On Father's Day, I wanted to do something to express the way I feel about Derek. I thought I would list of few of the words that I think of when I think of him.

• Playmate. Bridger is always excited for dad to get off work so they can play together. There are many things that only Dad can (or is willing) to play.
  

• Friend- Derek is not only a friend to Bridger, he is also my best friend.

• Helpful

• Patient - It isn't always easy being patient with a 4 year old and your wife, but somehow you manage (most of the time).

• Good sport - First year we were married Derek was an unwilling participant with Halloween costume. The next year it was slightly easier to convince him (because of my rockin' costumes!). Now he expects it...and I think he even likes it.

• Hardworking

• Definitely not stupid. He found a job where THIS is considered work.

• Daring (although not the best picture to show how daring you are. When you were off doing those daring things I was safely at home...not always by choice)

• Sensitive and Caring (Ha! I caught you!)

• Easy going

• Thoughtful (giving mom a night off occasionally)

• Active. Athletic. Crazy?!

• Silly

• HOT!

GREAT DAD! Happy Fathers Day!

The Doman's came to visit in May. We had a great time. We mostly stayed at home and let the kids play with their grandparents. We did venture out a couple of times to the temple and the zoo.




































Here's something you don't see everyday.
















I thought Lilly had fun at the zoo, but from the look on her face, I may be wrong.

Yipee! It's over.

Bridger graduated from preschool. I am much more excited than he is. He enjoyed running around with five WILD boys. I did not!

Jenny, you missed out on a great party! If only you had known the reward for enduring to the end.

Fun in the Sun.

We decided we needed some fun. So Derek and Craig took the day off from work, Heather and I packed our work into the car and we headed to the beach.

It was a gorgeous day. We had a blast. The only tears we saw was when I ran over Bridger's foot with the stroller.





























It was Lilly's first time on the beach. She loved it! Bridger was the type of kid you could put on a blanket in the grass or sand and he stayed there (for a few months anyway) He didn't really like the feel of the grass/sand. Not Lilly! she is determined to get where she wants to go. I had my hands full- a baby slathered in sticky sunscreen on sand is not my idea of a fun time.

Bridger's New haircut

Bridger has been BEGGING lately for me to buzz his head. I have been very hesitant because in the past he has been "sensitive" to the way he looks. Derek and I decided to go slowly to see how he would react. We gave very clear instructions - there would be no crying.

He surprised us. He loved it except for one thing, it wasn't short enough. He wanted it to look like Craig's. Craig is our good friend who would give anything to have Bridger's hair...if you know what I mean. ;)

So we had some fun first. Bridger's tough guy impression. (MR. T?)












This one looks a bit like the guy from Kiss. Ya know, that one guy....where's Derek when I need him?

Following Nephi's Example

I've decided that I don't love four year old's (I've been around a few lately). We decided to initiate Doman Hell Week and try to get our little four year old as close to being sweet and well-behaved as possible. We started with manners...please, thank you etc. (Would help if I can get my 37 year old to do that. We won't name any names)

Next I decided that mom would no longer run around with my head cut off following orders from boys sitting on the couch watching TV who needed a drink, a snack, a movie, help finding the remote or anything else they are perfectly capable of doing.

Next toys needed to be picked up by the individual who played with them. This usually involves mom telling him exactly what to pick up and exactly what to do with it and helping at the end because it's too hard. I was so fed up that I was not willing to help at all.

Derek and I held our ground, we were not going to give in and help even though it would take far less time for me to pick up the 5 toys than to persuade Bridger to do it. After awhile our clever little boy said, "Remember on that Nephi movie, everybody had to help build the boat."

How can you say no to that! Especially when we refer to the "Nephi movie" all the time: "Remember what happened to Laman and Lemuel when they were mean", "We want to be nice like Nephi" etc.

End result: we helped.

Fabulous weekend!

We have been running non-stop for at least a month now....we're loving it!

Started out with me being in charge of the food for the Stake Enrichment luncheon. It was stressful but it came together beautifully.

Then the Doman's were here. Followed by a trip to Utah. Utah is always filled with fun, fighting, noise, cousins, late nights, bad sleep, parties, four wheelers, and HOURS of ping-pong.

We came home just in time for Memorial Day weekend. Saturday we spent the morning hiking in Silver Falls with the Nielson's. If we're honest, they hiked, we didn't. We weren't into the hike more than 10 minutes before Bridger was hungry. He reminded us of that fact about every other minute until I couldn't take it anymore. We turned around and went back to the car. Later we found out that we had turned around half way through. So we actually hiked the same distance we just didn't get to see the good part.





































We had to rush home from Silver Falls to get ready for a BBQ with the Lords and the Fields. I learned a valuable lesson...never plan a BBQ at your house right after you get home from vacation. I was so unorganized! I appreciate good friends who will look the other way.

Sunday was filled with church stuff. I had to catch up with RS. Derek is in the Young Men's Presidency AND Gospel Doctrine teacher. We are trying to find the balance between "Family first." and "fulfill your calling". Is there a balance?

Monday morning we went hiking and to lunch with the Dodd's. We love the Dodd's. Jason and Derek come from the same mold, at least when it comes to being frugal. They will be moving to Boston soon. We will miss them.

Again we had to rush home to get ready to go to a BBQ with some friends in the Cooper Mountain ward.

Tuesday I had to teach preschool. Had presidency meeting. Exercise group today along with mom's lunch. Alise Quayle was back in town today and organized a park day with the "old group". It was great to see Alise Gavin and Kiera again. We miss you!

It was a fabulous weekend and a great month. We hated to see it end but we needed it to end. I still have 5 unpacked suitcases that I have to climb over when I want to go to bed.

Wait a minute- I have 5 unpacked suitcases -got to run!