This week we celebrate two very important birthdays. Riley's birthday will be April 26th and Erika's will be April 25th.

First, Riley. She is such a beautiful person inside and out. She loves sports of all kinds but is truly gifted in soccer. I can't believe where 13 years have gone. I still remember very well the day she was born. What a beautiful baby she was. Her smile lights up the room and our family is blessed to have her as part of it.

Erika is the love of Brady's life. She is an example of womanhood and motherhood. She has managed to keep up the home life, go to school and serve as the Young Women's president. Our family was truly blessed when she came into Brady's life. Craig and I can't wait to go see their family and celebrate Erika's graduation with her masters degree. Oh yes, we can't wait to also spoil Crew just a little. We don't get to do that as much as we would like. Our visit will also be memorable because we will be there for my birthday and for Mother's Day. Erika and I will get to choose where we go for Mother's Day dinner.

Craig and I were able to walk outside last night. Walking is so much more fun when we can do it together and not take turns on the treadmill. The time just speeds by. Our weather has been so beautiful but deep down I know it won't last for long. Our wind and cold spring temperatures will show up sometime. When we walk together I feel like we can solve anything. We help each other think through things, good and bad. However, walking outside uses different muscles than when we are on the treadmill. We can walk and end up pretty sore the next morning. Nonetheless, it is great being in the fresh air.

Our weather has been so mixed up lately. We have sunshine one day and rain the next and then a mixture of snow. My biggest news is that we think we have a buyer for my mom and dad's home. He has already seen it once and wants to come by again on Saturday and talk about an offer. Craig and I worked all last Saturday on the house. He even got the bathtub to shine and this week he will work on the grout. Hopefully we will be able to finish up the garage this weekend. I cannot express to you how much help Craig has been through all of this. He has made so many trips to DI and to the dump. It has also made Craig and I aware of how much we need to clean out as we get older. I truly do not want to leave all of the cleaning and junking to my kids.

My temple assignment as coordinator is coming to a close. Most of the others who began the same time I did have been released and replaced. My days are numbered. I have loved serving and being able to help in the up-start of the Rexburg temple. I will continue on serving as an ordinance worker but not the coordinator. The weekly late nights and schedule changes will be turned over to someone else. As with all callings, there is a sigh of relief but a tendency to hold on. It has been a truly growing experience and I have loved every minute of it. I have had the opportunity to sit in on training with the temple presidency on a regular basis. I have been able to get to know the brethren and sisters on a more intimate level. I truly have been blessed.

Next time we go to Utah, Mindi says she will teach me how to upload videos and pictures on my blog. Now I just have to remember to update it and keep it going.

Thanks for a great 28!!!!! Years

Today is my baby's birthday. Brady is 28 today. I never feel too old except when my children get older. Having Brady turn 28 makes me feel very old. I am so grateful for Brady. He is and was such a good kid to have around. He never seemed to mind being with dad and I. He would invite us to see him perform at assemblies and such. We always enjoyed having him and his friends at the house. I loved listening to him play the guitar and hanging out with all of us. He brings such a peaceful, calm presence wherever he is I am proud of his accomplishments thus far. First he started by choosing an amazing young lady, Erika. They are such a perfect match. Then came Crew and he just fits the family so well. Soon there will be Kennedy or Kendy for short. What an exciting time in their life. They have worked hard together to achieve their goals and we are very happy and proud of them. In May we will travel to Colorado for Erika's graduation and to play with my grandson. What a joy that will be. Brady, Erika and Crew-- we love you and wish you were closer to play with us, to have Crew play with his cousins, to let us babysit for you and to share in your good times. Happy Birthday!!

Next, let me say, that I wish I was closer to all my grandchildren and my kids. I wish I could take Reese to the park and let her swing. When I look at the pictures on Mindi's blog, I realize how sweet and cheerful Reese is. She is at such a fun age and I am missing out on it. But then, I remind myself, that I missed out on Jen's kids too.

I wish I could see more of Riley and Mycol's games. Jen called the other night to let us know of an amazing Futsol goal Riley had made. I text Riley to congratulate her and she text me right back. Sure wish I could have been there. Logan is growing up and I try hard not to embarrass him too much when we're around him. I must admit that I really do have wonderful and beautiful/handsome grandchildren. They must get that from their parents. And yes, they must get it from their parents (that would be dad and me). I am truly lucky and blessed.

We had a wonderful weekend listening to conference. I always feel renewed from the speakers and wisdom which we hear. Sunday night we tried the webcam with Brady and Erika. First the camera wouldn't work and Brady couldn't see us. Then we called him and the camera worked but he couldn't hear us. Boy it was frustrating. But, I got to see Crew and so it was wonderful. We will be going to Colorado in a month for Erika's graduation. We can hardly wait to see them. We will go in one car so we will get to play with Crew all the way to Alamossa. We will travel back to Colorado Spring for a coulple of days to see some sights and enjoy our time. Then it will be home to Rexburg. I am really excited to see them but I can only imagine how excited Erika must be to graduate. We are proud of them both for their perseverence and for haning in there for their degrees.

Today is an absolutely beautiful spring day. I am thinking Craig and I should be able to walk outside tonight. I don't know if the weather will last long but I intend to enjoy it while I can. When Craig and I walk outside we get more done because we can finish exercising earlier.

I talked with Joeleen this weekend. She continues to heal from her brain aneurysym. I am so thankful for her recovery. I am looking forward to this summer and getting together with everyone.

I must give credit where credit is due. I did the bare bones of this blog but Mindi did the designing and uploading of pictures. I hope to learn how to do all this the next time we are in Utah and have some time. The picture of Craig and I is in Maui, Hawaii. We went with Arnold and Mindi and had a wonderful time. Mindi's boss gave them a week at her vacation home and Mindi was good enough to invite us to come along. She knew Hawaii was the one place left that I really wanted to see. We had so much fun with them. It was a great time to get to know Arnold better.

Just so you all know, we refinanced our Rexburg home. We will be able to have it paid for in 41 months, a little more than three years, which is when we hope to retire. It was a good time for interest rates along with a good time financially for us. At least I know now that when we retire in three years, we will be close to having a paid for home. We will have to see what to do about the townhouse. We will need to have it sold by then or we will have to move into it. I'm not sure dad and I can live there just because it is so much smaller than our house. Dad would also have to have two garages. Only time will tell.

I must admit, I think I have the cutest family. I definitely have great kids and now the grandkids are even better. Craig and I feel so blessed by our children, more than we could ever express.

Reese's 6 month Photo's

Oue Granddaughter Reese just had her 6 month photo shoot.  Here are a few of her pictures.  

This is my feeble attempt to begin a blog. I won't have much to say but hope to keep it going like my children.