The Big Guy Turns 37

Yes, today we celebrate our dear husband/dad's birthday. It's always an exciting day for me because now CJ is only one year younger than me , rather than two. It was a pretty uneventful birthday, but I think that kind of happens with each passing year. Instead of a cake he wanted cinnamon rolls so I spent my afternoon doing that. Birthday dinner consisted of hamburgers on the grill and a shrimp salad.
Later we met with some friends and the missionaries for a discussion. Kim (not me) brought a chocolate cream pie and the missionaries brought balloons. CJ really appreciated their thoughtfulness.
CJ and I started dating when he was sixteen, so WOW, that's quite a few birthdays together.
I hope he had a great day because we think he is a pretty great DAD!
CJ has always been really good to pick up the pieces when I can't. When I was teaching school he always went on the field trips with the kids, he took the birthday treats to their classes, and one year he even sighed up with the PTA as a Room Father. He was really great to help with laundry and cleaning the house. Our first year married he even packed me a lunch every day!
He is a very hard worker and expects the same from those around him, whether it's his employees, his kids, or his wife. I would love to sleep in on Saturday mornings, but he's always up early doing something and out of guilt I get up, too. He loves to work outside, whether is mowing the lawn, fixing sprinklers, shoveling snow for us and all the neighbors. . . whatever, he would rather be out than in. He's done a great job with his electrical contracting business. I appreciate all he's done so that I am now able to be home with the kids.
CJ pretty much embraces everything whole-heartedly! Whenever he does anything he goes all the way. He not a man of just talk -- He's a man of ACTION! Because of him we have GREAT food storage, a cabin at Bear lake, water at his dad's farm, two cows and "some" chickens in the backyard.
CJ is definitely dedicated to his family and the church. He loved his mission to the Philippines and loves missionary work, in general. He would do anything for his family! He thinks his kids are the best around (which they are) and likes to see them excel. CJ loves to watch Keaton play football. Kennedy has him wrapped around her little finger. I think he's thrilled that Klayson is his "cowboy" and that Keaton has taken quite an interest in "farm animals", too. Of course, in his eyes, Olivia can do no wrong.
As anyone can see, I've got the best guy around and my kids have the greatest dad!
We love you CJ! Thanks for all you do!!

Happy Birthday CJ

It's All Fun & Games Until Someone Gets Hurt

When CJ put his hand in the air I knew the race was on. As soon as his arm dropped we sped across a field as fast as we could. The next thing I knew I was lying on my back wondering what the heck just happened. Come to find out, the ski of my snowmobile hit a wheel of something that was buried in the snow. Luckily I hit the wheel with just one ski and not head on or I probably would have killed myself. (Well, not really, but I would have had a few bruises.) Putting his scout skills to the test, CJ tied the ski back on and we rode back to the cabin.We loaded that sled into the trailer and got out the spare we brought. After riding for about three hours CJ offered to trade me so I could ride a more comfortable, faster snowmobile. I was perfectly content on our little Phazer, but we traded anyway. I headed off down the trail, but soon noticed we wasn't right behind me. I stopped to trade back (his goes way too fast for me). When he got to me he said that he had no idea how I had ridden for so long because there was no steering.

After checking things out and finding there was a missing bolt, we towed the Phazer out, about 30 miles, and took it to the nearest Yamaha dealer. Because of the busy weekend they didn't have time to fix it so we rented one for the next couple of days.

Darn our bad luck! Two snowmobiles down on the first day of our trip!

In spite of the trouble we had the first day, we had such a great time in Island Park. Our Group -- Ryan, Jordy, Mandi, Lee, Sherri, Eli, CJ, Kim, Craig, and Brady

We couldn't have asked for better conditions. The days were beautiful and we got new snow every night!This is one of my favorite spots -- Big Springs -- It reminds me of one of the Three Little Pigs' houses.

CJ and I at Mesa Falls

Brady -- Just Chillin' (Yes! That definitely is where Brady should park!)

