Happy Birthday Aunt Becky!

Aunt Becky - We hope your birthday was great! We just got our Internet hooked up - This poem is really, really late. We love you and can't wait to see you!


Here’s a tale of an in-law
Who’s easy to admire
If I said I didn’t like her
I’d truly be a liar.

From the first introduction
It was clear that she was great!
It wasn’t hard to see why
Ben wanted her for a mate.

Delightful, sweet, and so kind.
Happy she always appears.
Everywhere that she is found
Her smile shines from ear to ear!

Becky, I hope your birthday
Was a day with loads of fun
For you deserve the very best
In your land with lots of sun.

Happy Birthday Carla!

We had a hard time getting a connection until today. Sorry it's late!


Happy Birthday Carla!

Today is the birthday of someone who’s great
Her fam’ly would say that she’s really first rate.
And today is our chance to make sure she knows
That in our flower garden – she is our rose.

Elegant, classy, and sporty as heck.
Why! When biking with friends, she’ll risk her own neck.
She travels the country to see all her friends
Her efforts for them truly knows no ends!

When it comes to family, she’d do anything.
Nose kisses, bad nicknames, and even pull strings.
She puts up with us all – the best and the worst
When thinking of Carla, we remember, “You first!”

Carla – We love you. You’re truly a pearl
Deserving those treasures from out of this world.
And that’s what we pray for – that one day you’ll be
Blessed with all promised gifts – for all eternity!

Happy Father's Day to all Fathers!

Fathers do so much to protect, care for and provide for us. I am so grateful for the men in my life.

Garrett Has A Job!

Garrett got offered two jobs this week - actually within a half an hour of each other. The first was in the same town where Garrett was born and he accepted. It was the offer that we were hoping for because the insurance was so good. The second was in my parent's hometown.

We are really glad how things have worked out. The offer came Monday afternoon. Garrett did some paperwork on Tuesday and we got things rolling for getting a home. Today, we took all the boys and looked at homes. We made an offer this evening and we'll see what happens.

If you have any specific questions, email us or call us and we'll give you the details.

Happy Birthday Cousin Cael!

It was Friday morning - four years ago today.
We got a call from be - He had good news to say.
Becky had delivered - As always....full of joy.
They wanted us to know - they'd had a baby boy.

Cael had come to join them - but far away they were
So after hanging up - Garrett's lips began to curl.
"Let drive down to Pheonix and give them a surprise.
I couldn't wait to see them - the shocked look in their eyes.

And it WAS fun to go and walk in and say hi
We saw our darling Cael - And we didn't hear him cry.
His parents were so thrilled as well they should have been.
Cael's cuteness seems to grow in each picture we see!

Happy Birthday Cael - We love you and were so excited to see you this summer!

My Happy Boys

Jonathan asked Daddy to build him a big building, and Garrett did. Jonathan looks pretty excited! This is Gabe riding a horse and giving me his biggest smile.
This is Jacob with his fantastic grin!
And Jonathan with the latest sword of his creation!

Making Popcorn with Grandpa!

The boys love eating popcorn and Grandpa loves making it. Aunt Carla just gave Grandpa a new popcorn popper and here is it's first use!



We have now tasted the fruits of the machine and they were delicious!

Happy Birthday Uncle Shawn!

I remember the day I first met Shawn
More than six years back in time long gone.
Garrett invited me to dinner at his place.
And it was there I first saw Shawn’s kind face.

His father asked him to bless the food prepared in his home.
And that he did – adding words to make me feel quite welcome.
Since that time, he’s continued making me feel a part
Of his family. Yes, with Garrett’s clan, I had my start.

And in the years that followed, my love for him has grown.
He is a truly great man – one I’ll always be proud to have known.
He’s been so fun to watch grow up – And listen to his tales
Of all the fun things he has gone with all his friends and pals.

And Shawn certainly didn’t disappoint in his choice of mate
Carissa is a wonderful girl – As a “help meet” she’s first rate!
I couldn’t adore Shawn more if we were born of the same mother
I’m so glad I married Garrett and get to call dear Shawn “my brother”.

Yesterday, we went to Shawn's b-day party. It was a lot of fun. Here are the pictures from the party:

The kids getting into the food while they waited for the meat to get done!

The "BIG" kids playing with Shawn's remote controlled car.

Carissa made the most delicious b-day cupcakes - The kids are eying them w/naked desire!
Hanging out at the party!
A big thanks to Carissa for such a fantastic idea - Happy Birthday to Shawn! We love you!

Happy Anniversary to Us!

Five years ago today.
A “yes” we both did say.
Two promises were made.
A foundation was laid.

Today, I know so much more;
There’s so much more to adore.
Three great children are ours to share
Giving us joy beyond compare.

Garrett – I love you – You are the best!
In choosing a spouse – I have been blest!
Thank you for being my lover and friend
My greatest wish – May our “we” never end!

Happy (Belated) Birthday DAD!

My dad’s been busy the weekend that passed;
His free time for celebration went fast!
So my birthday poem time line fell behind
Perhaps looking a little bit unkind.

But stake conf’rence and girls camp have certainly helped me,
Distracting my dad from my belated birthday poetry.
While he’s gone, my rhyming mind I’ll jog
And add this birthday poem to my little blog.

On June First, my dad had his fifty-eighth birthday
And of this great man, there is so much to say!
His quirky laugh, strange idea of sportsmanship,
The way he stirs his ice water before taking a sip.

All those things endear you to your loved ones
- Even that old joke that “all but five are sons”.
We love the way your face gets red when you get mad.
You make it so easy to enjoy the word “Dad”.

Beyond the silly and funny we see
You’re truly a gift to our family.
You always make me feel that I can
Do all that God’s asked of me in His plan.

I was told once long ago in blessing on my head
That I should listen to my parents – everything they said.
And yet, you always tell me – “I’m sure you’ll do what’s right”
Your expression of confidence has been my guiding light.

That gift for me has been greatest by far
You couldn’t have done more if you’d bought me a car.
(Not that I’d turn down such a donation.
As your favorite child, I’d need no explanation!)

You’ve been the best example of always striving to do more,
Never seeing gospel living ever as a chore.
Dad, I love you! You’re the best – It’s true!
And the biggest of happy, happy birthdays to you!