David's Graduation from Lineman's College 8-13-14-09

We had the opportunity to attend our little Davey's graduation from the Northwest Linemans College and Linemans Rodeo in Kuna this last Thursday and Friday. It was an opportunity to see David excel in his love of his new career. What a great thing for us as parents to see a son make good choices and have opportunities in multiple ways presented before him. We can see how he and Stephie will be greatly blessed for the sacrifices they have made.
It was also fun giving the girls ( Kenzi and Ry) rides in the bucket. David was busy competing in the rodeo when I had the hair-brained idea to take Kenzi up in the bucket about 50 feet or so (hey, it's windy up there and wobbly). David didn't see us until I was about 20 feet up! He just looked and said "NOOO!" Too late! We were up in the air and what a view. The Lineman that operated the bucket was so very kind and polite. Anyway, we made it back down and a little later Donette took Rylee up and Dave actually took the controls over and took them up.

It was fun watching and I was so proud to see David with his entire graduating class and see the hope in all of their eyes. It was a great weekend.

The girls are doing great and they are beautiful. It was a great trip for Annette and I. I was informed that I hadn't done a thing all summer with Annette and that we didn't go anywhere. So, we squoze one day into the summer. Hey, it's been a tight year so we'll make up for it next year.

We love all of our kids and are especially pleased and glory with all of those who have made great choices in life. We celebrate with you and revel with you in your new found career choices and love you dearly for it. We love all of you and want the best for you all. Keep making good choices and you'll see what happens! Trust me!!!!!! It's Good!!!!

Love,

Papa Ralph

Summer Fun Pics

We've taken several misc pics and had so much fun this summer, that I thought I'd just post a bunch of pics and movie clips of Ellory. Also, got some photos from my dad of our fsmily. My friend Joe Sacco, his wife is a professional photographer and she took family photos of us. We are all pitchin in to buy the disc. She took over a hundred photos and I will post some later. In the mean time, here's a bunch of candid shots.

Life is wonderful and all are doing well

Annette's Surprise 50th!!! 6-13-09

Let me set the stage!!!!! I had been Lying, and Lying and Lying to Annette as she so inquisitively asked questions for the previous couple of weeks as to what we were going to be doing on the weekend of the 13th and 14th. I said we would work on the house and other vague things and she was wondering why I was being so elusive. He he he he... It was fun playing with her for a week. It was so hard not to say anything and she always wondered why I would slip outside to answer my phone if I saw it was one of the kids.

Anyway, We invited all of her closest friends, her family and most showed for the party. her dad Wayne came up and Davey and Stephie came up from Caldwell ( lying that he had a job interview) the twins and all but our lovely Missy and Tom came up to be with us. It was fun.

It rained the whole time we were partying. It didn't before, and it didn't afterwards. It was worth it to have her be so surprised.

By the way, she still hasn't forgiven me for throwing the party. She hates being the center of attention and she let me know for three or four days that she wasn't happy with me!!! Oh well, when have I ever NOT been in trouble!!! I like it!!! wink wink

Blessing the Little Ones!!!!

Last weekend we went to Caldwell, or rather Middleton and had a wonderful time spending the weekend with the newest additions to the family, Kenzington and Rylee Perez. We spent time with Dave and Steph and the Hammonds at their beautiful home and enjoyed their wonderful hospitality. We enjoyed eachothers company too and all the fun we had at the Mall, the Cafe ole with Dave , Steph and the Twins and at the hotel with Tony & Julies family, and Critter and Ellory.

We topped the weekend off with the blessing of the girls in Middleton and what a beautiful blessing David gave the girls. His blessings were so touching and the Spirit was so strong while he blessed them. It was good to be there with my two sons and most of Stephies brothers and Rich.

We had a great dinner afterwards and had a great time with all the family. Afterwards, Annette, Hali and I traveled home and we went the Mountain Home/Fairfield way home. All I can say is WOW! It is absolutely beautiful to take that route. I think We'll take that way home and there everytime!

Memorial Day Work & Check Out Missy Singing ->>

Well, there hasn't been much to report lately other than things are going just fine. Work is still quiet, relatively speaking), life is good and our biggest news is that i've been called to be 1st counselor in the Young Single Adults Branch of our stake. I made the mistake of going fishing with my good friend Deano (second counselor in the Stake Presidency) and mentioned to him that the best kept secret in the church is teaching Sunday School and how there are no early morning Priethood Leadership , nor Auxillary meetings to go too. Well, that was a mistake. After a mere two weeks, I got called. It's cool though. I'm serving with my good friend s Lamont Hanson Pres. and Roger Harshbarger 2nd counselor. We will have fun for sure. I know most of the kids from when I was their Stake Young Mens President and or the High Council talk assignments.

Also, we had fun working around the house on Memorial day weekend. Other than the gig I had with the band on saturday afternoon, the rest of the weekend was dedicated to my beautiful bride and my family. We worked on the yard and the fences and just had an enjoyable time.

Tony and Julie are visiting Aaron and Crytal in Florida at Disney World where Aaron works and we had their little ones with us for the weekend and we'll have them again this weekend.

Poor little Hali was out of sorts because her mom and dad were gone. She would never admit to it but she missed them so very much. She spent most of the time by herself just moping around quietly and out of everyones way. Kinda cool to see an emotional little girl again. Anyway, she was in the upstairs bathroom taking a 2 hour soak and I came in from outside and spoke to her through the door. I yelled out to her "Hali! Who loves ya?" She responded, "You do Gramps" rather discouragingly. I asked her again "Who else?" She responded "Grandma!" I added, well i think everyone loves you. She proceeded to tell me about a girl at school who hated her and turned many of her friends away from her. ( I think she was just down and needed to vent!) I said to her " She really doesn't hate you Hales!" She responded that she was sure she did in her best Eyore tone. I responded by reccomendeing to her " Well, tell her to go to Hell!" (Grandma did not approve) Hali just started laughing her loud deep from the bottom of her belly laugh and she had me laughing. She thought that was funny and then she quickly said to me, "Hey Gramps, you owe me a buck" "I almost forgot because I was laughing so hard" Ya see, everytime I cuss, I owe her a buck. Julie tells me that I will singlehandedly fund her education! Little Poops!

Our Trip to Caldwell to See the Twins

So yesterday, we all loaded up into Tony's van and left Idaho falls and made the 4 hour trek to Caldwell to see Davey and Steph and also Kenzington and Rylee. We had a blast.

The only little person to go with us was Ellory. She was fun. I'll just say that it was an honor to give the girls a blessing and to spend even if it was just a few hours with our newest grand girls. They are beautiful and PUNY!

We hated to leave and if we would have driven, we'd have been there until the hospital staff would have had to to get the retraining order in place and remove us! It was nice to be together with Tone, Julie, Missy, Critter and Ellory to see Davey, Stephie, Kenzi, and Ry.