Rise of the Hunting Bears

OK so this one is for Jordy. This post is to show the HB and the new sounds that it puts out. And boy oh boy does it sound better than a stinky bean fed uncle on the rez.

Here is the other new sound that comes out of it. Dont worry about the roar of the engine. That music will drown out EVERYTHING else.

did we find are man

today I was looking on craigs list under lost and found and i just had a feeling to look under lost dog I found this you tell me is this our long lost Charlie

Brigham

It only happens once a year

As I was thinking about you on your birthday today I wanted to wish you a very happy birthday. Originally my post was to be a list of all your great qualities, achievements and characteristics. But, I kept coming back to what we as your children often forget to say...thank you! So mom this is a happy birthday wish with all the thank yous' you deserve.

THANK YOU FOR

• Always making dinner and encouraging us to have dinner as a family each day.
• Teaching us to be savvy with our money and make wise choices when it came to spending.
• Having fun treats ready for us to snack on each day after school.
• Taking us to the doctor or the dentist even if it meant we had 8 cavities.
• Encouraging us to have and make good friends with like values.
• Forcing us to love our siblings, somehow now that all makes sense!
• Making us share rooms with each other even when the other sibling was a messy roommate.
• Letting us build all kinds of dangerous forts in the backyard.
• Allowing us to have animals that smelt, ran away and caused more problems then they were worth.
• Teaching us to pray and believe in a higher being.
• Loving our father in a way we we saw each day.
• Showing us how to set goals and reach them.
• Taking us to dinner even if everyone stared at us like we were from Colorado City.
• Sacrificing so we could go on trips like Disneyland (twice)
• Teaching your girls how to cook, clean and sew...priceless skills.
• Letting us sleep in your room when we were scared of the thunder or a man at the top of the stairs.
• Letting us sneak some popcorn and black licorice on our way to bed.
• Taking us to our grandma and grandpas so we could spend the night.
• Teaching us that what others think doesn't matter when you do what is right.
• Sharing your birth experiences with your girls in a way that was special and educational.
• Helping your boys complete their Eagle Scout even when they wanted to quit.
• Counseling your children to be good and do good.
• Making your children acquire good grades and a job in order to get a drivers license.

Most important mom you have always been there. What a bunch of lucky kids we are to have you. Having a child is lots of work but having 10 takes someone special. We hope your birthday is a special one!

American Leadership Academy

School will begin Wednesday August 5th. I can't believe it is already that time. My classroom is finally ready to roll. It was a lot of work and I have lots of people to thank for all the help I received. You know who you are! The room wasn't much to begin with but it is functional now. Take a peek!

The red door on the right is my room. It is room 102. Above is Heather helping me start to sort through all my junk. The truck picture is Brigham and Judd unloading all the crud, and I have a lot!

And here is the finish product. We had our official "Meet the Teacher" night and everyone seemed pleased with the results.

Where is the staple remover?

I just couldn't resist this picture. I had never seen staples up close and personal. Yuk! They have since been removed, but I thought everyone might like to see what I saw.

The longest scar is about the length of my index finger. The other 3 are small holes they also made. I am not sure what the holes were all about. I thought the scar would be much longer. Now if he can just get past the itching we might be home free.

Dad Gets Surgery!

Here is the post I have been trying to get to. It's all about Russ's hosptial experience. Do you think they have the right idea about advertising their name. Check out the area above the bed. The accomodations aren't so great and the food is... well hospital food is what it is. No salt, no seasonings, no flavor. They do send the "chef" to your room to take your order. I think that is to help you feel like your getting some special treatment. Good try but it still tasted like hospital food. My favorite picture is the one of Dr. Ben. Is that picture a sign of things to come?

I didn't take any pictures during the ilium episode. It was just too stressful. We are grateful to all the visitors that came and for all the care and concern everyone showed. The prayers, fasting and numerous blessings really made the difference.

It's too bad we had to go AWOL at the end. There were many great Dr.'s and nurses that took good care of Russ but when it was time to go home, even that didn't matter. We had to do what we had to do. Just remember, "There is no place like home".

