For Our Anniversary...

This year we had lots of plans of what we wanted to do for our anniversary. But then Riley needed braces and my brother got married, so plans changed. Not that I'm dissappointed or anything.We still have some awesome plans. Here they are...

We got our fence finished...TA-DA!!

With a nice big gate on the one side

We got Cement poured in our rv pad and around the back to the deck and a mow strip.

But that's not all...

We're goin to Vegas baby!!! We are going to stay in Vegas for 4 days. We got a condo at a very nice and new resort that does not have a casino in it so that's a plus. It has three large pools and activities going on all the time.And did I mention we will be seeing this lady in concert? That's right Celine Dion live on stage. I am so excited!!

Another activity that we're excited about is we will be going to the pawn shop of pawn stars. If we get in, you bet I will be trying my hardest to get a picture with Chum. I love that guy. I love this show.

I also gave Chad a picture frame with the toast that was given at our wedding by my sister in laws framed inside. It was a quote given by Gordon B. Hinckley about how life is like an old time rail journey and how we need to enjoy the ride and thank the Lord for letting us have the ride. I am thankful everyday I have with Chad and my kids. So thanks for the ride.

Happy 10 Year Anniversary Honey

"Find a guy who calls you beautiful instead of hot. Who calls you back when you hang up on him. Who will lie under the stars and listen to your heartbeat. Or will stay awake just to watch you sleep.Wait for the boy who kisses your forehead, who wants to show you off to the world when you are in your sweats, who holds your hand in front of his friends, who thinks you're just as pretty without makeup on. One who is constantly reminding you of how much he cares and how lucky he is to have YOU...The one who turns to his friends and says, that's her..."

I saw this quote at my brother's wedding and as I was reading it, I thought, wow I've done pretty good for myself. Chad is all these things and more. He is so attentive to me and my needs and he gives his all to me. To say that I've been blessed to have him as my husband would be an understatement. He is one of a kind and to have him as mine makes me feel like the luckiest girl in the world.

Chad,
I can't believe it's been 10 years already. It's flown by. We've had our ups and downs haven't we? But I'm sure the ups have far outnumbered the downs. You have made me so happy these past 10 years Honey and I fall in love with you more and more each day. You have given me four of the most beautiful kiddos. We have a beautiful house. We have a beautiful life.Marrying you has been the best decision I have ever made. I'm so glad that 11 years ago, when I first saw you and talked to you, I followed my gut and chased you until you noticed me and then you did the chasing. Ten years is great and all, but I plan on celebrating bigger numbers then that...I'm talking 60's or 70's Honey. So here's to ten years of happiness, laughter and falling for eachother and to 50 or 60 more years of the same. I love you Honey. Forever and always.

Ali

Here's to more moments like this...
Here's a little song/poem for you to enjoy, just because I can...

I don't want anything that I can't hold.
Don't give me money please, cause all my pockets have holes.
And I don't need no fancy car, I don't even drive.
All I need is oxygen and you just to keep me alive.

I want someone to hold and to love and grow old with and be together two by two.
We can dance and we'll sing yeah we'll do anything that we ever really wanted to,
oh I want you.

Don't need no fancy ring, to sparkle and shine.
As long as the sun comes up everyday hey we're gonna be fine.
And if I had a private jet to fly me places that I've never been.
I'd rather take the old Honda, you and me we could go for a spin.

I want someone to hold and to love and grow old with and be together two by two.
We can dance and we'll sing yeah we'll do anything that we ever really wanted to,
oh I want you.

So if you let me stay just the way that I am..
I will be your wonder woman and you will be my superman.

I want someone to hold and to love and grow old with and be together two by two.
We can dance and we'll sing, yeah we'll do anything that we ever really wanted to ...
Oh I want you!!

Happy Father's Day Big Daddy

I did not do very good at getting pictures of Chad and the kiddos this year for Father's Day. We had a very busy day. But we did give him a new big sport umbrella (much needed) and a card. The kids and I are so blessed to have Chad. He is a great Daddy. I have never seen another Dad be so selfless with his time and attention. He gives his all with these kids and I know that they appreciate it. I love you Chad and I am so lucky to be your wife and have you be the father of my children. I wish I was more like you and less selfish with my time. You are a great example to me and I hope to one day become more like the parent that you are. I love you. Happy Father's Day!!

Big Daddy and his card from the kiddos

We also gave him and root beer and a bag of popcorn and a tag on it that said, pop pop, fizz fizz, what a great pops you is!!

King's Kickin' Summer!!

It's that time of year again!! SUMMER! Yeah. Every summer Tyler and Kelly and their family come out for a week or two and we get to play for a week straight. This year was no different. We had so much fun. We went fishing, had a BBQ, had a sleep over, Had a missionary farewell,went to Lagoon, golfed and had all sorts of fun.We love this time we have to spend with family. We love when the cousins see each other after a year and don't even bother saying "hi" to each other, they just jump right into playing like they never left. We love this time of year when we can all get together but we do really wish that Tyler and Kelly lived closer so that we could do fun things together all year long.Here are some pictures of our fun.

The sleepover...We had all the little girls over at our house and they had so much fun.

Paityn is a Grandpa's girl. She has to have his undivided attention.

Chad and Kiley after her farewell on Sunday.

Kiley and my kiddos

All of these kids are going to look so different when Kiley gets back.

