Trey had a birthday!

We love the fact that Trey gets to share his birthday with Father's Day... at least this year. The birthday was a 3 day event. The Bledsoe's got here on Saturday just in time to rush over to the Bend Airport for Family Day. So much fun. The kids (Derek included) got to sit in airplanes, firetrucks, and they even went for a helicopter ride (Thanks Justin for being the brave one in the group, taking Derek and Trey). Tian stole the show though getting his picture taken by the Bend Bulletin and seeing it published in the Sunday newspaper!





Monday was the real birthday! It was like Christmas around here. Trey woke us all up at 5:30 and wanted "at" his presents! Robert came over for breakfast (Omelets from Bob are the best)and to watch Trey try out the Spider Man skate board Robert gave him.




After presents were opened and the car packed up (whoops, the main suitcase was left here but finally made it to Nampa a few days later)we headed over to "Bouncing off the Wall". Everyone loves that place. This was the first time the Velcro wall as set up, Derek enjoyed himself.. I kind of wanted to try it myself!




Even Tian thought he was a big boy trying to climb up to the slide. He wasn't quite sure after he came down, but sure enough he did it again!


It's always sad to see the Bledsoe's drive away, but we will be seeing them twice in July, so it wasn't so sad! Thanks Trey for celebrating your big day with US!

Jori graduated.. and we were there! (Kind of)

Our very cute, smart, talented niece Jori graduated from the American Doha School...(Something like that). My brother and his family are "stationed" in Doha, Qatar. I felt so sad that they were once again moving out of the country (last time it was Chile), but poor, very cute, smart, talented Jori was going to have her senior year in a new high school.. out of the country. She and the rest of the kids have done wonderfully (Their next station will be Athens, Greece). My brother Mark sent out a site on the computer that we could tune into and watch the graduation ceremony. It started for us at 8:00a.m. I had such a good time watching it in my pj's and talking to my sister Kari, niece in law Rebecca, and daughter Rebecca as we were all trying to find Mark, Debbie and their children in the audience. Finally we spotted Jori walking in with the classmates. I had a tear in my eye seeing how cute she looked and how happy she seems. It was a very LONG graduation, with many, many talks. I couldn't hear the speakers very well, so I got out the ironing board and got alot done. (When was the last time you were able to watch a graduation, in your pj's and iron... and the graduation taken place thousands of miles)


I couldn't help but hope that Debbie wasn't wrestling the two youngest children during all the speakers (I found out later that she had left them with a neighbor). After she graduated, all the students went around hugging and talking to each other. Jori was so close to the cameraman... and just as she was coming even closer, Mark was walking towards her and WHAM... the ceremony ended and we didn't get a close up on Mark, but it sure was nice to see him anyway! Congratulations Jori! Can't wait to see you at Kellen's wedding (her brother) in July!




That is Jori, right there on the left with the cute, short sassy haircut!

What Color was that Fire Truck???

I read about this event coming to Bend. I had to take Derek to experience it.
"Guardians Of The Ribbon Tour" came to Bend. Along for the ride were Firefighters clad in Pink and a Silver Ribbon being pulled by a Pink Firetruck. The day we went, firefighters and DJ's from radio stations were there having their beards and mustache's shaved off, money went towards Breast Cancer awareness. My mom had breast cancer, my dad's mom had breast cancer and my daughter Rebecca is a mammographer as well as a radiologist. I wanted to add my two cents on the truck (If you look closely, you can see peoples comments and signatures on the firetruck), but too shy to ask a fireman for a sharpie. I had tears in my eyes reading some of the people's notes. Derek didn't understand why we were there, he just thought it was cool to see a pink firetruck!

Our Drive to the Temple in May

Our Ward Temple Day was set for May. It seems like the last time we went to the temple as a whole ward, it was February and the weather was snowy all the way.
You'd think May would be calm, and Spring type.
Take a look at the different "seasons" we went through on our 31/2 hour trip to the temple.

Bragging About Derek!

I have an incredible son. Yes, there were years when I was not sure of the future, or I should say that the future seemed like it was going to be very, very rough.
I remember being out in the field changing the irrigation pipes after a long day of Derek's "Ripping and Scratching fests" crying and praying that someday he would stop and he would be able to understand what we were wanting him to do, and know what we were saying... Well, enough about that.
I wanted to share with you something exciting that happened. But first you need to know of our morning routine (Like you can hardly wait). I get up early to go do the irrigation and feed the cows. I leave our bedroom remote and the walkie talkie on my pillow. Every morning Derek wakes up and comes to our room to finish waking up and to watch his morning shows (PBS/OPB all the way). When I'm out in the field Derek uses the walkie talkie and tells me he is awake. I usually ask him what time it is and what show he is watching. When I come in from the "chores" I go upstairs and I remind him that he needs to go downstairs and have his shower and get ready for the first tutor. Before he goes though, I have been having him help me make the bed.. only fair since he spent time moving the blankets more than I did. Well.......... the other day I was still downstairs finishing my breakfast and he came down and said he was ready for his shower. I told him that it was a good idea and I would do the same. I went upstairs and guess what...? My bed was made. Yup.. he did it, all by himself. (The decorative pillows as well) I yelled downstairs just to verify the bed-fairy didn't do it. He said he had made the bed. I'm sure you will never imagine how I felt at that moment. It was earth shattering to say the least.
(It took me 1/2 hour to have my shower because I had to call everyone and let them know of this huge accomplishment and to find the camera to document this momentous achievement) Prayer really works and Prayers are really answered!

