Happy Birthday Princess Jordan!

On June 25, 2004 Jordan Mackenzie was born at 8:29 am weighing in at 5 lbs 14 oz and 19" long. Four years later, she is a healthy little girl who is 39", 36 lbs and loves pink and purple. For her 4th birthday she wanted a princess party, so by golly, that is what she got. Pink and purple princess all the way around. Pink dishes on purple table cloth, pink and purple streamers, the whole nine yards. All the family came over on Sunday the 22nd for her party. We had dinner, went outside for fun on the swing, trampoline and running around in the yard then came in for a cake fit for a princess. It had pearls, "jewels", and even had pearlized candles. I worked all day on it, and when Jordan saw it done for the first time I think she sucked all the air out of the kitchen. It was a dream come true for our little princess. Jordan even had two little royal helpers handing her the presents. It was a grand time. Thanks to all the family for coming over and helping make it a royal event.

This Is The Time Of My Life

When I was a little girl life was wonderful, magical. There were no real responsibilities just growing, playing and trying not to get into to much trouble. We lived next door to my Grandma Ream until I was seven and that was so wonderful. I could go over to her house whenever I wanted, I had two yards to play in instead of just one, and the neighborhood was great. Tree's grown together over the road making a shady canopy, friends near by, riding my bike up and down the block..... the world was just a better place back then. Kids were not afraid to walk across town to get to the soda fountain shop run by Mr. Alter, where my parents would sometimes take us to get green rivers, or a chocolate soda. (still a favorite of mine today) I have such fond memories of my childhood, I could go on forever. We moved across town when I was seven and it was still the same town, but the kids next door were a bit rougher, we had entered the 70's and although life was still great, it lost some of the magic.
Don't get me wrong it was still a great time and place to live and grow up and it held a little magic. We had two boys living across the street , a girl on one side and the three younger ruffians on the other side were a lot of fun. I remember playing red rover, tag, hide and seek, and our version of the Indy 500 was to run circles around the yard, and come into the pits for a bit of black pepper on our finger which we then ate for the "gas" fill-up. Life was still good...
The teen years brought high school, jobs, and sometimes hard things that those years seem to bring, along with some good times too. I found myself wishing I were in my twenties, wanting my life to "start". Wanting to be grown up,to date a lot and have a good time.
My twenties hit, and it was more fun again. I had a full time job, a car and house, and all those grown up responsibilities you never think of as a child. I was going to the singles branch at Purdue for church, and so I made friends, hung out with them, went on a dates with some guys. I remember doing things I really shouldn't have with my friends... Like dumping laundry detergent into the big fountain at Purdue, Yelling "Condom patrol.......(I'll leave out the rest)" to students making out on the benches, forking the branch presidents lawn, saran wrapping his car,staying up all hours of the night going to movies, TPing peoples houses lots of good innocent fun. OK, so maybe the fountain soaping was not so Innocent. But these years also brought a new found loneliness. I dated some, but I found myself wishing I were married so I could truly love someone, share my life with him, and have the babies I always wanted.
Then came my thirties. Not too far into it came Lee, the man of my dreams. OK, he was a little shorter than I wanted, not dark like I wanted, but better than I could have possibly hoped for. I got a wonderful man who was making me so happy in every way. I was in love, so much so that I could hardly believe it was real. With that came the happiness that I had been seeking and longing for. We had so much fun in those days, going on dates every weekend, trips to places that I had never been to before, and just spoiling each other in any way we could find. However, a longing came into that happiness, a longing and desire for those babies I had always dreamed of. With that longing came a long hard battle to have those babies. Lots of losses and tears, all I wanted was to have children, I we seemed to be denied the one thing we wanted the most. Kate and more kids.
The Lord blesses. And we have truly been blessed. We were able to get custody of Kate when she was eight, have her sealed to us in the Temple of the Lord, and a few years later we were blessed with two additional kids. Now I have all that I have ever wanted out of life. A husband who loves me and cherishes me, three beautiful kids and yes, even a cat. We try to make time for fun, going on trips, playing games, reading together, just all around having an enjoyable time being a family. Ya, the kids fight, make messes, money is tight, trucks break down and so do our bodies, but as I look at my life it has been a good one. Some hard times, sad times, and times when I felt I didn't want to go on. But I am glad that I did, because I feel I have truly been blessed with a happy life. I am so happy, and I love my family so much!! As the song by David Cook says, This is the time of my life.

