Sunny Mexico!

In January Ted and I were lucky enough to get to cruise the Mexican Riviera. The seas were calm and the weather warm! We went with a group of dairymen and their wives. Ten of us all together. It was so great to just get away for a few days. Even though it was still cold and snowy when we returned, the warm memories have helped get us through the rest of the cold January days. I definitely suggest that as a couple you take any chance to get away without the kids. We have always tried to do this even if it only meant a night in Salt Lake. Life is just too short to not take the time to make some great memories!

Goodbye Sassy

For the last 11 years we've had a great family dog. We adopted her from Golden Retriever Rescue when she was 2 years old. As a young dog, she had so much life and energy. She loved to bark at the mailman, the UPS man as well as anyone else who happened to knock at the door. I think she must have had some traumatic experiences in her first two years. She loved to go for walks and play in the canal by the farm. When the boys played in it on hot summer days she loved to get in with them and swim along. She also loved to lick the dishes in the dishwasher. I hated it when she did that because she pushed the plates out of their spots. I knew the water was hot enough to kill her doggie germs but it meant I had to reload the dishwasher after she was finished. It did eliminate the need to rinse the dishes though.

We worried how she would take it when we go Sophie. She didn't like our friends Shih Tzu so we were a little worried. The first day or two she was a little hesitant but before long they were together all the time. They would curl up together to sleep. Even when we had the puppies last November and then kept Izzy around, she always loved the little dogs.

The last few years her age has really started to show. She had arthritis and struggled with getting up and down the stairs on the back deck. About a year ago she started getting bald spots on her back and although it isn't a very pleasant thing to share, she started having terrible gas. I always told people she was rotting from the inside out. It really smelled bad! We knew we would finally have to put her to sleep but wanted to wait until Robbie got back from his mission. Once he got home, we kept talking about it, but struggled actually making the decision.

Finally on Monday Ted and I took her to the vet where they put her to sleep. It was sooo hard! I still tear up just thinking about it. I could tell she was ready to go because she just relaxed and within 10 seconds the vet checked for a pulse and said, "She's gone." I'm glad it was so peaceful for her. Ted had a spot down at the farm where he buried her.

It's hard to let go, but I'm just grateful for the good years we enjoyed with her. Zac referred to her as "the best doggone dog in the west!" (Any Old Yeller fans out there?) She was a part of our family and we'll certainly miss her!

Happy Birthday Ty!

Sunday was Ty's 26th birthday. On Saturday we went to Ruby River for delicious steak and a browning onion. I'm pretty sure I could just have the onion and be set! Then we went to the USU/BYU Basketball game at ESA. The game was disappointing, but the food made it worth it. After the game we walked through temple square with Richie and Robbie as well as at least half of the state of Utah! It was soo crowded but still so beautiful. Ty and Amanda took Emorie home to bed! On Sunday we celebrated with a traditional roast beef dinner and his favorite birthday cake, angel food cake with fluffy white frosting. It always reminds me of Grandma King since she also loved it. I'm so glad they live close enough to celebrate special days together!

Welcome Home Elder King IV!

On Thanksgiving we were thrilled to travel to Salt Lake City International to pick up Robbie as he returned from his mission to the Belgium Brussels Netherlands Mission. It was so great to see him again after more than two years. He worked hard and we are so proud of his willingness to serve a mission.

It's been great to have him back home again. He is registered for school at USU and has a job doing the night backup at Lewiston State Bank. He's also getting used to the idea that it's okay to talk to girls. The first couple of days I was a little worried about it.

It's great to have him back. Each of the boys have something special about them and when they're gone, we really miss it!

I won!

Okay, I swear I never win anything, but I guess I was wrong this time. I love to listen to Kool 103.9 FM because they play all the songs from when I was growing up. They have started this new contest called the Kool Karoke Quiz. I've tried to call in a ton of times and the one time I actually got through, I didn't know the words! Embarassing! They enter your name into the weekly prize drawing if you play plus you can go online and enter there. Well, this morning Dave Denton called and left a message telling me that I had won their online prize drawing for a $250 gift card to Edwards Furniture! Hooray! I don't know what I'll decide to use it for, but it was just so much fun to win!

Happy 27th Anniversary!

Ted & I celebrated our 27th anniversary yesterday. It's crazy how fast time passes. Ted surprised me at school by having a huge bouquet of 27 red roses delivered. It was an amazing surprise. I know that I have an amazing husband and not just because he sent flowers for our anniversary, but how he makes me feel loved 365 days of the year! Thanks honey!

Red Ribbon Week

Last week at school was Red Ribbon Week. It's a time to concentrate on saying no to drugs. The teachers decorated their doors and each day the kids and staff got to dress in a theme. Monday was pajama day, Tuesday was decades day, Wednesday there wasn't school since it was the end of the term, Thursday was anti-drug colors (red, black & white) day and Friday, Halloween was dress up or Crazy Hair day. I loved wearing my pajamas to school on Monday even though I did feel pretty silly after the kids left and I was hanging out in the office in my striped jammies! Tuesday I wore a poodle skirt that I had around from my TaVaci days. I hope no one thought I really lived during the 50's!!! Thursday felt pretty normal with black pants, a white t-shirt and red sweater. On Friday I dressed up as a witch, as you can see. I tried all day to be mean and "witchy" with the kids. It was very hard! Plus by the end of the day, I actually felt "witchy"! I learned a very important lesson from the experience. When we choose to be grouchy towards people, we actually become the way we act. When we're pleasant and happy towards people, we actually feel pleasant and happy! Pretty simple, but profound! I'm really looking forward to going to school this week and just being myself!