Happy Birthday to Me! :-)

A short walk down memory lane . . . (I could only put on so many pictures!)

I was born with too many red blood cells (is that right mom?) and I had to have a blood transfusion right after I was born. (That is why I am a tomato-head.)

I was an energetic little toddler. The middle of the last three children, I had to fight for my right to party! :-)

We moved from Arizona, to Alaska. A big change for a 4 year old girl!

The Mayflower tree in the front yard, was a favorite place to play, and pose. :-)

OK, I skipped a few years! Onto Junior High. :-) That is when the singing really began. With Mrs. Boring as our choir teacher! Silly times! That short little girl next to me is Emily. :-) This was a combination choir of Mears Junior High and Dimond High School in Alaska.

Also, I broke my leg in junior high, and had surgery on my growth plate, and was on crutches for a long time! It was so lame, but I learned a bunch of valuable lessons during that time of pain. I did not have a picture. My arms became really strong during that time, I used to arm-wrestle boys and beat them, easily. :-)

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We would take trips from Alaska to visit my oldest Brother's family in Arizona. He is 14 years (or so) older than me. I was an Aunt when I was 9. I would like to retake this picture now. . . how about it Katie-Lady, you wanna jump on my shoulders? ;-) wink! I would like to see John pick up Kevin, too!

My youth was filled with fun times, and filled with music. Roadshows (which were once a big deal) were always entertaining! :-)

My high school days were filled with singing as well. Swing choir took over all other activities -- including homework. :-) Tons of performances, Singing Valentines, and Christmas Shows, were all very exciting. Lots of silly people. Silly times. This picture was a performance for the "Big Wigs" in Alaska. That dude in the middle, I believe is Walter Hickel, a past governor of Alaska.

"Putting on the Ritz" was a Swing Choir favorite. We would travel all over to perform for various functions. It was pretty educational, really. :-)

John, my brother, was my partner for a short while. Eeewwww . . . it was not too bad. :-)

I was a frog-collector. I had a jungle of frogs in my room. I LOVED frogs. :-) Ribbit! They are mostly gone now . . . only a few were privileged enough to come into adult life with me. :-)

Prom was interesting. I went with a good friend, Ben Smith -- now Officer Smith, in Utah. :-) We stayed at the dance for awhile, but took off early, because it was pretty lame. We went to prom in an old suburban -- it was awesome. :-) We drove out to Portage Glacier that night, and almost hit 3 moose. If you are with Ben Smith, your life is usually in danger. Lots of fun times.

The end of high school was great. I hated school. I was ready to move on my freshman year! (with the exception of choir and good friends). Life was a million times better after high school! I went to college at U.A.A. in Alaska, after Emily and I were rejected from Ricks. (we were really dumb, and wrote really lame essays). I am glad I stayed in AK! My life would not be as it is today!

We had many visitors over the years, who would come to explore Alaska. Our favorite guests were the Pratts, because they brought Melinda! The Pratts are friend's of my parents, from their young years. Melinda is a dear friend, who I have only actually been with a handful of times, but I love her like a sister! This picture is taken up by Byron Glacier (next to Portage Glacier) in Alaska. We would go there often as a family. The other picture is by Turnagain Arm.

I had such good friends growing up. Emily, who was my "other half" (before Charles) and others who provided lots of fun times.

Remember this Johnny? Ericaaaaaa . . . . Ericaaaaaaa . . . . :-) Ahhhhh . . . the good old days!!

A little while after high school was over, I chopped all my hair off, and began writing and singing music. I was hoping to go to Nashville. I loved country music. I had lots of dreams, but my desire to remain "pure" kept me from jumping on a plane, and doing something foolish! Thank goodness! The only place I ever performed my songs were at ward functions and Singles Ward dances! :-)

I began running, which has been a life-line for me since then. I also got into TaeKwonDo, and Karate, and was pretty darn good. I could do 50 knuckle push-ups! I enjoyed "sparring" with others, until one time, a girl lost control and kicked me in the head. When she did that, I saw "red" and I "finished" the fight. Don't worry she was ok. :-) I discovered what amazing things you can do with your body, and how your mind can control your body. I learned the art of breaking through boards, and I moved up the belt ranks quickly -- maybe one day I will go back to complete my training! It was so great!

The Ekstrom family had a huge influence on my youth. I was at their house often, and Emily had an extra bed in my room! They are my second family, and Cheryl is my "Other Mother".

Emily and I had too much fun together. :-) We spent much of our time doing Martial Arts, singing, playing, putting on dinner theaters, and writing Missionaries (lots of em!) wink!

Halloween . . .

Single Adult Wig Dance . . . I would visit Arizona often to visit my brother's family, and Melinda . . .

The cutest boy of all . . . my brother, Johnny. :-)

Luckily, my family was able to travel out of Alaska, often. It was always such a thrill! It was SO amazing to me, seeing new things, and going new places. Alaska is SO far away from everything else. I was amazed to see that there is a whole big world out there!

I took a trip down to Arizona, and Charles went to Arizona to visit his mom. We met up at my brother's house, and we went on a trip from Arizona to Utah. Beth came with us to chaperon (good thing) ;-) wink! We had such a fun trip. It was the first time Charles had ever met Beth. We went to see my family in Utah, and we stayed at Nan's house. We got lost and took a detour to the Meteor crater (pictured below).

Ahhhhh . . . Charles. The good stuff. I "knew" Charles was for me the first time we danced. It was magic, truly. We have never stopped that loving feeling. :-)

Kary was kind enough to "prep" me before going off to get married. Many good words of advice were spoken that morning, I am sure. :-) Laughing, lots of laughing. Snort!

Ahhh. . . the exhausted couple. I was just days away from coming down with Mono. The temple was a beautiful moment, everyone was throwing up, exhausted, and it was dead winter in Alaska. The timing could have been better! It was a means to an end . . . the moments now seem so much more glorious!

I participated in Women at the Well in Alaska. It was a great experience, and an important part of my testimony was gained during that time. I sang the song, He Came for Me.
Baby Sammi was born. I was working with infants, at the Child Development Center at Providence hospital, while I was pregnant. It was one of the driving forces behind my decision to stay at home with my children. I was on the other end when mothers would hand me their 6 week old babies, both crying. There were tons of babies there, and none of them got the attention they deserved. I would have been able to bring Sammi with me to work, where she would have been one of the crowd. I am so grateful I chose to be home!! A highlight from working there was being 8 months pregnant, the fire drill went off, and I had to get all the babies out - fast! Phew!

This is a picture of our YW presidency in Alaska. I was also pregnant with Daniel in this picture. During this time Charles and I managed the Hoyt apartment building in Alaska, (could not find a picture) for 4 years. When we got there it was filled with extremely scary people. We cleared everyone out, and moved LDS people in. It was known as the Mormon Mansion.

This is the day before we left Alaska for Law school.

Sammi and Daniel just kept growing. They are best buddies. Too many things to mention occurred on our journey through Law school. Most of it is documented on the blog. :-)

Pregnant with William Turner, our Pirate.

From swing choir partners, to parents . . .

Looking over the years was a real "trip". I have enjoyed a sweet life. I am so grateful. Here is to the next 80 years (or more). :-)

Mari: Voted, "Most likely to join Hell's Angels."