Happy Birthday Grandad Dunlap!!

Happy Birthday to you Grandad!!!

We love you so much.  Wendy, the kiddos and I hope you have a wonderful day and a great year.

We love you because...
You are a gentleman
You are handsome
You rock the hawaiian shirt on Christmas
You love reading
You are a hard worker
You are fun to talk to
You like sports
You volunteered to serve in the Navy
You are generous
You are smart
You are a great example and a superb friend.

Hope you have a great day!! Hugs and kisses to you.

Firsts for Everything

Yesterday morning I was out riding with Andy Armstrong, a friend from the cycling team. We were about 7 miles in and going down a hill (Germantown Road) when I came around a corner and I saw a pick-up truck pull out in front of me. I imagine it was a deer in headlights reaction for him as he pulled to the centerline and stopped. I realized I couldn't stop in time and moved to left and...

The next thing that I have any memory of is seeing the lights in the ceiling of the ambulance as they loaded me in. Andy informed me that he was 100 ft behind me and barely stopped 5 feet from the car. I hit around the front tire and went over the hood and landed on the other side of the truck. He came around and found me unconscious on the ground bleeding from my head (not to worry I always wear a helmet). I woke up shortly but I have no memories of the next 20 to 30 minutes. Andy kept his cool and got the driver to put something up the road to warn drivers, called 911, called John, and called a cycling  friend with a truck to come pick up the bikes and him.

After being loaded into the ambulance I have memories but I recall being very confused. Everything from the previous 12 hours seemed very hazy and seemed dreamlike. The only way I can think to explain it is when you wake up from a vivid dream and you have 30 seconds to a minute when emotions make it difficult the realize where you are and reality. In this case reality came back to me gradually over 10min. to an hour (the previous night in 10 min. the previous hour of riding took about an hour). I remembered things but I kept feeling like they were dreams rather than reality (everything is sorted in my head now).

The EMT in the ambulance told me I had been asking the same things over and over. I realized I was strapped down on a board and had a neck brace on. I wiggled my fingers and toes, moved my legs slightly and make sure I had motor function. Being wheeled into the ER was surreal as it was exactly as you see in movies with just the lights whizzing past. They cut off my cycling clothes and had me hooked up quickly. I felt pretty good and starting realizing my wounds. Right hip, right thigh, and right knee hurt when I tried to move them (felt like a huge charlie horse on my thigh). I had a raging headache and felt blood around my right eye. Before I was shipped off to get a CAT scan and x-rays John and Ann came in (After hearing from Andy, John had jumped in the car and called Ann on his way to pick her up.)  CAT scan revealed to swelling in the head, X-rays showed no breaks. When I got back Andy arrived with a good friend Dan and I could get some questions answered and they kept me pretty relaxed.

After everything, I came out with a concussion, 30+ stitches on the right side of my right eye, an amazing black eye, lots of bumps and bruises, road rash in patches (winter riding means more clothing and less rash thankfully).  I am feeling good but very stiff and sore. Lastly I feel very blessed to be in such good shape after hitting a car while going between 25 and 30 (I would guess). I am very thankful for good friend, wonderful family, and their thoughts and prayers.

Robert B

Picture 1: Prior to cleaning me up and stitches

Picture 2: Stitches - the Dr. did a good tight job

Happy Birthday JPB!

handsome and beautiful!

J:  Just so generous!
O: Outstanding taste and discrimination in movies and books!
S: Super easy to be around. 
E: Extremely thoughtful.  Gives the best gifts, and is the best car-sharer in the world.
P: Photogenic and handsome.
H: Happy to help others.  Huge-time computer genius.

Happiest of birthdays to one of the best men I've ever known!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LINDA!

I would love to upload a picture of my wonderful daughter who always does what is right and true, but I have forgotten how to do it  Linda has always been her Mom's and my pride and joy.  Linda was never deterred in seeking, competing and succeeding in mastering each challenge throughout her life.  I love her with all my being.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ROBIN.

