Conference is better when shared with a friend!!!

Have you ever had the chance to take a (lengthy) ride in a vehicle with teenagers??? If the answer is NO - then I highly recommend it:) I totally recommend taking your teenager to
General Conference. You will have the BEST time and learn TONS of things on the way. It was one of the funnest weekends I have ever had. We left Friday morning at 5:00 am (okay 5:15 thanks to Ron not having ice in the ice chest) we laughed, visited, sang, quoted, ate, laughed, farted, reminisced, teased, snacked and laughed some more all in a 10 hour drive. We stayed at the Nelson's (Thanks G-Rodg and Gloria). We ate shrimp steak at a place called Maddox. Went on a 6 mile run (okay just Lori and I). Shopped for a prom dress (she looks beautiful). Shopped at our new favorite store called Smith & Edwards. Met up with and old mission president. Shot some skeet. Attended Priesthood Session. Watched Sherlock Holmes. Sat in the Conference Center for a really long time. Got to sit by my son:) Saw President Monson and other Prophets too. Listened and learned. Felt the spirit. Left feeling very grateful to be a part of it all.

LOVED - every minute of it!!!!!!!!!

SURPRISE - HAPPY 16TH MACKY!!!

Macky always seems to get the shaft when it comes to birthdays. It is always during spring break and there is a ton of things going on and we never celebrate his birthday the way he would like us to. We were in Tucson on his birthday and thanks to Uncle Rick (who is always full of surprises) he invited us out to his house for a birthday bbq. He even made sure that girls were there and bought him the cutest dinosaur birthday cake!!!! Needless to say Macky was super embarrassed.

On Saturday we surprised him again with a party for him and his best friend Michael Whipple (aka Whip). Great Friends - Great Food - Great Time!!!

Macky - we love you and are grateful that you are a part of our Eternal Family - we cant imagine life with out you, you have been blessed with some amazing gifts, qualities and traits. Here are a few of our favorites....

Your laughter

Your a friend to all

You are a great big brother

Your movie quoting skills

Your testimony

Your play station skills (you and UB have an addiction problem)

Your leadership abilities

Your persistence

The way you talk out of the side of your mouth when you tell a story (my personal favorite)

We LOVE everything about you:)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOSEPH MCKAY BUDDY COWBOY SLADE!!!!!!

Spring Break FUN!!!

We went to Tucson for a few days during Spring break to spend some time with Nana and Grandad. We also got the chance to see a few friends in one of our favorite places - The Tucson Zoo!!! We have been going to the Tucson Zoo for years (since Carly was a baby). Our kids love it - this time our kids got to feed the giraffes. Their long tongues would quickly grab the biscuit right out of your hand, leaving you with lovely slim all over your fingers - YUM!!!!

We had a great time and really enjoyed the warm weather:)

What kind of donations have you made lately???

In the dictionary - DONATE means to make a gift of.

I've donated my time before and I have even donated money to a few good causes but this amazing lady is going to DONATE one of her kidneys on Wednesday (17th) to her best friends husband (Matt Weber). How do you top a donation/gift like that???

To my amazingly brave sister-in-law I admire and love you. I am grateful for your example of service and "gift giving". My thoughts and prayers are with you and I know that you will be blessed beyond measure for your selflessness. Here's to a speedy recovery and a ragnar that I'm running for you - You're my inspiration!!

LOVE ya MELZ!!!!

Happy Birthday MOM!!!

Yesterday was my mom's 65th birthday and I would be a terrible and ungrateful daughter if I didn't pay tribute to her. Here are just a few things that I admire and appreciate about her.....

I think she is BEAUTIFUL inside and out!

I loved coming home as a child from school and calling out her name.

She always makes me feel important and special.

She is always the last one to the dinner table and is an amazing cook.

She is a perfectionist and spends a lot of time wanting things "just right".

She has been given some beautiful gifts and talents and is willing to share them with others.

She is a great teacher.

She has a strong testimony of the restored gospel.

She is a great example to me when it comes to service in the church. She has spent many years dealing with the responsibilities of home life alone and never complains.

She loves serving in the church and goes above and beyond in her callings:)

She loves her family!!!!

She loves to support her grandchildren in their various activities.

I couldn't have asked for a better earthly mother. I love the saying "mirror-mirror on the wall I am my mother after all" - I want to be like her in sooo many ways - I love you mom!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TYTON!!!

Tyton celebrated his 5th birthday. I can't believe that my BABY is FIVE:( We waited a very long time for him and he is such a blessing to our family. We hope he knows how much we Love him. We tried and tried for a very long time after Brock was born to have another baby and well Heavenly Father had something else in mind. Heavenly Father's time schedule is very different from ours. We learned some very valuable lessons through it all and are grateful every day for you. Happy Birthday Lewis Tyton Slade!!!

OH HAPPY DAY - SHE GETS TO STAY- FOREVER!!!

Yesterday morning we FINALLY got the news that the Judge had made her decision, she ruled in our favor and Mary gets to be a permanent part of our family. It has been a stressful few weeks and we feel like the weight of the world has been lifted off our shoulders:)

I knew that once I started calling people to share the news that it would travel fast, so Aunt Tiff had a great idea to tell Mary at school by taking her balloons and flowers. It was a special treat for me to finally get to tell her the news and that she didn't have to worry any more:)

She was so excited and happy!!! What a special little girl - we are so blessed as a family. Words can not express how relieved, happy and grateful we feel. Thank you to all our friends and family who have been fasting and praying for us. Our cup is overflowing with gratitude to a loving Heavenly Father who has heard and answered our prayers!!!

Mary with her Aunt Alyce (my kids are so excited because now she is their Aunt too)!!