Happy Mothers Day Mom!

One of the greatest and most emotional moments of my life was the birth of my first son, Chase. I can remember immediately feeling this overwhelming surge of love that I had for this beautiful newborn baby. I remember the very first call I made was to my mom. I knew that she knew what I was feeling at that exact moment. Not much was said, verbally, during that phone call, but I realized at that moment how much she loved me.

As a fairly new mom (Chase is now 4, Nolan is 2) I am constantly reminded of how much she did for our family. She raised 6 children...enough said! I do not remember a sporting event that she did not attend, a recital that she did not help us prepare for, or a school project that didn't have her expert touch!

Some of the most memorable moments of my childhood include my birthday and Christmas time. My mom had a way of making those days feel magical. I loved waking up on my birthday and feeling like everyone knew it was my birthday, that is how special my mom made me feel that day. Thank you mom!

The most important thing my mom gave to me was a little piece of her testimony of the Savior, Jesus Christ. I knew her strength as an individual and mom came because of her relationship with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. She taught us to look to Him in all things and this could be seen by the many sacred pictures of the Savior, Jesus Christ throughout our home. I knew I could turn to the Savior and feel His love and healing power in my life because of a mother who taught me the truth.

I love you mom with all of my heart!

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Here's my tribute to you mom. Until only recently have I fully understood the true importance the role of mother plays in a family and to children. I'm so grateful for the countless hours of love, council, patience, advice, punishment, nursing, cooking, cheering, cleaning, teaching, playing, helping and worrying that you have given me over the past 35 years.

I'm proud to call you my mom. You have always taught me to be the best I can. You are generous and kind. I thought it only appropriate to add pictures as I take a stroll down memory lane. (You know I can't resist adding some comedy as well!)

Really, who doesn't have a great picture of their mom growing up in the 60's?

I think we were getting real close to the 70's here and the hair was still as great as ever!

You always knew the greatest places to take me, and I know we always had fun. It's funny some of the memories you have growing up and some of the greatest times growing up were summer BBQ's, walking down to the snow cone place on summer nights, Saturday soccer games, Christmas mornings, birthday party's, camping at the beach, swimming in the pool, the river, and all the times you let my friends come over and make a total mess of the house.

You always knew how to make me the best dressed kid on the block! I mean seriously, could that jacket be more regal? I've decided to skip adding all the first day of school pictures, because I think there is a point where my bad taste would show through. Plus I don't think anyone wants to see me in short shorts!

Thank you for always being that shoulder to rest on.

You have always been a good sport!

I really don't know why I love this picture so much...Every single time I see it I laugh. It was just such a trendy moment in time. I like to call it the Oprah era.

Through great times and tough times, I'm so thankful that you were my MOM first and my Friend second. I appreciate all that you've gone through in your life to make my life better.

Now in 2008 I still look forward to the weekly calls to give you updates about Chase and Nolan. I also don't know what I would do without all the gardening advice. Thank you for teaching me about the importance of family, the importance of being a dad and a good husband. I LOVE YOU MOM! Happy Mothers Day!

Oh The Drama

The greatest thing about having a blog is the ability to keep it as a family journal. I love documenting some activities, achievements, and mishaps of the boys, and seeing how they grow and develop. The other day I was working on the computer and I vaguely heard the boys playing/fighting in the other room. It went on for a couple of minutes and it progressively got louder and louder. I've actually got to the point where I've been able to tune it out pretty well. However, Jess decided that she had heard enough when Nolan let out a big scream and started crying even louder.

She went in and shouted "SH*# CHASE...WHAT ARE YOU DOING!" Well I ran in as quickly as possible. (mostly because I know when Jess uses profanity it must be serious) All I really saw was Nolan bleeding from the mouth, and Chase crying. So I grabbed Chase and took him into his room to see what had happened. Apparently Nolan wasn't listening to Chase and didn't want to line up the planes in the correct order. (One of Jess's traits of course) Anyway, Nolan was getting upset and decided to punch Chase. Chase with his lightning quick skills decided to push Nolan with the pillow, and pushed his front two teeth into his lip.

So after all the pandemonium subsided Chase stayed in his room to cool off in time out, and Nolan came out to tell his side of the story. (see video) The greatest part of the entire event (besides Jessica's potty mouth) was the fact that Nolan needed a Band-aid. He didn't want Jess to put it on him, he just wanted her to unwrap it so he could put it on himself because he's a "Big Boy!"

For all those out there who have kids...ENJOY! For those who don't...ENJOY!

Welcome Race Fans! Talladega 2008

Start your engines and get ready for the fastest, drunkest, most red-neck time you've ever had. I have to admit that Talladega was more than I expected. I liken it to anyone in California who has ever been to the Del Mar Fair on Rodeo night. You have never seen a crazier bunch of country folk around! The most notable moments were; The mullets, drunk toothless guys with no shirts, women getting beer poured on them, 70 year old women giving the finger to Dale Jr. fans, cans cans and more cans of Budweiser, and the $40 nascar shirts that you can buy at Walmart for $8. Other than that Chase and I had a great time. We went with Steve and Trent and got to the race about 45 minutes after it started. We walked around for a little while looking at all the exhibits and then a guy approached us and gave us a free ticket to get in. Chase and I went straight down to the track (See Video) and watched the cars for a while. He had a blast watching all the cars race by. His favorite car was the Office Depot car and it just so happened to be running in 25+ place. It's great watching the video and seeing all the cars go by and then Chase points out "His Racer"

"Better get out and work on the bank!"

Just a little inside joke between my sister Amy and myself. So one of the great benefits of living in a place receiving 50" of rain each year is our opportuity to grow all kinds of great things in our garden. It started out as a small project and has turned into MUCH more than originally anticipated. My original space started out being about 15'x20' with two tiers, but now has grown to be 15'x60'.

Chase and Nolan loved making the signs that are posted by each item. Nolan likes to water whenever he gets the opportunity, but it usually turns into a water fight where we are trying to get the hose away from him while he sprays Chase.

Chase likes to walk through the garden and count all the plants. He reminds me every day where each plant is and the name of each plant. I'm really excited for all the hard work to pay off and actually eat ANYTHING out of the garden.

The garden includes 50 strawberry plants, 18 raspberry bushes, 2 peach trees, 6 cucumber and tomato plants, 8 bell pepper plants, corn, green beans, peas, carrots, sunflowers, and wildflowers.

The Joys of the GHETTO "28's Baby"

As many people know, I have the great privilege of working in the GHETTO! When I say GHETTO, I mean GHETTO. Steve and I often refer to a small class of people who can't seem to break out of the GHETTO and make it in main stream society. This class has been labeled by Steve and me as the GHETTO RICH!

One of my most favorite things to do is collect pictures of these peoples cars. It's so great living the dream of the GHETTO RICH and just waiting for the day when I can drive up to Steve's house and pick him up in a car like this. ENJOY!

PS. For all you haters out there...They're 28's! After a short conversation with "AK"...(a nickname given to him by Steve because of the tattoo of an AK47 machine gun on his stomach which read Alabama under it) He told us that the car cost him over $50k. The wheels alone were $10k and the tires another $4k. Too bad the kid doesn't know that he could have bought 5 homes just down the street for the same price as he bought his car. Oh Well!!!

Pictures of the Boys

I have been a stranger to the blogging world...I apologize...Nolan is moving up in the world and will soon be in his "big boy" sports room. I wanted some fun pictures to put up in his room...here they are. Thank you Stephanie for being our wonderful photographer!