Craig -- Ready to Ride

Eli & Sherri -- Lovin' it up!

Ryan & Jordan -- Takin' a Break

Rednecks

I really don't think this post needs a lot of explanation. It's just the way we move our furniture from the upstairs family room to the downstairs family room.

The Year of the Ox

If you are at all familiar with Chinese New Year you will understand that at the Roberts house 2009 is the Year of the Cow, the Year of the Chicken, and the Year of the Dog.

Let's start with the cow. In CJ's younger days he was a definite cowboy. He wore nothing butt (not a type-o) tight Wranglers and ropers. He always raised a steer, or two or three, to show at the B.E. County Fair, the State Fair, and sometimes Spanish Fork or Grantsville. He was pretty good, too.

For the past couple of years Keaton has wanted to follow in his dad's footsteps. We were able to buy some land behind our house, get it fenced, and now we have cows. You can't by just one, according to CJ, so we have two.

On to the chickens. CJ proposed the idea of getting a couple of chickens so we could have fresh eggs. He found a cheap chicken coop on KSL and then discovered three chickens. We bought these and quickly became chicken fans. We were all so thrilled when we found an egg. Then it was two eggs, and finally three. The kids would rush off the bus to look for eggs. There is even one chicken who lays kind of a green colored egg. Dr. Seuss was definitely on to something. My parents were wondering what to get CJ for Christmas and I flippantly said that we had room in the coop for three more chickens. So that's what he got . . . three chickens and a cute little basket for gathering eggs.

Finally the dogs. We had three very smelly hunting dogs. He gave one, Maisy, to a contractor buddy. That left Elvis (I wish he had left the building because he stinks the most) and Jenny (I know her name should have been Priscilla). I thought Olivia needed a playmate so Santa brought the kids a puppy, named Roxy. She is the cutest mini schnauzer. CJ is not as fond of her as the rest of us because he is definitely opposed to house dogs. That, and the fact that she spent more time at the vet clinic than at home. I think the vet bills might have a little something to do with it, too. We're working through the potty training with Livie and Roxy.

' Twas the Night Before Christmas

I'm truly hoping a tradition has been started in the Roberts household.
For the past 14 years we have always spent Christmas Eve with the Roberts family. For the past 12 years I have wanted to change it up a bit. Maybe we can continue with an every other year thing. I want to have traditions with my kids that they will remember when they are grown.
In 2006 Olivia had her head surgery and came home from PCMC on December 23, so we definitely weren't going out and about that year.
In 2007 we went to the Roberts' again.
In 2008 my sister's family came from Virginia so we spent Christmas with the Firth side.
Ashley and Adri were the party planners, mostly Adri, she likes to be in control. (Sorry Adri, it's true.) The theme was Mexican Fiesta!! Ashley made delicious enchiladas. Adri and I did tacos and Mexican rice. Granny & Grandpa provided the drinks. Craig's sister, Cindy, and her family joined us in the festivities. I have to say we all had a great time. It was nice and simple!
That night Jayden didn't want to leave the fun and head back home, so Ashley, who I think had lost her mind, drove home loaded up Christmas and brought it here.
It was great to have all the kids and my sisters here for Christmas. Granny and Grandpa decided to get some sleep, so they went home, but they showed up here early Christmas morning.

A Visit From Peru

Last April CJ and I were able to take a trip to Peru. We had a wonderful time and made some great friends. (If you know CJ, that shouldn't surprise you!)

Our travel agent, Carmela, has two daughters that live in Utah and one of them was due to have a baby in January. Carmela told us, while we were in Peru, that she would be here for Christmas. We called her daughter, Melanie, and made plans to get together for dinner and see the lights at Temple Square.

It was so fun to see Carmela again and meet her son, Aaron, her daughter, Melanie, and son-in-law, Roy.

She became a new grandma on January 6th when Stephanie had a baby girl!