Where In The World....

Rick's 60th birthday is coming up in three weeks on Father's day and since the kids can't be here, I decided to take him somewhere as a surprise. He knows that we are going somewhere but he doesn't know where!!! So I thought it would be fun to play, "Where in the world is Rick going for his 60th Birthday???" Every few days, I will give a few hints. If you want to guess, send it via the comments...Hope everyone makes a few guesses!!!

Hint #1 - He will be traveling by plane.

Hint #2 - It is by a large body of water.

Hint#3 - You don't need to use a passport.

Happy Birthday, Jason!

Today is Jason's birthday!!! As a mother, you look back at your children and their childhood and remember all the firsts: the first smile, the first tooth, the first time they walk, their first day at kindergarten, their first little league game and even their first date. I look at my oldest son and see all those firsts and then I see the firsts that he is also experiencing as a parent. I cherish seeing him walking with little Maddie in his arms, the gleam in his eye as he talks about his girls and their school accomplishments, and the way he looks at his young son when Kaiden is walking by his side. It has been a wonderful experience to see all that Jason has accomplished from those early moments and years of life to being a husband, a father and a responsible adult.

Jason, we cherish all those small but great firsts. You are a great son, husband and father and we are so proud of all you have accomplished so far in your life!

We love you!!! Dad and Mom

Jason's 1st Birthday

So adorable at two!!!

The big six year old!!!

Happy Birthday, Eric

Wow, my youngest turns 24 today! That's hard to believe!!! I remember watching him pedal his hotwheel with his two year old legs as fast as he could trying to catch up with his ten and eleven year old brothers, coloring his hair red with Kyle before a soccer game, marching in the Papillion Days Parade playing his trombone, trying out for show choir on a dare and getting in, and watching him knock out an opposing hockey player (I was so afraid he would get knocked out, never thought he would knock out someone else!!!). As he headed off to college it wasn't so hard, he was only 40 miles away and came home often to visit or do laundry but then came his mission. Wow, that was a hard time!!! He was grown up!!! After the mission he met his sweetheart, Joy, began his eternal journey with his lovely bride and soon will be a dad! He has grown into a thoughtful and caring adult with many wonderful attributes.

Eric....You have grown up....but you will always be my cute little boy....I love you!!! Have a Happy Birthday!!!

Eric's 1st Birthday

2nd Birthday-What a cutie!!!

Third Birthday....The adventures begin...

Ten Years old.....What ten year old doesn't love money!!!

Fun and Busy Week!

It was a fun and busy week! First, it was Mother's Day. It was fun talking to my kids. I love them so much and am so thankful for them. I cherish their phone calls, cards and messages. Thank you guys, you are great!!! Monday, we had fun watching Jason and Lacey's kids while they went out for their anniversary. It was alot of fun. They are so cute and delightful! Growing up way too fast! Wednesday night was working at the temple. Thursday, was Enrichment night. Friday was the last day for the seniors at the high school I work at. We had alot of prior students who are now seniors come to say goodbye to us. Wow, it's hard to believe that I have worked at Westside for five years! It was hard to say goodbye to some of these kids! Then last night, we topped it off with going to see "Wicked". All I can say is like Lacey said on her blog, "If you ever get a chance to go, do it." (Lacey, where were you all sitting! We didn't get a chance to see you! Way too many people.) It was fantastic! Made a great week the best!!!

Happy Anniversary to Jason and Lacey!

Today is Jason and Lacey's anniversary! It's hard to believe it has been nine years since we were at the Logan temple attending Jason and Lacey's wedding. It's been great watching them grow together as husband and wife and have such wonderful children!
We love you both and wish you a Happy Anniversary!!!

Mother's Day

Rick is such a great husband! Sometimes quietness is just too quiet so he decide to take us on a drive. We went to Indian Cave State Park! It was fun exploring an area of Nebraska that we had not been to yet. We did a long hike up tons of stairs to view an area where the Native Americans had drawn pictographs on the walls. We also walked around an old cemetary that is in the park. Sorry my pictures turned out dark. Evidentally, I had it on the wrong setting but I thought they were interesting though.

Up the stairs to see the pictographs!

The overlook to the Missouri River and valley!

The Missouri River

A Big Project and Rick!!!

The backyard project has began....(Eric, here are the before pics). The cement blocks were delivered this morning on our driveway. We had two young men come and help move them to the back yard (100 bricks at 30 lbs a piece). They are earning money for camp. Rick was going to move the bricks himself. He is so stubborn (as some of you know). Anyway, he is planning on doing the retaining wall himself. (I asked if I could help and all he wanted was a picture of me moving dirt!) I don't think he believes I would be of much help. But then again I don't think I would trust him sewing or quilting for me either. We will see how it goes....

