hAppY BiRtHdAyS & aNNiVeRsArIeS

*Happy Happy Birthday to Mom , Kaytlin-(1) and Lexi (3) this month!
*Happy Happy Anniversary to TC and Ashley (4 years) and Mom and Dad, (31 years)

-Wait a sec here...Mom, how can you only be 29 but be married for 31 years?!

Happy [fill in the blank] to everyone else outside of my immediate family who had a special day this month! I think that about covers it! :)

TC and Ashley April 23rd

Tom and Ann Perry April 28th

Kaytlin-April 24th, Lexi-April 28thThis is when Lexi turned 1. Our Birthday's are 2 days apart so we had a combined Birthday Party. That day I'd taught Lexi how to say "Awwwww" while she was eating. (Yes, I'm the rebel/bad influence aunt).

So, she kept doing it all throughout her birthday party. We were all laughing our head's off which only encouraged her. She was, (and still is) such a ham!

Lexi, 4/28 - Kaytlin, 4/24

fAMiLy fRiDay ~ My Dear Sweet Dad

Preface:
*O Yasumi Nasai is Japanese for Goodnight.
*No, you may not steal my daddy away.

Thomas C. Perry III was born June 8, 1950. He grew up in Kalispell, MT with 4 sisters and wonderful parents. My dad is the one who taught us how to pray. As small children, he'd kneel with us at our bed at night while we said our personal prayers. Then came the tuck-in routine. Once in our bed he'd put a hand on each side of us and bounce us on the mattress while chanting: "Goodnight, all night, O Yasumi Nasai, don't let the bed bugs bite. If they do, hit 'em with a shoe until they're black and blue, I LOVE YOU!" "Again Daddy, again!" But, he'd only do it once. (However, he did bend a little on getting me "one more" drink of water if I persisted). I enjoyed this quality time so much every night. Later in my high school years, he'd still tuck me in and kiss me goodnight...but the mornings weren't as tender when he was reminding me for the 3rd time to get out of bed or I was going to be late for school! Heehee. I was lucky enough to have him help me wake up!

I was the little girl who wanted to marry her Daddy when she grew up.
My Dad is a hard worker! He bailed hay at a very young age and his father taught him to manage money well. I'm grateful that he instilled that same in each of us. He got a Bachelor's Degree in Japanese and a Master's Degree in Public Administration. He has worked for roughly 3 decades for the Government as an Auditor. (The Governmental Accountability Office, formally known as The General Accounting Office). He will be retiring soon and is looking forward to it!

Now let's go back: Not many know this...but my Dad was an athlete! He was a gymnast who trained 3-4 hours a day at one point. His body was so strong from his training that he could go from laying on his stomach with his palms flat on the ground into a handstand position ~ no joke. He could also walk on his hands up and down the stairs! (At almost age 60, he also can still do an aerial off a diving board and can walk on his hands). In 1969 he got 14th place in the National Title of Gymnastics all around. In 1970, he qualified to try out for a spot in the Olympics but chose to serve a mission instead.

He served a full and honorable mission in Japan and still keeps in touch with some of the the people he met and baptized there.

My Dad likes to listen to the Beatles and Johnny Cash. His favorite movies are The Majestic, A Blast from the Past and Back to the Future. (Notice a trend)?

Thanks to Dad, all of us kids know how to water ski. He has spent countless, patient hours driving the boat for our fun. (Not to mention gas money)! This picture is of my sis Marisha getting up on skiis on Swan Lake, MT.My dad has a way of making me feel beautiful, unique and capable. He recently said to a friend of mine who was driving me to the airport, "Please drive safely; you are transporting precious cargo." Aww! Makes me want to cry when I think of how much love he has.

This is an old fashioned picture that Mom and Dad took on their honeymoon. Even though it was for fun, they looked all stern and distinguished.Well don't let their serious expression fool you!! The following picture reveals the family that they created over the last 31 years due to their sense of humor and good nature!I am honored to have the Father I do. He is hilarious and just cute!

I love you Dad. I know you were specifically chosen to be my Father and chose Mom to be my Mother. HAPPY 31st ANNIVERSARY ON THE 28th!.
I'm blessed to have you both ~ keep taking care of each other now that you're empty nesters!

Dad, another adventurous chapter of your life begins now! :)

LeT's tAlK aMeRiCaN iDoL

Who do you think is getting the boot this week?

