Welcome to Pocatello!

Hail to the Chief! This is the new statue of Chief Pocatello that stands at the south entrance to Pocatello near Ross Park between Fourth and Fifth Streets. It is well done and I think it is a great tribute to Chief Pocatello. He is the founding father of Pocatello.

The Statue is beautifully lit at night time.

Pictures From My Birthday Party...July 22, 2008

Birthday Fun and Celebration...

Okay so I know that it took me forever to get the pictures from my birthday party posted. Goodness grief...I had to crop every picture because they had the wrong date-stamp on them. They were dated for 2005. Hmmmn?

I think it was Tiersa who said that they don't celebrate birthdays they celebrate birthweeks. I had a week long celebration this year. I went to lunch a couple of times with friends, my friend Sandy took me to lunch and shopping, I had my actual birthday, and then my party on Monday night with my family. I should have gotten drunk somewhere in there but...I don't drink :)! My party with my family was fun and special to me. We went to Heritage Park near my mom's home in Chubbuck. Everyone was there except Shawn...He was busy making money to support his sponsorship of my blog...Andrea...because she was on a much deserved and welcome vacation to St. George...and Billy...because he was working...It was neat and it meant a lot to me that everyone came to celebrate with me. There couldn't have been a better way for me to celebrate my fortieth birthday than with those who I love most. We visited, had cake and ice cream, opened gifts, and the children played.

Because it was my fortieth birthday I wanted to take a few minutes and share with each member of my family why I love and value them and something I have noticed or appreciate about them. Everyone gathered around and I did mini spotlights on each person. I feel that it turned out well and there seemed to be a strong feeling of love present. I am glad that I took this time to tell each person something positive about themselves and in part why I love them. It was a little emotional so that is why you may have noticed a tear or two in my eyes in some of the pictures. I want to post some of the things I said and I will add those comments to this post shortly. Thanks again to everyone who made my week so fantastic. It was awesome and I will remember it always.

My Birthday...

Yesterday was my birthday and I had an absolutely great day. First of all I slept in...I do that every chance I get. By nature I am not a morning person...but my job makes me get up early...I prefer to stay up late. My mom took me and my friend Sandy to lunch at the Pilot House...Yum...I love the enchiladas there and Iespecially like the gravy that they use on their enchiladas. Mmmmn! I promised myself that I was going to work out no matter what on my birthday this year, so I did that too. I talked to some of my friends and family. Dana and Tiersa called and we had a good visit. They were celebrating for me in Arizona :) Jamie, Jillian, and Preston called me early in the day and sang "Happy Birthday." It was absolutely cute. I loved it. After Shellie and I worked out there were birthday treats at my moms. I had a wonderful day and look forward to a great year. Thanks to everyone who made my birthday so special...I love and appreciate you all. I have the greatest family and friends.

Oh, What Do You Do In The Summertime?

Here are a few pictures that I have wanted to get posted for a couple of weeks.

Do You Go On A Bike Ride?

Cannon helping Cadie to ride her bike with no training wheels...

Not bad for a three year old...

Do You Play Ball?

The Kids Of Summer!

Clinton and Coach Megan.

Clinton getting some tips on his swing...

Clinton playing to the crowd.

Clinton getting praises from Coach Marie...

Hey Batter Batter...SWING!

Cara running to base...

Do You Swim In The Pool?

Allison and Jillian

Preston

Brittney

Aunts Andrea and Jodie take the kids to the pool.

Do You Jump On The Trampoline?

Logan

Carter

Do You Go For A Ride On The Lawn Tractor?

Is That What You Do? So Do I.

The Yard Sale...

My mom and nephew Treyton decided that they wanted to hold a yard sale to get rid of a few things they didn't need or want any longer and make a dollar or two. During the past few months the garage has become the holding place for all of the stock to be sold at the big sale. There was a lot of stuff and I was beginning to wonder if the sale was going to happen? On Saturday it did. I am not too fond of yard sales. I don't know why but I just don't generally like them. On Friday I could see that they needed help setting things up so I offered to lend a hand. It took a lot longer than any of us thought it would to get it set up. The sale began bright and early on Saturday. I cannot believe how many people shop at yard sales! Traffic in our neighborhood certainly picked up for a few hours. Watching people was fun for me. The yard sale became kind of a family activity as everyone came home at one point or another during the sale. The sale kept my mom and the grandkids busy wheelin' and dealin' and in some cases visiting with friends and neighbors that stopped by. They moved a lot of merchandise during the sale and I was relieved to see that most of the STUFF was gone by the end of the day. Cannon and I only had to make one trip to the Deseret Industries instead of Five. I know that my mom was exhausted and glad to have it over.

Every sale needs a friendly greeter... :) This is Colton having a little fun!

I have to admit that I am surprised at how many people yard sale and how much money can be made a nickle and dime at a time from things that we no longer want or need. Overall it seemed that the day was a success in many ways.

Some of Mom's Birthday Celebration...

