Birthday Boy!

A week ago was Brett's birthday and we spent the whole weekend celebrating this awesome boy and his awesome life. We had such a ball and I for one am so so glad that he was born so he could be in my life. The fact that he is a part of my life and mine forever is a reason to celebrate EVERYDAY but especially the day that he came into this life. So here we go!

On Thursday we had a special date night. We went out to dinner to Five Guys and then came home and had a campout in our living room. Brett really wants to go camping but we work almost everyday except Sunday (which he still works at least once a month) and when we do have time off it is usually never the same day. So... I took him camping in the living room! Yay! Then Bella got to come and we even got showers, running water, and ALL the amenities. BEST. CAMPING. TRIP. EVER.
We had a blast in our tent playing games and watch a movie and eating brownies and ice cream.

On Friday after work we went and met up with a couple of our friends and went out to Star/Meridian to a rope swing where the boys and Bella played in the river while I took pictures. The boys had a blast! Bella.... Not so much... Already she was not a huge fan of the water in general let alone the cold river water and then the boys almost let her drown... Busted big time!!!! But she is okay and got a lot of loving and care from me instead.

After the fun the boys had in the river Brett and I went to my parents house for dessert and presents. Brett was spoiled like crazy, of course. My parents got his a North Face Base Camp bag so he can match the rest of the family on our trips. It is bright orange and wonderful! My mom also got him some new war history DVDs to add to his collection. He was so excited and so grateful!

On Saturday he had to work and I had a final exam to finish. But.. once he got home it was again time to party!! We headed out. We went across town to Hawks Baseball Stadium to watch the Boise State Football Summer Classic. This is a softball chair event put on by the BSU football team to raise money to a local charity. In the game the offense compete against the defense in a variety of competitions. A few smaller head to head challenges and the two main events were a Home Run Derby where the two sides competed against each other, just as it sounds, to get the most home runs. Then, the main event. A six inning softball game between the offense and the defense. It was splendid! We went with our friends Edy and Wendy and had a blast.

I even caught him this sweet shirt!

The offense was ahead almost the entire game until the very last two outs of the game and the defense came back and won. The dramatic and tense finish just made things even more perfect.
After then game, we went with Wendy and Edy to Red Robin. What a great great night! The weather was perfect, the game was a blast, and the food was delicious!

On Sunday Brett had to work.. Again... But after work we had a bunch of our friends over for fun, games, and of course, [cheese] cake!! We are so grateful for everyone who came over and and spend time with us. we had a blast and we hope you did too!

Then, Monday night Brett's sister Kellie and her two cute kiddos came into town and we went over to his moms house rode the horse, had dinner, played with Hailey and Trey, and enjoying the evening with our family.

 We are so grateful for all of those who spent time with us this weekend and who took the time out of their lives, time away from their families, and the many other things they could have Ben doing to celebrate with us. We are so grateful and love you all! HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRETT!!!!

Let Freedom Ring

The 4th of July is one of our favorite holidays here at the Becklund house. The freedom we have to practice whatever religion we choose is one of our most valued freedoms. Along with all of the others this is the one freedom that dominates everything we do, how we choose to live our lives, and the people we are. As well, Brett is currently a part of the Air Force and his desire to be able to protect his freedoms and his family is such a huge part of who he is. We are so grateful for this chance to be able to celebrate the wonderful day in history that put our country on the course to provide us with the freedoms that are so essential to who we are as a nation, as a family, and as individuals. 

To start off the day-- we both got the day off!! Yay! That never happens. So I gratefully slept in, like way in and Brett played a game while I slept and slept. When I finally decided it was late enough that I absolutely needed to get out of bed we were able to go downtown for the Liberty parade and then we went out to my parents house to have a classical American backyard BBQ to celebrate my mother's first Independence Day as an American. After we ate lunch we watched a selection of the HBO series called John Adams about the debate and the final Declaration of Independence and our separation from England. It was great to be able to experience that and celebrate with my  mom and help her see and better understand the details that were at the foundation of our freedoms. 

  After dinner we went downtown and chose a spot to watch the fireworks with some of our friends. We waited, played games, ate yummy food, caught up with our friends Melanie, Danny, and their puppy Dexter, and had to evade the sprinklers that came on right before the start of the show... twice. 

  But, when the show finally started it was great! Well, minus the music that was not at all to our taste but the actual fireworks were great, as always. I love a good party and especially to celebrate one of our favorite moments in history. 

 

 Also thanks to Brad and Michelle for joining us right before the big show! (We are glad that you decided not to go out of town and got to join us instead) It was a perfect day! We had such a blast and we are so grateful that we got to spend it together not just with each other but also with other members of our family and our friends. 

My Best Friend's Wedding

On June 29th my best friend for as long as I can remember got married. Yay! I was so happy for her. Everything turned out so great and I couldn't be happier for her. I was so honored and excited to be able to be at her ceremony and to be a part of her big day.

I met Hannah when I was eleven or twelve when her family moved in to the apartments in my neighborhood and started coming to our ward. I was so excited. The neighbors who lived across the street from me had just moved out and their house was for sale. Hannah's family had just moved here from Oregon and were looking for a house here in Boise. I quickly told her about the house across the street from mine that was for sale. She kind of gave me a funny look that I didn't understand but said she would tell her parents. A few days later I found out they were going to move in! I had wanted a girl my age to move in on my street for so long and now here she was! I didn't understand how truly blessed I was until later when I learned how picky her mother was about houses. I know that Heavenly Father must have been looking out for me and for them because I have no idea how it met her expectations but I couldn't be more grateful. As the years have followed we have remained friends. There have been many different events and life changes but despite the changes, the distance between our  chosen schools we have always remained friends and I still call her my sister. 

She has always been there for me and has been such an example to me throughout the years. Goodness! I love her! I am so glad to see her so happy and to be starting a new life with such a great man by her side. The ceremony was absolutely beautiful.The knowledge that they have waited so long to have the promise of being together forever made the experience all the more sweet. Although I haven't had the chance to spend too much time with Troy in the time that I have spent with him I am so glad that they have found each other. He is fantastic and I know that he will always be there for her. Regardless of where they end up or what happens I know he will take care of her and love her. and, and although it was insanely hot outside I wouldn't have traded the opportunity to be there for her. After all, she gave up third row tickets to the BYU vs Utah game to be at my wedding almost two years ago and I will never forget how much help she was and how grateful I was that she was there and was able to be a part of the biggest day of my life. What an honor it was for me to be able to be with you and share your special day with you. 

She looked absolutely stunning and they were so happy. it was a marvelous day! Congratulation Mr. and Mrs. Shepley!!
Just a few picture of the awesome people we met, their wonderful families, and even a few of my family.

Hannah's dad being a pill... as always. I asked him to smile.. so does he?  Of course not! 

  
 
 
 
 
 

Hannah's awesome family!

Troy's wonderful family

Brett and I. He was such a good sport and was around and helping all day long! I got a great one for sure!

My awesome brother holding the bride's bouquet. 

My cute mom.