Father's Day 2010

Today was Father's Day. It gave us reason to remember why we love the great man that is our Dad. This year each of the kids wrote their dad a note to tell him what they loved about him. Chad was thankful for all his Dad's support with scouts. They are currently making a canoe together to use at a 50 mile canoe trip this summer. Abby loves to do woodworking with her dad. She also loves to go out on the boat with him. Kaleb wants to be able to help his dad more with the animals and loves to boat with his dad too. The little girls said he was the best dad ever. Gotta love all the love! We made him some little "burgers" out of cupcakes and brownies. They were cute and yummy. We liked them best without all the frosting.
I love Brian for being such a good dad to my kids. He really does love them and wants the best for them. He is a good example in the gospel, and I appreciate him for upholding his priesthood in our home. Brian is also a good husband to me, and is always mindful of my needs.
I also want to remember my dad, who was a good friend and example to me. I always knew he loved me and wanted what was best for me. I send all my love heavenward to him, as he left me years ago to be my guardian from heaven. I love you Dad!

Kaleb's 10th birthday

We have had yet another birthday in our home. Kaleb turned the grand old age of 10 this year. As usual, his birthday fell on a day we were traveling. Every year I ask myself what I was thinking, having a baby in June, the month of all things traveling in our family. And the answer is always - you weren't ;) Poor Kaleb has had a birthday in Canada, Idaho Falls, and Helena, just to name a few. I have always tried really hard to make sure his birthday is a fun one, no matter where we are, but this year I failed - I am nominated for "not mom of the year". We drove all day the day before from Las Vegas, and got home at the great hour of 5am. So, I promised him he would have a better birthday if he could wait for Mom to recover from the weekend. I also had to work a few days, so three days late, we had a fun birthday with cake, and his dinner of choice. He asked for a fish cake, we had seen one like this in a magazine, and we had hawaiian haystacks for dinner. We had some friends over too, so that was fun too. Also, in keeping up my goal for this year, I have my little list of 10 reasons I love this boy soooo much.

1. Kaleb is always telling me thank you for things I do for him. I love this, as I feel appreciated once in a while.

2. Kaleb loves babies. It is so funny to see him volunteer or ask to hold a baby. He just loves to talk to and love on them.

3. Kaleb is a good example to his friends. He has some good friends that aren't members of the church, and he is good to remind them of things that aren't good to do, and helps them find things that are better options.

4. I love to talk to Kaleb - he uses these great big words that you wouldn't expect to hear from a kids, but he is fun to talk to, and be surprised.

5. Kaleb has an infectious laugh, and is fun to have fun with.

6. I love Kaleb, because he hasn't forgotten his sister Em, and still talks about her and remembers her birthday every year.

7. Kaleb always has an idea for something fun we can do as a family. He never runs out of fun ideas.

8. I love that Kaleb loves to read - it is so fun to hear all my kids having a discussion about some book they have all read.

9. Kaleb is great to read to his little sisters. They love it when he sits with them after school and reads their pile of books they have saved for him.

10. Kaleb is a great friend to me - he always asks how I am doing. I love that boy!

Hope you had a great birthday Kaleb!

My Beautiful Sister Got Married!

On June 12 my baby sis got married. She had a beautiful wedding and was a beautiful bride. We had an eventful trip to Las Vegas, as with every trip, there were many things forgotten. This included Rachel's dress for the wedding, which I had slaved for months over these little dresses, and almost would have rather not gone than not have that dress. My sweet friend Paula overnighted ( at least what you call overnight from Gillette to Las Vegas ) the dress, so that was one fire put out. Our animals decided to play escape artists while we were gone too, so after all our nice neighbors chased them back to their homes, our mule found a new home with someone he hasn't tried to escape from yet. Brian flew into Vegas from a work meeting, and the airport lost his luggage. Luckily, all were dressed and present for the wedding so what more can I ask? All in all, the wedding was wonderful, and I was so glad to see my sister so happy. We also welcome Brian (yes another one) into our family - remember for better or worse. Our family is alot to adjust to, when you come from a small family, but we are glad to have him. All in all, it all makes for great memories.

These were all the little dresses and Abby's skirt that were made for the wedding.

