The Stuart Family

2009-04-11T12:30:00.000-07:00

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.

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Friends Forever! Like Sisters!

2009-02-14T13:48:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-14T13:42:00.000-08:00

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

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Adam and Ashley at dinner Feb 4th

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Kris and Tiersa at dinner Feb 4th

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Our Arizona kids Feb 4th 2009

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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

2009-02-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

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!!"

2009-02-14T13:07:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-14T12:57:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-02-14T12:53:00.000-08:00

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!

2009-02-14T12:45:00.000-08:00

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

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

Playing Games after the Half Marathon

2009-02-14T12:33:00.000-08:00

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

2009-02-14T12:28:00.000-08:00

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

Painters Half Marathon Jan 17th 2009

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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

2009-02-14T11:58:00.000-08:00

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.

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

After Crhistmas Gift Giving

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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

2009-02-14T11:44:00.000-08:00

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!

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

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

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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.

Go first to Meet the Parents

2008-11-09T22:51:00.001-08:00

The most important post in this blog is the one in November called 'Meet the Parents'. Somehow it shows up last and it is getting missed. Since I am new at blogging I don't know yet how to move it. So please go to November and click on that one. The marathon is really not important compared to what it was like to meet the parents of the baby Collette is carrying.

Grand Canoyn Hike Oct 17th

2008-11-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

Sure you look all perky now! How will you feel in about 10 hours? Adam and Arlene Stuart with Kerstin Lancaster (friend) at the South Kiabab trailhead begining their descent into the Grand Canyon.
Arlene and Adam are veteran GC hikers, especially the hike organizer Adam. He has done it so many times he could do it in his sleep but we are glad he stayed awake! AND he stayed with us to make it a super fun experience. The first timers were Brian (back row) Kerstin,Shawna and Alyse (front row). They all did remarkably well hiking down to Phantom Ranch at the bottom and up to the top via Bright Angel Trail in about 9 hours.
Verteran GC hiker Adam is helping his mother lighten her load. He went through my pack and said you don't need that, and you don't need that, and you don't even need SO MUCH WATER! (Hey Adam,the water was a little scary to let go of!) THANK YOU ADAM
YOU MADE IT A FUN TRIP FOR ALL OF US!!!

Meet the Parents Weekend

2008-11-05T07:37:00.000-08:00

On Halloween Friday Oct 31st Vaughn and I drove to Gilbert Arizona.The purpose of this trip was "Meet the Parents" of the baby girl Collette is carrying as a surrogate mother. We arrived just in time to go 'Trick or Treating" with Maya and Ella.

The Green Faced Witch is me. I couldn't resist putting on makeup and costume in the car so that I could surprise them when they opened the door. Maya and her friend Joee were scared and ran crying for comfort to their mothers.I felt sad to see how afraid Joee was. Her mother, Trisha, talked and talked to get her to realize I was Maya's Grandma. She warmed up ovever the next two days and lovingly called me Grandma everytime she saw me. Hopefully there will be no lasting trauma for her.

Collette's girls were not afraid and realized quickly it was their Grandma. We had a good time enjoying great food and company at a Halloween party Tony and Collette gave for about 60 people Adam, Kris and Tiersa and Kris' parents Carolyn and Warren were among the guests.

Sunday, Nov. 2nd Collette and Tony hosted a Bar-B-Que for our family so we could "Meet the Parents", Michelle and Nigel Murtagh from San Fransico. It was definately worth the trip from Utah to meet them, to see their faces and feel their spirits. We loved them right away!!! We loved hearing their story. It is easy to see why Collette could not get this idea out of her mind after meeting Michele and hearing her story.
L to R is Maya,Tiersa, Vaughn (in background) Michele with baby Rushton, Nigel, and Adam's friend Shawna.

Jaycee in Michele's lap Collette and Ashlyn (in back)
Nigel said that their friends in San Fransicso are so excited for Collette to come Nov.13th for 2 baby showers because they want to meet the 'Angel' that would grow a baby for them. They are in awe that she would do this for them.

We loved seeing Michelle and Nigel with their hands on Collette's tummy waiting for their baby to move. Michelle was surprised to see how active her baby is and asked," Does she move this often usually or does she just move 3 or 4 times a day?

The next day they watched their little baby (on ultra sound) open her eyes, yawn and put her little arms behind her head with fingers laced almost as if she was lounging in a lawn chair. They were simply thrilled. Michelle said, "I just can't wait to meet my baby, is that normal?" The name they like best so far is Grace. "Grace's" heart, brain and body seemed to be perfectly formed and now she is just going to gain weight and get strong for delivery around Feb. 1st.

It was a great trip. Now we can picture where Adam lives in his new apartment in Scottsdale, have great memories of seeing the kids in their Halloween costumes, saw our wonderful children and their spouses and met Michele and Nigel AND we had a great visit with each other on the way back home.

Family Get Together

2008-10-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Grandpa with the youngest two grandchildren... Ashley's little boy Kevin on the right and Tiersa's girl Ella on the left.
We had a birthday party for Arlene's friend Kerstin during the Priesthood session on Saturday night. We made her wear a crown and ate pizza. We really had fun and made sure Kerstin knew we were happy for her on her special day.
Tiersa, Arlene and Carolyn ran the Marathon on Saturday and we bought silly string to spray all over them at the end of the race. There was still some left so we played with it a little once all the guys got home from Priesthood, Vaughn got up in Ashley's face to tell her she was making a mess so she squirted him right in the face and continued to do so until it was pretty much gone. The results were pretty much priceless as no one usually "picks" on Dad. He got her back by pinching her arm which she hates, but she says "It was worth it".
The Marathoners. Carolyn ran it in 4 hours and 58 minutes, Arlene ran 6 hours and 8 minutes, and Tiersa's time was 4 hours 21 minutes. These three weren't able to run last year because of injuries/pregnancy and we thought that Arlene wasn't going to be able to run this year because of an injury, but she did it any way. We are so proud of them.
Tiersa's been hobbling around the house all day with her sore marathon bones, muscles, jointsm and everything else. I'm sure it is hard to have two kids and all those sore parts.
Here's Collette's belly bump. We think it's pretty cool that she's a surrogate Mother for her friend Michelle. It's going really well even though it is starting to get hard with her four little munshkins running around. She is having a girl and is due on Feb. 1st.
The girls had a tea party outside and invited Grandma to come out and picnic with them. They look pretty comfy. Arlene is such a trooper for sitting on the hard ground with them even with her soreness.
All the kids went on the deck to get out while we made Sunday night dinner.

Our New Blog

2008-08-31T17:15:00.000-07:00

So this is Ashley talking... I am attempting to get the Stuart Family up on a blog per Dad's request... so here goes. It's Sunday afternoon and we are all about to sit down to family dinner. We have Barbara, Brandon's family, Cameron's family, the Endsleys, Jay and the kids and soon Travis's family will also be here. We have been having a wonderful time this weekend and hope it continues over to tomorrow for Labor Day.