Happy Father's Day Dad!

We may all be a bunch of crazies but you know what they say... the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree!

Thanks for being such a great Dad, great Papa and great example!

We love you tons!

Blocks From Papa...

My Dad made us kids some of these blocks when we were growing up and recently made some for our kids. There are four different sizes and the kids love playing with them. I think it's pretty cool they have some just like we did growing up. The picture above is Maddy's latest creation. We haven't decided if we are going to paint or stain them yet. Thanks Dad we love them!

When I was taking the picture Maddy also wanted me to take a picture of him holding his new Ben 10 toys.

Lehi Rodeo...

On Friday my Dad took me to the Lehi Rodeo. I'm not a huge Rodeo fan but I haven't been to one since before I was married so it was actually pretty fun!

My sister Stacy and my Dad and her goofy husband Justin. She couldn't get him to take a serious picture. Doesn't she look so cute in her hat!?!

We did get rained on... for about an hour but it was still fun and we stuck it out.

The best part of a rodeo... bull riding! Check out that bull's eye... scary!

There was of course fun entertainment including the CRAZY clown Liesel, a little kids dance off and some super cool motocross jumping. That was probably my favorite part. The picture above is the best we could get. Here are two really short videos of the motocross...

This last one is just the very last jump which was a backflip...

A bunch of Stacy's family also went. It was nice to have a fun night out and get a break from the kids. Thanks Dad for taking me! Thanks Steve for staying home with the kids!

Music Monday: Rose Garden...

In honor of Father's Day yesterday, this one is for my Dad...

Lynn Anderson/Rose Garden...

Happy Father's Day Dad!

Happy Father's Day Dad! Thanks for being the best Dad(and Papa) ever. Thanks for always being a great example. I love you!

My Dad and I when I was 1 month old. May 1976.

Home for my Dad's Birthday...

Once a month my family rotates having dinner at one of our homes. This month it was my Moms turn and so she scheduled it near my Dad's birthday. So on Saturday we headed back home for some grub and my Dad's birthday. Five of the seven siblings(and families) were there and we had a great time.

Of course we always have lots of good food! We had a family favorite-barbecued turkey, homemade baked beans(that a long time family friend made), salad, potatoes and yummmmy(did I mention yummy) homemade scones with honey butter on them(they were always a favorite growing up and my mom couldn't cook them as fast as we were eating them.) For dessert we had our choice of(I sampled them all except the apple crisp-I'm not a big cooked apple anything fan) pies(cherry or banana cream), apple crisp and a blueberry dessert that I made. All were homemade by my sisters and I.

My sister Laney and the kids. The legos were a huge hit with the kids, however we didn't have so much fun keeping Avery and Jace from eating them. :( Maddy has bigger legos but this was his first time playing with the smaller ones. I've never seen anything keep his attention so long. Seriously for hours, I could hardly even get him to eat. Maddy also had tons of fun playing "Hide and Seek" with his cousin Dallin.

My brother-in-law Justin and my nephew Dallin. As you can see the big kids enjoyed them as well. :)

Isn't this the sweetest picture! My dad reading "Chee-Chee and Keeko" to Avery. He's had these books since we were growing up so it was really fun to see him read them to her.

Me and three of my sisters(we miss you Jen!) We missed you to Shawn! We had a great time hanging out and chatting(fun and humorous conversations as always) with everyone and eating lots of yummy food! Steve was even able to sneak in a nap(so not fair-I was the one that got no sleep the night before.) I did however snooze a bit on the way home.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Happy Birthday Dad! Today my dad turns 56. He is such an amazing person and Dad, I couldn't have asked for better! You can read more about the kind of person he is here. Love you Dad! Can't wait to see you tomorrow!

Hard Working Men...

Due to some recent events and Thanksgiving this week I've been thinking a lot about some of the things I'm very grateful for. Among the top of my list are the great men I've been blessed with to have in my life. I will start with my dad because without him I wouldn't be here. :) My dad has always been a very humble hardworking man. I have learned the value of hard work and integrity from him. He has always been a man of his word and a man of faith. My word has always been a big deal to me(I have a hard time even telling little white lies to surprise someone.) I think I must have picked up that quality from my dad. He has always lived within his means and has always been able to provide for our family of nine without ever paying a penny of interest on a credit card or auto loan(as far as I know anyway.) If there was anything he really wanted he would do side jobs until he saved enough money to buy it. Sometimes he would save for a really long time! :) He has always put the Lord first and has served in numerous church callings including being a Bishop. He is usually pretty quiet(unless you get him going with his jokes or something he is really interested in.) We are also a lot alike in this way. This past week I got a special delivery from my dad. He has spent countless hours making all of us a cedar chest. I think it is pretty safe for me to say that when it comes to wood working and his projects he is a perfectionist so I know he spent a lot of time on these. I love it! I also have to admit I'm the same way. If I'm going to commit to doing anything I go full out(again probably something I got from him.) Here are some pictures of my new favorite thing...

On the very bottom I found this little message that he left for me(he didn't mention it and left it to be found.)

Dad, I know I'm not very good at expressing my feelings and find it a little easier to do in writing so I just want to tell you thank you so much for this "Treasure", it will always hold a special place in my life. I especially want to thank you for being such an unwavering man of faith and having such devotion to your family. You have been the best example of integrity and unconditional love that I could have ever asked for!

I couldn't talk about the men in my life without talking about my husband. He is also such a hardworking man and is completely dedicated to our little family. He recently lost his job and instead of sitting around stressing out he was gone the next morning at 7am doing miscellaneous jobs to make money. I've known since I met him that he takes pride in his work(have you seen our vehicles, yard, garage, fish tank, etc.) and would do whatever it took to make ends meet. He has built up a pretty strong clientele that only want him to train them so they are following him wherever he goes. We are so grateful for them! He is one of the most productive people I know and is always busy doing something. He has always dealt with change really well, almost embracing it, which I admire! I'm the opposite, I fight change tooth and nail. He is also a very good communicator and people find it very easy to talk to him. He is a great motivator and puts up with me no matter how stubborn I'm being(I know, most of you can't believe I'm stubborn but it's true.) We are really optimistic about the future and think that his job change will be a blessing.

Steve, Again you already know I'm not good at expressing my feelings but I want to tell you how much I love you and what a strength you are to me. You are an amazing dad and husband! I am so grateful for all your hard work and everything you do for me and the kids!

I can't talk about blessings without mentioning my mom and siblings. They are truly my best friends! I am so grateful for my kids and am amazed every day at the joy they bring into my life. I am grateful for all our wonderful friends and the kind of people we associate with on a daily business. I am also extremely grateful to live in this country(as scary as it might be right now) and for the gospel and the knowledge of the plan of salvation. Last but certainly not least I'm very grateful for my Brother Jesus Christ and my Heavenly Father. I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving filled with lots of family and yummy food!