It is always a party when the Stuart clan gets together. So from March 7th till April 4th we had lots of family visitng and fun activites of talking, eating, hiking, snowmobiling and enjoying each other. My brother Dale and Linda and family were the first to arrive on March 7th. Tony and Collete and family, and Adam came from Arizona March 13th overlapping Linda and Holly and Gina's stay. Or children that live in St. George area always come to spend time with our visitors so we all get to enjoy each other. We certainly missed Our daughter Tiersa and husband Kris and children. They were the only on es missing.

Friends Forever! Like Sisters!

Collette says it has been hard to see her friend Michele go home. Michele texts and calls Collette often and says she misses her friend Collette. Collette told me Michele feels like another sister and that Delaney feels like a beloved neice. An incredible journey has begun...for all of us. We look forward to meeting more of the Murtagh family.

The get Delaney here Support Team

Tony and Collette with Nigel and Michele and baby Delaney at dinner Feb. 4th.The next morning the Murtagh family departed to begin their life as a fmaily at their home in CA. We are all so happy for them! It was a pleasure to be present for this wonderful event and to get to know them. we look forward to a long and close relationship. They are coming to St. George this summer!!! Yeah!! Best wishes to you Michele, Nigel and Delaney.

Adam and Vaughn at dinner on Feb 4th

Adam and Ashley at dinner Feb 4th

Kris and Tiersa at dinner Feb 4th

Our Arizona kids Feb 4th 2009

The night before the Murtaghs returned to Walnut Creek, CA they treated all of us to dinner! Thanks Michele and Nigel for a great eveing. We had so much fun and took a million pictures. These are the member of the Stuart clan that were present. Ashley, Adam, Collette, Tiersa, Vaughn and Arlene. Spouses of Ashley, Collette and Tiersa were present but not pictured

The 'Mixmaster" matchmaker

This is Claudia (on the Right) who Michele and Collette fondly call the 'Mixmaster'. She is the mutual friend that introduced Collette to Michele at a party for former emplyees of the nail salon, The Purple Turtle'.At that introduction Collette became aware of Michele and Nigel's long and dssapointing journey to watning to become parents. Claudia jokingly suggested that since Collete knew how to have babies quite well she ought to be a 'surrogate' for them. Collette replied that,'This factory is closed". But her new friends situation touched her heart. She and Tony decided to help. We are all amazed at all that has transpired to bring this goal to fullfilment.

R to L is Anthony, Collette, Michele, Claudia holding Delaney.

"YOU CAME FROM FROZEN!!"

When Collette got her first real good look at Delaney she said," Oh you are so cute! What a miracle ...And you came from frozen!" We all agree! What a day and age of miracles. To think that this beautiful little baby came from an embryo frozen after 5 days of development and incubated by a 'surrogate mother' to a perfectly formed little baby is truly a miracle.

A Joy to be a Part of

Many of you have asked and everyone has wondered how it would be for Collette to part from the baby she had carried for 9 months. Any fears we had about that situation were quickly dispelled when we witnessed the bonding that has occured between the Graziani's and the Murtagh's. They have formed a friendship that will last a lifetime and beyond. Nigel and Michele were incredibly grateful for this beautiful gift and Collette and Tony see it as a great blessing in their lives and a privilege to be a part of seeing Murtaghs become a family.

Meet the Family!

Michele and Nigel Murtagh with their new daghter Delaney moments after her birth. The joy and happiness in the delivery room was palbable!

Meet the Baby!

You met the Parents with us on our blog posted Nov 2008. NOW MEET THE BABY!
Her name is Delaney Shae Murtagh, born via Collette Stuart Graziani to Nigel and Michele Murtagh Jan 29th, 2009 at about 7:53 p.m. The pictures say it all. She was alert from the very first moments of life and is beautiful as you can see. Weighed in at 8lbs.6 ozs.

Just Chillin Together Jan 17th

Travis and his daughter Andelyn (3) Chillin with Kaden (15) in our new 'Grandma Dorm' .

Playing Games after the Half Marathon

We all had such a fun time when the LeSueur's came for the 1/2 marathon because they like to play games. Here Robynne and Travis, Davin and Nayland are still grinning after a late night of playing Canasta.

Kris and Maya Jan 17th

Here is our awesome son-in-law Kris and Maya LeSueur after Painters Half Marathon in St. George

Painters Half Marathon Jan 17th 2009

It is all Collins Fault! Because Collins ran a marathon first and loved it he encouraged all of his family to get into running too. In 2004 six of us ran the St. George Marathon. We are grateful Collins introduced us to this great sport. It keeps us all fit and healthy and brings us together for fun family times.

L to R Collins (almost 35) Kris and Tiersa LeSueur (32 almost and 28) Arlene (57) Carolyn and Kelsie LeSueur at the finish of the Painters Half Marathon in St. George. We all did great! In fact Kelsie placed first in the 5k and I knocked 4 minutes off my first half 5 years ago and 13 minutes off the same race 2 years ago. Two weeks later all of us except Collins ran London's Run in Arizona. Carolyn took 2nd in her age group with a time of 2:10, Kelsie took first in the 10K, and Tiersa broke her record by 9 minutes coming in at 1:58!! This very dayFeb 14th, Collins is running a 50K in Moab. Go Collins!

My Daddy and Carolyn

Dearly loved Grandpa Prows and Grandma Carolyn! Arlene's dad is almost 82 in this picture and is Grandpa to 21 and Great Grandpa to 27. Carolyn has 1 daughter Anne and (Kris her husband) and 3 very awesome grandchildren.

Travis (28) on Sunday Jan. 4th at our Christmas gift giving.

After Crhistmas Gift Giving

We opened gifts with our Utah grandkids and family on January 4th! Everybody loves to snuggle by Jaylin. Kaden (15) Hannah (5) Jaylin, Nayland (12), and Davin (10).

Christmas night

Ashlyn, Kelsey, and Jaycee after popcorn and a movie. After all the kids were asleep the grown ups got to play and visit at the LeSueur home.

Aahh! This is the life!

Arlene playing with Tony and Collette's daughters Kelsey(5) and Ashlyn (7) Christmas evening at Tiersa and Kris'.

Tony and Collette's boy Anthony (22 months)looks just like his dad. Cute Huh?

Because Collette was too pregnant to travel she persauded Vaughn and me to spend Christmas 2008 in Arizona. Christmas morning was relaxing opening gifts with the Lesueur's, Kris, Tiersa, Maya (2), Ella (10 months). Then we spent a rainy Christmas afternoon with the Graziani's, Tony, Collette, Ashlyn (7), Kelsey (5), Jaycee (4), and Anthony (22 mo.). Adam came over to spend time with us too. Oh Yeah...those are "ma favorite" times...when we are all together. We missed our Utah bunch though.