First Ride of the Year

Alex wanted to go with me on my first ride of the year. So we went around a block or two. It was about 40, but it was sweet! I hope to loose my winter weight and ride a 50 miler by the end of March. My goal is a century by summer.
Check your local paper for the obituaries :)

Valentines Day-Sugar Day

Family traditions are delicious. Maybe living it is living in Utah, but whenever there is a get-together....there is FOOD. Whether it is church, scouts, school, and even sports. Gotta have somethin' No wonder we all need a diet (speaking for myself of course).
We gather in Alpine for the Valentine's Day cookie decorating managerie. A time to stuff ourselves with pizza, then bring out the 48 dozen homemade heart cookies. It's a good thing there is only 26 of us, because otherwise we wouldn't have enough:)
We have a blast licking our fingers before and after touching everything that everyone else has done the same with and glue it to the icing on the cookie. It is the best. Keep in mind that we have to have something for every function of the night, so we have homemade oreo's, brownies, etc while we decorate the 48 dozen cookies. I love my mom and sisters, but simple math was never their strong suit.

Alison, Lisa's little babe is gathering in all of the noise while snugglin with grandpa.

Mis held out as long as she could, but she finally gave into all of us and laid done to relax her back.

POST SURGERY

She is not the same woman I married 14 years ago (2/10/95). I would list all of the medical procedures, but I don't know if there is enough memory on the internet....hahaha
Mis is doing well. Slowly, but Shirley. If anyone has a time machine, she would be very happy.
She is getting a little more active. Yesterday she drove in the van. ISN'T THAT GREAT!!!!
She moves gingerly, but mostly just lay on the bed. What a sweet deal!! Movies, TV, waited on 24/7, drugs, food, treats, no chores, pajamas all day, etc...etc....
Well, the first day was fun. Now she wants the microwave version and wants the healing to speed up. She is very bored. Please call and/or stop by.....everyday. :)

Grandma Mis

Mis is going in for some shots in her spine tomorrow to relieve back pain. The pain has been going down her legs. She has been walking around like an old lady. She has tried my moms walker, but crutches seem a little easier. Some days are better than others. You know Mis (stubborn farmer), she of course had to help with the flooring. Again, I told her not to, but again...she didn't listen and it made her back even worse. She spent most of the day on the couch. Her sis came and helped her with everything today. Thank you Kris for everything you do!!!!!!
Mis goes to the surgeon next week to determine if surgery is the answer. Answers, that is the question.
Mis, I love you and hope for the best. Keep up your positive attitude and keep fighting like you always do. By the way, where is the iron?

Mis got what she wanted

She has been telling everyone not to worry about wiping their feet

or even worry about spilling their food

what about markers?

Can you believe this?

When Mis puts her mind to it, she does it.

She saved her very generous gifts from Christmas and Birthday and(Yes, Amanda, I did get her something for both occasions) she found some laminate flooring she wanted. I came home and found that the kids had a blast with permenant markers.
So, without further delay, we began the work.



It was a slow and painful process pulling up all of the linoleum and the sub-particle board-floor. It just chipped into pieces. We had a lot of great help, Kris and her kids came to play, Andy & Larry & Cayman, Curtis, the Lunds,and my brother in law Andy came with their kids. We were/are very gratefull for all of there blood, sweat and elbow grease. Andy was gracious enough to bungee his pants to prevent "plumbers crack". (Wish others did)



Then came the install of many cuts, fitting, smacking, swearing(Mis), and kneeling on the floor. We thank our friends for learning from their mistakes when we helped them install their floors. Too bad they weren't here to help. It is interesting they are not around when you need them :) Thanks again to family and friends, we got it all done on Monday.


We even added an extra cabinet for storage space.

The question we all have in our mind is how long this floor will last. Four boys, a farmer, and a banker. Mmmmmmm, we hope it lasts a very long time.
THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP!!!!!!

CHRISTMAS DAY

Hello everyone. Sorry for the delay in posting. I'm sure it is someone's fault, but it is Christmas. We went to Kris & Fraz's for Christmas Eve. Came home and got the kids to bed around around ten. Colton woke Mis up at 1:30(I had no clue) and then Mis woke us all up at four. We had a wonderful morning. Lots of presents and fun opening them.
Here are some pics:

SADNESS

Sadness is when you loose great neighbors & friends. The Hatch's & Dalley's have recently left us. Darn them. We were able to serve with them in church, have them over for treats, or our favorite-Sunday Circle. We are excited for their new adventures without us. The Christiansens have just left us too and there are many signs up around the neighborhood as well. Do we smell funny? Is it because my wife is from Idaho?
I have been honored, priveleged, and learned a lot from these families and I wish them the best. We love you!