31 years of FUN

Celebrating Ben's bday-
From PDitty: Mentos, "The Fresh Maker" From T-Man: Tiger Balm (Haven't tried it? Well you SHOULD!)

From me: new kicks for running. Happy Bday Dad! We went and ate at Ben's favorite restraunt: The Rice Garden. And then had doughnuts and ice cream.


and, in honor of his 31st bday...31 reasons i love this guy:

1. he loves the outdoors
2. he enjoys john denver as much as i do
3. he's way smarter than i could ever dream of being
4. he's kind to everyone
5. he's a handsome devil-especially his beautiful,thick,curly hair
6. he LOVES adventure
7. he's always up for a challenge
8. he knows how to have fun
9. he's appreciative
10. he's understanding
11. he's easy to talk to
12. he's Spiritual
13. he's hard-working
14. he's disciplined
15. he couldn't care less about sports, name brands or electronics
16. he's calm under pressure
17. he's a FUN dad!
18. he's honest
19. he's not matieralistic AT ALL (he drove a beater car with only one side mirror, no brakes-he used the emergency brake for MONTHS, no working radio and no A/C until i practically FORCED him to get a decent one
20. he loves to laugh (& he's willing to laugh at himself!)
21. he can think of something good to say in just about any situation
22. he puts up with ME!
23. he loves to learn
24. he's committed (to our family, his job, the Church, his goals, education, etc)
25. he's good provider
26. he's thoughtful
27. he's a good listener
28. he's helpful
29. he enjoys traveling and family vacations
30. he's unselfish
31. he DOESN'T have a temper

i could go on all day. let me just say that i'm SO GRATEFUL to be married to a great guy! love you babe. happy 31st bday!

This weekend we went up to Friday Harbor and stayed with some friends who were kind enough to take us sailing! I met Joe (below) on the Adventuress crew back in April (see April 2nd). We were so inspired by he and his wife Nancy. They spend their days in serving others and their happy countenances show it! Joe makes ice cream for free for "The Doctor's Office", volunteers at the Whale Museum, babysits one of his grandaughters every week, reads to another grandchild's class weekly, volunteered on the Adventuress for 2 MONTHS, plays Santa Claus, works with autistic children at a horse stable, rescues golden retrievers AND meets complete strangers and graciously invites them to stay on his sailboat! Amazing people. Thanks again Joe & Nancy! We had a BLAST! It's great to have friends like you.

Cap'n Ben (living his DREAM-not many of you know this, but Ben has always wanted to sail and to own his own icecream parlor. Dream BIG babe!)

And thanks MOM AND DAD for keeping the boys! They always have a great time and we love and appreciate you so much!