NO DEAL!

I am not doing too well on this blog thing. I know this is a little late, but what the heck. It all started way back at the beginning of the school year when one of my students was caught tagging the boys bathroom. I was (and still am) confused on why they would want to choose that path. Anyways, I sat there thinking about what I could do to help my kids find a way out. I turned on the T.V. and Deal or No Deal was on. I thought how cool would it be to go on the show, win some money to set up a college trust fund for each one of my kids. I want my kids to know how much I believe in them and see that education is the key and gangs are not!!!!!!

Well, to my surprise they were having an open audition on April 12th. I talked my teammate and partner in crime to come along with me. We had our kids design some shirts for us and as you can see they did a fabulous job. We camped out overnight in the RC Willey parking lot and waited in line the next morning, to have our 20 seconds of fame. Well, the girl we got to talk to was definitely not a teacher lover nor did she have an eye for shear talent! When we told her why we wanted to be on the show, she looked at us and said "No, we want to know what you would buy for you if you won a million dollars!" I was taken back, had she not listened to what we said? So we repeated it, and she still wouldn't take that as an answer. Needless to say she did not invite us back for a second audition! O'well! Howie would of had some fun with us. His loss!

Bottom line it was such a fun experience and at least we tried. Thanks Allison for being a trooper, you are the best!!!

Another Chadilliant Idea!

Chad the ADD and impulsive person he is signed up for another CRAZY training. Why he thinks this is fun, I have no idea. Midvale Fire was offering a Tactical EMS (SWAT) training. Being the go-getter that he is, he signed up, willing to train all week long without pay (then working 60 hours in order to get his hours for the week). Well, just like all the other trainings this is proving to be one that he is really enjoying. He has been working on his gun skills (he could have just asked me), how to handle stand offs, enter homes, take people into custody, and administer treatment under fire. Just as I mentioned before I am so proud of him. He is always taking on extra trainings and putting in extra hours to show this is his dream and his passion. He is a hard worker who supports and loves his family. I am so lucky to be married to a person who enjoys life, takes risks, and keeps me grounded.

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Happy Easter

I know, I know it has been a while since I posted last. Time just seems to go by just too fast and I feel like I am on a rollercoaster waiting for it to slow down.
Any-whooo! Easter was quite the excitement around the Pate home. As always family traditions kick into high gear and it is go, go, go! We had our annual easter egg decorating party. Gavin actually sat and decorated eggs longer than I thought! Bre lasted all of 5 minutes, but she absolutely loved decorating herself in all the easter egg stickers! Of course the Easter Bunny came and visited Gav and B's. Gav got some Transformers and B's a Dora picnic set. As usual the kids were spoiled more than ever. We had three easter egg hunts, one at Grandma Kari's, one at Aunt Meggie's and then one at Great Grandma Tootsie's. I am just so grateful for such an amazing family and all the memories that we create through the many traditions! Life is great!

1st year down many more to go!

It has officially been one year since Chad quit his full-time job in order to pursue his life-long dream of becoming a firefighter. This has been the most rewarding and challenging year all in one. You can certainly tell that this is Chad's nitch in life. He dreams, talks, sweats, and breathes firefighting! He has worked so hard and has dedicated himself to making sure that he is the best at what he does. Above are some of the photos of the training Chad has done out at Saratoga. He had the opportunity to become Ice Rescue Certified at Utah Lake and I will be the first to admit that this is pretty cool!

Bottom line Chad is amazing and I am always amazed at what he pushes himself to do and achieve!

President's Day

I know, I know, this is a little late. But hey! Better late than never, right? Well, Chad and I decided to take the kids to the Dinosaur Museum at Thanksgiving Point. Shocking I know, Chad and I together!!!!!!! Gaver loves dinosaurs and Bre just loves to be out. I did not realize how big this place actually was. There were different sections that focused on the different dinosaurs and ancient animals. Gaver loved the stegosaurus, the brontosaurus and especially the t-rex. It was so fun to listen to him point the dinosaurs as we walked around. I am always amazed at what he says and what he remembers. We walked through and were able to dig for dinosaurs bones, play in the mud and build our own dinosaur lands, and see all the many ancient and extinct animals. The hardest parts were in the hands-on areas, there were so many kids that space and toys were limited. If we go again we need to go on a week day or non-holiday to beat the crowds.

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