Happy Birthday Dad! (and Grandpa)

Dear Dad (& Grandpa),

Happy Birthday!

I wish we could be there to celebrate with you.

We hope you have a great day. You deserve it!

We love and miss you!

Things I love about my Dad

He's always been there for me. Even when it meant changing 2 blown tires in the High School parking lot... (Thanks dad, you're the best)

He's always provided for my needs... and lots of my "wants" too. I love to travel and will always remember our family vacations together, my trip to Australia, and him back-tracking in Oregon to give me the camera I left in the back seat... (Thanks dad, for the education, culture and memories)

He's always shown me respect and been proud of me even when I let him down. For that I will always be grateful. (Thanks dad, I love you too)

He taught me to work and what it means to be responsible. I have never seen someone so dedicated to their job and getting things done... (Thanks dad, for teaching me to stick with it even when things get hard)

He is a righteous example and took me to church every week even when I didn't want to go. (Thanks dad for teaching me about faith, courage and forgiveness)

He spent (and still spends) many sleepless nights worrying about me and wishing that he could make everything "right"... (Thanks dad, for showing me you care... everything will be ok, really)

He loves my mother. Just like in every marriage there have been ups and downs, but I know he loves her and wants to be a better man because of her. (Thanks dad, for teaching me about eternal life)

He is an amazing grandpa to my children. His legacy of love will be felt for many generations. (Thanks dad, we miss you)

There are so many other things I could say about my dad, but most of all...

Dad, Thank you for loving me.

Be Thankful

Pool Party

Way to go Talden for being the first one with a clean room! :)

Yesterday our apartment complex had a pool party...

complete with DJ, a jumping castle, the pool (obviously),

food and games. The kids had a great time.

New Dining Table!!

This has been a long time coming...

Jez and I had an awesome table that we got in AZ

that seats 4. We have used it for the last 10 years
and needless to say we outgrew it and sold it at

our garage sale.

Julia on our "Dining Table" when we moved here
(Yes we were using an old blanket spread out on the floor)

New Table!!
(Yes it extends to seat EIGHT...
ignore the mess in the backgroud)

We can't wait to use it!

Adventures

Pictures of our first week adventures...

Trail by our house that goes around the lake.

Lake and huge mansions on the other side.
Talden found a turtle...
Walk to the "man made lake"
(camping in our front room and swimming

in a man made lake... I could get used to that)






The kids had a great time and it wasn't deep
so they could roam all over the lake.

Our New Place

I have pictures of our new place "Before" and "During" the move... but it might be a few days until we have the "After" ones ready to publish. :)

Parking Lot... The trees here are so pretty and GREEN!

Front Room
Dining Room and Patio
View of Kitchen/Front Door from Living Room

Our Bathroom

We felt so blessed to have 7 amazing guys

from the ward show up to help us do this...

During...

Watch for new pics in the next couple of days!

I am slowly getting our house in order. :)

P.S. Our views are amazing!!
There are leafy trees surrounding us which

is perfect. We get lots of shade and it's like

camping in our own front room.

Good Times (Continued - see last post)

Saying Goodbye to Logan...

This was not an easy thing to do. As many of you know we had to say good-bye to our family and friends that we love dearly and will miss greatly. We had to say good-bye to our beautiful Cache Valley and home that has provided joy, safety and comfort to our family for years. It is the only home most of our children know. We had to say good-bye to our good employer and co-workers that we have spent so much time with over the last 8 1/2 years. In a large sense it is a closing to this chapter in our lives... which is where the title of our blog comes in... "Faith in Every Footstep."

As we begin this new chapter in our lives we are walking by faith, knowing that the Lord is guiding our way. I don't know why we are here or what we are supposed to be doing, I just know that it is right. So with faith and a prayer we left our comfort and security to journey half way across the country with 5 little children, a house that is not sold, a new apartment we found on the internet, and no job. Some people think we are crazy, but I have never been more sure of anything in my life. I know that we are being "instruments in the Lord's hands" and that only time will tell.

So with that said, here are the highlights of our journey into the "wilderness."

Saying Good-bye to our house... it seems so sad

when it's all empty. We all cried.

Our last night at a great job. Thanks for all the

good memories we made.

Leaving Cache Valley...
we will miss the gorgeous mountains.

Somewhere across "Big Wyoming"

A VERY windy reststop somewhere in WY.

Our first hotel... or motel rather.
North Platte, NE
Rest stop somewhere in Nebraska or Iowa???
Something interesting to look at...

2nd Night... I'm not much of a Motel 6 kinda girl...
3 Bed Suite at Hampton Inn was more my style... ;)
Sioux City, Iowa

Missed the "Welcome to Minnesota" sign

because of a road detour...

But we made it to Grandpa Doug's house!

Didn't waste any time...

Uncle and Cousins

After the BBQ at grandpa's house we headed to our new home.
Post to follow...

Good Times

First I have to say "Thanks Kristi for the Fourth of July theme idea!" I love this holiday. It is so close to my B-day that it brings a lot of great memories of happy times.

It has been a great week. I still have A LOT of unpacking to do, but we really love our new place and have had lots of fun exploring the area.

Here are some highlights of the last 2 months...

Jez's Graduation.
Way to GO JEZ!!! We are so proud of you!

Jez, Elder L. Tom Perry & Sister PerryJez's Family - Thanks for all your love and support!
It was great to have you there with us.

Last Weekend in Logan
Logan Temple

USU

College of Business

More updates to follow...