Happy 17th Birthday Kara

 On Kara's 17th Birthday she had a had a fun day of school.  Matt made her an Omelet for breakfast, one of her favorite things to eat.  On the night of her birthday she also had an improv show that she was in.   So we took her out for an early dinner and then she had to go to practice before her show.  Spencer and Colton went with Matt and I to her show.  Here is a picture from after her show with her brothers.  

 After the show instead of having our family birthday, Kara was asked on a date from a cute boy she met through regional events that attends Lehi High School that night.  He came to see her in her improv show and then after our pictures Kara went on her first date with him.  Kaeden had just turned in his mission papers and now has a call to the Atlanta Georgia Mission.

 On Saturday we celebrated Kara's birthday.  The weekend was so busy as Matt had to work and Kara and I were busy packing to go to Turkey.

 Kara opening her presents

For Kara's birthday she got rain boots, a ukelele and  some other small stuff and a trip to Turkey!

 Sadly, no homemade cake (too crazy) so a yummy red velvet cake from Costco.

Happenings in July!

This last week my brother and family left. It was so fun  to have them in our home.  I adore their children.  It was hard to believe that I hadn't seen my brother and family for 5 YEARS!!!  Way too long.   I really admire their family and I felt so grateful they stuck around in Utah  for several weeks.  I am grateful that I had them staying in my home a lot of their trip!

Kara went to YASE camp last week at BYU!!  She had such a good time.  On Friday night we had the privilege of going and seeing their show. It was so well done. It is unbelievable that they put on a show that they started practicing for on Monday and did Friday night.  There was so much talent there-----SPECTACULAR!!!

We were not allowed to take pictures during the show because of copy right laws. 

Kara came home from camp early Saturday morning  only to head back to girls camp Monday morning.  On Sunday, the 14th we celebrated my birthday.  We had homemade ice cream and my favorite red velvet cake.  The kids helped make dinner and it was a fun day.   Kara left for girls camp early Monday morning. 

 Cleaning up after dinner and Kara and Spencer being silly!  I felt spoiled.  Thank you to everyone for the cards, gifts, flowers, phone calls and message! 

 

Colton's Birthday!

 We celebrated Colton's birthday on Sunday, June 9th.  Colton took the day off on his birthday and hung with friends all day. 

 Colton's request for dinner was Pasta salad.  I got this pasta salad recipe from my brother in law Herb years ago, after he made it for a family event.  It has always been a favorite of Matt and Colton's and he asks for it every year.  He is very simple in his requests.

 He also requested an ice cream brownie cake. 

 Colton always gets so excited when he opens up his gifts.  He makes it a lot of fun to  give things too!!!  

We love you Colton and are grateful you are in our family!!

Happy 20th Birthday Colton----June 10, 1993

 Happy Birthday Colton Brighton Vail!!  Thursday, June 10th, 1990 was a very happy day for your dad and me because it was the day I finally was able to meet you!  You were born at Alta View Hospital after we had only lived in Utah after 3 weeks.  Right after we were born we moved into our home that we spent most of your life at, up to this point. 

From the day you were born you bought peace into my life.  You were  a very calm, quiet baby and you could sit in  your swing for hours and hours.  You use to just love to just observe everything from a far.

You use to smile at practically anything anyone did to you.  Everything was funny and you use to laugh all the time.  You made our home a much happier place then and now.  Here are 20 things I love about you!

1.  You have one of the best vocabularies of anyone I have ever met.  When you were a barely 3  everyone use to ask me how you could speak so well with a vocabulary of an eight year old.  Honestly I didn't know and still don't.

2.  You like to talk about your feelings and ideas.  You think about things deeply and are a thinker.

3.  You are a very generous person. You have always expressed appreciation about the simple things and always thanks others for things they do for you. 

4.   You have a perspective on life that is new and exciting.  You see the world through a lens that I know others wish they could see.  It is a positive, happy one!

5.  I love how spontaneous you are.  You are always willing to try something new and aren't afraid of much.

6. I love that you aren't afraid to express your opinion.  We feel very different about many things, but you always love to express your thoughts. 

7.  You are one of the most genuine people I know. People always know where they stand with you.  You don't hold back your feelings and you don't pretend to like something when you really  hate it.  It is refreshing to be with someone so real.

 

8. You are so imaginative.  I don't think you have the ability to get bored. You are always thinking of new things and come up with ideas that I could never fathom.

9.I love how punctual you are.  You are always on time to work or any other function. In fact you almost leave too early.  This is such a great quality and it shows people you respect them and that you value their time too.

10. You do such a great job at your job. You are friendly and work hard to make people's experiences  a positive one. 

(from 7th grade to 12 grade Colton went to private schools or a charter school where they didn't take school pictures.  That is why there is a big gap here). 

