HAPPY BIRTHDAY BETHANY!

Ok - so now we know that people do in March not only in our famiy, but our extended family as well! I just wanted to send Birthday greetings to my daughter in law Bethany. Her birthday was yesterday but this way we celebrate for 48 hours instead of 24. She is the cute wife of my son Matt and mother to my grandson Andy. What a bonus round we got when Matt married his sweetheart. She keeps us safe from really bad things - but then again we have slightly corrupted her in a few ways. Bethany has just finished her Masters Degree - and is on her way to an amazing career. Her greatest love besides Matt is her son Andrew. We knew that she would be a wonderful mom - but wow - she's far beyond that. Andy is happy, healthy, funny and smart. He has Bethany's ears, heart, and smarts - and well the rest.... is Matt. Bethany is always centered on family and she was taught well to love by her parents. She excells in giving love to others and finding the good in all things. I am amazed at her ability to keep her health in check and never make it something to complain about. I have watched her prick her finger and I cringe - and yet she does it many times a day - with ease. I was told once that she would be able to be a mother because she had done all the things necessary to make that happen - even though her health would say differently. I am grateful that she would put herself on the line to bring such an amazing child into the world. Today, she's headed off to Vegas with her family to see the Beatles show and have a little celebration there. But last night - yum - we had sugar free, banana creme pie - with many, many candles. Have a wonderful time in Vegas - pull some slots before you visit the temple! We all love you and admire all that you have accomplished in your life. Here's to many more years of joy. Love, Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MANDY!

OMGosh! Mandy is now legal! We all believe she's more 'lethal' than 'legal'! Found this picture of your mom and dad and your first birthday cake - we haven't changed much. It was fun to have Mandy - she was the 'what ever we have is perfect' baby - we already had a boy and a girl and we were working on spare children at that point. (You know dang well you were planned you dork!) Del only wanted 2 kids - I wanted 4, so we compromised and we first had the two and then we had the four. Mandy was my 'natural birth' child - and the reason I pee when I sneeze now. I barely made it to the elevator, let alone to the delivery room - I didn't know I could scream obsenities that loud! They did'nt have time to give me any drugs, but they said I could have them later on when she was a teenager - hum, I should have called them back! I remember this beautiful, perfect baby being put into my arms (they told me I could stop screaming then). She was absolutely the most petite little angel I've ever seen. She was wide awake when Del held her and she just looked at him with her big blue eyes and her fuzzy blond hair and Del said, "Who's kid is this?" (coming from my black haired, brown eyed husband) She has her Grandma Molly's nose and her mom's heart from the start. Mandy is my artistic child - creativity and ability to perform and draw and sing and ...... well ok - Linda Fenton kicked you out of ballet but 4 out of five isn't bad. Our family loves teasing her the very most because she is the funniest person you'll ever meet. We survive on Mandy's funny lines, and adventures, and outlook on life. She excells in spreading joy and service. I'll call and try to talk to her and she'll be off helping someone in her ward, no big deal, just helping out. But it's always a big deal to those she serves. Her talents have taken her to performing as a featured Soloist for the Utah Symphony - it was an amazing moment as a parent to see her walk out there and wow them. I laughed myself silly because she said that the 'conductor' had a prosethic butt - or at least she'd been told he had..... and we all spent most of her performance trying to look at it! It is a known fact that her husband Ryan is a patient, kind, and loving sweetheart - he would have to be. We actually warned him about her before he married her that his sides would always ache from laughing. He still married her - and we're glad they are together. Today Mandy - know that you are always in my heart - I carry your heart - I carry it in mine - as the quote goes. Celebrate the fact that you are loved, and cherished by many, many people. I can't wait to meet your kids - I know they are in heaven right now fighting to see who gets to come first. Let's hope it's a little tiny blue eyed blond, runner (with a saxophone in her hand). Happy Birthday Sweetheart. (Don't forget that the Pole Dancing course at BYU is filling up fast so hurry and get registered!) Love, your freaking fan, MOM /Bobby)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RYAN!

Ryan tried really hard to be born early. I'm not sure if it was because I was still playing volleyball at 8 months pregnant or not but he was excited to come. The doctors told me he was a girl most of my pregnancy - you know - back in the time when ultrasounds were NOT. (Remember I crossed the plains with the pioneers and current bushes were not available for electronic gadgets). He decided to stay all warm an cozy inside of me for another 2 weeks making it another short term pregnancy for me (after walking the floor with Marti Tueller and Kathy Hagen and their babies due at the same time) (Later we would have Ryan, Mary, and Darron all within a month). When Ryan came into the world and the doctors looked at me from behind those draped bent knees and said, "Well for heavens sake, it's a boy!" I literally jumped up onto the bed and danced the dance of the "Na Na Na Na Na Na" song! (Not a pretty sight) I wanted a boy so bad - with Matt, Ashley and Mandy at home - a boy fulfilled my dreams. Ryan was born a very sweet spirit - his temperament was quiet and calm. He developed many personal traits over the years that I have never seen equal to in another human being and I know that he is a gift to this world. I look at him now - towering at 6'2" and I know that he is a giant of a man inside as well as outside. Whatever has been brutally thrown his way he has taken with dignity and understanding and reset his goals for higher ground. (and you freakin' know who you are) (ok - I feel better now) (and the whole family applauds) (loudly). So this year will be the last we can break birthday cake together - it will be a pineapple upside down cake with plenty of cherries at the bottom. Today I will look at you longer and make a moment to keep in my memory that will need to suffice over the next two years. But you know Ryan, that you can only deepen love over time, and so after 19 years of loving you as my son - I know that you will have an ample supply to take with you to Mexico. 19 is a very young age to be going out into the world - but you have all the goods to succeed. Happy Birthday son - and I know I echo that from all of our family, extended family, and your friends on this day. Love, Mommason

