A One Man Job...

The past week, with every EXTRA minute available, my Bubba (as in hubba hubba) could be found working ON (literally) the shed. Due to the BUSY schedules for the rest of us, building the shed has suddenly become... a one man job.


During the week, HE lifted, set, measured, squared and nailed the trusses - ALL of them AND by HIMself... AMAZING!

On Saturday, HE single-handedly lifted the extremely heavy roof sheathing up the ladder AND onto the roof AND somehow managed to bring along his nail gun too. Then he repeated this process EIGHT times. Absolutely INCREDIBLE!

Upon returning HOME in the late afternoon from my busy Saturday (with Ryan in tow), I found HIM on the newly sheathed roof, neatly trimming the edges. I felt a little stab in my HEART (pitter patter), partly because I had MISSED helping with the entire roof but mostly because MY hard working, determined and hunk of a Bubba had raised the roof himself. IMPRESSIVE!

Little did he know that throughout the DAY I had been calling Kelsie EVERY 30 minutes (Ryan thought I was nuts) asking to check if her Daddy had fallen off the roof. HE didn't! :o)

It's Beautiful!

Brock's Reflections Project...

the theme for this year is "Wow..."

and Brock (being our creative and deep thinking child) came up with this Idea for his 3D art project.

it is made from Salt Dough and decorated with poster paints.

he has titled it - "WOW... The 1st African American President."

we laughed when it was finished because the presidential candidates look like Sumo Wrestlers (a possibility for the next presidential debate :)

my thoughts... "If the nation elects a LEMON, make LEMONADE!"

More BANG for your BUCK...

Hunting Season is Here!

So, I loaded the kids into the car and we went huntin'...

...Mommy Style!

After passing by several prime hunting spots, Ryan SIGNALLED that he had found his target.

I pulled over. We looked out the window, scoping the POTENTIAL of the target.

It looked like an easy shot.

I handed Ryan the ammo. A LOOK passed between us. It told me he was READY for this important milestone in his life. I knew he could do it.

He stepped out of the car, took a DEEP BREATH, squared his shoulders and nonchalantly walked towards the target.

The tag read $20. He SHOT IT DOWN with $12. The ammo was just enough for the kill.

Ryan turned and with a HUGE smile gave me a thumbs up.

I patted him on the back (sniff) as we loaded his kill into the back of the Tahoe and headed for home.

My little boy is all grown up (wipe a tear).

I'm so PROUD.

October - Sunday Family Dinner...

We had our monthly Atkinson Family Dinner today. Our hosts for the month were Paul & Mindee. They prepared a yummy dinner of Italian Chicken over rice with rolls and salad. For dessert we enjoyed homemade M&M and Butterfinger rice crispy treats, created entirely by Jeff. It was all so plate-lickin' delicious.

This month, we celebrated Carter's 5th birthday (also Kelly & Mindee AND Grandpa, Robby & Austin - we missed you.) After singing the birthday song, we attempted to give Carter his presents. He refused to take them, unsure that they were for HIS birthday (which is on Oct 31st). It was so cute to watch the kids persuade and convince him that they were truly for him. Eventually he believed us and the presents were opened.

Ever since our parents moved to Germany, I have taken over the dauntless task of documenting our family adventures together for them while they are away (hence the blog.) Although I have taken a lot of flak for this from my brothers and (shock) their wives (thankfully not from the grand kids who LOVE getting their pictures taken), I really can't blame them (at least not much.)

You see, it wasn't that long ago when I used to join them in teasing our sweet Mother, who was never seen without her beloved camera and who we believe to be part Japanese. (Whenever we looked her in the eye - it was through a camera lens :0)

Never fear, MOM! I (the dutiful daughter and most obedient of your children) am carrying on your legacy... and I have the pictures to prove it!!

SMILE! (click)

Another Confession...

Since I have already confessed to seeing a therapist, I know you won't think any less of me if I admit that my hubby and I occasionally consult a marriage counselor. Engaging a MARRIAGE counselor does not mean that you are weak OR "have problems" but rather that you want to STRENGTHEN what you already have OR plant something new. We have found the guidance of a marriage counselor to be very "constructive" therapy... AND working TOGETHER, to build and improve our lives, ALWAYS brings out the best in us.

Here are a few AMAZING results from past counseling sessions...

Here is our current "Therapy" project...

We made INCREDIBLE progress in just one day.

Keep checking for updates on our MARRIAGE counseling project.

A BIG Thank You to our Materials Labor Crew...

Kelly & I were so relieved that we didn't have to haul ALL the wood to the backyard.

