Mason's Surgery...........

Mason had his Turbinate reduction/adenoid removal surgery today. He was so brave! The nurse gave him a cute turtle stuffed animal, which he took in with him. His surgery went well, and hopefully will be successful. After he was finished, we had to stay at the hospital for two hours. He was pretty out of it. After he started to improve, he was cleared to go. Since he was so good, I promised him a "Wacky" Webkins from the giftshop. We bought it on the way out and he gave the nurse the whole "Webkins" story while she pushed him in the wheel chair. The nurses told us he would be pretty tired all day, but when we got home, he was ready to play! We had to make him take it easy. We are so grateful everything went well. We love our little May-May so much and hope this will help him breathe!
Here he is with his gecko in the waiting area...
Putting on the hospital gown....
Right after surgery....
Ready to go home!!!

Our Super Duper Waterslide!!!!

The kids were so excited when the Fedex guy pulled up with our new waterslide! Colter and I set it up fast (it was really easy), and all of the kids jumped in! Emma loved it! She slid down the slide, crawled through the tunnel, and loved to squirt the gun. Colter and Mason ended up playing in it for hours, literally 'till the sun went down. What an awesome day!

Where the Bison and Antelope Play....

We took our bikes to Antelope Island for a Saturday bike ride. Even with the heat, we had a fun time. There were quite a few bison right by the trail. Of course I had to take pictures! Colt was a little freaked out and wouldn't stop! However, he stopped when he saw a lizard, not that he could catch it! A very hot little girl....

Bison, AKA Tatonka.....

Happy Birthday Darci!

Mason and Abby..... Mason took these pictures...

We met at the Olive Garden for Darci's birthday. We had a great lunch and a fun time! Happy Birthday Darci!!!!

Pool girl...

Here are some pics of Emma Jayne's first summer swim....

Remembering Dad.....

So now it's been five years Monday since I said goodbye to my best friend. My dad. I can't believe how time flies. Sometimes I think I'll pick up the phone and he'll be there. Asking me how my day is going, what the kids are doing. And sometimes I think I'll call my dad. He'll help me through whatever problem or dilemma I'm having.....only I can't call him anymore. I have to rely on what he taught me. And boy, did he teach me! Even when I didn't want to learn. He would tell me little anecdotes from his life, sometimes into the wee hours of the morning. I may have come home late and he would be up waiting. The lecture would be quick, the stories, not so quick. What I would give to listen again. The day he had his heart attack will be forever etched in my brain. How I wish I could just go back to the day before. Now I know what to do. I would have forced him to go to the Dr. I'd know what to tell him. How painful it would be without him. How we all would miss him so much. What about Colter and Mason? Mom? Jeni? Please dad, go to the Dr!!! But I know I can't think like that. I can't go back. All I can do is keep his memory alive and be the kind of person he'd be proud of. Hopefully I am. I love and miss you dad. I hope you can see us. I hope you can see the kids. They miss you so much! Colter is just like you. How could he not be? Mason wishes he could remember more about you. He tries, but Colter has to remind him of certain things. Emma Jayne just wishes she knew her "gampa bal". We took her to the cemetery and she kept saying "where gampa bal"? Bruce and I had tears in our eyes. It was so sad. We all miss and love you so much! I'll keep you in my heart always and cherish all of the good times we had together. I can't listen to Frank Sinatra, The Dave Clark Five or Peter, Paul and Mary without tearing up. Wow, I'm really rambling. I could write a novel with all of the thoughts I'm thinking. I just wanted to pay tribute to my friend, my mentor, my dad.
I love you!!!!!!!

Colter made this picture for my dad to honor his military service. He made an army one for him before he died, but when he had his heart attack, he made this one for his hospital room. We were going to leave it in his hands, but I couldn't do it.
This is one of my favorite pictures of all time.....
Here's my mom and dad from Easter, 1983. Notice the snow......
This is the Val Jr. picture. We call it that because we think he has such a "Colter" look about him here. Thus, Colter is "Val Jr".
Me and my dad in 1972.
Here are two of my idols. My Grandma Wayment and my dad. Needless to say, this is another favorite picture.
Mardee will kill me for this picture (sorry!!!) but I love it....

Bruce's big surprise!!!!

After we had cut into the cake, we recreated Bruce's infamous crash of two weeks ago. Jon and Bruce were riding up a steep climb. Jon suggested they should probably start pushing. As soon as the words left his mouth, Bruce went over! Luckily, he only had a few scrapes and bruises...

I pulled off the ultimate surprise birthday party for Bruce! His Birthday was on Monday, so I planned on Saturday, June 7th. Luckily, Justine had a dance recital at five that day, so Bruce and I had place to go while Grandma Sue, Jen and the kids decorated the house and welcome the guests. The plan was to have the guest's at the house at seven, and we would arrive at seven-thirty. All week long we prepared for the party. We wanted to get him a mountain bike cake, but Winegars didn't have one. I had my heart set on that cake, so I bought two toy bikes and had them create a mountain scene. We cleaned all day on Thursday, so he wouldn't be suspicious. We hid his gift and all of the decorations in the basement. Bruce had no idea! On Saturday before we had to leave, I raced up to Winegars and paid for the cake (which was perfect!) and the meat tray for my mom to pick up. I hurried home, picked up Bruce, then we were off! I told Bruce we had to be home by 7:30 so my mom could go to a movie. We watched Justine (who did a great job, see post below!), then drove home as planned. Bruce said he wasn't feeling well, so I told him I would drive. This worked perfectly because I had told everyone to park at the city office building, and I didn't want him to notice the cars. Colt called me a few times on my phone, so I played like I had to hurry and get home so my mom could get to her movie. This gave me a chance to drive a different way and him to not notice the cars. As we approached our house, Bruce noticed his dad's truck parked at the school."Hey, that looks like my dad's truck"..... I told him it just looked like his, and when we pulled up to our house, I said "look, some guy is getting into your dad's truck"-defiantly not his (wink, wink!). He still had no clue. He didn't even question why the kids wanted us to use the front door, and when we walked in, boy was he surprised! All of his best friends and family were there to wish him a Happy Birthday! The decorations were great, the food was good, and most importantly, Bruce had a great time! Happy Birthday Bruce!!! We love you!

Justine's last dance recital....

Justine in action! I couldn't get a great picture, but I tried!

Justine had her last dance recital on Saturday. She danced the dance she did for competition and did a great job! We're so proud of her! Way to go Juss!

Fun with the gang....

Angie had a baby shower for Chris and Jen on Friday the 30Th. The adults had a great time visiting and eating a great meal (Rich made brisket!), and the kids had fun running around! Jen and Chris loved the cute baby gifts, but the blanket I had embroidered met with an unfortunate ironing accident (I melted the binding on the back!!!!). I'm in the process of repairing it. Hopefully it will be done by the time the baby comes!!!! I snapped these cute pic's of Emma and Colin. Aren't they cute???

Happy Birthday Bruce!

Happy Birthday to Bruce!!!!! We wish he could be here with us to celebrate. Here are some of our favorite "Daddy" pics. We love and miss you! Love, Paige, Juss, Colter, Mason and Emma Jayne