49 reasons I love my family.....(believe me there's more than this but let's start here)

So 49 candles this year - was spent in Disneyland (pictures to come). Good times! My kids presented me with a cake in our Hotel room they had brought all the way from home (thank you Bethany!) and this AMAZING list of things that made me cry 1,000 times 49 tears. Long list - worth sharing - MANY inside joke here - but never the less - here's why life is sweet for me as the payoffs begin after years of parenting and loving my children and now their spouses.

1. Oh hey, Bob - Ashley 2. Calling me Mae Mae - Matt 3. You smell like pee - Ashley 4. You have a beautiful smile - Matt 5. You look hot on a bike - Ashley 6. The way you give me big hugs - Matt 7. You always dress like a hot MILF - Mike 8. I love how you are always laughing - Matt 9. You have always stood up for me. Ryan H. 10. You are glad you are on Verizon - Ryan M. 11. Leaving funny messages on my phone - Matt 12. The way you make the tastiest dinners - Matt 13. You sure dress Mandy in hot clothes - Ryan M. 14. You are an awesome workout partner - Ashley 15. When you surprised me with a new shirt - Matt 16. You are an even better shopping partner - Ashley 17. The way you got me all ready for scout camps. 18. You are incredibly talented at driving with your knee - Ashley 19. You love, without restraint, everyone in your family circle - Mike 20. You created an Eden for our reception in your backyard - Ryan M 21. Your "Mandy, just SHUT UP and let me read it!" comment - Mandy 22. Calming my hysterical crying before, during, and after music juries/auditions competitions and reminding me to count my blessings - Mandy 23. You are one of the few people who can still make me blush - Ryan M 24. Most of my ideas are too dirty to name, so I'll only tell you two - Mike 25. You are like a sneaky magical grocery fairy! Very thoughtful - Ryan M. 26. I'm so glad you started the Second Sunday Family Dinner tradition - Bethany 27. You always have multiple compliments to give us when we see you - Bethany 28. You've been a constant friend even when others in my life have not - Ryan H. 29. thank you for being my shoulder to cry on when my husband is gone - Ashley 30. MORE than SEVERAL random acts of kindness a day, I swear you do - Mandy 31. Laughing or sneezing (in three's - always in three's) so hard that you pee your pants and then that makes you laugh even more - so then - you get the cycle - Mandy 32. Dead people at the end of your bed at night. Yeah! Family history work! - Mandy 33. You're always patient with me even when I am hard to get along with - Ryan H. 34. I value all the counsel you've given me during hard times over the years - Ryan H. 35. Teaching Andrew Pat-a-Cake and introducing him to Marshmallow Mateys - Bethany 36. Your willingness to drop everything, anywhere at anytime, 100%, to be there for us - Mandy 37. It was so fun to see you when you worked at Willow Canyon while I was going there - Ryan H. 38. Teaching me how to drive with a BIG Mac in one hand and a large drink in the other hand - Matt 39. You have always supported my efforts to marry Mandy, even before I knew I wanted to - Ryan M. 40. I wanted to do calendar pages for my missionaries just like you did for Matt every month - Bethany 41. The answering machine message after you got the April Fool's Day joke: "Hi this is Nicole. If Bethany's not dead yet, I'm gonna kill her!" My parents saved that message until the answering machine died - Bethany 42. You have shown me so much love over the years, and I wouldn't be who I am today with you you - Ryan H. 43. I am so impressed how you always have food for the family on the stove each night, even if you need to be somewhere else. That was a special blessing over the summer when I had the crazy internship days - Bethany 44. Pointing out the invisible things in my teeth to me from the congregation before I give a talk at church - Mandy 45. Thank you for teaching me from the time I was young not to fight with others and not to provoke others - Ryan H 46. When you called me in high school before my first date with Matt to warn me that he overdid the cologne - Bethany 47. When you address letters or cards to Mori (the Stimson's Dog) if she could talk, I'm sure she'd express her appreciation herself - Bethany 48. Sending Drew home in 'punk' outfits every so often and surprising us with a new Tigger outfit and photo shoot - Bethany 49. You are really supportive. You come to all my home races even when I had only know Mandy for a week or so - Ryan M.

So I ask myself - who is this person they're talking about? Was I in the right Hotel room? I love you all so very much. Thank you for all the effort in getting this put together for me. I thought I would share your kindness with the world. 50 adventures before 50 begin... ....right.... now....

The Master of Masters

GOOD LUCK
TO BETHANY TODAY
AS SHE DEFENDS HER
MASTERS THESIS
AT BYU
(Please don't studder, slur, or talk with a lisp)
We're all proud of you!!

Birthday Suit

Wearing my birthday suit tomorrow.
Wish you could see me! (:

Welcome December!

My gift to all of you - my FAVORITE explanation of the
REASON for the SEASON!!