P.S.
One more bragging moment which has gone on for months, but finally decided to take a picture of it and add it to this last post.
Our Thursdays are very busy. Derek has 2 tutors in the morning. Meets another tutor at school. I pick him up and we head to Carol & Terry Virgin's to get their junk mail. Then it is off to Erickson's Sentry Market to get a donut (Derek works on exchanging money there... we love that store), then to the library for books and videos, Athletic Club of Bend for swimming, basketball and rock climbing, and then to Carl's Junior for his usual (Star nuggets, fries and ice water.. "that will be 4.09," we have it down)
Wednesday night, Derek starts planning for our Thursday. Before he goes to bed, this is how he piles his things up, right by the door so we can't forget them. He doesn't forget a thing.The polka dot library bag, his blue backpack for school, his canvas rips bag for junk mail, and his gym bag for the Athletic Club.
In the future when I have Alzheimer's, he'll be the one finding my keys, my purse and my car in the parking lot (which he already does).
I love this kid!

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!

THEIR Back!!!

We are so excited that the Clawson's have moved back!
We've missed them! (Their Junk Mail, Pit Games and A Breakdown in Snowville are some memories we had while they were here)
They had cutie-patudy Emily while they were gone. We can't wait to get to know her. I was so happy to "babysit" Ben & Emily while Alisha got Hannah all squared away at school.
Ben was as cute and helpful as could be and Emily slept on my shoulder the entire time. Anytime Alisha!!! I'm happy to help.

Houdini lives in our field!

Another new calf. If you didn't keep track last year, we only had 3 calves out of 12 possibilities. The bull had issues that I won't get into. (We now own our own bull) So we are excited to have any additions this year. This newest one is an escape artist. Yesterday after Derek's team meeting I went out to feed the "Herd" and found a little calf mixed in with the moms. (We have the soon to deliver, and new moms in a different area)I thought.. Oh, great, a new one that we didn't know about... Wrong.. this calf got through a little opening (Still not sure where) and wouldn't cooperate with me to go join her mom. The mom was pacing, and I was not sure how I was going to pick up the calf, and open up the fence to reunite the two. The weakling that I am called the cute teen-ager up the street to come to the rescue. I wish I had taken a picture of Cameron with my big boots on (He was wearing skinny jeans) and my old coat. He still would be a knock out for any young teen-age 16 year old girl. He had no problem getting it in with it's mom. Yes, I felt like a dork, but better safe (Not to let the mom's out in the meantime)to have not tried to do it on my own. Thanks Alina for loaning me your son!
I think we will call this calf Houdini!

And "Vet" Bob was here to give the shot. I WILL not do that (Knock on Wood)! Humm, Alina, I'm wondering if Cameron would be up for that if we have another calf born before Bob gets home.

Our newest member!

Thursdays are usually our busiest days, and today was just as crazy.
Derek and I took a aerobic swimming class with Jen, We took Dinner to the Clawson family (Hip hip hooray, they are back), Junk Mail and a visit to the Virgins, Returned and Checked out books and videos, then back to the Athletic club for our real swimming, and the rock wall.. oh yeah, and Carl's Junior. I was ready for the day to be done... but after checking our voice mail, there was exciting news. Our neighbor Deborah had a minute to pause today (Unlike me) and noticed our first calf was born. Number 10 had a cute little calf today. I was excited to go out and feed the herd and get some close ups of the little guy/gal. It wasn't wobbly at all, and wanted to be near her mom when the mom left to go get hay (dumb mom, I was taking hay to her, but she was too anxious to eat with the others). The cute baby walked over to one of the piles of hay and just sat down in it. Enjoy the pictures. These are for you Bob and Dad.



This brown was a calf we had last year, I can tell already that they are going to be friends!

More Cow Stories

My Rebecca has the best blog. You really need to go to hers, she has such detail, and the best pictures.
One of her posts was about getting Trey over his fear of the cows.
He doesn't mind the cows, just doesn't like it when they moo. I keep telling him that they can't talk and that is how they are saying "Hi Trey, nice to have you visit" But his hands go up on his ears and he backs away.
Robert was determined to break him of the fear. He grabbed some hay, and grabbed Trey and took him out for a visit.
Now Tian on the other hand is mad that we are holding him back, he wants to get up close and personal to the 4 legged, cud chewing beasts.
Well, Trey finally got the nerve, was so proud of himself. On the other hand Tian was mad that he couldn't get on the back and ride one of them!