McKesson Award

We just returned from a very nice evening with Mark's boss Eric. He showed up at work today and presented an ICARE Award to Mark in front of his staff. They are flying and putting us up in San Francisco for the weekend to attend the event. Mark really works hard and I learned a lot about why he earned this award. It surprised him and myself and it was totally unexpected.

The letter states:

Dear Mark:

We are pleased to announce that you have been selected as a McKesson Pharmaceutical 2008 ICARE Award winner. The ICARE Awards recongnize associates who have demonstrated a sustained commitment to the McKesson Shared Principles. You were nominated by your colleagues because of your behaviors that exemplify the ICARE Principles.

A ceremony to recognize the McKesson Pharmaceutical 2008 Awards and Recognition Program winners is being held in San Francisco on Monday, June 2nd. The invitation is attached to this letter.

Thank you for all of the results you achieve everyday for McKesson. Your hard work and dedication help us empower healthcare.

Congratulations on this prestigious achievement!

FATHER SON CAMP OUT!

The boys went on a Father Son campout over the weekend. It was a lot of fun for them until the next morning. The Howder boys did it again! Never a dull moment as they leave a memorable moment for all to reflect on. Zach and Bradley were riding a zipline and as they took off the slack in the rope cause Zach's foot to slip out of the loop and down the rope he slid as they both hung on 25 feet in the air moving quickly. Zach knew this was trouble as Mark watched the whole thing go down. So he held on and when he thought it was safe let go with about 10 feet in the air to fall. He let go, cradled Bradley against his body and took the fall on his sholder and back as all the men rushed to help Mark gather the two of them and check for damages and calm the fears. All turned out okay! Mark took them to the ER since they had some signs of shock and they returned home with bumps and Zach's rope burned hands but no broken bones or head injuries (as far a we can tell so far everything is the same attitude and silliness). Needless to say they are planning on trying it again next year! That would be our boys! Fearless, although this one shook them up a bit. I think Mark was worried about reporting this event to me. The one day I don't carry my cell phone maybe that was a good idea not having it with me this time. I think I would have worried too much. Luckily Mark had just finished a First Aid and CPR training last week at work.

5th Grade Celebration Part One

Morgan had her first part of the end of the year Celebration at Carowinds. She ran the whole day getting on and off of rollercoasters. I was able to go and chaperone. We had a lot of fun! All were tired after a ten hour day. Mark gets to go this Friday with Zach's band.

Fishing Anyone!

Well the kids discovered our neighborhood pond that is stocked with catch and release fish. Here is a view of the fun they have over there as they hang out with the neighbor kids. I know where to find them this summer and it looks like we have to stock up the fishing tackle box. We just talked about how much our ole neighbor Brian would love this in his backyard.

YESTERDAY'S TAKE YOUR KIDS TO WORK DAY

McKesson sponsored a take you kids to work day. Mark took Zach and Morgan to work. I begged him to take Bradley but it's for school age kids (darn! hee hee). I think they had fun. They had to learn about the company and actually work. Some of the kids were bummed about that they thought is was a free out of school day! Then they rewarded them with yummy food, sodas, playing games and snacks.

FAMILY HIKING ANYONE?

We went on a family hike and picnic (in the rain) nearby and took some fun and beautiful picture of the scenic views one Sunday afternoon.

IN HONOR OF EDWARD - ST JUDE TRIKE-A-THON

Bradley had a chance to raise some money for St. Jude Research Hospital at school doing a Trike-A-Thon today. We thought it was a great opportunity to Honor our cousin Edward on this side of the Country since we couldn't be at the services living this far away. Although Edward never made it to St. Jude it was talked about during his treatment as an option. We know others parents with children battling disease are being thought of this day as these kids enjoyed a day making a small difference in someones life. All our love to our young hero in heaven and all the other heros battling these children diseases currently in their lives here on earth.

Farewell To Our Cousin Edward

We lost our cousin this morning to GBM at 6:40am. He went peacefully with all his family surrounding him. It's been a bittersweet day as we weren't sure to cry for our families dealing with the loss or celebrating the fact Edward was released from his sickened body here on earth. He really wanted to be 14 returning to Heavenly Father. We will never forget the strength he had enduring this horrible disease. We will look forward to meet you again one day as each of our time here on earth is up. WE LOVE YOU EDWARD!!!!

