HAPPY BIRTHDAY TREVOR!

                                     T - tenacious, terrific, totally out of the ordinary, talented, teacher, teddy bear

                                     R - radical, radiant, role model, rugged, respectful, representing,

                                     E - excellent, energy, extreme anything, example, elder, electric

                                     V - very special, vague in his letters to Rachel ;), voracious appetite for brownies

                                     O - outstanding, out of this world, over the top, outrageous, obedient

                                     R - righteous, right, relaxed, rocks, remarkable, reckless, ready - rockin

If you asked each member of the family to tell you something special about Trevor they may write a book.  From the time he was a baby he captured our hearts and the heart of anyone who came in contact with him.  He is truly one in a million and a unique soul.  He is everything that is good and fun in our lives.  Plus he is serving a mission and bringing the joy of the gospel and the joy of Trevor into the lives of the people of Colorado.  While we miss him like crazy he has become larger than life to us while he is away.  He is now "perfect" Trevor in our eyes.  I couldn't have asked for a better brother and a greater gift for having him in my life.  Happy Birthday Trev!  We love you more than you will ever know.  Even though we are all miles apart goographically we are all close in eachother's hearts.

Trevor Update....

One thing I have learned about Trevor the last 8 months is that he is a man of few words.....see below

we just got 2 iches this weekend! and then this is me with slder smith! my roommate from svu! hahaha!

Although it was only one line and had atrocious spelling we love to hear from Trev! We are happy with one line or 100 lines.  The pictures speak 1000 words and we can't wait to see more.

The Toughest Guy in Town

I will be the first to admit that I don't know a whole lot (aka: nothing) about Rugby.  Since Josh has been playing Rugby I thought I should take more of an interest in the sport.  I decided to do some great research.  First things first - I saw Invictus (great movie by the way).  Second I went to a rugby game.  That is pretty much where my research ended.  I learned what I needed to know.  The sport of rugby it is tough.  It is brutal.  It is crazy to watch.  Josh dislocated his shoulder during one of the plays and kept playing on.  What a stud.  Who knew my baby brother would impress me in so many ways.

The school Josh's team played at was beautiful.  It looked like an old monestary and it was only built last year.  It was definitely the prettiest high school I have ever been to.

 

The kids (especially the boys) were totally impressed

Happy Birthday Dad!

 

Happy Birthday Dad!  Another year older, another year wiser.  If he keeps this up he may yet be the smartest man on the planet.  We had fun celbrating his 45th birthday.  Isn't it amazine how  I have such a young father?  We had a great dinner that he didn't eat because he is the incredible shrinking man and eating very healthy.  We opened presents, ate frozen yogurt and sang our traditional birthday song medley.  Molly cuddled up to her favorite man and tried to lick the presents.  For millions of other people who also think my Dad is their favorite person I can only say this.  He is even better than you imagine.

FAVORITE THINGS ABOUT DAD:

Rachel:  I love how Dad makes friends everywhere he goes.  He finds Italians, Russians, Mormons, Veterans and people in need to be his new friends everywhere we go.

Jacob:  I love talking to Dad! We've had some great conversations over the phone through the years and I enjoy receiving counsel from him as well as simply catching up with him. 

Trevor:  my favorite thing about my dad is that he is my father.

Natalie:  My favorite thing about dad is, his cheesy jokes and when he's so

proud when mom laughs! :)

Jessica:  My favorite thing about dad is his heart and the capacity he has to love people.

Travis: My favorite thing about Jim is how he is such a peacemaker.  I have learned much watching him maintain a cool head in times where I easily would've lost my cool.  He is able to remove himself from the situation.

I also love his passion.  When he is excited about something...off he goes and quickly...in hot pursuit...gathering info...making calls...spreading his enthusiasm. 

Kristin - No offense to anyone else, but Im pretty sure I lucked out with the nicest, most hard working, selfless, funniest, (well sometimes funniest but he is the king of "Dad jokes") respectful, humble, courageous, noble, spiritually intuned, most amazing dad ever! I LOVE my dad!

Natalie's Poem

I was cleaning out my documents folder on my computer and I found this fabulous poem that Natalie wrote for me.......

    A Poem For My Big Sister

Rachel you make me smile, and every once in a while… You don’t.

I love you very much… So much that I would live in a hutch…. For you.

If you just happen to read this poem… well I’ll make you go home.

Of course if you are already home… I would make you a clone… And then I would send it home. You are a joyful human being, and you don’t have trouble seeing.

If you ever do have trouble and you are seeing double, then give dad a call, unless of course he’s at the mall. If he is you have no hope, you will just have to marry the pope. If so Travis would be very mad, and he would go to the dark side (AKA bad)

Well this is very tragic!! I have to go to bed, so work your magic. Your magic will fix everything, and it will urge you to play pong-ping. Goodbye for now my dear sister, and don’t forget to bring you mister, and don’t let him get a blister. See you later alligator!!

Natalie is a poet and didn't even know it!

Too Cute for Words

Need I say more?

Les Miserables

On Friday night I gathered my kids and a few more to go and see Josh in Les Mis.  Josh was Javert and he was FaBuLoUs!  The play was very well done and I was pleasantly surprised by all of the amazing talent there.  You can tell that some of the kids will go far with their voices.  This is one of my favorite plays and I was choked up quite a few times.  First when Josh came out and started singing  - I kept saying "is that my baby brother up there?".  It was a bit surreal to see him looking so big and scary and singing so low and so well.  I was so proud that I choked up right there and didn't stop during the entire play.  It is such a fabulous story or redemption.  It was a little hard trying to explain to Tanner why Josh just killed himself at the end (the Javert suicide scene) especially since Tanner kept asking and didn't understand why Josh was playing a bad guy.  ;) Luckily he still thinks Josh is awes.  The kids were all very good due to some great and funny scenes and a whole bag of candy.  It was an unforgettable night!  Go Josh!

We had quite a crew waiting after to see the famous Javert

Josh with all his make-up and creepy sideburns.  They wouldn't let them come out in costumes but his were amazing.

---