Girls Just Want To Have Fun

This is the only Cindy Lauper song I ever liked, so I used the title! My Mom, sister LaVoy, and neice Kristen all came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. To say we had fun would be putting it mildly! I loved having them here and the time went by way too fast, as usual. We played and had a lot of fun. We shopped, shopped some more (it's a ritual and a requirement), ate at In-N-Out and a few other places, played at the pool, I caught LaVoy up on all the latest movies, and had some good girl talk. Ryan and Colby were at Scout Camp that week so instead of a Frat House, I had a Sorority House for a week!

I love my family, they are the best. I totally lucked out coming into a family of mostly girls. I have learned so much from each of my sisters and they are such great examples to me. They are the best confidants I've ever had. I know I can tell them anything and it never goes beyond their ears. We have shared much joy and sorrow as sisters. I know that's what has made us so close.

I didn't get many pictures while they were here, mostly because I didn't want any pictures of me laying out at the pool to come back to haunt me so I knew better than to start snapping pictures. I did get a few pictures at our last supper at In-N-Out. It is a real treat for my family to eat there because they don't have any In-N-Out's in Washington.

Thanks for taking the time to come and see us, Mom, LaVoy, and Kristen! I wish you were still here and having fun! I love you more than my luggage. Thanks for all you did to help me out while you were here.

Happy 56th Anniversary!

Our parents celebrate 56 years of marriage today! I can't believe what an accomplishment this is. Being married for that long is almost unheard of these days and when I tell people how long Mom and Dad have been married, their eyes get really big! We, as their children, have been blessed by two great examples. Examples of love, faith, struggles, heartache, joy, and enduring to the end. I'm sure Mom and Dad's marriage has not always been smooth sailing but they have pressed on somehow. They have been a true joy to us all and continue to bless our lives in every way.

Mom and Dad have loved us and have sacrificed much for us. We are eternally grateful for all they have done. There are two quick (unless I get long-winded) stories that I would like to document of Mom and Dad and their love and sacrifice for their children.

After Mom and Dad moved to Washington, in the fall Mom would drive potato truck to help bring in extra money. LaVoy and Jana were still little and not in school yet. The older siblings, mostly Marion and Barbie, recount how Mom would get up at 3:30 in the morning, make everyone's lunch that day and a batch of cookies for the older kids to take in their lunch. Then everyone would wake up to a hot breakfast that Mom had made. She would then dress LaVoy and Jana, comb everyone's hair, and head out the door with LaVoy and Jana in tow. Marion has said that she remembers Mom cleaning LaVoy and Jana's shoes every morning so their shoes would be clean for the day. Mom would then entertain LaVoy and Jana everyday in the potato truck by singing songs, telling stories, and teaching them their alphabet. At the end of the day, Mom would come home, make dinner, I'm sure do some house work, and then start all over again. Is this not a prime example of sacrifice and unconditional love?



When LaVoy was somewhere between middle school and high school, she became very interested in snow skiing. In the area we grew up in, we had the opportunity to take a bus every Saturday morning during ski season to Mission Ridge, a ski resort that was nearby, and take skiing lessons through the school. LaVoy loved skiing right away! That year for Christmas, she asked Mom and Dad for skiis. Mom told LaVoy that money was tight because there were other kids to buy for and Travis was still on his mission. LaVoy shared with me once that she was laying in bed on Christmas Eve feeling sorry for herself over the fact that she knew she would not be getting skiis for Christmas. She said that a voice told her to look out the window. She did and she saw Dad walking across the yard from the shed in the snow carrying skiis over his shoulder. LaVoy told me she had never felt so humbled in her life because she knew what Mom and Dad had to sacrifice to get her the skiis.



These are the most touching stories to me of all the stories that I know about these two wonderful people. They have taught each of us that family comes first. They have showed us that through their example.



Mom and Dad are now enjoying the retired life, spending time with their family, and working at the Columbia River Temple every Saturday. This experience has been such a blessing in their lives and the lives of their children as well. We love you Mom and Dad! Thank you for being the very best parents for us and for being even greater grandparents. We are honored to be your children and grandchildren and we hope you know on this very special day how loved you both are.