Reunited, and it feels so good!

Sam Beano has returned! He got home late Wednesday night and for his first meal he requested Buffalo Wings (duh)! It has been a great weekend with friends and family coming over for a Homecoming Dinner on Saturday and Sam giving an amazing talk on Sunday. I have so missed his wit, his intensity, his passion for things he loves, watching him play with my kids and just shooting the breeze with him. He is a big guy with an even bigger presence.
So good to have you back!

Our whole Fam is very proud of Sam for the devout service and faith he put into his mission. Sam jokes, "I've heard that if I work hard on my mission my family and I may be blessed for my service, but I never would of guessed my favorite NFL team would reap such great blessings."

Still fit, nice tan and very polite...the Marshall Islands has done him good.



The Fab Five - together again!

Who would of thunk? Parker seems to have remembered Sam and has quickly embraced having him back. Gracie is still working the system - Sam better have potato chips or candy if she is going to give him the time of day.

He really is the best! He brought me home this beautiful handmade Kili bag that is only made on the Marshall Islands. Jackie Kennedy made them popular in the late 60's when she started carrying one around. Other celebrities have joined the trend and all the President's wives since Jackie O have been gifted with one. Watch out Michelle Obama; you don't have anything on me!

WELCOME HOME SAM!

Holiday Bliss

We may not of had a "White Christmas" but spending part of the Holiday in shorts on a beautiful day hiking South Mountain ain't too bad of a consolation prize.



We hiked clear up to Fat Man's Pass. Gracie and I were able to squeeze through, but we did witness one lady who wasn't quite so lucky!

Gracie and Grandma take a breather.

Later on the trail a woman stopped my mom and I and said, "you two must be sisters, you look just alike." Great for my mom, not so good for me. Come on lady, I am still in my 20's!

Parker held his own leading the pack on the way up...coming down was a different story...the kids rode mules named Grandpa and Dad.

FYI: Sam built this fence at the trailhead for his eagle project 4 yrs ago. Big Sammy is coming home from his mish in just 8 days!


Maddie and Jack vying for some attention. Some things never change.

Christmas 2008

Do you ever feel like Christmas just isn't as great as you used to remember it? Then you most certainly do not have a 2 and 4 year old whose favorite movie is Polar Express, read Olive the Other Reindeer very night, can't leave the tree ornaments alone, obey at the very mention of Santa, sing rudolph and jingle bells at the top of their lungs, and eat candy canes, fudge, gingerbread, hot cocoa and cookies like they are the 5 food groups. Thanks Parker and Gracie for making these past couple of Christmases the best I have ever had!







The best gift of all!...Gracie had a break-through week in toilet-training! (notice the new undies, she conveniently lost her pants).