We started this week off with a birthday party at home before we left for our trip. Alyssa got a detective kit from grandma and grandpa, which she was very excited about it. She was about to jump out of her pants with anticipation in getting to Vegas to see her dad and on to visit all her favorite aunts and uncles. What girl gets to have that for her 12th birthday.

24 Mile Bike Ride - Columbia River - May 2008

We had a really great bike ride. Dad, Mom, Nick, Alyssa and I went to Tri-Cities and did a 23-24 mile bike ride. Started in Columbia Park crossedhe bridge to the Pasco and then traveled along the river over the river again and back to Columbia Park. It was lots of fun. The only mishap we had was that Alyssa had a terrible bike and toward the end she had enough. It thought she was just being a wimp (I know I would never think that of anyone, shocking to believe). I decided to trade and let her ride mine. I only made it a little ways before I discovered it had a flat tire, the brakes barely worked, it took a lot more effort to move forward. Needless to say Alyssa got a bike for her birthday and I'm hoping the 34 miler we go on in July will work out better.

It's Been A Long Time Coming

Well I finally made it. It was a very exciting and somewhat of a sad day. Exciting because I worked so hard so long to get there and sad because I think I actually might miss it a bit and will miss the people I have spend so much of my time with the last few years. I have learned a lot in the past three year while trying to get finished with school but the one thing I thought I'd share with you today is this.......
ENJOY EVERYDAY, EVERY MOMENT, and MAKE THE MOST OF IT
(corny I know but I'm serious :O) I have spent the last eight years of my life hoping for something more and not enjoying what I have right now. As Alyssa gets older and older so quickly I have realized just how much I probably missed by wishing my life was a bit different. Anyhow I had a great day. Now I just have to pass my licensing boards and get a job.

Well Alyssa made it through the sixth grade. She is days away from turning 12 (SCARY!!!!) and she just had her interview with the bishop. He gave her all her books for young womens. I thought she was going to burst when she was telling me that there will be a temple trip in August but if she wanted to go before then she could come see him to get a recommend. Needless to say she is very very excited to be going in to young women's. Her birthday fell at a bad time this year. Our ward in Hermiston decided to do a trek this year instead of girls camp, which was great except that she missed it by three days. No problem though. We found something fun to do instead. We get to fly out and meet Randy in Lousiana at Cliff and Jaime's and drive cross country stopping at all the important places on the way (Doug, Trev, Grandma, Al). She is stoked and I'm hoping we'll still like each other when we get back. Hopefully Randy won't be asking the Navy if he can stay longer on the submarine so he can have a longer break from us. :O)