Monday, September 29, 2008

JUS Las Vegas Weekend


This weekend, Brad and I left the kids at home (with a sitter) and went for a weekend in Vegas. We were there with his family for their business convention. The brothers in the family own a health and athletic drink company called JUS International.
I was so excited and impressed to see how far they have taken this business!
This is a photo of us girls after our workout, in our new JUS gear, in the Paris hotel.
Link Through to Philip and Melissa's Blog for lots more photos of Vegas.

This Brad and his brothers Brian, and Jeff and our nephew Parker.

Here I am with Adrea and Angela.

JUS is a Boise based company, so I was able to spend time with some friends I went to school with. We had the best time!

Our good friend, Ben Wilkinson, was the keynote speaker on Saturday night. He did an incredible job!
Ben has Cerebral Palsy, (like our son, Tyler) is a two time Marathon finisher, and a truly inspiring human being.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Starting our life together

Before graduating from BSU, I took a job selling cars at Fairly Reliable Bob's Used Cars in Boise. Erin's uncle Van started helping us get a job in Japan and I did not want to buy a car that we would not be able to sell. The guy's at Fairly's talked me in to buying a Harley instead. That was a fun choice. It was a great bike and when I go through my mid life crisis, I will not have to buy a Harley. This was at Jeff and Angie's wedding, and I believe my Uncle Bob took the picture.

We headed to Japan on August 28th, 1998. Daifuku hired me to go work in the International Sales and Marketing Group, which was a fancy name for a sales support group for projects in Turkey, Brazil, Australia and Taiwan. I was in that group for three months until I was pulled in to the North American support group. We were in Japan for a year, and it was a wonderful year.


We had quite a few visitors come over but I would have to say of all the visitors I loved showing my grandparents and parents around this great country. Above is a picture of my grandpa Tom and I in front of Bakudan Domu, which was left in tact to show the horrific effect of the Atomic Bomb on Hiroshima. I was able to take my grandpa Ray there almost 6 months later. It was wonderful to see these two men who had lived during that time and remember the bombs dropping see such a historic place.

My grandpa Ray was not really excited for me when I received my call to Japan, as he was trained in the Army Air Corp to fly B-29's over the enemy Japan. When I took him to Hiroshima and the entire city is dedicated to world peace and the distruction of Nuclear weapons, it was a life changing experience for me. A group of 3rd graders were singing a song, Grandpa Ray asked me to translate. The gist of their song was that the people of Hiroshima have forgiven the destruction and pain and ask the world to join them in their quest for ridding anyone from ever feeling their same pain. I watched as my wonderful grandpa started to cry and he said to me, "I can not believe what a wonderful people the Japanese are. I was trained that they were evil and I have spent my life believing it." It was an extemely powerful lesson to me, and one of the most tender moments and memories that I have with my Grandpa Ray.

Erin is not one for sitting around. She took flower arrainging, pottery and got involved in so many different things. We lived out in the country so whenever this young American girl did anything she was put on a pedestal. She was put in the paper for teaching a group of old ladies how to speak English. Her pottery was self described as the worst in the class, but she was chosen to have hers put in the local museum for a special display.
On New Year's Eve, we drove to Kyoto and spent the day seeing the sights. It is a wonderful city and we had a lot of fun! This is the KinKakuJi and one of the most beautiful temples in Japan.
Here we are at the Tokyo Temple where I ran in to a family that was in Kushiro where I served my mission. The brother came running up to me and recognized me right away.

As you can see here, Erin is pregnant with Tyler. We were so excited to have him come and spend time with us in Japan. We were fairly naive, I remember saying, "people have been having babies forever, what could possibly go wrong." The birth went wonderful, it was the next couple of years that would strengthen my relationship to Erin and make me realize that she is an incredible person, mom and wife. I can not imagine Tyler's ordeal without her strength, optimism and fortitude.

Brad and Erin - 11 Years of Marriage

Erin is what I would call extremely low maintenance. After 11 years, all she asked me for was to blog about our time together the last 11 years of marriage and almost 2 years of courting. To say the least, they have been wonderful. I could not ask for a better partner to be with and take on this wonderful adventure we call life.

I met Erin pretty quick after returning from my mission in Sapporro, Japan. I was smitten right away...she was always happy and smiling. I remember the first time I saw her. I was finished with my day at BSU and was walking towards the Institute parking lot. Her friend (Kathy Nelson Johnson) was walking next to her, but was paying attention to some guy. Erin looked at me and smiled, and I thought, "now that is a girl I could take out". A few days later, Kathy set us up to go on a date because she wanted to take out my brother Dougon (Jeff). It did not work out so well for Jeff and Kathy but Erin and I did not "really" stop dating for the next 20 months.





During those twenty months we had a great time travleing around with family and friends. And we honestly have not stopped traveling ever since. I remember when Erin and I were married I had been to more countries than she had states. These pictures above are us in St. George, Utah, Sun Valley, Idaho and Las Vegas, NV. I knew that she was a keeper when my dad was concerned whenver Erin was not around.


I had a wonderful time dating Erin, but knew she did not want to be a girlfriend forever. We got engaged at the Boise River Festival in the summer of 1997. It was a fun night out with Jeff and his date. We went back to the Ericksons and told Erin's parents that we were engaged. I do not have very many regrets in life, but I do wish that I would have asked Bob and Alice for their permission. I think Bob was dissapointed as well because he went right back to bed after tapping on the shoulder and saying, "take good care of her".

