Go Devils!

I guess this is something you didn't think you would ever hear me say on so many different levels. I am of course not a fan of the Devil or a fan of the Sun Devils (ASU's football team). I am however a fan of my family. Since Dale was out of town for 10 days over part of this week and all of last week, I thought it would be fun to go with the guys to the football game. Dale and Nicholas have had season tickets for the last 2 years but this is the first time I have ever gone. My friend Ashley had an extra ticket (Thank-you Ashley) so I decided to head out with the guys. The funny thing is I actually had fun. ASU slaughtered Washington State 31 - 0 which made the game really exciting. The bonus was my friend Sarah was there so I had a girl to talk to. I may actually go again in a year or two. By the way the pictures were taken with my camera phone. I am actually quite surprized how well they turned out.

Nicholas and Mom, he always keeps me laughing.

Nicholas, Brayden, Hunter and Connor. Part of the regular crew of kids that have season tickets together with their dads.

Nicholas and Dad, cheering on the team.

At least Nicholas is smiling in this one.

My friend Sarah and I with her daughter Taylor in the background. Sarah braved the game with her 4 children, no husband. I am impressed. Her kids were super good.

From Board to Bored!

For the last nine years I have served on the board of directors for a charitable foundation, THE BRANDEN LOMBARDI FOUNDATION. This foundation was started by Branden Lombardi himself when he was 19 years old and in the midst of his own battle with cancer. Branden and I met when he was a chemotherapy patient of mine at the cancer center where I worked. At 17 years of age he was the youngest patient I ever treated. We immediately developed a close bond. He would come in on a regular basis and while he was receiving treatment he would bring in video games to play. The other patients were so bored while receiving their treatments they would sit and watch him play his games. He saw a need and he was determined to fix it. Branden organized a golf tournament to raise money to provide amenties for the patients of our cancer center. With the money raised we set up a library with a computer with internet access, brought in cable television, DVD players, DVD's, CD players, books and music on CD, snacks and donated money to a massage therapy program. The patients now had things to do to keep their minds off what they were going through. Branden wanted to do this for all cancer centers and that is how the foundation got started. I have enjoyed the time I have spent on the board but felt after 9 years it is time to move on to something new. This last Sunday Valerie, Branden's mother held a brunch at her home to thank me for my service. It was nice to see most of the board members there. I am going to miss working with all of them but still plan to help out at the tournament every year. If anyone would like information on the foundation you can go to theblf.org.

Looking Forward to Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. I have always loved the idea of giving thanks. I also love family coming together and of course the food. Another thing that is appealing to me is that Thanksgiving doesn't seem to be as commercial as some of the other holiday's. In more recent years Thanksgiving has had a more special meaning to our family. Our son Nicholas was born on Thanksgiving Day November 28th, 2002. Then one year later on his first birthday which was the day after Thanksgiving we had Nicholas sealed to us in the Mesa Arizona Temple. That night we celebrated with 69 friends in our new home in Maricopa. This picture is the one that was on the invitations. Nicholas is 11 months in this picture. I am looking forward to Thanksgiving this year because once again I will be blessed to have my sister Cathenia and her family coming down from Utah to celebrate with us. Also my neice Janine and her family will be here as well. We play a mean game of football on the big day if anyone would like to challege us. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Happy Halloween

Well for the first time since Nicholas was born we all dressed up for Halloween. It was so much fun. Dale did make me promise that next year his costume would not require make-up. I can't blame him on that one. He did look like an amazing vampire. We dressed up two nights in a row. On the 31st we attended a party at our friends the Farabee's. On the 1st we attended our annual block party. Both parties were great. This will be a hard year to beat.