Happy Early Birthday Dave........SURPRISE!!!

Dave left for Arizona yesterday. :( He will only be gone about six weeks but we are still pretty sad to see him go. We miss him every single time he is away. People often say, "I could never do what you do...... or "are you miserable with him being gone so much." You get the general idea. My answer is always the same. Dave and I prayed hard about the decision to go to Flight School and we both had the same answer...... yes we should! I knew that there were sacrifices that would be made by our entire family. Is it hard..... yep! Is it lonely and miserable at times...... yep! BUT there is also a very sweet peace in our home and I ABSOLUTELY KNOW that Heavenly Father will bless us and has blessed us when we are separated.

ANYWAY..... Daves 35th Birthday is on July 30. I decided to throw him a little surprise birthday party before he left. It was soooooo much fun. We have AMAZING friends that will do anything for us. We sure love you guys!!!!!!!

I love this picture..... this is when he walked out and everyone was singing Happy Birthday to him....... doesn't he look thrilled? :)


Our good friend Janice and Rob gave him his very own birthday hat with his new age printed right on front!!!!
Rob and Dave
Dad and Colton

The outside crew

The inside crew
Porter, Jessie and Lindsay

He loves a good cowboy hat!!!!
Dad fixing an inury.... I just love this picture.

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We truly were shocked at the amount of people who came to his party and how much love they show us!!! Atleast every fifteen minutes someone would come and offer to help the boys and I while Dave is away. I've always loved my friends...... but love them more and more every single day.

Welcome Home Colton

This last week Colton has been gone to Scout Camp. He left on Monday morning and returned home this afternoon (Saturday). I was sooooo happy to see him and so were his brothers. Kaden started asking how long he would be gone about 5 hours after he left. It was nice to see how much the little boys missed their big brother.

I had to take a picture of Colton and how dirty and handsome he is. :)

YUCK!!!

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I was so fortunate to have a friend's husband up at Scout Camp with Colton. I asked him to keep an eye out for Colton (just to make me feel better.) He sent me the sweetest email about Colton.

Brother and Sister Patterson:

Following the first day of scout camp, all is well with Colton. He has emerged as the leader of the group even though other boys hold the title of Patrol Leader. I spent three hours on the rifle range with Colton during his merit badge class and witnessed some great maturity and shooting. During the day there were multiple times when the boys got out of hand, but Colton chose not to participate. In one situation he verbally challenged the boys to stop their behavior and in another he left the situation and found something else to do. Your son is a wonderful addition to our Troop and it is a blessing to have him and his priesthood at Camp Tomahawk.

Colton is having a wonderful time, he has been caught smiling ear to ear on more than a few occasions.

Brother Garritson

I am so grateful for Colton. He is such a great example for our entire family. I know that he was sent to me to teach me how to be a better person. We sure love him!!!!

Fourth/Third Of July 2010

We LOVE the 4th of July!!!! This year like most of you we celebrated it on the 3rd. We had a fireworks show in our back yard, ate yummy food and watched The Lightening Thief. It was low key but a ton of fun. I let the boys each pick a food that they wanted to have so we had quite a variety of food. Colton chose hot wings, Kaden chose Chocolate Cake and Porter chose pizza. :)Colton
Kaden

Porter and his cheesy grin

I love this picture of Colton and Dave....

Colton looks like a giant

Who doesn't LOVE sparklers.... they are a must have in my book!!!

Powell Family Reunion 2010

This year the annual Powell Family Reunion was held at the City of Rocks State Park. We have missed the last three years of reunions because we have been so far away. Dave was gone for annual training so the boys and I decided we would still go. Here is a little recap..... We started the day off watching Jessica (my sister) free climb a rock. I was sooooo not happy about this. Number one I am a freak about safety and I'm super afraid of heights so watching this was pretty much torture. After she climbed down we had a little talk...... so happy that she listens to me!!! (NOT AT ALL) In spite of my annoyance with her dangerous ways I was pretty impressed with her climbing abilities.

Here is Jess and Colton getting ready for Coltons first climb. Of course he was completely equipped with all the safety gear.

He's loving every minute!


This is just a cute picture of Kaden and Jenna. Love them both!!!!
Kaden getting his turn at the big climb!
And then there is Porter!!! I have to say that this was not the best place for the mother of a 4 year old boy who has no fear!!!

He spent most of his day being held like this........ and when he refused to sit still.......
We tied a rope around him!!! :) (This is Creighton.. Jessica's friend)
My dad decided that it was his turn to make the climb........
This picture pretty much sums it up!!! He was so funny!!! I'm thinking I may be able

to get something great if I use this as blackmail!!! :)

I absolutely love this picture. This is my Grandma. She is such a sweet and wonderful lady! I have never heard her say an angry word or something unkind to anyone. I think she is pretty special!

Me and my boys!!! I sure love them!!!