Have yourself a happy little birthday...

Cliff&Grandma Roach

Our Guests

My Sassy Little Cake

Telling him how amazing he is...

Kelli, Will, Brant, Kloe, Me

Grandma&Grandpa Hancock

I'm officially 27. Twenty seven. Just when you think you've had the best birthday (or birthday week), the next one comes along and you say it all over again. I love building up to the big day with little celebrations the week before, I just think birthdays are so important and fun, that you can't possibly celebrate it all in only one day. Saturday night we went out with our friends to Gracie's in Salt Lake - we ate out on the upstairs patio that over-looked the busy streets and tall buildings. It was relaxing and fun- I love good company.

Sunday was the day of the big birthday BBQ, and it was a pretty perfect day. Little things make me happy… Like Chad going to Costco with me to get stuff for the party. We weren't in a hurry, even though I would have been if I was by myself. When I'm with Chad, I want to enjoy every second with him, he makes me laugh - he is my happy pill, he is my sparkle...

We goofed around, loaded the cart with all kinds of things, even a small toy helicopter. He tested out the mattresses, and then rushed me out of the towel and rug aisle (he knows I love buying new towels and rugs for no reason). We stopped and got cola's on the way home, and listened to the music up loud with the windows rolled down. He flew his helicopter all over the living room while I made some things for the party, then he helped me do a few things around the house...and it was fun to just be hanging out. We headed out to Dennis and Lisa's around 5, got set up, and the fun began. Chad surprised me with coordinating an amazing cake to be made just for me...it was fabulous, I loved it and was so excited (thanks to Maris and Weston, and Weston's mom as well).

And here is the "thankamony" for this year...I am so grateful for all the special people in my life. I have three families and I just don't know how I got so lucky. Just so you know, I think you are all so amazing, and the best birthday present is having you all in the same room, together, you all make me so happy.

And thank you to my sweetheart: I love that you spoil me, I love that you get as excited for my birthdays as I do, I love that you plan surprises, and I absolutely love that you let me open my presents early. :) I love you so much. You have gone above and beyond yet again.

Our Summer So Far

July 4th at Chad's Parent's House

At Ruth's Chris

My favorite time of year...for so many reasons is…the 4th of July. I've always liked it more than the other holidays because it's summer, it's hot outside, school is out, and so many fun things are happening (like the carnival, the rodeo, the shops at the park, baseball games, bbqs, etc.)

And...the cherry on top...it's the time of Chad and my first date. That's what makes it the sweetest. We have celebrated our "first date anniversary" the last two years now because it's so special to us. It reminds us both, individually, of one of the most trying times we had in our lives... which then led us to come together to share the mark of a new beginning. When one door closes, another door opens...we just have to be brave enough to close the first one.

So this 4th of July weekend, Chad had just come home from a two-week job in Washington, and that Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Dennis and Lisa's. Chad helped work on the dock and then we bbq’d and rode wave runners all over Utah Lake. I never knew how much fun that could be because I am so terrified of the water and new to the water sports. It took some coaxing to get me on one by myself, but I did it and we had a blast. Sunday, I had planned to surprise Chad with a little get-a-way...we packed our over night bags and went to Ruth's Chris in Salt Lake for dinner. I've never been to any restaurant that nice, or expensive. The memories are priceless, so the money spent was well worth it. After dinner, I had reserved a room at the Anniversary Inn. I'm not complaining, but the minute we stepped inside, the whole place just smelled OLD (and "haunted" Chad said). Chad gave me the stink face as he carried our bags up the stairs. Our "suite" was called "The Enchanted Forest"...and it was very much smaller than the pictures made it look. Chad is 6'3. The bed was probably 5' by 5'. The TV was a good 10-year-old Panasonic 32 incher, and the plastic plants all over the room dated it even more. I have to say; I was a little disappointed at first. They left us a complimentary bottle of sparkling cider and two pieces of cheesecake...so we climbed up into the bed and had dessert. As it got darker outside, it kind of felt like we were in a tree house...(the bed frame was a big tree with the branches going up to the ceiling the (fake) leaves hung down). It really was relaxing, just to be away from home and not have to think about anything...except we couldn't help but think that at home, we had a big bed, with a big screen TV. The next morning, they left a warm breakfast outside the door, which we ate in bed also, and then we packed our things and headed home. It was the 4th of July! Later that evening, we went back out to Saratoga; we had a BBQ with the family, played out on the water, and then lit our fireworks off the dock. We had such a fun weekend!

Now after all that fun, the work began. The new OR pharmacy opened up and I've been working like crazy. I worked four 14-hour days in a row and by the last day, I was dead. It really made me appreciate all the hard work Chad puts in because he has days like that ALL the time. When he was in Washington, he worked 14-hour days for nine days in a row...and I didn't hear him complain once. He comes home and helps me, and spends time with me, works in the garage, or in the yard...I just don't know he does it. He's a lot stronger than me. I am so glad to have such a strong, and motivated man. I know he'll always take care of me and our family. I really don't know what I'd do without him. I am so lucky that he is mine.