Happy Birthday Nevada!

That's right...Nevada is celebrating 150 years of statehood today!

Happy birthday Nevada!  You're looking good!

Our baby turns 27

Saturday was Chris' 27th birthday.  I swear I do not know where the time goes.   

His dog Shelby. 

Scott and Chris at Chris' wedding in January this year.

Her parent's, Bri, Chris, his parents...(that's us) 

Chris helping out at one of our BBQs.  

I'm so proud of this young man!  He's one amazing guy!

Independence Day

I hope everyone is enjoying their Independence Day.  It's been really hot here in Vegas for the last week so I didn't buy any fireworks or gather the troops (friends and family).  I've been watching pictures on Facebook posted by my friend Liz...they went to Utah (Bryce Canyon area) and wishing I was there enjoying cooler weather

Timm put out the word and we did some smoking for friends and co-workers.  

Eight briskets, 12 racks of ribs, 4 pork butts, chicken and sausage, along with several sides.   

These ABTs were ours and boy were they good.  Timm seasoned the cream cheese and stuffed the jalapeno with shrimp...yummy!

The aerial fireworks have been going for 2 hours now.   I gotta say, folks have spent a fortune on them around here.  Mother Nature even got her share in with a short storm with thunder and lightening.   

Prayers and love to friends Pam and Louie today...they lost their son, Kasey 4 years ago now tonight.  I'm thinking of you.  

Cassy went to the lake to swim this week

She really enjoyed it.  But I gotta say, the water level at the lake is sooooo low. 

Hopefully, they'll start releasing some water from Lake Powell soon.

Anyway, I wish America a very happy birthday.  I pray for our nation and it's people.  I'm thankful for our forefathers, they were wise beyond their time.  I'm thankful for all those who serve and protect. 

Happy birthday Scott!

Wishing my baby boy a happy 30th birthday!  

I don't know how you got to be 30 so fast...time flies when you're having fun I guess. 

So proud of him!  Love his wife too.  They have so much fun together. 

Just last week his project truck "Daisy" moved under her own power for the first time in 12 years.  He's been rebuilding his Suburban for the last year or so.  It was his high school graduation gift.

Wishing you all the best life has to offer, my dear!

Happy Birthday Timm

Wishing my hubby a great birthday!  We love to to pieces. 

  

Cassy turns 7

Our furry little girl, Cassy is 7 years old today.  She's such a huge part of our life that it's hard to imagine it without her.  

 She loves the get out and explore with us.  We got her a pair of Doggles last year that she doesn't mind wearing, as long as we're on the move.  

Of course, she relaxes at home. 

She loves to bark at and tries to destroy the sprinklers when they're running. 

 Loves the comforts of home like her toys....and the couches...and our bed.

Goes to barbecue contests with us, we even got her a bed of her own (which she seldom uses). 

She goes most places with us...definitely one of the family. 

Happy birthday Cassy!  We love you.

Our baby turns 26

Seriously, how did this happen?  I just don't know...hard to believe it happened right before my eyes.  I so wish I had baby pictures on my computer...but alas, only the last few years is all you get to see.  

Yeah, I know, it's not a great photo of either one of us.  Bit it's Christmas morning with no make up or hair yet. 

I'm so proud to say he's turned out to be an awesome young man!  I never had my doubts but I'm still amazed with this guy sometimes.  

He loves to camp, ride his ATV, shoot, and more.  He's also a great cook.

He'll hang out with me when no one else will.  He's cut, sanded, and painted more wood than he would care to mention.  He even painted windows with me during the holiday season.  He's an awesome welder, too.  

He's a war buff, super knowledgeable about firearms and can shoot like nobody's business.  This is a recent photo of him shooting a 535 yard shot...and he hit it several times.  

Last year, he and Bri got engaged while in Reno/Tahoe.  What a romantic guy he can be.  

Looks like a wedding this coming winter for these two.  

As a parent, you strive to raise your children to be the best people they can be.  You want them to be trustworthy, helpful, courteous, loyal, helpful, friendly, kind, obedient, thrifty, brave, clean and reverberant...oh wait, that's all the points of the Scout Law.  I'm so proud of my Eagle Scout. 

Here's wishing our baby boy...all 280 pounds. 6 foot 4 inches of him a very happy (although this post is late) birthday!  We love you pieces! 

Our Oldest Son Turns 29

People say time flies when you're having fun...that must be true because I sure don't know how this little boy became a young man, then a husband with a lovely and caring wife over night.

  

This is one of my favorite pictures of Scott.  It was taken when he was 16-17 years old while he was staffing at Camp Del Webb in Utah that summer.  He spent 2 summers on staff there teaching Scouts to climb and rappel.

He adopted Roxy (RockStar) shortly after college, she's still hanging with him along with 2 others dogs. 

Always an outdoor loving guy, he and Christy were married in Valley of Fire State Park, NV.

I'm so glad he enjoys spending time with us.  He traveled to Bentonville AR for the Sam's Club National BBQ Tour finals with us.  He has many of the same passions as his dad and I.

We're so proud of the man he has become.  

Happy birthday Scott!

Happy birthday Dad!