Okay, so I mentioned that we started celebrating my Mom's birthday on July fourth at Shawn and Christy's home in Twin Falls. On Mom's actual birthday, July 7, she met her sister Mary Ann for lunch at Tastee Treat. To my Mom's surprise her sister JoElla came up from Saratoga Springs, Utah and met them for lunch too! They spent the entire afternoon sitting at the picnic tables outside at Tastee Treat. My Aunt JoElla called me at about 3:30 p.m. and invited me to join them. I just happened to be on the Idaho State University campus filling out some paperwork for the fall semester and so I was only a couple of minutes away. I stopped and we had an enjoyable visit.

Cannon and Jodie had asked us to come over for dinner and then the family was coming to their home later to share dessert. I am so thankful to Cannon and Jodie for doing this as I wasn't sure what to do as a celebration for Mom's birthday. Thank you Jodie for putting everything together and being such a wonderful sister-in-law. Things were so nice and relaxing...that is until someone lit a firecracker from under the garage door. Goodness grief...I think we all hit our heads on the top of the patio cover from the surprise. Thanks for the adrenaline boost Brian!

Many of my nieces and nephews were able to come too. They had a blast playing in the backyard. Aunt Mary Ann and Aunt JoElla joined us too. It really made our day to have them there. My Mom seemed so happy and content with her day. Here are some pictures from the evening. Enjoy.

Mom and Jodie

Aunt JoElla and Aunt Mary Ann on the patio

Colton and Cannon

Brittney and Allison...Aren't they growing up? Beautiful young ladies!!! I love your shirt Allison...Go Highland!

Brian and Jasmine

Clint and Clinton Ross

Jodie and the yummy birthday dessert...this isn't the last time the candles on this cake were lit. Each of the little ones wanted an opportunity to blow out the candles too. Everyone that wanted to got a chance to blow them out!

Helping Grandma blow out the candles. "Call the Fire Department...oh nevermind that's just the candles burning on Grandma's cake!"

Cute cousins...Cara, Logan, and Cadie...

Mom opening a gift from Aunt JoElla. As you can see the Grandkids were very interested. They swarmed her like a rock star!

Fun in the Sandbox...Cadie and Cara

Cadie and Logan on the trampoline...

Clinton giving "Meatball kisses" to Aunt Mary Ann...Meatball is one of his dogs

Brittney relaxing by Grandma...

Allison looking so mature.

Colton. He's a great kid!

I didn't get any pictures of myself and I promised Andrea that I wouldn't post the picture of her taking a bite of her cake if she wouldn't post the one of me getting smacked by Clinton.

We really enjoyed a fun time together. Happy Birthday Mom.

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Happy Birthday to my Mom. I love You Mom...Thanks for all you are and all you do. You are amazing. I am so proud of you and admire you for your strength and determination to overcome some of the challenges that have been yours in life. Andrea mentioned your compassionate nature...you are so compassionate and understanding. People love you. Our family is so lucky to have you and we all know that we are loved by you. I love to watch you interact with your grandchildren. They have such a wonderful relationship with you. They love to spend time with you and to have your companionship and attention. Can you question their love for you? They all consider you as one of their best friends...I hope it stays that way. I hope that this year is your best yet.

Carter's Celebration and Fourth of July Activities...

Christy invited us to her home in Twin Falls to celebrate the Fourth of July and also to celebrate Carter's third birthday. Although his actual birthday was on June 24, because they live in Twin Falls, we waited until the fourth to celebrate. It was a beautiful day, the weather couldn't have been better. Christy really tried to make sure that it was a nice day for everyone. There was good food, diet pepsi, good company, and fun, and you know how I feel about that...things couldn't be better.

Shawn and Christy have a beautiful yard and the kids had fun playing on the swingset/playhouse, on the trampoline, and in the pool. It was just casual relaxing fun. After dinner we had a small celebration for Carter and My Mom, her birthday is Monday. They shared a cake and blew out the candles together. Carter was so cute when he opened his presents. He opened a gift from The Hunsaker's first and that was all he needed. He got fixated on the small skateboard and all he wanted to do is play with it. He was perfectly content with that gift. Had we all known then we would have just let Shellie bring the gift! With some coaxing he finished opening the other gifts.

After the cake was served Shellie and I came back to Pocatello...We knew that Shawn was going to light fireworks and decided not to partake in his pyromania...We didn't want a felony on our records for lighting illegals and burning down Twin Falls. Of Course, I am teasing. I took a nap when I got home and was going to go and watch Pocatello's firework display but I thought that it started at 10:30 and it actually started at 10:00 p.m. Bummer for me! What I saw from my car looked pretty. Our neighborhood was quite lively, I think I finally stopped hearing fireworks somewhere around 2:00 a.m. All in all it was really a nice day. I hope that everyone enjoyed their day too.

Picnicing in the backyard of The Moore's...

Mom and Christy here...

I wanted this picture to show the flowers to my right...

Steve and Jamie

Shellie

Grandma with Allison, Jillian, and Preston...

Grandma and Carter with their cake...

Carter and the Sk8 Park present...His face says it all!

Happy Independence Weekend...