♥ Kodsville ♥

We lost another dog this year. Kilo in July and this time it was my in-laws dog Koda.  He seemed like my dog in a lot of ways though.  He's been in Dave's family for 17 years!  17!  He was a member of the family even before McKay was born.  Koda was a unique dog in so many ways.  The best way to describe him is "the perfect dog".  That is what Kevin said in a text to me on the day he passed away.  And he couldn't have been more accurate.  He was good with children and loved everyone.  He actually thought he was a person.  He was so gentle and so loving and loved to be around people all the time.

He would come and stay with us for a few days here and there when Dave's parents were out of town and I always loved his visits!  He would sit at the top of our stairs where he could see the door in case someone came so he could protect us.  He was a little leary of Kilo at first because Kilo had so much energy and Koda was an old man when we got Kilo.  But he got along with him and with the cat and was never any trouble at all.  He did like to wander off occasionally, but what dog doesn't?  He loved coming over here. 

The day after he passed away, Dave's mom called me and told me that I was his favorite person.  I know he loved me, but not sure I would go that far...haha.   She talked about how when I would arrive at their house he would go crazy and just run laps around the big room and then come up and jump on me.  She said he never did that with anyone else and he was always happiest to see me.  One time I arrived and gave him a kiss and right after I did he went charging through the house running so fast around and around so hyper and excited. It was hilarious!  He was so sweet. 

 Dave's brother Kevin got him when he was a puppy.  He then left on a two year mission for our church and Koda was in serious mourning.  He was so happy when Kevin got home.  Then after Kevin got married, he stayed living at Dave's parent's home.  They took care of him and treated him like a king.  But he was happiest when the house had guests.  He just loved people so much.

Koda is off to the left in this photo of Dave's family.  Normally he would be right in the middle of everyone.  He was just such a great dog.  I am going to really miss him!


He had started to go downhill the last few weeks and I went over and told him goodbye on Wednesday.  It broke my heart to see him so bad.  He was so skinny and weak.  He had stopped eating and wasn't drinking very much at all.  It was truly heartbreaking.  I honestly didn't think he had more than a few hours left in him. I told him it was okay to go.  I could tell he was holding on for some reason because he looked so bad.  I told him to go and find Tyson and play catch with him.  Tyson loved Koda so much.  He was the only dog Tyson ever had.

 

Surprisingly he kept holding on.  I could not believe it. Another five days passed and he was still holding on.  I couldn't figure it out and then I asked Dave's dad if Kevin had been able to make it up to see him and when he said no, I knew what he was holding on for.  He was waiting for Kev.  I KNEW that was the reason he was still here.  There is no other explanation because he was beyond being able to hold on physically.  I knew it had to be his will to live and the only thing that would give him that will in his condition was a person.  I knew it was Kev.  He loved Kevin so much and he was his master.  He didn't want to go until he told him goodbye.  I sent Kev a text and told him what I thought was going on and if there was any way to just call and let Koda hear his voice then I thought Koda could go in peace.  Apparently Kevin didn't realize how bad Koda had become and dropped everything and drove up to see him.  I was just praying that Koda would still be alive when he got there.  He was!  He got to see Kevin and tell him goodbye.  I was so happy.  I know that was all he was waiting for.  Kevin did the right thing and took him to the vet.  He passed away a few hours after Kevin arrived. 

Rest In Peace Kods!
I love you...

 

 You were the perfect dog and you will be sorely missed....

A little of THIS and a lot of THAT...

These posts are specifically for all the posts that never happened but were supposed to... all combined into one! Yes, I know they can be long, but humor me....it's just easier this way sometimes!

DOING LUNCH!

↑ Me and my cousins (or nieces or whatever they are!) Britt, Candi, and Tiff, took my Mom out to lunch for her birthday at Olive Garden. I LOVE OG! I had my fav Chocolate Almond Amore' drink and lasagna! Doesn't get better than that!

I am never sure what to call them because technically they are my cousin Shelley's girls, which would make them my second cousins, but that sounds soooo distant and we are way too close to be so distant! Their mom Shelley, who passed away a few months ago, is my Mom's niece, but she and my Mom were raised more like sisters. So my Mom is more like an Aunt to them. Confused yet? Me too! Whoever they are...

I ♥ em!!!

For ME????↑

I put this on just for you Mom! ↓

GOODBYE!

My boys telling their cousin Trevor goodbye for TWO years the night before he left on his mission to Mexico.






















Bryce and Trevor. ↓ These two won't see each other for almost three years depending on when Bryce leaves on his mission. That is a looooooong time!

BASKETBALL!

We go to a lot of basketball games right now with Taylor and McKay playing. The above shots are Taylor's freshman team. He is #10 shooting the free throws.

