Our Graduate!!

Stan and Nichole (my brother and sister-in-law)Aren't they a beautiful couple?!:)

Nichole graduated with her Masters in Administration. We went out Sat. night to celebrate her accomplishment. I can't tell you how proud I am of my sister-in-law. She is one of the hardest workers I know. Her program was on-line, continuous, and highly demanding. For two years she balanced the family, her education, and her work. Not, only that, but she paints and decorates her house, mows her lawn and plants flowers, stays fit, and is the Primary president in her ward. Ya, mega super girl here! Nichole is a great example to all of us in the family, and she is officially the most educated! So, here's a shout out to Nichole.......we love you and are so proud of you!!!!

Happy, Happy Birthday!!!

Happy 60th Dad!!!

Mikkel, Britt and family...lunching it up!

Opening the gag gifts!

Silly grandkids........The fam..........

We drove to Pocatello Friday night and stayed with my sister, Brittney. I know, I don't really have a sister, but since we've been best friends for over 25 years, we have adopted each other as true family. We couldn't stay with my parents because we had a big surprise party planned for my dad the next day. Saturday we got up and made lots of food, went and picked up balloons and headed to Ross Park to set up the party. The weather was cold and very windy! I was worried as we set up if people would even come. Slowly friends and family arrived and before we knew it the pavillion was full. It was so nice to see old friends. Robert kept teasing me about who was having more fun, me or my dad. I miss those people though. I was fortunate to grow up surrounded by really great families. And even more fortunate, was I, to grow up with a dad like mine. Alright, so it was his birthday Sunday and he turned the big 6-0...so I am going to brag on him a bit.

Those of you who know me know that my dad is my biggest hero. He has always been such a great example in my life. He is a humble, happy, hard working, caring, spiritual, funny guy. It is rare to find my dad in a bad mood. He is a simple man who doesn't need a whole lot to make him happy. He has never been one to pursue materialistic things, just the love and happiness of his family.

When I was younger I remember my dad always spending time with us kids. He would wrestle with us, give us pony rides on his back, tickle us with "the claw", and read stories to us. He loved ice cream and would make us malt milk shakes all the time. He would get up every Saturday and make us a yummy breakfast. We still beg him to make his "special eggs." He always grew a garden. I remember loving picking peas, carrots and radishes from the garden. As I got older it was my dad who would get up early and run us to basketball or cheerleading practices. He worked a sales job and could sneak away in the afternoons. He never missed a game or event. My friends all adored my dad. He was so friendly and nice to them when they came to the house. He had some silly song or nickname for most of them. He was always cracking jokes and having fun. It is rare to see my dad without a big, cheesy smile on his face.

My dad was always involved with some type of sport. He loved competing and staying fit and healthy. As a kid, I loved running around at his softball, basketball, and raquetball games. One of his favorite things to do was to ride his bike. I remember us driving to my brother's baseball games and passing dad as he was riding his bike there. Even today he takes nightly bike rides with his dog, Max.

My dad was always serving others. Each year for Christmas he would have some plan to help a family. He made sure to teach us the true meaning of the holiday. He continues to serve others. He has always been a faithful home teacher. I was grateful growing up for his father's blessings and his love for the scriptures and gospel.

Still, as an adult, my dad is one of my greatest friends. He calls me on the phone nearly everyday to see how I am doing and inquire about the grandkids he loves so much. He loves to play and wrestle with them, go to their games, take them for walks, and let them know how much he cares. He is always there for me. I am so grateful for the life he gave me and for the wonderful person he is. Thanks dad for being you because I think you're pretty fantastic. I just ask for one little favor......can you live for another 60 years?!

Chidesters in The House..........and in the trailer!

Lee, Molly, Cade, Campbell, and Jack
The girls.....playing in the trailer!
on the way to the park......
Hey, do you want to be my boyfriend?
Jack and Owen...the little guys
Molly, Lee and the kids left Portland Friday morning and arrived safely in Boise around 7. We grilled hot dogs and played in the yard. We even lit the fire-pit and roasted strawberry marshmallows that night. All our kids are the same age and play so well together. Molly insisted they sleep in the trailer. Robert and I assured them that although they are rowdy (totally kidding), we really will let them stay inside. They refused, and I think their kids loved it! They played in the trailer all weekend long.



Molly's brother Andrew was married in the Boise temple Sat. He married my good friend, Cari's sister Hillary. Boy is it a small world. The reception was at Two Rivers in Eagle and was beautiful. It was so fun to see all of Molly's family and Cari and hers too!