I'm wishing my Dad an awesome 79th birthday!  

He is such a great inspiration for so many people.  He refuses to sit by and do nothing.  Always busy...that's my dad, whether he's tinkering at home, working on his outdoor spaces, picking up goods for the food pantry at church, or helping out with barbecue.  I love that he enjoys what he does, whatever it may be.

He and mom are a perfect pair.  They just celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary on April 1...no kidding.  This summer they plan on traveling across America for Dad's 60th high school reunion back in upstate New York.  Like I said...always busy doing or planning something.

Happy birthday Dad!  We all love you!

The not so strong me...

It's been a rough couple of weeks for me around here.  I want to apologize right now for being so wimpy about things but sometimes it's just hard to be strong all the time.
My youngest son, Chris decided to move out with his fiance and rent a house together.  Yes, he needed to move on and start his life again but it all happened so quickly.  I'm not sure they were financially ready but again, I'm reminded that struggle builds character and we all start off with almost nothing.  Don't get me wrong, he needs to and has been ready to move for quite a while.  I am proud of him but it hurts to see him leave. Besides, I'm old fashioned...I not totally comfortable with them living together.  I fear the wedding plans which have barely started will come to a complete halt since they now have the final desired outcome.
I've been struggling with my weight...which is a never ending battle for all women...well 99% anyway.  Since Valentine's Day I've gained 9 pounds.  My hubby is so good to me and never says anything but I do a really good job of beating myself up in that department.  The cortisone shots in my knees have worn off so they are  pretty sore these days and the extra weight doesn't help.  The pain makes it pretty difficult to get out and walk and get some exercise.  Good news is only two more weeks before the next round of shots.  Pretty sad that I look forward to them but I do.  Funny to think that I was the one standing on the hospital bed 8 1/2 months pregnant (with Chris by the way) yelling at the nurse saying no one was touching me with an epidural needle until my hubby came out of the bathroom (he was putting his disposable gown on).  I must have been quite a sight.  I can laugh now and have an awesome young man I call my youngest son.
I think all of this has bothered me so badly since I entered my 5th decade this week.  I was really going to be the one that turning 50 didn't bother.  It's just a number.  I don't know what it is about these milestones in life that bother us so much.  Thirty was easy for me, even 40 wasn't so bad.  This one is really hard for me...but I know in a couple of weeks it won't be such a big deal.  But right now I'm feeling pretty wimpy.
I promise a more uplifting post next time around.  ;0)

Cassy turns 5!

Yup, our little girl is 5 years old today.  Seems like just yesterday we got her.  She's a perfect match for us...she loves to explore, ride ATVs, go to BBQ contests, camp, and more.  We couldn't ask for anything more.  Happy Birthday Cassy!

Happy Birthday Chris!!!

It's hard to believe my baby is 24 today...where does the time go. 

Seems like time flies in the blink of an eye. 

Chris just enjoyed a trip to Kolob Reservoir with friends.  His dog, Shelby went along.  They both had a great time fishing, kayaking, and hanging out with friends. 

Chris loves his truck.  He just put new tires on it...and he had to try them out to see what they could do on a recent trip to St. George. 

Chris is an awesome young man!  I love him to pieces.  Happy Birthday my dear!

Happy Birthday Scott

Happy birthday to my oldest boy, Scott!!!

He's 27 today...I seriously don't know where the time goes.  I wish you all life has to offer and that you take it by the reins and rid it for all it's worth.  I enjoy the time I spend with you and am greatful to have you as my child.  I am so proud of you.   Enjoy your day my dear...I love you!

Happy Birthday Chris!

Hugs, kisses, and best wishes to our youngest son, Chris!  Today is his 23rd birthday (I know, you wonder how I had a child when I was only 7...ROFL).  He is a fine young man that I am so proud of.  He enjoys riding his 4-wheeler, camping, shooting (he is quite the marksman), video games, and more.  He is an Eagle Scout and his goal is to become a police officer, and considering time in the military to progress towards his goal.  He and his dog Shelby make quite the pair.  Happy Birthday to my sweetie pie!  We love you!

Happy Birthday Cassy!

Our furry little girl turned 3 on Saturday. What joy she has brought into our lives. Cassy is just the sweetest dog, happy, and loving. She is mine during the day, but when daddy comes home...I am second fiddle to him. I think that is her favorite part of the day...really! They have a whole routine they have to follow. Playing with Dad is her favorite pastime.

Cassy loves to get out with us to camp and explore. She travels really well, thankfully. She's quite the favorite on DAT campouts. Riding the ATVs are her favorite, Timm even built her a little platform so she'd be more stable. Most of the time she rides with Timm, while I travel behind them...it works better that way, she likes to turn around and see me there. She needs some doggles though.

She likes to play in the creeks, streams and lakes...not a pool. Cassy also loves the snow, she likes to run along and push her shoulder into it and roll around in it...it's really cute to watch.

Our newest family portrait...since the kids moved out.

And here we ALL are. This was not an easy shot to get by the way.

Mom, Dad, Chris, Christy, Scott

Zoey (Happy B-Day, she turned 1 yesterday), Cassy, Shelby, and Roxy

(Christmas 2008)