School Shopping, Where????

We drove 2 hours to go to Missoula, Montana to do our school shopping today. This is the first time I have ever lived anywhere that does not have very good shopping. Helena has the essentials like Costco, Walmart, Target, Macy's but that is about it. We were all excited to see a mall, Old Navy and T.J. Maxx. We love the sales. Anyway, I can't believe it is that time year again already. Where does the time go?

This is a picture of the kids at the Missoula Mall once we were done with our shopping and getting ready for ice cream.

Father Son Baseball Trip...

Alan and Dale love baseball. In case you didn't read that first statement let me retype it...Alan and Dale LOVE BASEBALL!!! THEY ARE BASEBALL FANATICS! If they are not playing it then they are watching it, if they are not watching it they are listening to it on the radio and sometimes they are doing all three at the same time. They seriously can't get enough of it. It is a very neat bond that they have.

For Dale's birthday, which was in May, we bought him tickets to the Boston Red Sox game (his favorite team) in Seattle. He was also able to invite two friends from school. So in a 24-hour period Alan, Dale, Dale's two friends from school and Alan's friend plus his son drove 10 hours, toured Seattle on a bus for 2 hours before the game, shopped in the baseball store, watch the Red Sox beat the Mariners in a 13 inning game and then drive 2 hours to their hotel, and the next morning drive the rest of the way home. Sound crazy? They had a blast! Dale is hoping he gets that present again next year.

Vacationing with the Sallee's

For the past week we enjoyed fun in the sun! My parents rented a cabin near McCall where we enjoyed boating and fishing. The weather was absolutely perfect and we had a blast playing in the water and enjoying each others company. THANK-YOU MOM AND DAD!! Here is a glimpse of our cabin fun! :)

Summer Fun!

We went to Lagoon with family a couple of weeks ago and had a wonderful time! This is a video clip of Gracie riding the Sky Coaster with her Aunt Kristi and cousin Jay. I can't believe she did it as I thought she took after her mother and I would never try it. Anyway, we were very proud of her and she loved it and would do it again. I must note that her cousin, Jay, is only 5 years old and he loved it as well. He was singing the Superman theme song on the way down and if you watch closely you will see him waiving. What a cute little dare devil!! Thank-you Kristi for taking her.

A Whole Year Has Passed...

I can't believe it has been almost a whole year since I have updated this blog! I figured a year mark was a good place to pick it up again. So we will see how I do. I actually thought about just changing the date as the kids are in the same Spring activities that they were in last year!:O Anyway, we are doing well and I hope to keep you updated more often on what is happening as I love catching up with all my friends on their blogs.

I will post some pictures soon. I have actually forgotten how to do that and it is late so I will have to re-learn how to do this tomorrow.

Thanks for all your wonderful blogs. I love reading them!

Our Spring 2009 Activities...

I have a lot of catching up to do! This spring each child got to choose an activity to participate in.

Lets start with Abi...She is playing soccer for the first time. We have always made soccer be our kids' first sport because it is just such a great activity for teaching coordination and team work. It is also great exercise. She loves her coach too!


Next is Dale. He has decided to take on baseball or is baseball taking on us? It is very intense and requires a lot of time! But he LOVES it so that makes it worth it. In the first picture he is the batter and the second picture he is the catcher.


Last but certainly not least is Grace. She is involved in a 'horse share' program. This is where she gets riding lessons and in exchange she has to help care for the horses and clean their stalls. She goes twice a week and is having a GREAT time. Here she is with Serion.



AND AFTER ALL THESE ACTIVITIES HERE IS HOW WE ALL FEEL....

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALAN!!!

One of the traditions I have come to love since we started this blog is stating what we love about that person according to their age. This one was a little harder given we had to come up with 38!!! (No Offense Alan...)

So here we go and these are in no particular order...WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT ALAN:

1. He has always put his family first.
2. He helps with the housework.
3. He loves to serve and help others.
4. He is a great poet and has written me some beautiful poetry over the years.
5. He is a big kid at heart.
6. He is older than me. :)
7. He is a very hard worker and I have never seen him give less than 110% in anything he does.
8. He loves the Lord.
9. He loves his mom and mother-in-law.
10. He loves the arts.
11. He loves coaching his kids sports teams.
12. He likes watching the movie Pride and Prejudice with me.
13. He has a secret nickname that he goes by at home.
14. He makes homemade french fries.
15. He is a spiritual giant.
16. He is optimistic and does not worry about things he cannot change.
17. He is a fabulous teacher!
18. He cares for and loves his kids dearly.
19. He loves me unconditionally.
20. He tells funny jokes.
21. He read me a story at bedtime every night. (ABI)
22. He makes me heart-shaped PB&J sandwiches. (ABI)
23. He plays lots of games with me. (ABI)
24. He takes us sledding. (DALE)
25. He is honest. (DALE)
26. He has awesome relatives. (DALE)
27. He lets us join games and leagues. (DALE)
28. He helps us with our homework and gets our grades back on track. (DALE)
29. He's smart. (DALE)
30. He comforts me at night if I get scared. (DALE)
31. He knows a a LOT about baseball and shares it with me (Mom thinks he knows too much!!) (DALE)
32. He coaches me a lot. (GRACE)
33. He takes me golfing and skiing. (GRACE)
34. He cares about me. (GRACE)
35. He gives me blessings when I need them. (GRACE)
36. He likes to be around us. (GRACE)
37. He feels bad when I cry. (GRACE)
38. He lets me have fun birthday parties. (GRACE)

This was not as hard as we thought it would be, we could have gone on and on. Thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father. We hope you have a nice birthday. Love, Your Family