Robin has always had that wonderful sparkle.  I love her for all that she is, and for the happiness she brought to our lives.

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Here are some things I know and have learned because of Dad:

1.  Hard work brings good things, as well as being its own reward.
2.  A deep and abiding love for French cheeses.
3.  A love for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
4.  To always learn and enjoy learning and knowledge.  I remember taking AP Chemistry with Dad and how much he would enjoy discussing the principles, even after we had done the problems.
5.  How to be a good and sympathetic listener.
6.  How to understand the principles of the gospel--to focus on trying to do good things in my life and not sweating other stuff.
7.  For every problem under the sun, there is a solution or there is none; if there is one, hurry and find it, if there isn't, never mind it.
8.  To enjoy a well crafted and well-worded sentence (tho this, of course, isn't a complete one).
9.  To enjoy analysis and discussion.  To learn through those things.
10.  To have fun and help others to have fun.
11.  That service is always a good idea.
12.  To try new foods.
13.  To love club soda.
14.  To mow lawns, use tools, and be independent.
15.   To put person over task or achievement.

You are the best, wisest, handsomest, funniest, most fun, most intelligent Dad in the world.  Love you and hope you have a great day!

xoxo

Adams 1 year pictures

Well, these are supposed to be his 1 yr pics anyway.  The day before I was going to get his pictures done at the beginning of the year, he got a gash above his eyebrow, so the pictures had to wait.  It took a few months for the scar to fade, so here finally are a few of my favorite of his 1 yr (or 17 month actually) pictures.

Grace Helena Rocklin

Grace Helena Rocklin 7 pounds 10 ounces 201/2 inches

Here are som pictures taken during Robin and my visit to Naima, Jeremy and Grace in New York City. What a great family! Jeremy is such a wonderful father and husband. Naima is as beautiful as ever and has taken to motherhood in an impressive manner. The pictures cover the period from February 24 through February 26 (Grandma's birthday).

handy anna

this is not anywhere near as cute and precious as the pics below, but i'm pretty proud of myself! both of my headlights burned out and i changed the bulbs all by myself. first, i went to advance auto to buy the lights. then i discovered i had left my wallet at home (sweet!). so i got my wallet and then went back and tried again. after that, i brought the car home and went to work!

lights, owners manual...

fantastic tool kit....(thanks, dad!)

feeling pretty confident!

using my tools...(owners manual *less* helpful)

success!

back in business.

Soren's kiddie kandid pics

Burke's kiddie kandid pics

SummerHill Place

Ann and I made sure to stop by SummerHill Place on Christmas Eve to see the luminaries. I will admit to being slightly nervous as we got close. To our relief it looked beautiful. I remember waking up early Christmas morning and checking to see if the candles were still lit. The first year we ran the show I think the candles were out by 9:00 pm. Merry Christmas everyone. You are all missed.

Happy Birthday Jocelyn!!!

Happy 24th Birthday Jocelyn!

I love Jocelyn because she so smart

She has great people sense

She is great with kids (ie David)

She is a great conversationalist

She knows how to have a good time

She gets giddy during romance movies

She watches sports and make good comments

She is very beautiful and fashionable

She is easy-going but also very determined

She is a hard worker

She is always optimistic and positive

She is kind to everyone and looks for good

and I love her lots!

Donald Bennion Family Picture

DA Bennion Happenings

Halloween

Soren's 3rd Birthday

All the birthday attendees--in the corner, you can see the start of Burke's antics :)

Burke is such a nail biter these days. I'd say that out of his time on the soccer field this season, whether running down the field, kicking a ball...80% of that was also spent biting his nails at the same time.

CONGRATS!

Hey Joe, you and your bride look stunning! Congratulations cousin.

Jeremy and Naima

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO JOHN AND MAXWELL

Today is the birth date of our oldest and youngest grandsons. I love them both and I am so proud of their individual accomplishments. Grandpa

this will be jeremy soon...

except that the baby will be a girl and maybe not blonde.