Cinderella visited the Tusko Castle!

OK - I FINALLY got around to posting pictures of Hailey's Cinderella party!!! Wow - what a couple of weeks I've had! It seems like there is so much to get done all of a sudden, we're leaving for our summer vacation next weekend, and when we get home it will be time to get ready for the new school year already! Can you believe it? I can't. So, needless to say, we've been cramming in Dr's appointments, dentist appointments, and everything else you can imagine. In fact, we spent this past Monday in the ER with Brendan, he has an inguinal hernia that will require surgery in the near future!! Poor kid! So that will be something else to get done before school begins!
Well, anyway, the party was a big hit, a good time was had by all. Hailey absolutely adored Cinderella - and Cinderella was wonderful with the kids! They sang songs and danced, went on a treasure hunt, she did face/hand painting, and then did a little "magic" show. Then it was time to blow out the candles on the birthday cake and she even made time to pose for pictures with each individual child so that I can send pictures to all their parents! For those of you that came - thanks so much for coming, for those that couldn't make it, we missed you!
I'll be back soon with some more summer memories to post!

Two Great Men; One Great Day!

My daddy and me - 1972; mom and dad - 19??

Ken and Kim

Happy Birthday to two great men in my family. My Daddy and my brother-in-law were both born on this day, and Kenny, you became such a loving father figure when I lost my dad, it's fitting that you share his birthday.

My dad would have been 77 years old today...but, he is eternally youthful in my memory.

Have a wonderful birthday!! You are so loved!!
(sorry I had to recycle your picture guys - I guess I need to take more of you!!! Oh, well, it's a great one!)

Hailey's 3 Today!!!

At 7:55 in the morning on July 8th, 2005, our little peanut, Hailey Dallin Tusko joined our family. It's hard to believe that 3 years have gone so quickly! Hailey is growing up so fast, and she is the apple of her Daddy's eye! I put together a little slide show of her for those of you that don't know her all that well!
This Saturday, Cinderella will be visiting her birthday party to play with the kids! It will be so much fun...she is such a little princess herself!
We love you Hailey Dallin, you are the light of our lives! You are an amazing little girl, you're little, but you're feisty, and so full of life and curiosity! I can't wait to see what all your tomorrow's bring!

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!!!