You are loved!

We hope that everyone has a wonderful day! We love you all and are so blessed to have you in our lives!

Unfortunate Good-bye

Today Kody found a new home. Unfortunately we had to help him find a new place to live. The allergies that he created for many in our family was just too much to live with every day. Scott has especially had the worst reactions of all of us. His arms would always break out in hives after playing with Kody and he has felt like he has had a constant,mild asthma attack for months. The family seemed to also have lost interest in Kody and we didn't feel that was fair to him. We found a family for him that has a large yard he will be able to run around in and they have another lab that he'll be able to play with. Over all, I think that he will be really happy at his new home. As Scott has always said, we probably will not have any more pets that have four legs and fur!

Husband Tag - thanks Heather!!

How did we meet: We initially met at a transfer orientation meeting at the University of Wyoming in the summer of 1991. We started dating after meeting again at the Institute socials.
How long we dated before we were married: 10 months
How long we have been married: 16 years
What is my favorite feature about him: I love his smile!
What is my favorite quality about him: His integrity and his patience
What is his nickname: Mackster, but I don't have a nickname for him
What is his favorite color: He really doesn't have one - although he would probably say brown and gold for Wyoming (go Cowboys!!)
What is his favorite food: seafood & Italian
What is his favorite sport: definitely swimming, but he also enjoys watching college basketball with me
Who said the "L" word first: I believe that I did
First kiss & where: After a date outside my apartment, we had been dating for about 2 months
Favorite "couple thing" to do: anything, sometimes it is grocery shopping or going out to dinner, or just going for ice cream - during the summer we love to go hiking
How many kids: 4
Hidden talent: He plays the piano very well, in fact, he is the Primary Pianist in our ward
Favorite music: Just about anything from the 80's and classical music - he loves Bach
What I admire most about him: I love his even temperment - he helps to keep me grounded
Favorite past time: Playing computer games or strategy board games
Will he read this: Probably - I love you, Scott!! Hope you are having a great day!!

Beautiful Idaho!

Scott in his Yak-herder's hat trying to stay warm!

This past weekend Scott had the opportunity to travel to Stanley, ID in the heart of the Sawtooth Mountains to go snow-mobiling. It was cold (-23 Sunday morning), but Scott had a great time. How could you not when this is what you see all day long!

Happy Birthday!!

It is Kody's 1st birthday today! The kids asked us what we were going to do for him today. We decided that we would wish him happy birthday and give him an extra treat. Kody is just a really, really big puppy. He loves to play and be with the family. We enjoy having him around.

It Begins...

Today I watched the inaguration of the new president with mixed feelings. I hope that he can do a good job because America needs him to. We as citizens of this country are counting on him to help us and fulfil his oath to defend the Constitution of the United States of America. I hope that he truly does have the best interests of our country foremost in his mind. My fear is that he will not be able to live up to all the hype. We have seen how his policies have changed already since the campaign and then through the election victory until now. I hope the country remembers that we have elected a democrat to the highest executive office and that democrats can't do anything but what democrats do: tax and spend, regulate everything with big government and dismantle the military. All these things leave our country vulnerable. Hopefully the president will be able to overcome his party and do things in the best interest of the citizenry.

I do take offense with all the references this new president has made to Abraham Lincoln and racial predjudice. Naturally, Lincoln is one of the most revered, respected and honorable presidents this country has ever had. I think it is arrogant presumption on the part of the incoming president to think that he is anywhere near the level of Abraham Lincoln. His policies and decisions will have to stand the test of time, not just flash in the pan to be known at the same caliber of president as Lincoln. With all the references to slavery and other inflammatory racial remarks, I just wish it would die. White people can seem to forgive and forget, but others can't seem to do the same. There is no one person that can apologize for all the sins of white people, so it seems that we can never live it down. Hopefully one day soon Christ will come again and set everything straight once again. We are all brothers and sisters, none better than the other and equal in the eyes of God, so why not equal in the eyes of Man as well?

So today is a beginning, I pray it is not the beginning of the end.

Conner's gap

Conner lost his first tooth last week and he didn't even know it!! A few weeks ago I noticed that there was a gap appearing between two of his bottom teeth. I wiggled them and found that one was loose. I would check it periodically but didn't think much about it...neither did Conner. Last Friday morning he woke up and his tooth was gone! We thought that he might have swallowed it. But our budding detective, Tyler, went on a search for it and found it on Conner's mattress. The tooth fairy came and then Conner got excited about it. Isn't he a cutie!!!