Happy Birthday Monte

Happy 52nd birthday Monte.

Monte happened to be out of town on his actual birthday so we were forced to celebrate a day late. 

He arrived home from Kentucky for his favorite birthday supper.

Meatloaf and baked potato...I chose creamed peas to go with our meal.

I have been on a project kick for the past several months...most I can handle on my own...which is preferred by all.  Anyway I've got a couple projects in mind that require a few tools...something Monte claims he doesn't have.  Being the loving wife that I am I thought I'd help him (and maybe myself) out by getting him an awesome Jigsaw.

(now all we need is a chop saw and a table saw to make my project come to pass...someone (Monte) doesn't want to store all those tools)

Apparently I made a great tool choice...Monte thought I picked it because it came with a cute bag.  Wrong...I knew not to get the $20 model so I found the one worth a decent amount but also on the best sale...luckily it all worked out.

After gifts and supper we went to the San Tan mall to walk around in our beautiful Arizona weather.  The iphone pics are a little sad but hopefully you get the idea of the torture we face here...the tree in the bottom picture is made from real flowers and plants.

Instead of birthday cake we split a gelato from "Frosts".  Super yummy.

We have the best kids in the whole wide world.  We really couldn't be any more proud or happy with the fine men they have and continue to become.  We also have the best daughter in law one could hope and ask for.  Since non of them could be here with Monte they remembered him in their own special way.  Brad is always one of the first to call and send his love.  Brett and Kayden were hunting then stopped at DQ and decided to get their dad a cake which they will enjoy on his behalf....they sent this pic to him on his happy day.  Notice their dress and compare that to the pics of our evening of shopping.  

Elder Kartchner wished his dad a happy birthday in his weekly email...he also told him if he was good he'd get something to him in the mail...apparently he hasn't been good because nothing has made it's way here...yet!