Temple Stop

Every year Doug's work pays for the workers and their families to go to the local water park Splashdown. This past weekend was the appointed time and the weather couldn't have been better. Maybe it was too good. As we drove by on the freeway to the exit we could see huge groups of people waiting for the slides and at the pools. We did a drive by and decided instead to visit the Spokane temple for a bit before going back. Benjamin and Christopher have been to see temples before and they both ask when we are going to visit one again. So this was the day for the visit. Very hot, but a nice peaceful break from the world.

Of course Chris has to do a silly pose

Daddy, Ben, and Evan relaxing at park across from the temple

Lexie and her model pose

Ten Years

With a cute face like this how could I help but fall for my husband? Actually we never met when we were in the cute stage of life, instead we met in the awkward geeky teenage years. With me and my huge plastic glasses and him with teenage acne we were destined to become friends if for no other reason than we would at least have one friend. I know you all remember how horrible the teenage years are with clicks and all in school. I was 13 and he 14 when his mother married a man in my ward and they moved into the area. At this time my dad was the teachers quorum advisor and it came in handy to get to meet this new boy in town. Sadly his mother's marriage did not last, but that was good news for me. With only one car and his mom working hard to raise 6 kids Doug needed lots of rides to church and school actives. Who better to call than his church leader. Thus began our friendship.

It wasn't until I was 16 that I decided I maybe liked him. Okay I admit I had a huge crush on him. Who wouldn't he was so nice to everyone and always the gentleman. I asked him to the Sadies Hawkins dance and he became my first date.
We never really dated back in high school more like friends hanging out, although I admit I would have liked more. I went to college and he went on a mission to Korea. We wrote as often as time would allow and remained friends. Then he came home and we met again. Wow baby what a hottie!


The rest as they say is history. We started dating off and on that April and then became a couple. He proposed on Valentines Day by hiding the ring in a rose and had me play he loves me he loves me not. We were married 5 months later and now it is ten years later. We have added 4 children to our happy home and I still think he is the best looking man out there. Sorry ladies, but I have to disagree if you feel yours is the best looking man. I know I may be biased and all, but it's true still the same.

Livin' the sweet life

Talk about taking advantage of being daddy's little girl. Kickin' back and being fed chocolate truffles! Man all she needs now is a good soap opera on and she'd be living many an woman's dream life.

Evan turns four

Happy birthday Evan! Today is Evan's birthday. I can't believe how time flies. It seems like just yesterday he was waking me up in the middle of the night for something. Oh wait, he did. At least this time was a quick fix of going to the bathroom instead of a midnight feeding. He drives me nuts most of the time but I love him anyway.

We celebrated last Sunday because family was in town. We had a barbecue and of course cake and ice cream. The cake was made to look like him and he chose chocolate chip mint ice cream. Yum!

The dinner

The cake

First present: Dora Saves the Ice Princess for the Wii - everything else pales in comparison

Dora was from Paige

Stripper in the family?

Alexis was done with her costume and the whole parade thing early on. She decided to take actions into her own hands and rid herself of the offending costume.

Disclaimer: This is not disney rated!

Forgiveness?

Tomorrow I teach at church. Ironically the lesson is on forgiveness. At first I thought it ironic because I have had to do a lot of soul searching and forgiving of myself and others this past year, but no that is not the ironic part. The truly ironic part is that I still have so far to go in the forgiveness category. We've been having problems with our neighbor's dogs coming on our land and leaving messes and destroying things. Last night was a new last straw. A dog pooped on our lawn which Doug stepped in (those shoes are now in the garbage thankfully they were already destined for it) and tore up our swimming pool cover. GRRRRRR! Back to the drawing board as they say. I guess I need this lesson as much as or more than others.

More family pictures

The grandkids - Yes it was a struggle to take the picture

Brother Ryan with his family

My family

My sister Lilly and her family



My brother Jason and his family