The Renaissance Dance

Our Stake hosted a Renaissance Dance, where the youth were shown how to dance the "old-fashioned" dances. There was a caller, all the girls had a dance card, and we danced dances like the Virginia Reel, and Scottish Polka. The youth practiced for months on Saturdays and Wednesday nights so that they could learn what to do. I was lucky as a YW leader to get to be a part of this fun night.
I originally thought that I wouldn't be able to attend, and it broke my heart that I wouldn't get to be there. I spent most of the week before helping my friend sew her dress, and the green eyed little monster drove me crazy with jealousy because I really wanted to go. Well, Brian decided that I was going, and in a hurculean effort, we sewed a dress in 5 hours, and went to the dance. He will be forever my hero, because in one day he sewed and danced for me. Brian is not a dancer, despite his wife trying to talk him into it. Well, I figured I would be watching from the seats, but Brian drug me out there and we danced all but 3 of the 12 dances. I loved every minute of it. Thank you Brian - I love you!

The Gillette 2nd ward girls and leaders that were there.

My friend Erin - I helped her with her dress.

Abby's 12th Birthday!

My Abby-girl turned 12 this year. If I didn't already have a 13 year old, I wouldn't think I was old enough to have a 12 year old. She is growing up to be a beautiful girl and I love her more everyday. I am excited that she gets to come to YW with me every week, and it is fun to see her blossom in class with the other YW. She is not the wall flower her mom was, and I love it. She recently had the whole class laughing at something, and surprised them all.

For her birthday we skipped school, went on a make-up buying spree (only a few things), and went out to a fun lunch. I loved having this time with Abby, while being with Mom is not just awful. We had a great time, and had great food. We ordered our favorite fried pickles and hamburgers. Then we came home and cut out a dress for Abby, as I am completely disgusted with most of the styles for girls these days. So trying to continue on with my goal for this year, here is 12 reasons that I love this girl!

1. Abby is my best helper, and rarely complains about anything that I ask her to do.

2. She is such a good sister to the little girls - they love it when she sits and reads to them.

3. Abby is a good friend - she loves to have her friends over, and can usually be found teaching them to cook, feed the animals, or anything else they are interested in.

4. Abby is very ambitious, and can be found doing her homework as soon as she gets home, so that she can get it done. I always laugh when she is doing "extra-credit" with her straight A's.

5. Abby still is willing to let me play with her hair - most of the time.

6. She has an infectious laugh that makes people want to laugh with her.

7. She is a good example to her friends and family.

8. Abby has a tender heart and is loving to any and all around her.

9. She is responsible, and I don't have to worry that she won't do what needs to be done. She does it all on her own.

10. She is beautiful inside and out.

11. She still thinks her Mom is fun.

12. I love Abby because it is hard to stop at 12 things to say about how wonderful she is.

I LOVE YOU, ABIGAIL!

Here are a few pictures I took with my phone on our "girls day out."

Brian

Well, as I can't seem to keep this up on a regular basis, I will try to get caught up all in one day. I have been thinking about things to blog, and I talk about it with my family, so much, that if I take a picture, I get asked, "You aren't going to blog this are you?" Brian is one who asks whenever I want a picture of him, and I literally have to chase him around the house to get a picture. But as he is one of my favorite people, I wanted to have a post just about him.

January was our 16th anniversary, and common as the bad weather is, we got snowed in for one day of our anniversary, but got to go on our second night. Brian took me to Deadwood, SD and we stayed in a suite with a hot tub in it. We didn't really go anywhere while we were there, as we arrived later at night in the dark. We did go to a restaurant dedicated to Harrison Ford and all of his movies. It was fun to see just how many of them we had seen - and the food was good too.

March brought on Brian's 37th birthday. We have decided that as we get older, we don't do alot for the big day anymore. But, we did have a little party for him and invited a few families over for cake and games. It was a fun time and I think that it was a great way to celebrate his birthday. Since I am trying to really pack in a few extra posts tonight (and being lazy) I am only going to post a few reasons I truly love this man.

1. Brian works really hard to take care of our family. He does many things for us that he doesn't really like, but knows it will be good for us.

2. I love that Brian can build things. He builds beautiful things that I enjoy having in my home. This is also a hate thing, as I don't get all his attention when he is deep into a project.

3. I appreciate that Brian gets heart and soul into his callings. It is all or nothing for him, and I know that others benefit from the hard work that he does.

4. Brian loves others, and is always mindful of those around him. He is considerate of the needs of others, and like me, tries to lessen their problems and make it better.

5. I could go on forever, but I love Brian because I know he would turn heaven and earth for me if there was something I truly wanted. He recently spent a whole day helping me sew a ball gown so that we could go to a dance. He truly is my prince.

I love you!