  11.  I love that you are a  very kind person. You  seems to be always helping one of your  friends with a project or if they need a shoulder to cry on, you're always available.  You  really treats others with kindness and you're an example to me. 

12.  I love how you never give up.   You are always willing to try something new. I love that you are looking into a trade so that you are able be marketable and have a great skill to support yourself.  I am excited for the opportunities ahead of you.

13.  I love what a modest and humble person you are.  You are never one to brag about your abilities.  You just quietly go about being a great person.

14.  You are one of the funniest people I know. You have a sense of humor that sometimes takes me a while to get occasionally, but it is always so fun to laugh with your funny ways. 

15. I love your memory. You remember EVERYTHING!!   I love how you quote lines from a movie and seem to know something about everything!

16.  I love that you love the Lord and yearn to obey the commandments. You were discouraged when you found out you weren't able to go on a 2 year proselyting mission, but you continue to do your best each and every day.

17.  I love that you listen to your parents even when you don't like what we have to say.  You are obedient even when it is difficult.

18.  I love that you are a happy person.  You are generally always in a good mood and you make our home a happier place because of it.

19. You have had a many challenges in your life and you have been able to remain positive and I love that you continue to keep on pressing forward. I know that can be hard sometimes, but you continue to stay on the straight and narrow and I am very grateful for that.

20.  I am grateful for how you are always willing to help when you see a need, but also when asked. You are a very kind person who treats and love others and I love your laugh!!

I use to always imagine how I thought you would turn out and what you would be like as you went from babyhood to manhood.  I envisioned so many things for you and I was excited for that time to come.  It is amazing that time is here now.

But I realize that who you are and who you are becoming is even better.  

And instead of my heart being squelched it is growing by leaps every day.  I use to think that I needed to "fix you."  To turn you into what I thought you were supposed to be, but I have been learning that all along  you were really, "fixing me.
You have taught me more than I can say.
Through the peace you exudes.
The slow smile.
The calm demeanor.
The sparkle in your eyes.
Through your quick wit when I need a laugh.
Through your  thankful attitude.
I loved you so, with my whole heart.
But that heart of mine keeps expanding to fit that  man  you're becoming inside.
And I’m so grateful that you have been here to help “fix me.”
Happy Birthday Colton
Love you forever.

Baptism, Birthday, Movie and much more

I love Memorial weekend.  Matt unfortunately worked both Saturday and Monday, but he had fun nonetheless.   On Friday we went to and saw Kara's play, "The Awkward Life of an American Teenager."  It was amazing and Kara did an a superb job!

Saturday I ran all day, SERIOUSLY and cleaned and cleaned!  Then Matt and I went and saw the new Star Trek movie.  I loved it, but it seems movies just keep getting more and more violent. I feel like I cover my eyes way too much!

My niece Cumorah got baptized by her dad! I was asked to speak at her baptism.  Cumorah sang a duet at her baptism with her best friend and next door neighbor.  They did marvelous! During the interim we saw a short video called "The Pioneer Miracle" http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0351557/  It was exactly what I needed to hear.I highly recommend it.

 Afterwards we gathered at Cumorah's home for yummy food and a great visit.  I love visiting with Miriah's family.  They are such fascinating people.

On Monday afternoon we went to my brother Matthew's home and had a barbecue and celebrated his birthday!   Both events had the most yummy food.  My sister in laws are such good cooks.

While we were there we worked on the family reunion.  I am so excited to get together with my family next month on the Oregon Coast.  I hope everything goes as planned as we have worked hard to plan everything.  I am excited to see my Aunt Jean, Grandma, and Aunt Traci as we travel through.  My Grandma fell on Sunday and I was so worried when my aunt sent me a text, but surprisingly, it turned out to be pretty minor.

I don't have any family graves in Utah to visit.  Here is my parents grave that Sheryl went and put flowers on.  She is so good about bringing flowers and I am so grateful that she does that. 

On Monday I also got to Skype with Coby.  It is so nice that with Skype I can actually see where he lives and meet his roommate and see him!!!   Talking to him this last time made me feel a lot better about his situation.  I sure do miss him, but I am happy for him!

Happy 23rd Birthday Spencer----May 1, 1990

(I apologize for the crooked pages.  I seriously need some scanning help, but this will have to do for now).

Happy Birthday Spencer!!  Tuesday, May 1st 1990 was an extremely HAPPY Day for your dad and I because we got to meet you after waiting and anticipating your arrival. Your brother Coby was so excited to finally meet you too.  He was so thrilled he had a baby brother--he use to call you Spencie.  
From the day you were born you have brought a happiness to our family that we  didn't quite have before.  You have always had a bright light/happiness about you that just radiated JOY and you continue to have it today!