Trevor wanted to go fishing, so that's what we did. He was so excited.

Paityn was trying to grab some fish. She's a little daredevil that one.

Grandma and Grandpa and all the grand kids after fishing

Chad and I golfing. I have a love hate relationship with golf. I love hitting the ball far (when I get a good hit on it) but I lose strokes when it comes to putting. It seems it's either going good or bad, there's no in between with this game.

At the park feeding the ducks.

Pait and Trev playing in the sand at the park.

I am Officially a RAGNARD!!

That's right, I ran the Ragnar!! And I LOVED it!! I am going to do it again and again. I had so much fun.The name of our team was "Love The Run You're With" and we were dressed like hippies. We started out in Logan with a start time of 11:00 am. We got the truck decorated and purchased some ragnar gear and we were on our way. We were van 1 so we had the first 6 legs then a break for 6 legs and then we were back on again two more times like that. I was runner number 5, which wasn't a bad draw either. I had my hardest leg first which was avon pass, 7 point something miles uphill in the dead middle of the day. Then I had a 4 mile run at 11:30 ish and the a 3 mile run at 11:00 in the morning. I was happy with my runs except for my last one I had to walk up my hill. But what was I to expect with running all day and being out in the sun all day, not eating good and no sleep? I had so much fun though. We cheered for total strangers. I made some awesome friendships. Stayed up all night singing in the back of a truck and laughed my head off. So you can bet I will be out on the trail at next years ragnar.

My ragnar medal.It's my favorite so far.

TA-DA!!! My favorite and most coveted prize from Ragnar, the car sticker. I drive with pride now knowing that bad boy is on the back of my car.

The front of our truck...all peaced out.

This just doesn't do it justice...the truck looked AWESOME!!

Allison, Angie and I enjoying some sun before our runs.

At one of the exchanges a guy was painting the ragnar symbol on people's legs. Of course Al and I had to do it.

Me, Allison and Lisa getting ready for the next stretch of running for our truck.

Middle of the night, head lamps on, reflective vests on, cowbell ringin, singin I Like Big Butts.What could be better?

The sunset.

Me right before my night run at 11:30. This leg was my best. It was dark and I love running in the dark anyways, but I was ALL BY MYSELF so I was scared and I was cookin.

Allison totally won for best bed head.

Ready for our last legs of running. We don't look too shabby for 3 hours of sleep.

Gone Too Soon

We never got to know you or see your eyes of blue
We never got to watch you play or start each day anew
We never got to hear your laugh or cuddle you when you cried
A part of everyone of us, left us when you died.

For now you are an Angel with a halo shining bright
A star up in the night sky keeping loved ones in your sight.
We will keep you in our hearts and thoughts, you will never be forgotten
You are a bud that never got to bloom,
you were a baby born too soon.

"Ethan Thunder Golightly was stillborn on June 9, 2011 at 11:44 pm. He was 6 inches long and weighed 2 ounces." This was the text that we received 1:16 am June 10 from Chad's sister Kim and brother in law Shad. Kim went in earlier that day for a routine appointment and found out that little Ethan's heart had stopped beating. The decision was made to deliver him that night. They were blessed with another baby boy if only to hold for a second in this life, but Ethan has touched all of our lives and we will miss him until we are reunited in Heaven.

Please Don't Ever Grow Up

Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up,

just stay this little.

Oh darling don't you ever grow up, don't you ever grow up, it could stay this simple.

I won't let nobody hurt you, won't let no one break your heart.

No one will desert you.

Just try to NEVER grow up!!

Party Like You're Nine!

Riley's birthday happened to fall on the very last day of school this year. Boy was she excited. When we were planning her party, we checked the weather and it said that it was supposed to be 75. What better way to celebrate a birthday, the last day of school and FINALLY a very warm day then water games? So that's what we planned. As the week went on though, the temperature for Friday went down, down, down. We were prayin' for good weather, or at least just sunny. So when Friday came and it wasn't raining, I was happy. So on went the games. We filled the swimming pool with water and sponges for a sponge race. We filled 100 water balloons and we made 24 cupcakes. The party came, the temperature rose, and the party was on!! Riley invited 18 girls and 18 girls showed up. It was CRAZY!! We had every kind of junk food imaginable and the girls were loving it. The party went down without a hitch and there might have been a MAJOR water fight started by me, that I won. It was a blast. Just look at these pictures and see for yourself.

All eighteen girls on the trampoline

Sponge races from the pool to the buckets

Riley enjoying the festivities and trying not to get too wet

The crew after drying off and opening presents

Later that night with all her spoils. Riley got so much cute stuff.

Make a wish

These are the morning of her birthday. I made her a candy gram poster with a birthday poem on it. The poem said: Dear Riley, you have been such an "almond joy" these last 9 years. It's "up to you" how your life will go. We hope that you will still be a "nerd rope" and keep making us "snickers". We hope you have an "extra" great B-day! We love you! Love all of us. Mom, Dad, Cami, Trev and Pait

Her presents from us and her brother and sisters

Her BIG present. A Trampoline. Since we are finishing our yard and putting in the rest of the fence, I really wanted a trampoline and so that's what we got.

Daddy and Riley. Chad made waffles for breakfast for Riley before he left for work. That's his favorite thing to do for all of us and he's good at it.

Riley also got a new bike and it was about time. She outgrew her other one about 6 months ago.