Gross Hair!

I though I would post this just so you could see what kind of people I see regularly. This dude's hair was so heavy that it made his head tilt when he walked. It probably has bugs in it and all kinds of nasty stuff.

Hill Cumorah Pageant

You can probably guess which one is Joseph Smith and which one is Mormon. These are the guys that I got to proselyte with at the pageant. Who would have ever thought that Joseph Smith would be my companion? Cool eh?

Finally, our big day has arrived!

As I look at the this blog I realize I need to give it some attention. Well, this isn't going to be the day for that, but I do have some things to add as soon as I find time. Today is our families big day! Russ is finally getting his long awaited disk replacement surgery. If all goes well, he will soon be a new man. I would just be happy with the same ol' man I knew a year ago. This has been a rough road for him and hopefully we will soon reap the benefits of his patience. The surgery will take about 4 hours. He will be up on his feet within 24 hours. Ouch!! If he is a good patient he will be home by the end of the week. Bethany is here to take over the household duties and Kobie will take over when she leaves at the end of the week. Heather is going to be my waiting room partner today. We had a big family fast yesterday and I know that Heavenly Father will bless this surgery to go well. The surgeon will be guided by the Spirit and he will wonder what is happening. His skilled hands will do their job in an amazing way. He may need to think about this when it is over. Maybe it is his segway to learning more about the gospel. You never know. So, off we go to another adventure. When this is over and Russ is recovered if you want to talk to me you will find me on a beautiful beach watching the waves come and go in San Diego California!

Remembering Shirley Lines

Travis, Allie & Cooper

It was with a heavy heart today that we received the news that Shirley Lines, Allies mom passed away. We knew this day was coming but it didn't seem to make the news any easier to hear. I thought that since Shirley and Alvin gave our family such a wonderful gift (Allie who in turn gave us Cooper) that I would like to pay a little tribute to her.

Things I remember about Shirley Lines:

You always knew when Shirley was present. Her contagious laugh and her happy countenance were always fun to be near. I remember when I called her to get acquainted when Travis and Allie became engaged. I couldn't help but like her right from the get-go. Her gregarious personality made me comfortable right away and I knew I had found a friend!

The Lines tribe all came to town for the wedding. We had a dinner the night before the wedding and what a crowd we had! It was such fun. It isn't often that the Richardson's meet a family that is as large (or in this case larger) than we are. Everyone seemed happy to be there and it was as if we had known each other forever. Shirley taught her children well. Like her they are happy and ready to have fun. I don't think Shirley ever met a stranger in her life. What a great gift!

Shirley was a very hospitable person, always ready to serve, always ready to welcome others into her home. Russ and I went to Boise for Travis and Allies open house after they were married. Shirley was happy to see us and invited us to stay at their home which was already full of family members. Although we stayed in a hotel, we ate at the Lines home and enjoyed every minute of being there. It was just like being at home!

When Cooper was born, Shirley came to stay with Allie while she recuperated. I was so impressed that she would take the time to be with her daughter for a whole week. I knew how busy she was and this was a sacrifice that spoke volumes about her love for her daughter and new grandson. I stopped by and visited with her while she was in town and we ooed and awed over how precious Cooper was. I knew I was going to have some stiff competition as a grandma!

Russ has commented several times that Shirley and I were like sisters. We shared many things in common including our large families. It isn't often that I get the opportunity to talk to someone who can understand the challenges of having so many children. It is a sisterhood of sorts and we were lucky to share it. I often thought, "If only Shirley and I lived closer to each other. Wouldn't that have been fun?

Shirley and Alvin came to Arizona last January (or there about) to enjoy their family and friends at a gathering they put together. We had the privilege of attending and basking in the Lines family goodness. I had just received the news that I needed to have a breast biopsy to determine if I had breast cancer. When Shirley heard the news she pulled me aside and very lovingly said, "You will be just fine. Everything is going to turn out good". She was so certain and it turned out she was right. She gave me hope even when she lived her own life in such uncertainty. Thank you Shirley for the hope you give each of us, thank you for your great example of faith, and thank you for sharing your sweet daughter with our family. We will see you again someday.

