Just a thought (by: Owen)

When is it in life that we get too busy for our friends or those who mean the most to us? This week my best friend (my dog) Duke died. You may be saying, "good grief, get over it". Well, the people who know me would be surprised how well I did deal with it. I had always planned on shooting Duke up in the mountains when he got to that stage in his life, because I wanted him to die happy. In the mountains with me is where he was happiest, but luckily for me, he went peacefully in my backyard on the grass, in the shade and under a bush. I hope we could all be so lucky. Duke's death is not what has been bothering me. Last week my family came down to the lake and camped. We all had a lot of fun and all the dogs got to enjoy the kids, the lake and all the extra scraps and attention. That is where my problem lies. I am a very motivated person who believes you figure out what you want and go out and get it. I put on a big fun trip for my family. I went through the motions of trying to show everyone I do care about them and I like to be around them and enjoy their company. When I called my dad to tell him about Duke, he said, "well I am glad I came down and got to see him. He was a great dog and I gave him a lot of attention and pet him." That is when I finally broke down and cried, because I took Duke to camp, which he loves, but I never stopped, not even for a second, to kneel down, hug him and scratch behind his ears. That's what Duke loved more then anything, me. My hug, my attention, me. It didn't matter where we were at, what we were doing. He always wanted to hand out with me. For the better part of ten years, his goal was to make me happy, to make me smile, to snuggle up to me, to comfort me, to walk with me, to protect me, to protect those most important to me and to love me unconditionally. Last week he wasn't feeling or looking well, I knew it and so did everyone else, and I didn't even take the time to scratch his belly and try to comfort him. When we went to bury Duke, my wife told me that the day Duke died she had noticed him sitting at the back window looking in the house for hours. She thinks he was waiting for me to get home to say goodbye. I found him fifteen minutes after I got home from work, he was still warm. He couldn't have been gone more then a half hour. I guess what I am trying to share with everyone is how lucky a man I am. What a wonderful family I have, who just like my dog, loves to be with me, to hug me, to walk with me, to snuggle me, to love me unconditionally and they are waiting at home for me. Am I going to miss them, am I going to be too late to kiss them good night, to see them grow up, to watch my son ride his bike, to have a tea party with Rylee, to tickle Kodi's belly, to hold Tylar or to snuggle my wife? I have my goals in sight and I am working dang hard to go and achieve them. Life is a goal and like any goal it is the journey that makes it great. Take time to make those who mean the most to you part of that journey, because if you think about it, they should be part of that goal you are shooting for. So slow down just a bit and take a minute to make those around you happy. Don't just tell your wife you love her, show her. Take her for a walk, watch a sunset, look up at the stars with your kids. What are your loved ones favorite things to do? Do you take the time to do it with them? I promise, if you take the time to show your love and make those that you love happy by taking the time to do what "they" love, you will be happier than you could ever hope for and your journey to your goal will be all the better. Thank you Duke for the journey, the memories and for showing me how to truly love someone.

*DUKE ("Duker")*

(Warning: Possible picture overload)

To the WORLDS greatest dog anyone could ever ask for! Duke was our companion for hiking, camping, and hunting. He was a wonderful friend, entertainer, protector (baby sitter). He loved spending time with Owen and our family, but mostly Owen. (: He did the best tricks, loved us all unconditionally and when we were having a bad day, he knew and would always lean in on us just a little more then normal to make us feel better. Duke loved to explore all our new camp spots and on a number of occasions, he would disappear for a few hours and then come back. He loved going to work with Owen even if he just sat in the back of the truck and waited for Owen to get done.

I know I'm going to look out the back window for him to be looking in at me for the next little bit. We're going to miss him on all our hikes and camping trips. I'm not going to feel quite as safe in my our home when Owen is gone to work over night.... Duke always calmed my nerves and made me feel safe (Bruiser just doesn't compare to Duke)!

This was always where we could find Duke when we couldn't find him.

Duke slept on the tramp several times with the kids and wouldn't leave their side until they woke up!

