The Graduating Class of 2008

Elissa graduated!

I've been a bad blogger lately, and I'm sorry! It feels like the last week and a half disappeared without me noticing! So many things went on in such a short amount of time...where should I start? Oh yeah, Elissa graduated! I had a lot of family come into town, we spent a lot of good family time together. On Monday night (last monday!!) we took Elissa out for a pre-graduation dinner at the O.G. It was nice to be together with everyone and enjoy a good meal. The next day it was hurry up and wait, as her graduation ceremony wasn't until 6pm. Time finally won over and it was time to leave, I felt excited, nervous, proud and sad all at once. This was such a big day for her, I didn't want to spoil it with my tears, so I kept it together until they started playing the "Pomp and Circumstance". I had a good cry and then decided to pay attention so that I could get some decent pictures to commemorate this day forever. I was pleasantly surprised at how well it went...with close to 800 graduates to announce and 7 Valedictorians, 3 Salutatorians, and some school officials to speak, I thought we'd be there for hours!!! Not so, we were outta there in 2 hours flat! It seemed miraculous, but I guess they've had a lot of practice and have down to an art. After the commencement, we headed outside for some family picture time, wow, it was a sea of people! Luckily, after just a few short minutes I found my girl and hugged her tight. We took some shots and let her get on her merry way to go have some fun with her fellow grads. It was a good night, I was actually smiling more than crying, which made for better pictures! So, now she's slowly packing her things, getting ready for her move up to St. George in a day or two live with her Dad for the summer, and hopefully work enough to put some money away for the fall semester of college. I'm going to miss her so much, I'm a little numb right now, still waiting for the finality of it to sink in.

Thanks fam, for coming and supporting us. I loved having you all here - drama and all! We're family and I love you all!

Another Anniversary

I just wanted to send a shout out to my awesome big sister Kim and my best brother-in-law Kenny (sorry Brian - I've known him longer! 8) ), on this their 26th??? Anniversary? I lost count a LONG time ago!!! Congrats you guys, you're my idols! You are a great example and an inspiration to us all!!! Aren't they a beautiful couple? Love you guys!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!

"Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be." Robert Browning

6 years ago, on this day, I was honored to marry my best friend, and we joined our small families together to become one big happy one!

Our lives have taken so many turns, gone down so many paths we never imagined we would travel. In 6 short years, we've brought 2 more beautiful children into this controlled chaos that we call our lives, we've endured separation due to military service, we've shared trying times, sad times, joyous times, watched our children grow from babies and pre-teens, into more pre-teens and adults, we've shared family times, alone times, memorable vacations, and days sitting around doing nothing.

I want to wish my awesome husband a Happy Anniversary, and thank him for the life he has breathed into me. Before our life together, I was just kind of enduring one day at a time, now I love to live every moment.

No, things aren't "perfect", but they're perfect for us! I look forward to spending the rest of my days with my best friend.

Thank you babe! I love you!!!

Graduation Season has begun!

I took a quick trip to Utah on Thursday, to attend the graduation of my neice Randi. Unfortunatley it had to be a quick trip, because of our busy schedules, and I had to go by myself with the little ones, because Rich was working and Elissa and Brendan had finals. But, even though it was hectic, I'm so glad I was able to go!! Randi was a beautiful graduate and the whole ceremony was really awesome! Not to mention, I got to see 2 of my sisters, my mom, my Uncle Darrell, Aunt Joan, and my nephew TJ (whom I haven't seen in ages)!! Not bad for 24 hours! The night before graduation, Parker, Hailey and I got to go to dinner with Randi, my sister (her mom), my brother-in-law (thanks, by the way, it was so good!), my mom, and another of my sisters at PF Chang's. Yummy!!

Then, it was back to my sisters house for some marshmallow roasting over their awesome fire pit in the backyard! I gotta get one of these at my house!!

The, next morning, it was time to graduate!!

