Dwight...not quite right!

As you can see...Dwight had a rough spill recently. I (Derek) absolutely love The Office TV show and was given this Dwight bobble head a few years ago. Ryan found his way to it, as he does with everything in the house, and thought he would play with Dwight. Well, long story short...Dwight doesn't have a head anymore.

Melinda and I tried fixing it with some super glue, but with the neck being so skinny and it bouncing all the time, it just broke again when I tried transporting him from our house to my office. So...it was time to say goodbye to a dear friend...goodbye Dwight! I will still catch you in person on Thursday nights and, perhaps, I will not creep out as many people at the same time by having you in my office.

One of the best scenes of all time:

Jim Halpert: [dressed as Dwight Schrute] Question: What kind of bear is best?

Dwight Schrute: That's a ridiculous question.

Jim Halpert: False. Black bear.

Dwight Schrute: That's debatable. There are basically two schools of thought...

Jim Halpert: Fact: Bears eat beets. Bears. Beets. Battlestar Galactica.

Dwight Schrute: Bears do not...what is going on? What are you doing? Well, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, so I thank you.

(Jim pulls a bobble head on his desk)
Dwight Schrute: Identity theft is not a joke, Jim! Thousands of families suffer every year!

Jim Halpert: Michael!

Dwight Schrute: Oh, that's funny. Michael!

Arizona Trip

We had so much fun in Arizona visiting my family. We were down there for five days. It was waaaaaarrrrmmmmmm!!!

We spent a lot of time outside. Every time I asked Grace what she wanted to do she said go to the park.




Ryan ate some sand and




was in heaven when Grandpapa gave him a phone to play with.




Grace opened an ice cream stand. We all ate pretend ice cream. I think mine was toe nail surprise.




Grace spent a lot of time with Hyrum. They read together most nights and sometimes during the day.




On Friday Joseph watched Hyrum, Grace and Ryan

while I went on a date...

with Christopher. We went to a Valentine's Day barn dance at the Bishop's home. It was fun and a little stressful. I can't dance.




My parents cut a rug.




There was a fire pit and food.




On Saturday my mother cut Joseph, Hyrum then Ryan's hair. It was nice to have someone else do that. Thanks Mom!!




It was funny to see the hair on the floor. The lightest blond is Hyrum, the other is Joseph and Ryan's is red. (I found out from the dictionary that the spelling of "blond" is masculine and "blonde" is feminine.)




One of the parks around my parents home has these poles with platforms that are chained to the ground.

Hyrum and Grace called them bongos. They were so fun!

Christopher made Chicken Cordon Bleu for my birthday dinner. It was so yummy! I ate so much that my tummy hurt.




I knew it was time to go home when Ryan climbed into the suitcase. I could tell that he was really starting to miss his dad. I missed him too.




The children did really well on the airplane. I was so grateful. Ryan started to get upset on the flight home. It was dinner time and he was so tired.





It was so good to be home!! We had a lot of fun and are excited to go back. Grace talks daily about going back and how much she misses Hyrum.

DC Goes to DC

Yes DC went to DC last week.

I was on the road for work again last week, hitting 3 cities in 3 days. I started out in Baltimore, Maryland then drove to Richmond, VA (I stopped in DC on the way down to Richmond and saw some of the sights very briefly) and then finished the business trip in Lexington, Kentucky. It is amazing how little amount of time I have in each of these cities when I go to do trainings and presentations, but it is a good job and I am really liking it so far.

Here you can see yours truly in front of the White House:

Hope you are all doing well. Melinda vows to blog soon about her trip to Arizona with the kids that took place recently. Needless to say we have all been extremely busy lately, but it is nice to all be back together. Melinda also celebrated her birthday last week, HAPPY BIRTHDAY MELINDA!!!

Adios! DC

Prepositional Ryan

Ryan is so cute and has been exploring everything and discovering his skills.




In:
The fridge




A box




The toy box at Grandmother and Grandfather Sessions' home.






A drawer




The dishwasher




On:
The table




The dishwasher






The suitcase




Under:
The kitchen table




The ball

Happy Birthday!!

Ryan turned one this last month. We had a birthday party for him on the 18th, which is his actual birthday. We had a lot of family and friends come and celebrate the event.

We had Stake Conference and we were able to meet Elder John M. Madsen. He shook Ryan's hand and wished him a Happy Birthday.




Grace and Grandma Clark had a balloon fight.




Ryan had Grace help blow out his candle.




He liked his train cake...




and tried to share it with Grandpa Standing.




He received lots of fun gifts.




Ryan and Grace stayed up a little late so that he could open the gift from my parents that we forgot to take to the party. Ryan had more fun climbing on it than opening it.




After we pulled all the toys out of the packages Ryan and Grace played until Derek and I were mean and made them go to bed.




It was a good day. I cannot believe how fast this last year has gone. We have had a lot of fun and I am so grateful for our son! He is so sweet and happy and his laugh is one of my favorite sounds.

Happy 1st Birthday, sweet boy!