Memorial Weekend & Sam's 13th b-day

 It was an exhausting weekend to say the least!  We just finished school on Friday and had Sam's party planned for Saturday.  It was a busy day: baptism, Kelsey's graduation open house and Sam's party.

We rented two inflatables, a 32 ft. slip n slide and a 16 ft. water slide for the party.  I prefer not to be the entertainment so it was great!  I had a table of snacks (watermelon, veggie tray, chips & dip, sliced oranges) and water to drink.  We had cake and ice cream later and all in all, it was a fun party.

Slip n Slide

We were the first users of this brand new slide.  It was a bit hard for the kids to climb since it was so steep and lack of decent handles but the kids persevered and had fun.

Sam's actual birthday was on Sunday and it was pretty low key.  It's really hard to believe it's been 13 years since he graced us with his presence.  It's been a wonderful, albeit challenging, 13 years.  

As of now, Sam loves the following:

games shows (TPIR is still his favorite)

his iPad

phineas & ferb

chocolate milk

chocolate, in general

riding in the front seat in the car

pretending his fixing stuff

thomas the train

news shows (loves face the nation w/bob schieffer)

building "in-ators" with his legos

talking to people

visiting his pharmacy friends at target

his dog, newman

helping dad

golf

basketball

baseball

Sam is a kind-hearted and loving kid.  He is not afraid to introduce himself to strangers and ask them about their life.  He gives hugs freely and shares his love with others, especially those who really need it.  

Happy birthday Sam!

 

The company we rented from didn't have anyone renting it on Sunday and they didn't work on Monday due to the holiday so we had it for 4 days!  The kids loved it but not sure what's going to happen when the water bill comes.  We had some friends come over after church on Sunday to play and also some on Monday.  It was well used!

 

On Monday, Memorial Day, we went to lunch at a fun French bakery/cafe and enjoyed an $80 brunch.  What??!!  This is what happens when Todd finds these little places.  He takes his clients and uses the company credit card but when we go, he eats likes it's the company card paying for it and they are not!  It was tasty!

I saw this idea online where you write notes to those who have passed away as a way to pay tribute.  I wrote notes to a fallen soldier, past family members who have passed away and a recent family member who passed away, my aunt Sylvia.  We then released the balloons into the sky.

We ended our day with a hotdog and s'more roast.  It was perfect weather and a lovely day to spend as a family.

9/11/2011

It's so hard to believe that it's been 10 years since our world changed. I know everyone remembers where they were and what they were doing at that moment. I thought I had better write down what I was doing and where I was that tragic day.

We were living in Midvale, Utah at the time and I was in bed. Sam was also asleep as it was about 8am our time. Todd was at work.

I heard the phone ringing and it kind of woke me up but I didn't answer. The ringing stopped but then it started again. I got up and it was Todd and I will never forget what he said: "We've been attacked!" I was still trying to wake myself up and I was so confused. He just said, Go turn on the TV."

I turned on the TV and watched in horror. It can't possibly be real. Was this a movie?

After watching the live coverage for several hours, I had to get out of the house. Sam was awake by then and I decided to take him for a walk. As I was walking, I distinctly remember looking up in the sky and noticing there were no airplanes in the air. It was eerily quiet.

It's hard to imagine what those poor people in the planes and buildings were thinking. I cannot even fathom the terror and the longing to see their families one last time. To say goodbye, to say I love you. It is so heartbreaking.

I'm truly grateful for those who risked their lives to save others and for those who fought the terrorists knowing full well that this was the end but they were going to go down fighting.

I will never forget.