The picture above is one of the photos from our many shots that my father took for us. Erin is very proud of the fact that we did not spend more than $5000 on our wedding. My dad's photography skills helped out in that endeavour. Dad you did a great job!


We did however hire a professional (one who is paid, Dad you are just as good just not taking money for your sevices :>) for our wedding day and the night before. This picture is of Erin and I right after the Temple Ceremony outside the Boise Temple. For fun, Erin put her wedding dress back on last night and the boys were very excited. Thomas asked if we would get married again so he could see it. Although disapointed that we could not do it again, he did tell his mom that she is beautiful. I agree whole heartedly.
This picture was taken the night before at Kathryn Albertson Park. Of all the wedding memories this one sticks out the most. It was such a beautiful night and Erin was so happy, I could not have asked for anything more.

Saturday, September 20, 2008

No Training Wheels!


Today we had another power outage (the seventh one this summer!).
Brad was not able to watch the BSU game. Suckey for Brad, but two thumbs up for Thomas. He talked Dad into taking off his training wheels and teaching him how to ride on his own!

He had the riding down in just a couple of tries! Stopping and starting are a different story! It made me laugh so hard to see Thomas slow down just a little bit then jump off of his bike so he wouldn't fall over if the bike came to a complete stop.

Just like everything else, Thomas gave it all the gusto in the world

Way to go Thomas
and
WAY TO GO DAD!

Yeah for power outages!!!

Wednesday, September 17, 2008

Rain Gutter Regatta


Last night, Tyler's Scout Troop had their annual Rain Gutter Regatta Boat Races!


Each scout in the troop makes a boat,decorates it and brings it that night for the big race!

The rain gutters are set on a table and filled with water. The scouts blow on the sails to make them move as fast as they can.
THE RACE IS ON!!

Thomas, although obviously not a scout, had to make one of his own! Well done Thomas!

Way to go Tyler!

Tennis!


This has been one of the best things that we have done with our boys this summer is teaching them to play tennis! We have spent many summer nights down at the courts playing around as a family.


Here, Tyler throws a ball to Dad, who hits it to me, and then I hit it back to Thomas, who then hits it anywhere in a two court range. So fun!

Tyler has even learn to hit the ball. After we were done playing this time he said to me "I'm a great hitter Mom!"

And Thomas, although sometimes all over the place, gives it all the gusto in the world and slowly but surly is hitting it better and better!

Saturday, September 13, 2008

Kate's Baby Shower


Today my sister, Courtney and I hosted a baby shower for my cousin Kate Hansen. Kate and her husband Bryce, are expecting their first baby, Kimbell, any day now! I have imagined giving Kate this shower ever since we were little. Kate and I have always been "best cousins" !
We grew up together and I am so blessed to have he in my life. She has always been there to laugh with, shop with, and bets of all... to make concoctions with!
She inspires me and helps me to be a better person through her example! You are going to be a great mother. I love you Kate!

Kate received so many beautiful gifts! My favorite was from my cousin Heidi and her daughter, Savannah. It was a lovely book called The Twelve Gifts of Birth. Kate read it at the shower. Most of us got a little emotional! That book was my favorite gift!

This is my Aunt Chris and new cousin, Kirsten Norman.


Great conversation! Great Fun! Great Food!
Thanks Courtney, Jill, and Charlotte!

Wednesday, September 10, 2008

Thomas Talks in Church


This Sunday Thomas was asked to give the scripture in Opening Exercise of Primary. This was his first time speaking in church. He is a Sunbeam. When it was his turn, he got up in front of everyone and with confidence, and a little help from Dad recited
1st Nephi, Chapter 18, Verse 3
(Imagine his sweet little voice saying...)
"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft, and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things."
Way to go Thomas!

Friday Night Sleepover!


Every Friday night we have a sleepover in the front room to celebrate the weekend.
Did you notice that Spiderman came to this sleepover!

We go to the Red Box and rent a fun movie. Tyler picked Alvin and The Chipmunks!
I love to hear my boys giggle at the beginning of the movie when the Chipmunks sing "You've Had a Bad Day"!

We bring out our Japanes futons and lots of blankets and pillows. Then we enjoy popcorn and our movie.

Here the boys are eating like puppys...Who knows?

They are OUT!

Tuesday, September 2, 2008

Thomas's First Day of School!


Thomas had to wait a week longer than Tyler to start school. Needless to say he was so ready and excited when today finally came.

Tyler and I had a special night together getting everything ready for Thomas' big day.

His teacher had a treasure hunt for each of the kids and their parents to do to get familiar with the preschool room. Here is Thomas in the middle of the treasure hunt doing a project to receive his treasure.

This is the project he was working on. Look at the cute picture he drew of himself, and his big kid hand print. Great Job Thomas!!
I get a sweet hug from my Thomas at the end of the treasure hunt.
This is so rewarding to me!
Being able to be there for my kids, with my kids, through the big milestones, the small triumphs, even the challenges and hardships in their lives, that is what life is all about!
Today was a MILESTONE Day!
I love being their mom!