wrapping up the school year

 Max and Eliza participate in the county Track Meet.  Max takes 2nd place in the relay!

First Fishing Trip of the Season at Garfield Pond.  8 Fish for Dinner!

Marcos wraps up his T-ball season with the chance to play catcher and several good hits!

 First Canoe Trip of the Summer with Workmans on Memorial Day

 Cooper's 8th Grade Presentation to the School Board

The Season of Ice Cream Eating Begins!

 Final Band Concert

 Baseball Star

 Cooper's 8th grade Promotion

 Hooray for Cooper

 Wilson's Final Track Meet

mothers day 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

Mom requested an afternoon out with the girls for Mother's Day this year.  We had pedicures,  lunch at Olive Garden and genuinely enjoyed each other's company. We forgot to take a picture together before Stacey left for her appointment so I made everyone drive to Stacey's doctor's office so we could get cheesy picture in the waiting room.  The picture quality is poor, but I'm glad we preserved the funny memory!  

I think my most lovely gift this mother's day may not have been intentional and I don't care.   My son Wilson not only got up first on Sunday morning and did NOT make us late to church, but when we got to church,  he opened the car door for me.  The rest of the kids were pure evil all day long, but I was on cloud 9 from Wilson's kindness.  I also got a new electric hedge trimmer, a big ole chocolate bar and a family bike ride, so it was a pretty great day overall.

This was my 5th and final Mother's Day Kindergarten Tea Party.  I've loved every one of them.

 Tony surprised me with our favorite Raisin Filled Sugar Cookies--Grandma Chocolate's recipe.

daddy daughter date

This weekend was my cousin Taylor's wedding in Portland.  It was a busy time for Tony and the kids and Mom just had foot surgery (what a beautiful BYU blue cast you have!) so that left Dad and I as the Rippy family ambassadors.  We made a quick trip to Portland, had a delicious dinner with the family at the Spaghetti Factory and met Grant the fiance.  After dinner we visited with Dad's lovely cousins Chris and Connie.  We drove to McMinnville, stayed the night with Betsy, and spent the morning in our pajamas talking.  The wedding at the temple was simple and sweet.  We said our goodbyes and were back on the road by 6:00--whirlwind!


It would have been nice to have Mom and Tony there, but since circumstances didn't allow, it was a real treat to have a Daddy Daughter date.  I'm sure after 12 hours in the car with me,  Dad was ready to chop off his ears to stop my incessant talking, but I loved discussing my gospel and parenting questions with him.

I can't spend much time talking with my Dad without quickly being reminded how much he loves my Mom.  I found out on this trip that he fell in love with her because she was, "beautiful, smart and funny."  I thought he just liked that she laughed at his jokes.  He told me that when they first started dating, a previous beaux came up to the two of them and said, "Hey Jim, you are clipping my grass." (Translation: you are moving in on my girl.)  Mom promptly responded, "Fred, you haven't even planted a lawn!"   Of all the great things my parents gave me, their commitment to  each other seems to be what has given me the most confidence, security and stability.

It wasn't all just frivolous conversation.  I insisted that Dad give me all the details for his funeral.  I also introduced him to a couple of bloggers such as Middle Aged Mormon Man.  And Burgerville.

It was nice to take a trip like this so close to Father's Day.  I am one lucky girl to have Jim Rippy for my Dad.  The only girl on the planet who has a Dad as great as mine,  is my daughter Eliza.  I hope she enjoys her Daddy daughter dates as much as I do.  I love you Dad.

Wilson