SPLASH MONTANA!

We are thrilled to announce that it has stopped snowing in Montana...and therefore time to hit Missoula's water park Splash Montana! Gracie loved all the sights and sounds at the pool. Her only complaint was the life jacket...she wasn't a huge fan. It was a beautiful day, and we had so much fun as a family!

Don't you love our Hats?! It was a great day to be outside cooling off in the water!

Small Business Summit in D.C.

I was completely surprised when my manager called me and told me congrats for winning a regional sales competition. I didn’t even know the competition was over! Well, the prize was a three day trip to Washington D.C. to attend NFIB and ebay’s 2008 National Small Business Summit. Our organization invites small business owners from around the country to be a part of the work it does every day, (lobby for the benefit of small business).

Above: I am in front of the Dept. of Justice building in Washington D.C. Our group had meetings with our senators; Max Baucus and Jon Tester, and our lone Montana representative of the House; Denny Rehberg. We also had some great speakers address the whole group. Among them were: Senator and Presidential candidate John McCain, political analyst and former Dancing with the Stars contestant Tucker Carlson, and former NFL Hall-of-Famer and current business owner Roger Staubach. Each one gave great speeches. It was a great trip and awesome to be in attendance.

Happy Birthday to My Hero!

24 years ago a very special baby came into this world. Doctors told his parents his abilities would be few. His life has been full of challenges, but his intellect and his ability to teach others how to appreciate and celebrate life have far outweighed any doctor's prognosis.


Today my brother Michael celebrates 24 beautiful years! Jody and I wish we could have been there with you Michael to join in the excitement as the Boston Celtics demolished the Lakers! :) I love Michael because he has a great sense of humor, he LOVES sweaters (even in the summer), he's a sport fanatic and he helps me keep my perspective of life focused on the heart and the spirit. Michael - You're the best brother a girl could have!

HAPPY FIRST FATHER'S DAY!!

It's a special day for Jody - it's his very first Father's Day! Jody is an amazing husband, a patient and incredible father and an astounding person. I always knew Jody would be a great father...I saw that quality in him when we were dating. However, it has been such a joy to watch him with Gracie. He is so tender and fun with her...and he looks great carrying the diaper bag! (Even though he thinks it is way too girly.) Jody keeps Gracie well-rounded. I often find them watching ESPN together, and Gracie has even helped Jody mow the lawn while in her front pack. This is your day Jody! Gracie and I are so lucky to call you "ours".

I've been very blessed to have a phenomenal father of my own. My dad has taught me about the person I want to become. He is so dedicated and such a hard worker. He never gives less than 110 percent at everything. He loves his family so much, and I know he would do absolutely anything for me. I'm just pretty lucky - I've had great examples of dads scattered throughout my life - including my own father-in-law. He is very considerate and loves our family so very much.


And before he was a great Dad - Jody was (and still is) a fantastic husband. Jody and I have so many wonderful memories. I want to share a funny story about us. We were on one of our first dates back in the Fall of 2003. Jody and I were in the backseat of the car with a few friends after one of his flag football games. We were kind-of squished, and so I leaned my head back on the headrest trying to give us all a little more room. (Side note - for those of you who didn't know me in college...my hair was long and curly...and some might say somewhat BIG.) Jody then said, while patting my hair, "Wow - this must be really comfortable when you lay down. Do you even need a pillow?" I laughed out loud. But Jody just looked at me waiting for a response. I then laughed even harder when I realized he wasn't joking!!! I love you Jody! And, yes...my hair used to make a pretty nice pillow!

SITTING UP WITH STYLE!

Little Miss Grace is becoming "Miss Independent"...well at least in the Sitting-Up Department! Jody and I just love seeing her reach new milestones. And yes...notice that she's sticking out that tongue...ahhh the personality!

Sometimes it's just so hard!

Let me narrate this collage below for you! First picture she thinks..."Do I really need this boppy to help me?" Second picture she pleads "Pick me up already...enough torture for one day!" Third Picture she says, "Okay I'm back in the game...Is this thing a lounger?" And finally Fourth Picture - "Success...See everyone...No Problem!"

Spit Up Anyone???

Let's face it...we do some crazy things trying to get babies to smile. We try to scare them, tickle them and often we talk in unusually high - almost scary voices. Sometimes when you're hoping for a Smile...instead you get some Spit-Up. This video is a great example. A couple of weeks ago, while staying at Papa and Gwama Tait's house in Utah, our 3-year-old niece Lauren was helping us try to get Gracie to crack a smile...Unfortunately a smile isn't all we got!

Taking a Walk on the WILD SIDE!

On Friday, May 16th - Jody, Gracie, My parents, Michael, Aunt LaMae, my Cousin Nichole and her little boy Izaac and my Cousin Michelle and her two boys Josh and Caden all decided to do some "Monkeying Around" and hit the Hogle Zoo. My Aunt LaMae kept joking that there are really NO animals at the Hogle Zoo. And now (as I'm finally posting these pictures)...I see I don't have a single one with an actual animal in it. (Although, that could be argued...some of the people look a little wild in these pictures!) You will have to watch the video to see some REAL animals!




What was my favorite part of the zoo? Watching Gracie anxiously look around and take in all the new sounds and sights, chasing after my mom as she almost rolled into the Giraffe exhibit in her wheelchair, watching Izaac attempt to throw his hat to the Giraffes for a snack, the 20-second Train Ride...or spending time with extended family?! They were all fun and wonderful memories!