HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARI!!!

Happy Birthday to Cari - a loving wife, mother, sister, friend, and wonderful woman!

Long before today was Patriot's Day it was Cari's birthday. A day just for her.

Birthdays are a fun time to reflect on the life of someone. Besides it allows us to pull out fun pictures. :-)

Cari was the fourth of six kids in her family and the youngest of three girls.

Cari was the only red-head, although it is more auburn now, in her family. Her Grandpa Bill had a special place in his heart for Cari. In high school she put streaks in her hair and she thought Grandpa Bill was going to lose his top.
Anyone else see a little bit of Lilly in this picture?

Ask anyone and they will tell you that Cari is a well of knowledge on just about anything. She learned tons from her mom on working in the kitchen. We love to make homemade jam together. Something she has been doing for years. She had gotten better at not being as messy though.

Cari has said she wanted to be dancer. Unfortunately, things just didn't work out. That's okay, because her girls love dance and she is a delight as she talks about how cute they are dancing.
Cari is an absolutely wonderful mother. She has sacrificed a career to devote herself fully to her family. Without her we wouldn't be even remotely happy as we are each day. She has been ready to be a mom her whole life, something her oldest daughter inherited quite nicely.
Cari has always been a free spirited individual. You don't tell Cari what to do. :-) She'll do things her way. One time when she was in Kindergarten she couldn't find her shoes for school. Her mom worked graveyards and asked Cari to wait a moment so she could sleep a bit and then she would find them and take Cari to school later. Cari's mom awoke to find an empty house. She had to call the school to ask if her daughter was there. Sure enough Cari had gone to school anyway. She found her snow boots (it definitely wasn't winter) and walked to school by herself! She even crossed a very, very busy road. Any wonder our girls are as independent as they are. :-)


Our kids just love and adore their mother. The especially love when she takes them out places, plays with them, or just takes time to "snuggle" with them.


Anyone who knows Cari knows she loves to camp. Cari has been the Young Women Camp Director in our ward for the last 2 years. I think they may have to wrestle the calling away from her. There is a different kind of Cari that goes camping. We call her "Camp Cari." I love Cari, but I am afraid of "Camp Cari." When "Camp Cari" comes out even the Young Women are shocked. Here are some pictures of a talent show that "Camp Cari" (although a reserved version) participated in.


Cari is the most kind, loving, sweet person I know. For a time Cari and I were just friends in high school. Unconsciously, Cari became the standard that all other girls I met were judged by. Needless to say, none of the other girls could compete with Cari. Somehow Cari saw past the mean line cook with a chip on his shoulder, past the heathen of a teenager I was and gave me a chance. I don't know why, but I can't thank her enough. Without her I would be nothing. Our family would be nothing.

We love you sweet heart! Have a happy birthday!