Daddy-O-EE...

Emily now calls Steve "Daddy-O-EE".

"I love my Daddy-O-EE" she will say as he walks out the door.
"Thank you Daddy-O-EE" when he gives her something.
And Steve loves it too!

(Photos taken by Logan)

New Wheels....

We bought a Suburban yesterday. It is HUGE! I feel like I am driving a boat or a tank. We got a great deal and it has very low miles and has been very well maintained. We paid cash for it and now we are set for a couple of summer trips to visit family. It is hard to find a vehicle that fits our size of family and all the cargo space we require! We feel blessed to have found this great vehicle!

Our van had over 260,000 miles on it and was dying a slow death. We have nursed it along for awhile but the final straw was when the power steering and power brakes went out. Add that to no air conditioning, a radiator leak so it overheats so I have to keep filling the radiator with water and then I have to run the heat to keep it from overheating when I haven't filled it with water in the last two days....um time to get a new vehicle don't ya think? (I know that was a very long, run-on sentence) I am so grateful Steve was driving when the power steer/brakes went out. Earlier that day I had the van full of kids and groceries going down the freeway from Costco! That would have been exciting!

Happy Birthday Steve...

I am a little late in posting these wishes, but they still count don't they! We did have a birthday party, inspite of the birthday boy telling us that at his age none of that was needed! I don't listen very well so there was yummy cake and presents too!

Happy Birthday Steve! Tradition....

Sunday was Steve's birthday! The kids get so excited about everyone's birthdays. One of the traditions we started a few years ago after I saw my Sister-In-Law do it, was a Birthday Bucket. The BB is filled with little treats, toys, and the favorite cereal which doesn't have to be shared but always is. This is awaiting the birthday person at the breakfast table on the morning of their birthday. We do this for young and not so young too. It makes waiting for the party all the easier for the younger crowd! Another tradition is to make their favorite cake, decorated by request. Steve's favorite is German Chocolate with double the frosting! The only problem was getting warm pecan/coconut frosting to stick to the sides of the cake. Oh well, it was yummy. You also get to choose your favorite dinner. Steve requested French Dip! (Done in the crockpot all day, yum!)
Another tradition we started our first Christmas when we were engaged. We were so excited about our gifts we had for each other that we just couldn't wait until Christmas to open them. When everyone was gone from our parent's home we opened each other's gifts and then re-wrapped them. Never told a soul. It was so much fun! Well, this tradition has carried on over many, many, years now. Not only Christmas but birthdays too. We only do this with each other, not the children. Although we get so excited about what we have gotten them it is hard sometimes to wait to show them too. The tides of change have come and we are starting to mature a little maybe? But I was able to keep Steve's b-day present a secret for the whole week before I purchased it. I didn't want to buy it too soon as I knew how hard it would be to keep the secret. The kids even found out what I had gotten him and I swore them to secrecy! Not even the slightest hint or tease to Daddy! It was so much fun! He really tried to get it out of me and it didn't work. He was so surprised when he did open his gift. It was only one gift, but it was big enough. He could hardly believe we got him an 80 gb iPod Classic. He bought an iPod for me a couple of years ago and has only bought himself the cheapest mp3 players he has found on Woot.com or where ever. He loves to listen to Conference on the way to work to ease his commute down Chinden each day. Now he can have many years of conference, music, video, photos, you name it! We love you Steve!