The Chidesters had to leave Sunday. We were so sad to seem them go. We had the best time. Molly has always been one of my "coolest" friends by far, and she married an even "cooler" guy and had the most "super cool" kids. Our current goal is to re-locate them to Boise, so if anyone knows of a job in the Landscaping business, please let us know!



Chidesters, thanks for staying with us and for the rip, roaring party weekend! We miss you guys already!

Mom...you're the tooth fairy aren't you?!

Pay-Mom, you're the tooth fairy aren't you?

Me-Heavens no I am not the tooth fairy. Do I look like a fairy?

Pay- (laughing) No!

Tooth fairies are magical and sparkly. They are tiny and light and fly in unexpectedly. They sneak your tooth out from under you so gracefully, you can never feel it. They magically place money beneath your dreaming head. Am I the tooth fairy?......Absolutely not!

Payton was so excited to lose her front tooth. Robert tied string around it and pulled it right out. He had never pulled a tooth before. I think he was more nervous than she was. Pay was sure to keep her hand under her pillow as long as she could in attempts to "catch the tooth fairy!" She woke me up three times that night.

1. "The tooth fairy came!"

2. "I think I heard her open the door, mom!"

3. "I couldn't catch her because I ended up on the other side of my bed!"

All very exciting things, Payton!

Love,

Mom (a.k.a...just your mom...not the tooth fairy!)

My first official tag.....

Thanks Angie B. for tagging me! Because I get the biggest kick out of reading your tags...I will do this for you! Don't count on mine to be funny and creative!

A- Four places I visit over and over
1. Wal-mart
2. Costco
3. the streets around my neighborhood (running)
4. Payton's school

B- Four people who email me the most
1. Danette
2. Karrie Jo
3. Angie B
4. Molly

C-Four of my favorite foods
1. pasta
2. steak
3. salads
4. anything sweet (bring on the candy!)

D-Four places I would rather be right now
1. Virgin Islands
2. Girl's weekend
3. Baumgartners
4. Visiting family and friends

E-Four movies I would watch over and over
1. Hairspray (watched this over and over with Avery the last few days)
2. Born Ultimatum
3. 50 First Dates
4. Ghost Rider (totally kidding...this movie...wow!)

F-Four bands/Groups I love listening to
1. Coldplay
2. Five for Fighting
3. Indigo Girls
4. Jack Johnson

G- Four people I am tagging
1. Danette
2. Molly (you've been doubled, now you have to do it!)
3. Cari ( you need an update on that blog girl! :)
4. Suzanne

The Sound of Music...and Emily...the best nun ever!

There she is...still in character! Emily..your voice is amazing. Your play was so fun. We couldn't have been prouder of you!Pre-play dinner at P.F Changs...yummy!
Logan ladies....always having fun!
Robert and I stopped to see Trish on the way home!
Trish....thanks for the waffles!Aren't her kids so dang cute?! Her yard was amazing too!

The weekend was fun filled (at least for me! Robert was a champ though and hung with the ladies. He was always there.... to pay for my meals and snap lots of photos! :). It was so great to spend it with dear friends and visit our dear friends who we don't get to see nearly as much as we would like. I feel so blessed to have such wonderful people in my life. Love you guys!

More Utah Weekend Pics.....

Here's Angie B. with the two most important men in her life, Zac and Jake!
Me and Mal!

Brent and Kim....our running partners!

Molly.....you're awesome....she ran that race the fastest out of all of us!
Here's my man...wrapping his legs after the race. These are new, cold wraps that are basically a fancy way of applying Icy Hot! Thanks for running with me and pulling me across the finish line...hand in hand. I love you, babe!

Ogden's Half Marathon.........

Last year...we were innocent bystanders giving high fives and cheering on the runners!
I had to come to root for my soul sister, Mal!
Here's Mal, Curt, Wendy and Drew......our inspirations!
Payton did catch the running bug and ran her fastest in the Kid's k!
This year.......we did it!

We had such a fun weekend in Ogden. Molly flew in from Portland to come with us. Brent and Kim road with us too. The five hour drive went quickly! We met Angie B. and Mal and her family in Ogden. We all caught the bus together at 4:50 a.m. on Saturday! We were dropped off in the canyon. We were all nerves and excitment until the gun went off! The run was amazing. The weather was perfect and the scenery was picturesque. The downhill course made us fast and the race go by quickly. Everyone ran well, and I think we all agreed to make running Ogden's half marathon a tradition every year!