Spencer's 1st few weeks and me looking terrible after his birth

When Spencer was born he was taken by C-section a week early and he came out a whopping 9'6 and was 22 1/2 long a little after 1pm.  I was grateful I had chosen a C-section (Coby was taken C-section so I had the option) after the doctor estimated he would weigh around 6 pounds when he was born on his due date.  Boy was he wrong.  However, because he was taken as a C-section, and because of how his lungs were positioned when he took his first breath he ended up having a very small hole in his lung.  The first few days he was born  he was hooked up to all kinds of tubes and breathing devices and he couldn't be held.   It really scared Matt and I and they wouldn't bring him to my room so I had to go to him. You were born in the afternoon and I had to wait a while to even be able to come and see you since I was numb from the waist down and they wouldn't let me move.  It was the longest few hours ever and I was so worried.  I loved him so much without barely seeing him and I have been loving him every since.  Below are some of the things I love about Spencer!



1.Spencer has a strong spirit. He was a fighter from the day he was born.

Younger pictures of Spencer.  He was such a happy baby and he LOVED his pacifier.

2.  I love that Spencer can make anything FUN.

Spencer throughout the years

3.  I love Spencer's sense of humor. Sometimes I miss it and think he is serious, but then I realize he is only kidding and that really makes me laugh.

4.  I love what a hard worker he is.  He is never late to work and he has to be there at 6:30. WOW! He is very dependable.

5.  Spencer is very disciplined.  He goes to bed early enough that he will get plenty of sleep, even when there is a lot of FUN happening around the house.

6. Spencer is very devoted to what he believes in.

7. I love Spencer's thirst for knowledge. He is always learning and he knows so many randoms things that it sometimes boggles my mind! He is such a smartie pants!!!

Spencer with his adorable smile!  He is such a handsome boy and Man!

8.  Spencer is very loyal to his family.  He always tries to help others.  He tries as hard as he can to come to family functions. 

Recent family picture

9.  I love how honest Spencer is.  He shares how he feels even when it isn't the popular opinion.

10.  I love that Spencer blogs and shares his testimony in a very real way.  http://alittleoffthebeatenpath.blogspot.com/   Spencer has learned a lot of lessons because he yearns to learn each and everyday.

Spencer in Halloween costumes,  his baptism day and with his Great Grandma Fowler

11.  Spencer is very caring.  He serves others quietly, but he does small gestures that sometimes could easily go unnoticed if you aren't looking for them.  He is a protector of women.  He wants to keep those he loves safe and he feel very responsible.

12. Spencer is so loyal to Kara and all of his siblings.  However,  I do love how he adores and treats her like a princess.  It is so sweet to see them together.

Halloween,  birthdays and Spencer on his new bike

13. I love how Spencer goes to  the temple each week and has made a commitment to do so.  Once Spencer has his mind set to something it is really hard to get in his way!

Spencer in front to the Fiji temple

14. I love how helpful Spencer is.  If you ask him to do something he will do it.  He is very helpful.

Family vacation, Honors award and another new bike, all from 12-14 yrs old

15.  Spencer is an amazing cook.  He doesn't especially love cooking, but he is such a good cook.  He creates some of the best recipes ever. He cooks dinner one night a week and it is always delicious and healthy.

16.  I love how knowledgeable Spencer is about sports.  He knows everything about sports and he especially loves the Seahawks.  He is so devoted to them no matter how they play.

Spencer at a Seahawks game with his friend Brian

17.  I love seeing how kind and considerate Spencer is with a girlfriend or girls in general.  He is so kind and loving and he goes overboard to let them know they are a daughter of God. He will be a wonderful husband and father someday.

18. I love how much Spencer loves the outdoors.  He loves to hike, camp and explore the beautiful world and is always planning a new adventure. His dad and I love his adventurous spirit.  He is certainly an explore at heart.

19.  I love how well Spencer treats his dog Gracie. He is wonderful with her and only gets her the best of everything.

Various dances Spencer went to in high school and 18th birthday

20. I love how much Spencer loves music.  He has great music taste and even though I don't know all the bands he loves,  I appreciate his love for it.

Senior pictures and Spencer and his ultimate Frisbee team

21. I love how good Spencer is with money.  He has always been really good at saving money and understands the importance of being frugal.

22.  I love how strong minded Spencer is.  When he believes in something he doesn't care if others don't agree with his opinion.  He just stays strong to his beliefs.  We need more people like this in the world.

Spencer in the Redwoods on an awesome hike

23. I love Spencer's imaginative mind. As a child he could think up of some of the most imaginative things.  He still does that today with some of ideas and thoughts.  I love hearing his perspective about the world through his imagination.

Spencer you bring sunshine into each and every day. I am so grateful that you are my son and I learn so much from you.  I love and adore you!!!  Happy Birthday Spencer!!

Love~ Mom