We like to try to make it to a local rodeo each year, or at least have been for the last while; however, we might try something different next year like a motorcross event or monster truck rally.  We haven’t ever been to something like that, but are definitely ready for a change.  The rodeo clown was just too crude; I don’t think I found many of his jokes funny, just inappropriate.  I thought the rodeo was supposed to be a family show and we definitely were in a family-friendly city, this clown just didn’t fit.  Boo.

Even with that we had a fun night with family and enjoyed some good rodeo moments.  The best part was just sitting in the benches next to each other, chatting, sharing treats and the heightened excitement with the dirt bike ramp tricks.  We loved that part and always do (hence the plan for next year’s motor cross event)!  The show started around the kid’s bedtime and they somehow lasted quite well through the whole thing.  They were zonked a minute after we started our drive home.  For those that came, thanks for going with us and “Yeehaw!” to you all!

This is Chad again. Everyone can disregard this post except for Ashley.

This last Monday my Mom, sister -Natalie, kids and I were able to take Beny to the Oqurrih Mountain Temple Open House and also to Temple Square, where Chad joined us.  Beny is from Switzerland, but spent the last few months living in Canada where he met my sister Lisa who is serving as a missionary there.  Beny is investigating our church and now traveling the states and made a visit to our family.

What a joy to feel like a missionary and play a part in Lisa’s mission through Beny’s visit.  My Mom really did a great job welcoming him into her home and introducing him to her parents and family.  I enjoyed trying to explain things to Beny and especially taking time to share my testimony with him during the temple open house and after the temple square tours.  It does, however, make me feel like I wish I knew more and could better answer all the questions asked and always truly follow as the Spirit guides.

Chad and I plan to serve a mission together someday when our family situation permits and this experience made me look forward more to that time and any other missionary opportunities in between.  Near the end of our time together Beny told us that the missionaries had given him pamphlets with lots of happy people on the fronts and he had thought how those people couldn’t really be that happy.  Then he told us how it was true and that they were and he was so grateful to meet my mom’s family and us all and know that it was possible. Beny is a super friendly, great man and we hope he will continue taking steps in the right direction to allow his life to have that pure happiness the gospel of Jesus Christ provides.

We sure are lucky to have a great Daddy in our house. I just thought I’d share the pictures that go with Chad’s Father’s Day post.

(This is Chad writing this post) I must say that I’ve had some great Father’s Days, but this year was pretty AWESOME! I’m so lucky to have a wonderful and thoughtful wife, and Mother to our kids. Ashley is Amazing. First thing Sunday morning, Ashley got up and let me snooze in for a bit. When I got up and got ready for the day, Ashley had made a delicious breakfast (which is now my favorite. I later learned that she spent 2 1/2 to 3 hours preparing it and baking it. Wow Ashley, you are so nice.) Raspberry french toast cake/casserole with a heavenly raspberry sauce (I say sauce, because it was much more than a syrup. Wow was it good). We had the best Orange Juice (Simply Orange) and some fresh grapes.

Actually before breakfast the kids gave me their Father’s Day cards which each had a tie uniquely decorated and styled by them each individually. The cards were wonderful and I especially appreciate Graysen’s drawing of “dersbalilly”, and Carter’s car, plane, and train decorated tie. Ashley and the kids also made me a large “Happy Father’s Day” banner with streamers. Loved it!

After breakfast, we hurried and got ready to head out to a baby blessing and church. At this other ward’s Sacrament meeting all the primary kids sang songs in honor of Fathers, and Graysen wanted to go up and sing in this other ward. So we let her. So there she stood in the front, arms draped over the stand, smiling and standing while the other kids sang (to her credit she did actually try to sing, and she knew one of the songs they sang). She was so cute and made us smile.

For Dinner, Ashley and the kids made me a delicious BBQ rib dinner, and we had a Father’s Day cake! I don’t think many Fathers are lucky enough to get a cake for Father’s Day. It was this scrumptious pumpkin cake with cream cheese frosting to die for. I’m telling you…. G.O.O.D. good! Ashley even put fun colorful sprinkles on it for me. Then, as dinner was wrapping up Ashley handed me a little card with a kind and thoughtful message to me, and a rhyming clue on the back! (I love rhyming clues!)

Her clues took me on a scavenger hunt all throughout the house! At each stop there was a nice present and another CLUE!! I loved it. Even the kids were so excited to go and find the next clue. They were cute. Each gift included carefully and thoughtfully picked out clothing (which I really needed).

Aaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh. What a great day! Thanks Ashley and kids for making my Father’s Day this year so special and fun. I had a great day! And I’m so blessed to have you guys in my life! Sure love ya!