Family Ties

This Weekend, Sam and I had the chance to go visit his family in Portland.

Here's Sam with some of his cousins.

His cousin Ben, who he was very close with growing up has graduated Medical school and is being promoted to Captain in the Air force. Most of these family members, Sam hasn't seen in about 10 years! It was so great for me to meet everyone and get to know them a little better. They were really a joy to be around. Thanks everybody for the great time and

Congratulations, Ben!!

After the big party, we drove over to the Portland Temple. This temple has special meaning to Sam, his dad actually did all the custom woodwork inside and outside the temple. When Sam was little, he remembers going inside before it was finished and seeing the projects his dad was working on. How amazing! These doors are on the outside and Sam's dad did all of them, there are several sets, Sam said he remembers his dad having to go back and do touch-ups on them a couple of times. His dad is amazingly talented and has done work on many churches.

This is a new feature with the collages that I'm trying to incorporate, because I always like to use plenty of pictures, it's nice to get more in a smaller amount of space. I'm still not sure how to stop the collage tool from duplicating some of the images... and if you want to see the pictures up close, you can click on each individual and it will zoom in..

Here's Sam's aunts (minus three that couldn't be there...BIG family) and his Uncle

So, I'm unhappy with the way the collages turned out, I haven't yet figured out how to make it so you can see each picture on them individually.... I'll keep working on understanding it, but in the meantime, I thought I'd put on at least some of the pictures in full size..

Miscellaneous Spring

Easter Sunday

We had our good friends, Andrea, Mckay and their girls over for Easter dinner, the kids had a ton of fun and it was a great time. Glad we did it!

Audrey loves to help out with baby (Princess) Rhyan. Friday's massive cousin-get-together easter-egg hunt!
Doing the eggs is always a favorite around our house, Sam does a plaid egg every year.. he's so talented.

Earlier this week was spring break so the kids and I accompanied Sam on business to Colorado. This is in Telluride, it was such a pretty little town. When we got there we noticed everyone standing outside looking toward this peak, we asked what was going on and everyone was waiting to see some Frenchman base jump and then ski the rest of the way down. Lucky timing! we got there just in time to see him.

Driving around Colorado we stopped at lots of fun little antique shops, rock and gemstone stores and tourist sites. The Police Depts. that Sam works with were so nice to the kids, giving them all kinds of souvenirs, coloring books and goodies..


I would be lying though if I didn't admit that swimming everyday wasn't the real highlight of the Kid's trip. They loved staying in all the hotels, and I think, (I hope) got their fill of swimming for at least a little while. One night, we popped popcorn in our room and watched a movie, Elle said, "this is great fun!" I think the kids had a great spring break and Easter

** Happy Birthday Mom **

My Mom, where to start? She is possibly the most giving person I've ever met or will meet. She has raised six kids and had a career, one that she didn't pursue until I (the youngest) was in High school... She was always able to keep our house immaculately clean and didn't require much help from her six kids. She has worked in the social working field for many years and has had a large variety of jobs, from counseling pregnant teenagers to helping families navigate a loved one's death through Hospice, she's always willing to help others. Her Family is her pride and joy and now her grandchildren are always on her mind and in her heart. We know if we leave the kids with her, they will for sure be safe, happy and well fed. Dinners at our house sometimes seem to turn into a buffet, Mom always likes to make sure there are plenty of options for everyone to enjoy. I remember being really little and driving in the car with Mom, and she was telling me how she loved everyone, everyone she'd ever met, even if they weren't nice. I remember being so amazed by that then and I'm still amazed at what a great example Mom is today. She's also been a great teacher for family loyalty, she's never interested in hearing anything about anyone of her family members, even far extended family members if it's not positve. I get my love of Christmas from my Mom, some people view the holidays as a stressful time, but not mom. She relishes every shopping trip, box of chocolates and wrapping all the presents. She's always so concerned that everyone is happy with their Christmas experience. I also remember being little and watching her get ready for the day, sometimes she used to sing, " I enjoy being a girl!" She's full of life and is extremely loyal and loving to her family and friends. She has been an amazing example to me and has made motherhood look more effortless than I ever knew. I'm so thankful for all the sacrifices she's made for my siblings and me.. I guess you never quite understand until you've got the job for yourself and have to manage kids, a household and all kinds of responsibilities. It's amazing Mom! I honestly don't know how you did it! Six of us!

You're awesome!

Mom continues to show us what's important to her by volunteering weekly in the Spokane Temple with Dad, and always keeping tabs on each of us. Thank you for being such a positive force Mom, you're my comfort and inspiration.

Happy Birthday!