Kiefer

Sunday, was the one year anniversary of Kiefer's accident. It was a really hard day but we have so many wonderful friends and such a great family. Everyone is so supportive. It is so great to know that everyone still remembers and that there are so many people that love Kiefer, and care for Kyler, Randy and I. Of course Adrienne and Trish were amazing. Adrienne planned a whole parade. We all walked from my house passed the accident site and left flowers, then up to the cemetery. Oh, but with Adrienne we can't just walk, that wasn't enough, we had to do it New Orleans style, with parasols (that Melissa decorated so cute) music, masks, and beads.

When we got to the cemetery Trish, Tony, Katie and the boys were waiting there with flowers, balloons, and water. Tony read a little something that he wrote:

" A year ago I stated, some journeys take us far from home. Some adventures lead us to our destiny and a true pirate will always look to the horizon. Kiefer, the winds of destiny chose you and now blow you on the seas of eternity, forever and forward. This has been a hard year, but just maybe if we listen to the winds that carry your message, we will hear Kiefer telling us, 'never quit, never give up and always look for the bounty in the gifts given us; moments. Moments of laughter, time with friends and loved ones, and adventures that constantly surround us'. I still believe that Kiefer was a pirate and would have beaten the ninjas."

After Tony finished we had a moment of silence and then we let all the balloons go to heaven for Kiefer, as my nieces would say. After that we all walked back to my house. It was a good day. I am sure Kiefer loved it and was with us all day, smiling and laughing.

My Birthday

Saturday was my birthday. Pete and Adrienne gave me a birthday party. I really didn't want one and was sort of forced into it, but in the end I had a lot of fun. Adrienne made everything look so pretty and as always made sure that everyone had fun. Trish brought a whole bunch of Tinker Bell stuff (cake, plates, napkins, balloons and gift bags). It was great, just like being a little girl again. She also kept everything cleaned up.


We went swimming, danced, and sang. Adrienne found the "Pirate Song", a song from our high school days about a gay pirate that just wants to sing and dance, wear tight pants, and drink Perrier with a lime in it. It's a great song!!!!! (Well at least we think so). It was a wonderful party even if I started out as a "hater". Thank you so much to all my friends for coming and for all the great gifts. I love you all.

Kyler's Prom

Vacations

Wow, It has been a really busy July! Kyler and I just got back from Tennessee and then we left for Lake Powell two days later.

Tennessee was fun. We saw a bunch of historical stuff and also went on a Nashville ghost tour. We went to the Country Music Hall of Fame (not our favorite type of music, but while in Nashville we couldn't miss it), we ate at the Hard Rock and the Cheesecake Factory (YUMMY). Yeah, I do know there is one in Salt Lake now but why end a tradition of going to The Cheesecake Factory anytime I go somewhere when their food is so fabulous? Tennessee was HOT!!!! I was literally melting. If you ask Kyler how his trip was he gives you a one word answer: HOT!!!!! We were so not used to humidity.

Lake Powell was also hot but there is always the water to get into so its not so bad. We went with Tony, Trish and their two boys. Kyler took Kayla, which I still can't believe I allowed. I am sure Kiefer is freaking out, saying, "you wouldn't even let me have a girlfriend!". The boat broke down two times so we ended up bringing it home to get fixed. They told us two to three weeks to fix it. I am sure Pete will be having Lake Powell withdrawals by the time we go again.

Lake Powell

Well, Pete finally got me to Lake Powell.

I haven't been since August of last year. I hadn't even been on the boat. Needless to say Pete has been on plenty of MBEs (male bonding experiences), so the boat was a little unorganized. Well lets just say NOTHING was where it was supposed to be! It took me two days to get everything put back together and to find things that they had put in the strangest places. We went with the Bennetts and Kyler took two friends (Evan and Garrett). It was hot during the day but it cooled down at night, which is wonderful. Kyler and his friends had a mud fight and rode the tube everywhere. Kyler, Garrett and Evan had followed Pete and I down in my car, so when Karla mentioned sending all the boys home and staying an extra day, I think they were more excited then the adults to get away. It worked out well, the boys got up early Sunday morning, cleaned everything up without even being asked, and were ready to go. I made them call Randy every 30 minutes so he could make sure they were okay. They made it home and we got to have some adult time.

Kyler's Birthday

Kyler's surprise 16th bithday. He had no idea. Randy took him golfing, so that Tracy, Kayla and I could get things ready. It was fun we had a cookie monster Pinata, which they hung from the neck and beat with a golf club. We went swimming and played games. It turned out really fun even if most of Kyler's friends were out of town.