Riley and Taylor eating between games...↓ They are great kids!

SLEEPOVER!!!

My nephew and two nieces wanted to come for a sleepover last weekend. We had a lot of fun! They wanted to make cookies and I had these old Halloween pre-made ones still in the fridge I needed to use and so we made them. They snarfed them down! Nothing says I ♥ you like old Halloween cookies!!! ;o)

We made CREEPY CRAWLERS!!! Messy but fun!!!

I told them Max had to come along too. He is so cute...just a fuzz ball full of energy!!! A great time was had by all!!!

The bottom two photos ↓ is the reason why I need to repaint so often!

It was so nice to have a little more estrogen in the house!!!

ANOTHER GOODBYE

Skyler was heading back up to USU after Christmas to finish his school year in pre-dental, but got an amazing job offer with the Home Security business he has worked for in the past. It was a tough decision for him to make, whether to continue with his classes or take the job. He went to the first couple of days to class and then decided to take the job. He had to move to Las Vegas and is now managing part of the business. Waa-waa!!! I loved having him so close! Guess I got spoiled. (No good photos of his face because he hates his pix taken!...dang kid!)

DOG GONE IT!

We got to tend my in-laws dog Koda for a little while - though not long enough! I miss him! He belongs with me!

He loves me...what can I say? ↓ Seriously he does! If Dave gives me a hug, he goes bolistic and starts to whine and moan and bark until he lets me go. Not in a protection sort of way, but in a very jealous sort of way. It is so cute!

GOOD FRIENDS

McKay and his good buds serving at one of his bud's sister's wedding...again. These guys are going to be pros with all the sisters his friends have! At least pros at making sure the refreshments are safe to eat!

OLD FRIENDS

When I was out to lunch with my good friend Jen and Logan ♥ (at Olive Garden...again! ---only in a different city this time so it doesn't count!) I ran into my old friend Michelle and her daughter Hailey. When we were in Med School, they were in Dental School and lived below us in a four plex in St. Louis. I used to tend Hailey when she was a brand new baby and now look at her! (2nd pix top right!) Ugh, I feel so old now! Bottom right is Bryce deciphering a message trying to find out who asked him to the VD ! (Valentine Dance)

That's that....until next time!!!

Conference Weekend

I always look forward to conference weekend, not just because we can sit around and watch church from the comfort of our own couch and eat treats, but also because I love the spirit that is felt as we listen to our leaders and living Prophet. It was an awesome experience on Saturday to see Pres. Monson sustained as our new Prophet. He is a remarkable man. Below is one of my all time favorite quotes that he gave several years ago.

"Look to the lighthouse of the Lord. There is no fog so dense, no night so dark, no gale so strong, no mariner so lost but what its beacon light can rescue. It calls, 'This way to safety; this way to home.'"
~ President Thomas S. Monson

On Friday night we attended my hubby's missionary reunion. He hasn't been to one in over 25 years and so it was a great experience for him to see so many old (not literally ~ well...kinda!) missionary companions and acquaintances. He was called to the Florida Fort Lauderdale Mission and then was transferred to Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic to help open that mission. This is the flag from Puerto Rico.

This is Dave's Mission President. President Millet. He hasn't seen him for many years. The last time we saw him was when he came to the Primary Children's Hospital to give one of our newborn sons a blessing. It was good to see him again. He is an awesome man.

Looking at a mission scrapbook with Sister Tally. Her husband was one of Pres. Millet's counselors.

Catching up with some old missionary buds.







It was held at this beautiful house in Draper.

Talking

about

old times...

Wow...has it really been that long?
This is the cutest little girl I met named Breanna. She was as bored as I was and so we stuck together with the food and M&M's. She was adorable! I could've taken her home with me. Look at those eyes!

Her Mom moved to Utah from Puerto Rico after her mom was baptized. There were several others there who also did the same and came to the reunion to see some of the missionaries.

This drink is made in Puerto Rico and it was what the missionaries mostly drank because of the water conditions. I'm sure they had to "learn" to like it because it was NASTY! It tasted just like water-downed molasses! Yuck! The food they served was good however. They served delicious Mexican food and Platanos. Dave noticed the absence of rice and beans which is what he basically lived on while there, as did the other missionaries. Guess they are all still sick of them and didn't want them on the menu!

Dave's mom always has a big dinner after the Priesthood session on Saturday. She made a huge pan of lasagna this year and it was so yummy! No photo's of it since I forgot my camera! But here is a shot when I was over there earlier of their dog Koda, whom I LOVE! He is the best dog!

Did I mention he loves me too? He is kissing me here.Isn't he the cutest? He comes and has a "sleepover" at our house once in a while!Who could resist those eyes?