Tell your family you love them everyday!

Ron's best friend Mike Lee past away last night very suddenly. I received a call from a friend telling me that she had heard that Mike had died. I was having a hard time comprehending it. He was a little younger than us and in good physical shape. I was sure that she had gotten some bad information. It was about 10 pm, and I didn't know that I could call his wife, and my dear friend, at that point, what would I even say?
At 1:30 am my phone rang, I answered to crying on the other end. Then the simple words, Lydia, Mike's dead. I talked and cried with Lori for a while. He was playing church ball and his heart just stopped. They tried to do CPR, but they just couldn't revive him. How and why do things like this even happen?
He has a special needs daughter that is Toph's age, he also has twin 11 year old boys. He was such a great Dad and husband. A kinder and more compassionate person you will not meet.
As Ron and I have been trying to deal with this loss we have really realized that life is just too short. We don't have time for anger over silly things. We just need to love each other a little more. Make time for that which is important, and get rid of the fluff that has little meaning. Take time to serve others, don't judge, and just make sure that those you love know just how you feel. This was definitely our wake up call.

Happy "19" Kimmy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIMMY!!!

For Kimmy's birthday today she wanted to have a princess tea party. So we did. All of her friends dressed up in their prom dresses(happy to get to wear them again) and we had a fancy luncheon. We got out the china, had little sandwiches and everything. Of course all of the girls got a tiara. They had so much fun. We had a photographer come and take their pictures, then they went to the junction bowling in their dresses. I don't think girls ever out grow wanting to be a princess.
I have very mixed emotions today. I'm so excited that she is growing up and have so many fun adventures ahead of her. But I would also love to just have her be my little girl forever. She moves to New York for 6 months on Wednesday. I know this will be a great experience for her and she will have a wonderful time. Not to mention she will grow up and become independent. I will just miss her so very much. Thank heavens for skype. I love you Kimmy, Happy Birthday little sister!

HAPPY 8TH BIRTHDAY!!

My Zackery on December 17th turned 8!

He is such a fun little boy. He loves everything to do with nature. We love to go on hikes together and explore. He loves bugs and animals, he is always catching bugs and storing them in containers. He is very creative, you give him paper, glue, stickers, markers and he is going to make something wonderful. We are so happy he is part of our life!

Boating, one of our favorite family activities, he is a little fish.
Being creative, he carved his pumpkin all by himself this year.

Hike to Waterfall, he loved this adventure.

We gave him a skateboard for his birthday.

Here he is with his all of his pads and helmet. Cami told him the pads went over his pants, but he liked it better this way.

Zackery we love you very much!!!!!

EAGLE SCOUT

We are so proud of Toph!! He has worked very hard to achieve this great award. Over the past three years he has earned 26 merit badges, passed off several requirements and went to several camps, both in summer and the winter. There is no easy road on your way to Eagle, just a lot of hard work and determination. He is a great son and so fun to be around. He is a good example to all of us. We love you Toph, way to go!!!

People are watching you!

You never know what kind of effect you are having on someone. One of Kimmy's best friends was baptized today. She may have had the missionary lessons at our home, but all of the people she has know throughout her life have been a great example to her and prepared her to accept the Gospel. A forth grade teacher was there today, Sarah said that she had been a great example of love and support. Her dentist was there, some of her high school teachers were there, families of old boy friends, families of close girl friends, and an incredible group of friends, and many more, all examples in their own way. She was watching all of these people, we had about 120 people at the baptism, they were all a great example of how a Latter Day Saint should act. I for one am going to be a little better about how I represent myself so I can be that example to others. The church is true, we are so blessed to live in this dispensation of time. We have a living Prophet, the Book of Mormon and Temples all around us. I love this church but most of all I love my Savior whose church this is. Sarah I love you and I am very happy for the decision you have made today. Now you are the example to so many.

Great friends and great examples!
Sarah and the best missionaries ever!! We love them!

Fun Weekend With My Grandsons

Zack and Brayden were out of school for UEA this weekend and I begged Josh and Cami to let them come and spend time with us. We had so much fun. Thursday we went to Dinosaur Park, it was great all decorated for Halloween. Friday we went with some friends to Black Island Farm. First of all we got the best deal ever to get in and then it was such a fun place, the boys just loved it. Saturday we just went to the park and hung out around the house. Sunday everyone came home for a big breakfast and to watch conference. It was so nice to have everyone home. We ate and slept and enjoyed hearing from from our Prophet and the General Authorities. Thank you Cami and Josh for sharing the boys with us.

Fun with the girls

There is something about laughing and eating chocolate late at night with girlfriends that rejuvenates the soul. Thank you Book Club girls for a very fun night. for those of you who couldn't come, we really missed you.