A Birthday Tribute...

"alles Gute zum Geburtstagvati!"

(Happy Birthday Dad!)

There are so many reasons I love you. Here are just a few of them...

• DAD + MOM = LOVE...

Ever since I was a little, I knew that Dad loved Mom. He showed us kids how much he loved her by the things he did. I remember the Spring of '93, while camping in the Boulder Mountains, our family went exploring for petrified wood in the desert forest. Mom found the perfect stepping stone for her flower bed, a large tree trunk of petrified wood. First, Dad made sure it was "the one" she wanted and then, with a grunt, he picked it up, placed it on his shoulder and hiked it out. It was an extremely heavy block of wood and an extremely long way to the car. And yet, years later, every time I step on that chunk of petrified log, I am reminded of his deep love for Mom (by the way, I have dibs on the rock.)

• Great Example of Service...

My entire life has been spent observing Dad serve in various positions in the church. Most Sunday's growing up were spent sitting in the congregation, looking him straight in the eye, as he sat on the stand. I am sure that at one time in my life I probably sat with him in the congregation, however I must have been extremely little because I don't remember. Throughout the years he has spent hundreds of hours in the service of others, and never once have I heard him complain about "another meeting." For example, last year Dad had a heart attack (on a Tuesday) and spent a few days in the hospital. The very same day he was released to go home (Thursday), he spent the evening at the stake center, conducting temple recommend interviews. Now, that's an example of service and dedication. If there is a good excuse to cancel a meeting, it would be a heart attack. Right this minute Dad is with his sweetheart, living in Frankfurt, Germany and serving the people of Europe for the next 18 months.

• LIFE LESSON - the value of "FAMILY TIME"...

Dad worked for the school district, which meant he had summer vacation along with the rest of us. Most of the summer was spent fishing, hiking, camping and traveling. We were always together, doing something fun and making memories. From the wonders of high Uintah Mountains to the magic of Goblin Valley. From the beauties of Yellowstone to the excitement of Disneyland. From majestic Mount Rushmore to peaceful Nauvoo to Home Sweet Home. One of our favorite things to do when we get together, is reminisce our childhood. They were happy times.

• I'm BLESSED to CALL you FATHER..

When I was younger, I lamented the fact that I had no sisters... one lonely daughter adrift in a "Sea of Sons" (5 to be exact.) I never appreciated the advantages or blessings of that situation until I became older. We have always had a special father-daughter bond and now that I am a parent, I really value and cherish our relationship. I look back on my childhood and see how nice it was to be "Daddy's Little Girl." One of the things I especially love was that each of us were given a special nickname. When I was little it was "Ladybug." When I got older it changed to... well, let's just say it changed to "Enna." (if my brothers so much as laugh, I will reveal their nicknames :0) Giving nicknames is a tradition he has continued with the grandchildren. We love it!

Birthday Wishes from the kids...

I hope you are having fun in Germany. I miss you. Soon it will be my turn to serve a mission. Thanks for setting the example. Have a happy birthday! Love, Ryan

Happy Birthday, Grandpa! I can't wait to see you when you come home. I hope you have a good birthday in Germany. Love, Brock

I miss your friendly voice. I miss watching movies and eating popcorn at your house. Happy Birthday, I love you! Love, Kelsie

It's Grandpa's Birthday? If you were here with me, I would take you to the zoo. I like the elephants and giraffes best. Happy Birthday! Love, Emilee

There is so much more I can say about how wonderful you are, but I think this poem will sum it up best.

What Makes a Dad?

God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quite sea,

The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagles flight,

The joy of a morning in Spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need.

Then God combined these qualities,
And when there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it -- Dad.

I love you! Happy Birthday Dad!

(You can add a birthday wish too. Just click on the comment box below.)

Fall Break Cousin Exchange...

We are proud part-owners of an amazing Time Share, appropriately called "The Cousin Exchange." The benefits are incredible and include unlimited useage with no black out dates. Ownership in this Time Share not only pays for itself but is a great investment (and who isn't looking for a safe way to protect their investments these days.)

This weekend, being Fall Break from school, we decided to cash in on some "Time Share Bonus Time." Those of you who own Time Shares will know that this is when you can get LAST MINUTE opportunities for a great bargain.

So, having taken advantage of those LAST MINUTE benefits, all the Time Share owners met at our house today to swap kids, after the cousins "exchanged" homes for the school holiday. The kids were so happy being together that we didn't have the heart to seperate them. Therefore, we let them play together in the backyard for the afternoon. For the sake of their Grandma (who is far away over mountains and oceans) here are some of the good times they had...