New Family Blog!!

Yay! I finally started a family blog!
http://allinaboysworld.blogspot.com/

Anthony's Baptism

The baptism went super well this weekend! Just look how happy everyone in all of these pictures are! That is the Alessi family. They are the ones that found Anthony. They are really awesome. Just last year they found a guy and baptized him too! They really know how to spread the gospel.

And my hairline is receding a little too. ;)

No Bones Broken!

Well, a picture says a thousand words. Just what you see is what you get. While I was at the park, I was jumping over another missionary. The one time that I decide to get a picture, I don't jump high enough. So I totally face planted it in front of 6 missionaries. So much for the pride of doing something other people can't because aparently I can't do it either!

Father Dear We Love You So

So, I looked for a long time on my computer to come up with a photo of dad where he had his trusty mustache!  You see when we were kids dad had a sweet handlebar mustache that we all loved.  Dad would come home from work and after greeting mom would always play with us kids.  We loved when dad would come home and we could go out to his truck and snack on his leftover soda and peanut patties.  We had lots of wrestling matches, water fights and rides on the motorcycle with dad.  When dad shaved off his moustache all of us kids cried.  You would have thought someone died.  But, it was a part of dad we all loved.  That was 

so long ago its hard to even imagine dad with a moustache.

We have such a wonderful father!  Anyone I talk to who knows dad always says "is he really always happy?"  the answer is easy, yes.  He makes the best of anything and any situation.  His compassion for others and service is something I admire as do my other siblings.  Dad is a good friend and when he gives his word its like gold.  You can always count on dad for mentoring or just to have a good laugh.  Dad is a wonderful cook and a history whiz!  He always tells the best stories and most of all he loves his family.  

Happy Birthday Father!!

For Jordy's Viewing Pleasure

Jordy, we thought you might like to see some pictures of Judd's return. You have to know that Bug took the pictures and from where he was standing it ended up only being the backs of everyone. Either way, enjoy!

Wait for it....wait for it....
Ahhhh.....home sweet home

The name is Richardson

Dad informed me that Ben and Briana's new little bundle of joy is only the second girl in the Richardson family (Russ & Sheila) to carry the Richardson last name. I guess she has a lot to live up to but I am sure she can do it. Ben and Briana are wonderful parents and she will be very loved.

She finally made her appearance into the world on April 8, 2009 at 7:17 in the evening. She weighs in at 6lbs 15 oz and is 19 1/2 inches long. She is just so cute! I love her. I guess I get attached to all the babies where I get to be a part of their birth.

Briana did wonderful and she was such a great laborer. What a gift she gave her little baby girl. We are all just holding tight for this little girl to be named. We will keep you posted.

Oh, Ben also informed me that this little one is Grandma and Grandpa Richardson's 200th in posterity!! Wow.

Pictures of Cooper

We have been wanting to post some pictures of Cooper for Judd and Jordan but it just never happened. So these pictures are for you Judd and Jordan. I hope you enjoy!

At Christmas time all of my family came to Arizona and we had family pictures taken. These pictures really show Coopers personality. He would not sit still! The photographer was trying to get all 18 grand kids to line up against the wall but Cooper decided he didn't want to, so this is the result!

Buffalo Bills Stadium!

Is there a way to rotate pictures on this thing? Is so please let me know how. Anyways this is the famous Buffalo Bills stadium. I got to sit in the coaches chair and yes, I got a picture by T.O.'s locker. If you know who he is. I didn't before this picture. I just know he is famous.

Nicko-dee

Heather and Doug got this signed copy of fine tunes for Dad while visiting with the Sneezy Boyz... Nicko-dee..... I quess our tribe is their biggest fans off the rez.... Nicko-dee.... Jordy-Kake would have loved to be there to talk to Ricardo. Heather said he has not been on a diet....Nicko-dee... He did say that if asked they would have loved to play at Mom's graduation party!...Nicko-dee

P.S. This was actually posted by Russ