Sweet Sixteen!

Happy Birthday Mckay! I know people always say this, but it's true...

where has the time gone!?

I can hardly believe Mac is 16 !!

I love this picture of all the kids.

It was taken 2 days before his birthday

and the way Gracie is lovin on him,

speaks volumes.

He really is the center of our home and

is loved by all.

If you know Mac, you know he does not

like to speak of his accomplishments

nor does he define himself by success.

The only time he has held a trophy or medal

has been for a picture we have pleaded for.

So for me to write anything about him

is pretty risky on my part!

But I think he will allow this because

he knows it means a lot to me!

16 facts about Mckay:

***Every teacher since Kindergarten

has told me the same thing.

Mac is a friend to all.

(and... he talks a little too much. )

"Mac is nice to everyone."

a common phrase said by both teachers and peers.

**Mckay would give away anything

he had if he knew someone really needed it.

He is not driven by money or "things"

but by his huge heart.

**He is very humble and compassionate.

**Mac is a leader.

He has never done something just because someone else does.

**He is very self motivated,

driven and disciplined.

In first grade he woke himself up

by his own body clock so he could read for 2 hours

before school each day-

to win the hot air balloon ride! He did win...

but has never read that much since.:)

**Mckay is competitive but not only with others.

He is continually striving for his personal best.

**Mckay loves his Heavenly Father

and truly wants to follow him.

**Mckay works hard and plays hard.

**Mckay is always looking for ways

to live life to the fullest. It is never a dull moment!

If it is-it is his mission to change that.

**He has an amazing sense of humor

and loves to tease.

**He loves and appreciates a variety of music.

**He loves his family.

**People are drawn to him.

**He is a very loyal friend.

**His has a smile

that can get him pretty much

whatever he wants.

**When talking on the phone he always ends with an

"I love you"-always.

These pictures brought back

a flood of sweet memories.

We are so grateful for this

strong, faithful ,kind hearted

16 year old!

Happy Birthday Louis Mckay,

Mac, Mac attack, Mac-a-Dude, Big Mac...

We Love you!

Arizona weekend!

Lou and I spent last weekend in Arizona!

We have family on both sides and it was wonderful

to spend this quick trip with them.

Lou had meetings in Scottsdale,

and we had planned on staying in a hotel.

Wendy, the great and wise

sister she is,

talked me into staying at her house

(it didn't take much talking.)

and putting the hotel money to better use.

Which I joyfully did, doing some seriously fun

Arizona shopping!

Friday night both Buhrley families

met up with Wade and Monica for some

great food and even better company.

Saturday we had lunch with all the Whiting clan -

minus Jos:( at Grecko grill.

How I love this family!

We had a great time finding out about

Laurisa's college life-

and tried to get as much info as possible on her "love" life.

I take this responsibility very seriously as an Aunt.

However, Mckay was not happy

I hung out with Mitch and Jake

without him!

He insists on coming with us next time!

Monica surprised me with

a cute,cute,cute apron

she had made the day before!

(notice the top picture in the collage!)

With an apron this cute-

cooking...

is sure to be a delight!?

( or at the very least I will look adorable!)

After lunch, Monica,Wendy and I

had a productive shopping day!

I always like to be productive!

My bags were much heavier coming home!

These woman are dangerous to shop with!:)

Really, it's probably because I actually had time to shop

without any other responsibilities!

It was a fun day.

Sunday morning while Lou finished up in meetings,

I spent time with Grandma Wright.

I arrived at grandma's assisted living home at 8 a.m.

and was able to spend the next 5 hours visiting.

It was a sweet, sweet experience.

I was thrilled when my Aunt Ginger,

cousins Bridgett and Wendy-

with 2 of her darling children,

came and kept me company for 3 hours!

I don't get to see my Arizona family near enough

and it was wonderful!

It was fun catching up

and it made for the perfect ending to a great weekend.

Monica and Mitch came before we had to leave

and Mitch gave us all a magic show.

There are 5 women staying in this home

and I think they all now have a crush on Mitch.

I don't blame them.

Thank you Wendy

for the fun shopping, late night talking,

and a weekend that felt like a vacation.

I love spending time with you

and wanted to pack your sweet kids in my suitcase

and bring them home.

Yes, all of them-not just baby Luke!

Although, Luke- I would never give back.

Can't wait for my next

Arizona visit!

p.s. I am also going through major withdrawals

from going on 3 trips with Lou this month.

San Diego

The Endodontic meetings we attend in San Diego

every October are some of my very favorite.

I love the setting-(it's held at a beautiful resort )

and I love the atmosphere this conference provides.

Those who come to these meetings are truly interested

in improving the service and quality

of the work they do each day.

Not quantity, but quality.

It is nice to be associated with people

of such integrity.

We always bring the staff to this conference

and I also love being around these women.

I also love spending time
with this particular Endodontist.
We had quite the laughs trying
to take these evening shots... of ourselves!

However, this weekends highlight had to be
Baby Lily.
Matt and Amber were thoughtful enough
to have this beautiful baby on the one day

we could drive up and see them!
They were less then 2 hours away

and we couldn't get there fast enough.
There is just nothing like a newborn.
She melted my heart.
I truly would have taken her home

with me if I could have.
It was very hard to leave the hospital.
We loved being able to share a few moments
of this special time with Matt and Amber.

It also seems to be a tradition
to stop by Mike and Pepper's house for pizza each year!
They only live about an hour from where we stay
and it's fun to spend a few hours together and catch up.
It is also nice to see their darling children

when Grandpa Buhrley is not around.
Grandpa tends to be a little selfish with his grandchildren.
Actually, the truth is when Grandma and Grandpa are around
no one else matters!

Welcome Lily Odessa Buhrley!