Celebrating Dustin's B-day and Father's Day

Dustin's birthday, June 17th, is frequently close to Father's Day, so we occasionally celebrate the two at the same time.

We started out the evening with Dustin's dinner request: KFC fried chicken, homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, coleslaw, and biscuits.

Grandma and Grandpa Lynn came by for a few minutes after dinner, bearing plates of homemade candy (which disappeared quickly!), and additional pages to add to the scrapbooks she has given us in past years. We really enjoyed their visit.

Then we all went to see the movie "UP". It was a cute movie, and one you should see with someone you love.

Afterwards, we went back to the house for presents and dessert.
In keeping with our family tradition, Dustin is looking for one of his gifts, which is wrapped in newpaper, and hidden in the recycle box. He is being guided by "hot and cold" statements from the person who hid it. He also found them hidden in potted plants, the hall closet and somewhere in the front room, I think.
"This isn't what I thought it was, but I like it."

He thought it was a bread maker, which he had requested, but it turned out to be a wok, which he had also requested.

He also got a game, a movie, a pizza pan and cash (always a welcome gift).



Larry also had to go on a "hot and cold" hunt for his Father's Day gifts.

His wish list consisted of a long list of DVDs he wanted to add to his collection - and he got what he wanted. He was a happy guy!


Once all the gifts were done, we celebrated with rootbeer and orange soda floats and freezes.

It was a fun night for everyone!


Happy Birthday, Dustin!
Happy Father's Day, Larry!

Memorial Day '09

At the beginning of the week, Larry and I thought there would just be the two of us and Bryson at home for Memorial Day, so Larry planned to get a few projects done around the house.

As the week went on and week talked with the kids, inviting them one by one to come over for a BBQ, we found they were all available. Yay!

It turned out to be quite a productive day.

Larry went to a local nursery and bought plants and flowers for our gardens.

Christopher got the oil changed in their car while Bri was able to finish up some homework.

Niki and John (Niki's friend) went with us to Sam's Club to get food for the grill. While we were there, John volunteered to grill salmon for us - a new experience since most of us had never had salmon, and none of knew how to grill it.


Chris and Bri started the flower planting in the front yard. Then Dustin came along and pointed out the huge spider - complete with egg sack. That made everyone stand back for a second and watch where it went.











I loved finding these summer colors on the front porch!






While the front flower garden was taking shape, Larry, John, Niki, Dustin and Bryson were also planting the vegetables in the back garden.









Then the grillin' started! Yum! Besides the salmon we also had steak and chicken.












But it was the company of loved ones that brought the most joy of all!

Mother's Day 2009

Mother's Day was perfect this year! I couldn't have asked for anything more (except that Niki, who had to work, could have joined us).

Larry, Bryson and I spent time together before church doing our family council and weekly calendaring session. Larry also gave me a mini pedicure. Normally this isn't something we would do on a Sunday, but it was a sweet treat today!

Church was lovely, the Spirit was present. Sacrament meeting was packed because David Guzman was giving his last talk prior to leaving on his mission. The Bishopric gave all the sisters in the ward some chocolate turtles - absolutely delicious!!

After church Dustin, Chris and Bri and, of course, Larry, Bryson and I, spent the evening together. We barbequed pork chops, steak and halibut for me. It was the first time Larry had ever bbq'd halibut, and he got it exactly right! He also made me a beautiful and yummy fresh fruit salsa to go over it. He ended up making a 2nd batch because the red pepper flakes in the first batch made it just a bit too spicy for me (as in flames were shooting from my ears - hahaha). The 2nd batch was just right! We also bbq'd fresh pineapple. (I wish we had taken a picture! I've lost my camera (so sad about that) and so I don't think about pictures as readily now.)

The weather was sunny and calm. We ate on the deck with the umbrella up. What a treat!

Afterwards we opened gifts - a dozen red roses (wish I had a picture again - sigh), a gift card to Deseret Book and a dvd "Phantom of the Opera".

For Home Evening, we asked Chris and Bri to choose a question from the journal jar, and we took turns answering it. The question was, "When, where and how did you learn to drive? Share any driving related stories you might have." That was a lot of fun.

Then we played "Ticket to Ride", a board game, and ate New York cheesecake with fresh strawberries and sauce. I had the longest train in the game, but Larry completed the most trips, so he won.

Spending time together was the best gift of all. I love my talented, beautiful family! Thanks for creating the "Perfect Mother's Day" for me!

Family Formal Dinner 2009

We started a family tradition several years ago that has become known as the Family Formal Dinner.


Everyone helps out with the set-up,

meal preparation and clean up.


Niki was in charge of organizing it this and did a great job!

Hugs and Heart Attacks

A couple of days ago we had a surprise visit from some dear friends, Kent and Sharon Bateman. It was so fun to spend a few moments with them.

As they were leaving, the doorbell rang, and Kent - always the one for fun - decided to answer it for us. We were all surprised, and I think Kent was a little disappointed, when there was no one there.




On closer inspection however, we realized that we had been given a 'heart attack'. Our front lawn was covered in hand-decorated paper hearts and there were more hearts on the doorstep, along with yummy cookies.

What a treat! We feel so loved!

Christmas Day Memories 2008

Christmas Day Memories 2008 part 2

Several years ago, Dustin gave Niki a box filled with 'extras', along with her regular Christmas gift. Those 'extras' have now become part of the Chipman family tradition, with a new person getting them each year. This year it was Christopher and Bri's turn.