Happy Anniversary!

Mom and Dad, Happy Anniversary! We are thinking of you today. I hope you remember that it is your anniversary. Wasn't it 43 years ago that you began the "journey?" I am glad that you did. I couldn't ask for better parents. I love you. --Candis

Happy Belated Birthday Xavier

I'm sorry this is so late. I really did mean to do it on X's birthday, but here we go...

Happy Birthday X! You are such a cute little guy and you are growing up so fast. My favorite memory of you is when you were around a year old and you seemed so little, but you were a super tough kid. You were just like a little ball of muscle and energy. I loved your bleach blond hair, and how your mom dressed you like a little teenager. I used to love it when you and Anna would come play at my house. We miss you and love you. Hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Idaho Update

So far, I'm the only one in our family to get the ball on the tee.  Twice.  We are doing good, Carson has a dominant team in basketball, Damon just started, I'm not sure how strong his team is, Whitney is doing very well at the point guard position on the JV team.  I give her plenty of advice about the similarities between football and basketball and how she should apply them in her game.  She listens.  Damon is playing in two leagues, one of which is co-ed.  It's fun to watch him adjust his collisions depending on the gender of the person he is about to foul.  Carson is a playa.  He is also in a co-ed league, but he likes to win irregardless of the gender of the kids he is playing against.  He is really quick and dribbles well.  They all shoot really well, but like I told Whitney, in church ball, if you're not shooting 30-35 times/game (sometimes per half) and finishing with 4 fouls, you didn't try very hard.  She listens.  It's probably a really good thing that she doesn't actually apply all of my priceless advice.  Daisy is involved in a kind of pre-school/story time 1 day a week and soaks it in.  When the story is being read, Daisy moves in to within 1'-2' of the lady that is reading the story.  Shawnee has asked her to move back to where the rest of the kids are, Daisy isn't like Whitney.  She doesn't really listen to us very much.  She has a personality a lot like her mom.  Everybody loves her and she knows it.  Shawnee is looking great for a recently turned 27 year old mom of 4.  We enjoy watching our kids.  I hope all is well with everyone.

Happy Birthday, Whitney!

The BIG 16! Uh-oh. Did your Dad get a new gun for Christmas? Just in time. I hope you have a great day. We are thinking about you. Did you have a big date lined up? I guess your Dad and Mom will make sure that only good guys take you out, right? I love you and hope that your day was grrrrrreat!

Dad, did it again. I tried and tried, but couldn't do it. Tonight he did it again so I took this picture.

Happy Birthday, Shawnee!

Shawnee, I love you and love thinking of the many memories I have with you. One that comes to mind, that others may remember....We were in Sandy Valley at a family gathering of some sort (we had so many more back in those days) and you and I decided to have a race. We started running and there was a big mud puddle that we ran through. I got through it somehow, but you slipped and slid through it on one leg, fell down, and bounced back up then beat me to the end line. I remember laughing so hard. That was a good day for me. I hope you have a great birthday and I am so glad that you are in our family. You have added so much to the family and have been an example to me. Thank you for all that you have done for me. Love ya!

An Idea!

I just thought of an idea--Whenever it is someone's birthday or anniversary, we should use the blog to send a message to that person or persons. What do you think? I'll start with Shawnee, since today is her birthday. Maybe you could leave a favorite memory that you have about that person or with that person. It could either be a comment, or just make a new post.