Spring Break

I always enjoy spring break because I get time off from work but more than that I love it because we usually get to spend time with one or two of our kids and their families. This year we visited with Stephanie, Brett and boys and Eric and Joy with a trip in March to Utah and Idaho. Then this past week for Spring break, Matthew, Katie and their boys came to visit. We loved their visit and the chance to play with the twins. We had a great time on Saturday with them and Jason, Lacey and their family going to the zoo. The grandkids are all so cute! We love you all!

Pictures from the zoo....

Happy Birthday, Lacey

We want to wish our daughter-in-law, Lacey, a Happy Birthday today. We hope she has a great day. Thank you for being such a great wife to our son and giving us such wonderful grandkids.

Our March Trip

We had the wonderful opportunity to go out to Idaho and Utah via a small detour to Loveland, CO to see our kids, grandkids and other family! We had a great time! Thanks everyone for letting us visit! It was a quick trip (much too fast) and we wish we could have stayed a little longer. We love everyone so much and miss you alot!

In Loveland, CO we met Matthew and Katie for lunch. It was so fun to see them and Carter and Keegan. We loved holding and playing with them. They have grown so much since Thanksgiving and are so adorable. We can't wait until we get to spend a longer time with them!!!


Aren't they the cutest couple!!!

We had fun staying several nights with Eric and Joy and going to church with them, playing speed scrabble, having a great pot roast dinner and shopping. We also were able to attend Joy's graduation from The Hair Academy. Congratulations, Joy! Thanks guys for the fun time! We also enjoyed two nights at Faye's and visiting with family while there.

We stayed three days at Stephanie and Brett's. Noah and Cooper were so cute. Noah called Rick, "Papa" and wanted to know where he was whenever Rick left the room. Cooper has started trying to repeat what you say. He is so happy and grins all the time. We went up to Park City to see Aline (Rick's sister) and then went shopping at the Outlet Mall. Needless to say everyone knows Rick is not a shopper, so he entertained the boys by pushing them around outside in the stroller. We also went with Stephanie and the boys to the Draper Temple Open House. It was fun to see the picture of my Great-Great Grandfather and Grandmother Draper in the movie that they showed before the tour. What a beautiful temple! Thanks Stephanie and Brett for the enjoyable and great time!

Island Park, Idaho

Jackson Hole valley

My Mom

I've been thinking about my mother alot lately. She passed away three years ago today. She was indeed an elect woman. She bore alot of burdens throughout her life from the death of a three year old child, a husband, another son who passed away before her and raising a large family on almost nothing moneywise. But she never grumbled or lost her faith. Thinking about her has helped me keep going through many days and weeks. I have sometimes found myself upset at Heavenly Father for situations that I have no control over and then I think about my mom and remember seeing her kneel by her bed praying. Her faith never waivered through all her trials. I'm so grateful for her example and her faith. It is really a source of strength for me right now. Mom, I miss you and love you!

He's back!!!

Our favorite thing each year is the return of the red cardinals in our backyard. The brilliant red ones are the males. Both male and females return each year. We always wonder if it is the same ones (not too sure how many years birds live). But every year, they come back. It seems early this year. Makes me wonder is spring is around the corner!!!

Treasured Keepsakes

About two weeks after Christmas, we received a notice from the post office that we had a package there that they were going to send back if we didn't come pick it up. Evidently, the post office had tried to deliver it while we were gone for Christmas but didn't leave a notice. We went and picked it up and found a Christmas gift from Wally and Jeannie. It held treasured keepsakes-



These were a part of a collection of salt and pepper shakers that Rick's mom had collected. Wally and Jeannie decided to share the collection as Christmas presents. Rick was very surprised to recieve them. He remembers the collection sitting in his mom's china cabinet.

Happy Valentines Day

I saw this video tonight by Jeffrey R. Holland on Mormon Messages on You Tube. I think it is a great message for Valentines Day.

http://www.youtube.com/MormonMessages

Have a Happy Valentines Day!

Congratulations!

We have several congratulations to give to family members.


The first one goes to Lacey. She is graduating this week with her Masters of Education from WGU. It has taken a lot of hard work and determination to achieve this goal. What a great success and achievement!

Congratulations, Lacey!!!

Two events happened in December and I didn't get them wrote in our blog.

Joy passed her Cosmetology Boards in December and completed her hours this month. We are excited for her to be done and to have done so great on the boards. Her graduation will be in several months.

Congratulations, Joy!!!

Jason pinned on the rank of Captain in December. We are happy to see the advancements of our children in their lives.

Congratulations, Jason!!!