The proud mom and graduate!!! (that's going to be me in 10 more days!! Only, I'll be crying like a baby!)The proud big brother!!!The proud grandma!! And finally, proud me!!

After grandma treated us to a nice lunch at CPK (thanks grandma - it was delicious!), it was time to head back home! We were worn out, but at least they slept for a lot of the trip!

I just want to thank my big sis for the hospitality and Brian for the yummy chocolate chip pancakes and warm fire! You guys are awesome! Next time I'll try to stay longer! Love to you all!! See you soon...and bring your shoulders, because I'll be emo!!!

I Got Tagged...

All About My Sexy Husband...

1. What is his name? Richard - but we call him Rich, or Ritchie, or Daddy!

2. Who eats more? He does at meal time - but I snack more!!

3. Who said I love you first? He did, I was way too afraid to admit it!

4. Who is taller? He is, and according to him, I'm shrinking!!

5. Who is smarter? I'll call it a tie! He's definitely got me in some subjects, but I can hold my own!

6. Who is more sensitive? That depends...I'm not usually, but for 1 week out of every month - you can't say anything that won't get under my skin!

7. Who does the laundry? ME!!! I don't like anyone washing my clothes but me! Yes, I have issues!

8. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Looking at it, he does.

9. Who pays the bills? HE DOES! I got way too stressed out - I'm not the best with money - I'd rather go shopping then pay bills! He's much more disciplined than I.

10. Who cooks more? I do - but there are a couple of things that his mom used to make him as a kid, so I make him cook those meals because - well, he's picky and I don't want to mess up his "favorites" by deviating from the original version.

11. What meals do you cook together? Taco's and BBQ.

12. Who is more stubborn? I AM!!! Please, for your own sake, never ask me if I need help with something!!!

13. Who is the first to admit they're wrong? Obviously he is, because I'm never wrong!!! ;0)

14. Who is more clean? We're both neat freaks, but if I'm going to clean something, I'm going to clean it right! It takes at least 2 or 3 cleaning products to clean a room! He's more of a put away the clutter so it looks clean.

15. Who has more siblings? Me - I'm #5 of 6. He's #1 of 2.

16. Who wears the pants in the relationship? I let him! ;0)

17. What do you like to do together? Chores, I know, weird. We like to do the yard work, wash cars, clean the house. For fun, we like to watch movies.

18. Who eats more sweets? He does. He's a dessert person, I only like it once in awhile. However, we both LOVE a good cheesecake!!!

19. Guilty pleasures? I don't know if he has any - maybe Starbucks and vampire movies!

20. How did you meet? In the Navy - we were in the same Navy Reserve Unit, and knew each other for a few years before we ever started dating.

21. Who asked who out first? He did - actually, we went with a mutual friend to a movie so that people wouldn't start any "rumors" in our Reserve Unit.

22. Who kissed who first? He definitely kissed me first.

23. Who proposed? He did - and I was mortified!!! We were in such a public place - I hate making a spectacle of myself - I saw him start to bring a ring box out and I almost ran away! Looking back, it was quite romantic - we were on the observation deck of the Eifel Tower (OK-just the little one on the Vegas strip!), watching the Fountain show at the Bellagio. I just wish there hadn't been so many people around!!

24. His best features? His sexy runner's legs, his smile, and his hair, with just a sprinkling of gray starting.

25. What is his greatest quality? Just one??? I can't name just one! It's his undying devotion to his family, his work, his country, his faith; his honesty; his self-confidence; his humility; his pride; and the fact that he loves his family and is not afraid to show it.

Who do I tag? Well, I don't know enough people in this blogging world, so...I guess, Jacki and Mom!

Elissa's Senior pix

I just wanted to share with you some pictures that I recently took of Elissa and her best friend Brittney. Elissa wanted some "Senior" pictures that were different than anyone else's, so this is some of what we came up with. They are both such beautiful girls, there was no way I could get a bad shot! We had fun, and made some great memories at the same time!