The Easter Bunny didn't forget

The Saturday Night before Easter as I was driving home from having dinner with a group of our friends,I called Bob (We took separate cars since he went to the Priesthood session with Derek and some of the friends) to ask if he thought the Easter Bunny needed to make a stop at the store. We had bought him some new shirts and thought that was enough.. So no basket was waiting for him the next morning. And if you know Derek, he didn't care, didn't ask and was happy just to have Bob's famous hash browns and eggs for breakfast instead of chocolate Easter eggs!!!
But the next day the Easter bunnies helper came and brought him a cute basket with some little toys and some very yummy candy. Thanks Gina for being the delivery gal.
Then a week later we were invited to have dinner at our friend PM house. She is the best cook, she wrote a cookbook, ... to say the least, she knows her foods. It was a really nice meal, delicious and lovingly prepared. She gave Derek choices on different foods so she can see just what he likes and doesn't like to eat. Thank you PM!!! While we were leaving, she brought out an Easter basket for Derek. A beautiful basket with the most yummy candy (If I was eating candy, those Reese's peanut butter cups would have been gone by me before leaving her driveway). Thank you PM for playing the other Easter bunnies delivery girl. Oh and for treating him to a can of pop as well!
Derek is spoiled and loved by so many friends.
Thank you!!!

Happy Birthday Aunt Donna!!!

I have an Aunt Donna. She is my mother's only sister. I can truthfully say that she is the most favorite true Aunt I have!!! She once said that if Arnold Schwarzenegger was made Governor of California, she would move to Bend, Oregon.. It didn't happen. Bob brought me home these flowers and I said "Oh, too bad Donna wasn't here living in Bend, Oregon, we would let her share in my beautiful bouquet on her birthday" So, I'll enjoy them by myself Donna! There are several years between us, but I feel that she is a very good friend! She cares about me and she cares about my family. We have many things in common. I'm making a "Top 5 List" of some of my memories. 1. We spent a Christmas in a chalet' in Park City. My sister and I were so anxious and excited about Santa coming that we just couldn't calm down. My aunt got up from wherever she was and jumped in bed with us and talked about hearing Santa on the rooftop and how we had better hurry to sleep before he would come down the chimney. Those that know my Aunt know that she needs and LOVES her sleep. We got snowed in on that vacation and remember it as one of our families best Christmas's ever. 2. When I was a Junior in High School our family went to Los Angeles where Donna was living (and still does)and spent Thanksgiving watching the Thanksgiving Day parade. I've loved parades ever since. Also on that trip she planned an outing where I was to get my haircut. The hairdresser was famous for cutting some "stars" hair. Oh, I felt like a movie star myself walking out afterwards. 3. After 911 we had more things to talk about. Those events changed Aunt Donna's life, and her life as well as mine have been blessed! 4. The last big birthday party we had for Donna was suppose to be a surprise. But it's hard to keep surprises from her. Donna pretty much guessed it, but we sure had a fun time all dressed in the "Old Ladies" purple shirts and red hats. Donna is definitely not an old lady! 5. We enjoy t.v. shows together.. We call at the commercials. A.Idol, DWTStars and 3 other shows that I won't mention, (one that I have boycotted). She reminds me that these shows(Not the reality ones) are only make believe and they really aren't happening (Thanks Donna for those reminders!) Several years ago I had a sad time in my life (yes it is true). I remember driving back to Bend in my car and crying uncontrollably. I tried calling Bob, and got no answer, I tried Rebecca, my parents... no connection at all. I knew I needed to talk to someone, so I called Donna. For some reason the call went through. I tried so hard to talk without her knowing how sad I was. She asked me a couple time to pull off the road so I could gain control (it wasn't that bad, but it must have sounded that way). For some reason it made me laugh, and calmed me down. Thank you Donna. You probably can't remember, but I do, and it made a big difference! We hope you have a Happy Birthday! Consider this your card! I knew it was your big day, but didn't get a card out in time! We love you! Can't wait to see you this summer!

"Need a Tow Ma ám?"

Many of you know that I enjoy watching,(following) police cars, ambulances and firetrucks. Rebecca and I both have this fetish. Why, who knows.
Anyway, our son Robert is working for a large towing company. Consolidated Towing is what it's called. They are the company that AAA uses for any breakdowns, tows, keys locked in and so on. I especially like this company because all their trucks are bright orange. I see Robert (or his fellow employees) from a far distance coming. Anyway, we are grateful he is working!!! Jobs are hard to come by. Robert has always been interested in cars and trucks. I swear he was 5 years old and he could tell me the make and model of any car driving past us. He would quiz me and ask me what a certain truck was called (if we were stopped next to it at a red light)... He couldn't believe that I didn't know it was a Ford XLTZ (whatever it was). Robert works Thursdays-Sundays. Every morning or in between "rescues" I quiz him now on what the emergency was. "Was it an accident, were the police there?" "Was it a DUI impound?" "What kind of car was it, what was the situation?"
Some stories he tells me are quite interesting. Three I will share. One girl who had obviously been drinking too much and didn't know why her tires were out of balance (She had hit something hard) asked him if he was married or if he had a girlfriend. Robert was very polite and said "I have dogs." I said, "Robert what did that mean?" He said it didn't mean anything but it shut her up. The next was another girl he was taking to her parents home because of a broken down part. He came home with a Heart Massager that was from her "Women ONLY" party line that she does. I haven't yet gotten on her web-site (she left him her card). (I'm saving the heart massager that he gave me to give to his wife at a bridal shower.. But wait, he has dogs) Last, an older gentleman locked his keys in his car at Safeway. Unfortunately the man had a hook for an arm. After Robert was done getting the door opened, and as the man was putting all his groceries in his car, he asked, "Can I give you a hand?" Not even thinking until it came out... The man said, "Everyone thinks that I can't do things, like I'm disabled." Robert than quickly changed the subject and went on to the price of meat.
So, if you wonder why a big tow truck resides at our home part time.. now you know.
Keep the stories coming Robert!

Spring Break in Bend

Last year we had a blast at the Great Wolf Lodge for Spring Break. I knew we couldn't get away, so we just found things around Bend to do (We still had tutoring all week, no break for Derek).
I'll admit, I'm not a big fan of our High Desert Museum, but my friend Suelynn and her boys have season passes. They new all the fun things to see and do. Having them as tour guides made the trip rewarding.

Felicity and Derek for 2 years now went to the free day at Ben & Jerry's Ice-Cream. The line wasn't as long as we thought it would be, (Even though we laughed about an older, ponytail man cutting in line.. who does that)Of all the flavors Derek could have choisen.. Vanilla is what he ordered. I even think the gal dishing it up looked at him like.."are you serious?"


My friend Linda came over for a break from a House Tour (she is trying to sell her amazing Aubrey Butte home.. if anyone is interested). Thanks for these flowers Linda. I never got a picture of her son David and Derek, but they had some moments together!


We had a play date with Mackensie. What a cutie pie she is. She is a great little tutor. We wish she could come more often! Thanks Mackensie!


Then we had a fun time bowling with Heather and her boys and Jenn and Grant. Derek won the game. Hip Hip Hooray!


We've had funner Spring Breaks.. but we enjoyed just hanging out!