Someone had a 78th birthday today!  I sure hope that I can look that good when I am that close to 80.  We had dad and Betty over for a dinner and I even experimented on whole wheat rolls that turned out pretty good.  The weather was perfect outside and we sat out on the patio and just enjoyed the sun beating down upon us.

A little over two years ago all of these boys were preparing and planning on going on their missions for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  They attended daily seminary at 6am Monday thru Friday all four years of High School.  They worked together to give service and be a help to all those they came in contact with. Kyle was the first one to receive his mission call to serve in the Tampa, Florida mission.  There he served faithfully and returned home two years latter in Aug. of 2008.  Garrett Wahlquist (left) was the next to leave in Nov of 2006 to serve in Arizona and came back Nov of 2008.  His twin brother Tyler left in Dec and returned home Dec 0f 2008 after serving in Utica, New York.  Collin Weaver left for Japan in March of 2006 and we are all awaiting his soon return.  Ricky Lopez came home from Puerto Rico this Jan.  Joshua Jackson served in Kentucky and is also home.  Casey Schroeder left in Aug of 2006 and is serving in France.  Eric Jones is not too far away serving his mission in England.  Those two will be home this summer and it will be a joyous reunion when they are all back together.  We are sure proud of each one of them and look forward to many good things from each of them.

Jen and Ed Sauld are living in Lindenhurst, Ill.  Jen is a teacher and her kids love her

Paul and Phil.  Paul is living up in the Niagara/Pembine area

Eric and Phyllis joined us last year up in Utah.  It was fun having them there, but I think it was a little cold for them!

The girls enjoying the beautiful warmth of the sun.  Right to Left Nicole, Nana, Jen and I think Ryan's girlfriend.

Nicole and Ryan are Jennifer's two children.  Nicole got married a year ago to a great guy, Joel.  Ryan is studying to become a doctor.

Clive and Toni

Dana, Bob and Cherlys oldest was there with her husband Chris.  They just let the cat out of the bag that she is expecting.  That will be Cherlys first grandbaby. We are all excited about that one.

Mark went back to Wisconsin for his moms 8th Birthday party.  It was quite the reunion and one that has not happened for quite some time.  Here is a shot of most of those that were there that day.  Left to right: Cheryl, Dana, Diana, Phyliss, Clive, Paul, Tony, Mark

After all of these years I think our patriarchal and matriarchal heads look pretty dang good.  I hope that I can look and feel as good as these guys do when I am in my 80's.  You just got to love them!

I just like this picture.  Its a daddy-daughter moment!

Ryan is our last graduate from BYU this last summer of 08.  He is currently in a dual masters program studying to be a manufacturing engineer and get his MBA.

It was a busy year for the Dawsons' as Michelle also graduated from BYU in 2007. She majored in Therapeutic Recreational Therapy.  She became nationally certified in September of 2008.

Whitney also is a 2007 Graduate from BYU.  Her major was Corporate Finance with a Chemistry minor. She would love to become an Optometrist. 

BYU Graduate 2007

Ian major was Biology and is planning on getting his MBA and Law Degree in the near future.

Ian and Whitney are both 26 this year.

Michelle turns 24 this year and Ryan will be 26.

Kyle will soon be 22 this year on May 4th.

I think I am going to take a moment and go back a couple of years and catch you all up on some pictures that have been taken.  This was just taken this year on January 1, 2009.  It is hard to believe that some much of my life has gone by and still so many things I would like to accomplish.  The biggest joy and happiness in my life has been my family.  I don't ever want to take them for granted and pray we will be a family together forever.

Me and my dad on the Fourth of July.  He was the only World War II veteran in the parade.  There are not many of these hero's living anymore.  I am grateful that he is one of them and I can have him living close by.

These two beautiful girls are my great nieces.  They are Bryan and Jen Outcalts girls.  Our Kylie was diagnosed with leukemia and has been going through rough treatment for that.  We are greatful for medical advancements, but she remains in our constant prayers.

Now the girls.  These two are my great nieces. Both are Bryan and Jen Outcalts two girls.  Little Kylie was diagnosed with Luekemia and has been going through much treatment.  Our prayers are always with her and ask all of you to keep her in your prayers as well.

Nicholas Outcalt.  The last one to carry on the Outcalt name.  He was born last July and is Bryans first son.

Believe it or not this is my nephew, Terry's son Bryan.  I think he has grown up.  Of course next to him is Michelle.

Can you believe this is a retired man.  7-7-07 my brother gave it all up.  He threw quite the bash.  It was fun to be up there and celebrate it with him.  It has been a couple of years now since retirement and he is still as busy as ever.  His new love mountain biking.  He is still living in Blue Diamond, Neveada and does not miss the daily commute into Las Vegas.

Happy Birthday to the 88 year old young man!  1920 does not seem so long ago for him.

Two of our favorite people to hang out with.  My dad is 88 years old and still doing well.  He is able to be up and about with the aid of a cane or walker.  He is in good health and is so very luckly to have his beautiful bride Betty by his side.  We love them both and enjoy our times that we spend with them.

So here they all are the loves of our lives.  We are so proud of each one of them and they are all such a great example to us.  It is wonderful to have your children become your best friends.  Life is great.

Isn't he just so handsome.  Yes, this is Kyle.  He is studying up at Brigham University in Provo, Utah. We only got to be with him for about three weeks after he got home from his two year mission and he headed up to school.  He has finished one semester up there and working on his second.  He finished a year of school before his mission so he is well on his way.  He is looking to getting into the nursing program and continue his studies after that.  Go Kyle!

Michelle and Ryan have been married for over three years now and are living up in Provo, Utah.  Michelle is working at a private boarding school for young girls with emotional and behavioral problems.  Ryan is in school working on a double masters.  They are enjoying their time up there and exploring life.  We are also proud of them.

Ian and Whitney are living in Boston.  It is coming up on two years this spring that they will be there.  We have been out there twice to visit them and what a treat to see all the history that surrounds them.  On Thanksgiving this year we had dinner down by the Mayflower at Plymouth.  It was a touching and humbling moment to feel just for a moment what it might have been like for our founding fathers and their families.  Both Ian and Whitney are working for Waters Corp and looking forward to what their future may bring them in regards to further schooling.  We are sure proud of them and look forward to their visits.

Here we are the whole gang.  Whitney, Ian, Kyle, Trudy, Mark, Ryan and Michelle.  Our family is starting to grow!

It is about time that I get a little more serious on updating my blog.  For some reason it is not one of those things that is easy for me.  We had such a wonderful time over the Christmas break.  All of my kids were home.  It does not happen all the time for us anymore as they are married and spend their holidays with their new families.  Kyle had been on his mission for the last two years and so he had not been with us either.  So this year was a special treat and I soaked it all in and enjoyed every minute.  We spent New Years at the park with our best friends and Janice was good enough to take some family pictures.  So I will share them with you.

Our new step dad Eric

Beautiful Hawaiian Island

Polynesian Center on Oahu

This is a beautiful example of Hawaii

Dad gets his long awaited violin

Blue Daiamond hills

Looking Good!

Got to love that smirk!!

Love at first site how many years ago!

Back in his arms again. My baby!!

Happy Day Aug 6 at the Airport

Construction site continues at the Dam

Visitor Center at Hoover Dam in Nevada