Anoop isn't super consistenct in my opinion but I love him! Scott has stayed around a lot longer than I thought and question has been raised if he's getting charity votes? Don't get me wrong, he is adorably nerdy and sweet, also great on the piano, but I don't love his voice. (You know I'm a pro critic, right)? Ha! ;)

Megan is gorgeous and unique but doesn't seem to have as strong of voice as Danny or Adam. Rough-neck Michael doesn't knock my socks off either, in fact I'm usually bored during his performances. And then there's Kris. He's good too, but he does that weird tongue curl-up when he sings that bugs me!

Has Lil' Rounds plateaued in your opinion? She's got a crazy amazing voice! But I haven't felt like she continues to bust it out better each week.

I personally believe that souful Matt and red-haired Allison have been strong and consistent. And I'll admit that while I love almost all of them, my favorites are Megan, Danny and Adam. (What was up with Adam's "self indulgent rubbish" last week)? LOL. His voice is incredible, but I felt uncomfortable watching it! I'm excited to see what everyone brings to the table this week!

What are your thoughts? (Don't forget to vote)! See poll on the right.

fAmiLy fRiDaY - Savanna Jane

I wanna honor my family with a "Friday Family" blog that I've seen on others. Today, Savanna Jane is my spotlight!! My 2nd niece, born December 22, 2007. I am priveledged to live so close to her and her mommy and daddy. Enjoy the pictures of her from then till now. I seriously have not been able to stop smiling while pulling these pictures for the blog. I'm such a Proud Aunt!

*I love that you can see her dimple on the day she was born.
*The 3rd picture looks like she's flexing.
*Mom, that's the Pooh Bear you got here.
*In the black shirt she's saying "Uh-ohhhhh."





It's been a rough week for me, and she absolutely made my day at the park on Thursday. TC & Ashley, you have an incredible little girl and I'm lucky to have you close by so I can come steal her attention (and sneak in a delicious dinner) whenever I want. ;) Thanks for being sunshine in my life, Savanna ~ I love you!

Hugs,
Aunt April

To Phoenix and Back

I got to go to Arizona to see my cousin Cassie and her new baby. Their little family was adorable and it was so good to see her and my aunt Maren. Her 3 year old Alexa is sooo funny I was literally cracking up constantly when I was talking to her.

Okay, my dear friend Molly totally put me in my place cause I did not even mentioned our enjoyable brunch at Ihop! (Granted, her smiley son Zac puked in the lobby shortly after this picture, lol) But it was still a ton of fun. We caught up and I realized how grateful I am for keeping in touch with old friends.

Then I got to chill with my dear, life long friend Alicia and her 3 daughters. We goofed off and watched Mama Mia!

Mom thought I was in Utah. When she showed up at my cousin's house in Phoenix, was she surprised?
You tell me.

And with her infamous hands on her hips, "What are you doing here?! Have you come to crash my sister's reunion?"

The next night we had a Burdick cousin party. Here are all "the sisters" from the left: Maren, Jeanine, Lynette, Ann/Mom, Irene.

Then there were the Burdick cousins that showed up!
Tara, Loures, Me, Melissa, Collette, Michelle, Kayla

The Burdick girls showing their true side!

Can you tell we're cousins?

Back to Alicia! I think we went a little overboard on the road trip snacks for our drive the next day.

Saturday came and our adventure started. 4 ferrets, 3 kidlets, 2 crazy adults, 1 cat, 1 fish, 1 traffic warning and yes one box of kitty litter. It was a slightly-stinky, junk-food-filled fun trip!

Mix of Arbitrary Happenings: Part II

Cause: Cricket gets bathed with cotton balls in her ears.

Effect: A fluffy clean innocent looking dog.
(With an excessive under-bite that's growing on me)

____________________________________________________________

Cause: Sending Lexi a card in the mail with pictures and a note

Effect: Receiving a letter back from her with traced pictures of her footsie.

Mix of Arbitrary Happenings: Part I

Elder James Russell Perry entered the Mission Training Center in Johannesburg, South Africa Feb 17. You can track his mission status on his Facebook page that we're keeping updated.

My niece Savanna getting big *muaaah* kisses from her Aunt April! She started saying "over there!" It's so cute!

*See bottom of bag*

Some friends of our went on a Mediterranean Cruise in Feb. We were so jealous that we bought our own. (I bet ours was a lot cheaper)!!

BURDICK BUBBLE BUTTS!

I mentioned Burdick family traits in a previous post. This picture was taken to display a particular dominant gene. This pic is my big bro TC and I and his daughter Savanna, who so adorably inherited the BBB "trademark!"