Jordan, one of a kind

Things were a lot different last year on the Fourth of July. After watching the fireworks at the park, we came home to set off our own. Jordan being tired and not liking loud noises climbed up on Grandma's lap, covered her ears and promptly fell asleep. With her ears still covered!!! We all got a big kick out of that, how did she not let her arm fall? This year however, she has learned how to stay awake till the wee hours of the night, and although she still does not like loud noises, she enjoys the "bangers". What a girl

Wilderness Lodge Chronicles--issue 1

We sent our reporter deep into the jungle to find the elusive Katie bug in her natural habitat. These pictures are rare and hard to come by, as the Katie bug is hard to track down and photograph. Our wilderness photographer was nearly lost in the jungle of the Kate's room, as she labored to get these natural un-posed shots.

As you can see, the Katie bug likes to do several things to occupy her day. Talk on the phone, preferably to boys, spend time in her room, dubbed the black hole as things from all over the house disappear into there. In her room she can be seen listening and dancing to the radio, scrap booking, choosing clothes, and a myriad of other things. She is also found in the office quite often on the computer, however, she tends to snarl and growl if interrupted while in that space. What our reporter found is that the Katie bug is definitely a rare and unique creature who brings joy the other inhabitant's around her......Join us again for an update of the Wilderness Lodge Chronicles.

Where Does The Time Go?

Kate

Spencer

Jordan

Wasn't it just yesterday that Kate was a little 5 year old girl with such light brown hair, and a tomboy disposition? Now she is a beautiful woman who is so talented and wise. And wasn't it also just yesterday that I had two different little 5 pound babies at different times, each with a head full of hair, and so small it seemed they would break? Now Spencer is so tall, has finished pre-k and is about to start kindergarten, making friends along the way. Jordan is an independent thing who will be starting pre-k, and just loves to play with her own "babies". Looking at these pictures remindes me that I need to spend time with them now while they are still somewhat small, or I will miss the chance forever.

I Named My Blog This Why?.............

Ok, for those of you who are wondering just what the heck I meant by
"The Dread Family Roberts", I will enlighten you. It comes from the movie The Princess Bride, which is a personal and family favorite. In the movie, the pirate that everyone knows by reputation and name is known as the Dread Pirate Roberts. Just the name alone is enough to instill terror into those he is plundering. At one point in the movie a character, not the real pirate, says he is "The Dwead Piwate Woberts" to do just that. Anyway, we love the movie and since our last name is also Roberts, it is kind of a private family joke which you are now in on. If you have not seen this movie I highly suggest you rent it, it is good for all ages. It started as a book, which I have read, and love even more than the movie.

Family Reunion Time Again

June 26th-29th we went to the Jackson Family Reunion, in Iowa. This is the reunion for Carol (my mother in law) and her siblings, and all of their offspring. We headed off toward Iowa and made a stop in Nauvoo, IL. While there, we took a horse and buggy ride and saw the new movie about Joseph Smith. We did not have much time to stay, but enjoyed what we were able to do. Back on the road to Iowa, it only took us a couple of hours to make it to North Liberty, where Lee's Aunt Maurine and Uncle Stu live. They were kind enough to give up there bedroom for us and the small kids, so we bunked down there. On the way we were amazed at all of the flooding we saw.We had heard about it, but to see it first had was just amazing!

Friday we all had a picnic in a park, then went down to the Lake for a few hours of fun in the sun. I forgot to put sun screen on the kids, but thank heavens, they must be a little like me, because they only tanned. Spencer has a cute little Coppertone tan line. Friday night was pizza and catching up at the Steurer home as well as getting into the hot tub. What a fun time.

Saturday, was the breakfast then Kate, Jess and some others went horseback riding. Kate has taken lessons, so thankfully she knew how to handle a horse. Others were not so lucky, and got scrapped up as their horse went into the branches. Kate had a great time and came back hot, sweaty, but all smiles. Lee, the kids and I went to Amish country and did some window shopping, the Lee found a Star Trek "convention" going on, so we had to go. Boy I have never seen so many geeks in one place in my entire life! Saturday night was the actual reunion and auction. Uncle Johnny was the auctioneer again and as usual did a wonderful job.

Sunday was church, lunch then the long ride home. It was so nice to see everyone again, and nice for our kids to make friends with their cousins. It's cool that another generation will get to know one another. We cant wait until the next reunion in two years, Utah here we come!

Just Like My Big Sister

Kate took Jordan into the shower with her and when they were done Jordan wanted to be "Just like Kate" with the robe and towel. They both had huge smiles on their faces when they called me upstairs to have a look. Kate is a great sister and a wonderful role model for Jojo. What a pair.

Happy Birthday America!!!

We had our annual 4th of July celebration, and it was a real bang. Family came over for a Bar-B-Q, and pitched in fireworks and food. We started around 3:30 and ended around 11:30, and as the weather was even cooperating it was nice and cool, the perfect day. We even had a rainless rainbow. I guess God really does love the US. lee lit the fireworks, kids ran around with sparklers people ate watermelon and cherry pie, and we saw the big fireworks near the park, boy, talk about a Norman Rockwell 4th. What a great time.