keep the panel open and look at them all by herself--a pretty grown-up privilege.

Look at that raspberry bush. The bride's mom had been so busy preparing for the wedding that she'd neglected her patch. She gave the kids at the reception free rein, and they ate and ate and ate.

Grandma helped her find the best ones. I love these pictures. I haven't seen my mom this genuinely happy in a long time.

Here's the mom of the groom.

And Heidi. I always feel a little better when I'm outside in Idaho and Heidi gets cold, too. She's lived in Idaho ten years now and still pulls out a jacket before everyone else.

Love this picture. That baby Kate is the easiest, sweetest, chubbiest cheeked little love.

The reception was gorgeous--outside in the bride's back yard with all of the flower arrangements from her mom's cutting garden. The light was beautiful. The food was good. The company was amazing. The music was tender.

And every time I go back to Idaho in September, it makes me want to move home. A lot.

I need to remember that in February.

Brigham's Blessing Day

What a beautiful day in Utah! Ben and Makayla blessed Brigham Alan Denton over Labor Day weekend.

He is the third generation BAD.

Brad Alan Denton

Benjamin Andrew Denton

Brigham Alan Denton

These two are the cutest first-time parents. Every little thing that baby does is cute and incredible and sweet--except the blow-outs, barf, and bad nights.

Grandbaby #10 and grandson #5

I think he's going to be a peacemaker and one to keep everything in balance in our family. So glad Brad and I could both be there to celebrate with them.

Giddy-Up

Everyone in the Magic Valley knows that Labor Day weekend is Fair Time. I sped up to Idaho for a quick 24 hours so I could go to the Twin Falls County Rodeo with my dad and my sisters.

Dad looks mad here, but in reality, he wasn't ready for the picture. See? He was just as happy to be there as the three of us were.

I have incredible memories in this arena. Add to them 2019, with my sisters and their families.

And Sam and Holly filling Grandpa's hat up to capacity with Mambas wrappers--and he wasn't too pleased about it. We all know that "You don't touch the hat!"

Cowboy hats are very serious business for Dad. But so is loving his girls.

The fair marks the beginning of fall in Idaho--wish I was there to enjoy the crisper air and harvest. It's supposed to hit 107 in the desert today.

I won't be jealous in January, I can predict that right now!

Birthday Surprises Numbered 2-65

Remember how my sister drove 28 hours round-trip to surprise me for my big birthday?

That was only the first of many, many surprises Brad managed to pull off in the last week.

Karen and Matt arrived on Friday night. The next day, Karen and I drove to Phoenix to look at a house we are flipping and to visit her favorite store in the valley, Nordstrom's Last Chance. It was incredible to spend the afternoon alone with her--laughing, reminiscing, talking of a few serious things as well but mostly just having fun together without kids and other responsibilities.

We walked in the back door, and Eve wore the weirdest look, like she was keeping the biggest secret in the world. Brad said nonchalantly, "I was thinking we should invite a few people over tonight." I sighed, "I don't want to. Karen and Matt are here and they are leaving soon."

But then I looked around and couldn't believe what I saw. That is unabashed surprise on my face.

In the two hours we had been gone, Brad had summoned an army and transformed our house into a HUGE party.

It must have taken a small army to remove all the furniture, borrow another TV, set up tables and chairs in the family room. I asked how many people were coming, and he noncommittally answered, "I don't know exactly. Somewhere around . . . 

. . . 60."

SIXTY!!!! What?

The living room became the buffet line, fully catered from my favorite local Mexican restaurant.

And the desserts! Cookies and lemon bars! The best four-layer brownies! And not one but THREE cakes with my face on them.

Every time I turned a corner, something else surprised me. The decorations. The food. Brad's pleased expression that he had completely surprised me.

He glanced at his watch and said, "You have fifteen minutes till people start showing up. Better get ready!"

I flew upstairs, changed my clothes and freshened up my makeup then came back downstairs.

And there was another surprise!

 Ben was in the kitchen!

 Surprised again!

Then the people arrived.

Brad had planned every detail--managing the guest list, the menu, the setup, even having cards made for guests to write birthday greetings.

People that I love kept pouring into the house, filling plates with food, then finding a seat to enjoy the evening. It was incredible.

Not only had he planned the dinner portion of the party, Brad and Tucker created a Kahoot trivia game all about me, interspersed with group party games and prizes.

 So much laughter and fun.

One of the biggest surprises of the night was when Brad asked a question about our years in Chicago when I attended tapings of Oprah. He even found the old video clip of me on national television, asking the panel a question about sequestering juries during the OJ Simpson trial.

Look how young I was! 25 years old--exactly half my lifetime ago. Man, I loved that rust silk jacket

Before all the celebrating was over, Karen and Matt headed back north. I was sad to see them leave but so grateful they took the time to come down for my birthday.

That party was FUN! So many people have commented to me on what a great time it was, and I have to agree--the best birthday party I've ever attended.

The biggest surprise of all was that I had NO IDEA any of this was happening. In hindsight, I can see a few warning signs of what was coming but not enough to trigger my Spidey senses. Brad managed the whole thing--invitations, following up on RSVPs, buying food and estimating for the caterer, emcee extraordinaire, and enlisting some of my fantastic friends to help with food, decor, games, and planning. Getting people for setup and cleanup. I told him that what he pulled off was like hosting a wedding dinner--and a surprise on top of that. He is incredible, and I'm ever grateful that he's mine.

What an amazing night. I'll always remember how I felt surrounded by friends and family and how much effort Brad went to to celebrate.

I'm ready, 50!

Early Birthday Surprise #1

Friday afternoon--just about five pm. 

The witching hour for moms with little kids.

Karli and Tucker were rounding up their three little ones when Brad said, "I think I heard the door."

I didn't hear the door, but I dutifully went to answer it.

I've never had a better surprise. It was my sister and her husband!

 They made a quick two-day drive south just to surprise me for my birthday, which isn't till Wednesday, so that only increased the surprise factor!

School started for her kids today, so they spent Friday night here: we grabbed a fantastic dinner at The Keg and visited all morning Saturday, then they drove back north Saturday night. It was so amazing and such a sacrifice for them to make that quick trip.

And I thought that was the biggest surprise of the weekend.

I was wrong.

Wedded Bliss

Brad and I took a quick trip to Utah for my nephew's wedding.

It was a glorious spring day. Look at that sky.

Forest married his perfect match, and I can't wait to watch them create a life together.

It's not often all four of us are together for a picture where one of us isn't pulling a stupid face . . . or blinking . . .  or looking weird in general. 

 We insisted Dad and Mom join us, and I'm so glad we did.

These are the people that have known me from the beginning. They're the ones who tolerated my adolescent outbursts and idiocy. Love them.

 This mom of mine is one of the best people I know--selfless and kind and loving.

 I'm ever grateful she's my mom.

 And here's my dad. The man who has always supported me and fought for me and fought with me and loved me unconditionally.

I'm one of the lucky ones. I came from a home where I was always accepted and loved . . . and I knew it. I can only hope my kids get half of that from our home.

 A few more outtakes

 I was so happy Ben could make it to the wedding with us.

 Brad tried to get this picture . . .

. . . but Ben had his own agenda . . .

 Can you tell I was cold?

 Twenty-four hours later, we were back at the airport.

 Quick trip but fantastic memories.