Duke always put up with all the girly things the kids would do to him, like combing his fur. (:

Duke sat at the door just looking at me like, "are you going to stop this torture?" I couldn't resist taking a few pictures first! (:

Here is Duke singing with the kids!!!

(Duke died peacefully in our backyard under a shady bush. His death was a surprise to all of us.)

Duke will always be missed in our home and he will be soooo hard to replace!

favorite shoes...

Oh man, I can just go on and on about these cute things... Aren't these just the cutes baby shoes ever?? A friend of ours wife made these for Tylar. I just love them! They keep Tylar's feet nice and warm, just like she likes it, not to mention they stay on too! (:

What a good big sister!!!

This was just to cute to pass up... Tylar was crying while I was cooking dinner and then she just stopped. now, I wouldn't of really thought anything of it, but when I turned around to see what I could do to keep her quiet, she was gone, as well as her bouncer. I walked around the corner and this is what I saw... This is what Owen and I do when we are eating dinner or are doing something and Tylar isn't very happy! Isn't that just the sweetest thing ever?? I love moments like this!

Congrats to the Peterson family

My little sister Elicia's family just welcomed their third child to their family. They names her Marlee Faye. She weighed 8lbs 3oz and was 19 inches long. Mom and baby are both doing really well, just tired.
Congrats guys, glad everything went well. We cant wait to meet her in person!

Powell pics

Here is some cuteness from our Lake Powell weekend trip:

Tylar enjoying the outdoors.

The tow rope got sucked into the wave runner and this is the guys trying to get it out.

Branson and Haydon playing in the sand. They played with each other all weekend, so stinken cute how they are such good little buddies!

Kodi showing Dave how it's done! (;

Rylee and Alora playing on the boat trailer... Such funny girls!

Tylar's blessing 9/19/10

Tylar was blessed here at our house this past Sunday by Owen. He gave a beautiful blessing. I am so grateful that he has the power of the priesthood to be able to bless our children! A lot of our family and friends came into town for the blessing and to hang out at the lake. Thanks to all who made the day so special!

Kodi's version of ABC's...

We just got the kids a few of the "leap frog" learning systems and one of them plays the ABC song. I haven't ever taught Kodi this song, so it's just what she's learned the past few days from the game. I hope you enjoy it as much as Owen and I did! (;

Mad skills (;

First of all... Did I mention that Rylee and BO both know how to ride their bikes without training wheels? BO's known for a while, but Rylee was a little scared to do it. BO actually taught her! He was very patient and would run with the bike as she peddled holding it by the seat. He kept encouraging her and being such a sweet brother!!!

Here is BO showing off his "Mad skills". He pops wheelies, rides with only one hand (as shown in the picture below and stands on his peddles. He loves practicing his wheelies that his dad so eagerly showed him! (I still don't know how well I like that, but as long as he where's his helmet, I'll be OK!)

Delivery pictures part 1... (maybe more to come)

I don't know why Tylar, Owen and I aren't in any of these pictures, I guess the excitement of the new arrival threw Owen off a little with the picture taking. I guess I'll have to see what I can get from Jana. (:

BO's first soccer game...

This past Saturday was BO's start of the season soccer tournament. BO's team consists of 3 and 4 year olds. BO is one of the oldest on the team but he's one of the shortest. He doesn't let that slow him down. He made most of the goals for his team and he thought he was pretty cool beans! (; In the pictures, BO is the one with the red shorts on.

Here are the girls in the shade watching the game. Rylee thinks she is "big" and has to help with the baby way more then I'd like her to. She wanted to hold the baby the whole game.

More random pics...

Tylar sleeping (sorry it's dark and fuzzy, I took it with my phone.)

BO showing off his sister! (:

Tylar's first bath with dad..

Bath time with dad has always been the kids favorite time. The kids have ALWAYS enjoyed their tub time with dad and it was a sad day when Rylee couldn't do it anymore (do to age). Here are some pictures of Tylar and dad! (:

(Isn't she just the cutest little bug?? We are all just so in love with her!)