HAPPY 14TH BIRTHDAY EDWARD!

Here are our birthday wishes for you this day! You mentioned for all to lift balloons to the Heavens on this special day! We did your Cowboy colors! We hope you were comforted this day with your family by your side. You made it to 14! Just wish it was under better and healthier circumstances. All our love to you. Your cousins

SUNDAY FAMILY STROLL

We enjoyed a family stroll on a local greenway. The kids climbed on rocks, swung on vines, and had fun looking at nature and it's little creatures. It was a lot of fun and a nice spring evening. Okay, Mom and Dad also played Tarzan and Jane with the kids.

Civil War Re-enactment

We went to a Civil War re-enactment. It was fun and the boys loved the guns, The sound was loud.

SPRING TIME VIEWS

The trees are changing and it's been fun to watch how each tree has it's own blossoms. It's daily changing. We really do have popcorn popping on the apricot trees.

Nascar Fans

Well this is posting is for our NASCAR racing fans out there. The Lowe's Motor Raceway is about 18 miles from our house and Joe Gibbs racing garage is 2 miles from our home. There are many others around the area but just a teaser for all of you out there.

Home Pictures

When I was back in California some of you were asking for photos of the inside of the house. Here are some that have been taken just realized haven't taken too many. Just finished painting a bathroom and a few more rooms to go. It's always a ongoing process trying to keep up in decorating verses always cleaning up after our four year old. Currently painting an orange bedroom (yes, Bradley picked out the color) We miss all of you family and friends. Hope to see everyone come summer. We are counting down the school year.

THE EASTER BUNNY CAME!

Hope all had a great day! We realized it was the first Holiday we've ever spent alone as a family. The reality of us being so far away has really come full circle. It was a beautiful day and the weather was pleasant. Fun was had by all and naps were nice. The food was great but like always way to much so left overs galore this week. Bradley was so excited about the hunt and eating all the chocolate his and everyone elses he is outside hiding the eggs again for another hunt as I type this message. Morgan was ready with her Easter dress and curly hair she looked adorable and she had us all wearing pink this year. We spent the afternoon at church which gave us a relaxing early Easter morning. We definately have a teen who was less enthusiastic about the day (he stayed up late the night before so was a bit grumpy). We ended the evening doing our 1st annual Peep roast campfire with our neighborhood families. Hope everyone enjoyed the Holiday! Scroll down for photos.

IT'S SPRING TIME!

It's been awhile since my last post. We were a little side tracked with our quick trip to California. It was nice to see as many as we could. Time is short when you have a lot of people to see that you love. I made it to Tahoe with all my fun group of ladies scrapbooking. The time worked out and thanks to Mark traveling a ton last year we had plenty of Frequent Flyer miles. It was a fun time for each of us not long enough but hope to come out in the summer. Morgan has a great time on her field trip to San Diego and then tried to see as many friends and family we could squeeze into the hours she was actually in Sacramento. Our Bradley was a bit confused when he saw our old home and just kept saying, "Can't we just go over and visit it" then I had to explain all his toys, bikes, and our trampoline wasn't there and we live in Carolina. That four year old brain is always ticking. We enjoyed hanging out with our neighbors like old times. We are back on in the rountine here with school. Kids are testing this week. It's really hitting me that we are in the south. In our backyard you hear the south. Frog chorus galore, bugs making these strange sounds and the stillness of the warm air. I was telling Mark today at lunch it reminds me of the Pirates ride entrance at Disneyland. He had to spend half the day in our DMV changing from California to Carolina licenses. He did much better than I did last week as it blew my day as I sobbed tears handing over my license and trying to drive home. Still have yet to do the final change and that is registering the vehicles that will take another day. I said things here are slow so I'm going with the pace of North Carolina (snails pace slow)! Keep on praying for our cousin Edward! He has became my hero! I am daily watching his updates on www.carepages.com online at 21prayersforEdwardVizina ALL OUR LOVE GOES OUT TO THE VIZINA FAMILY IN UTAH!

Prayer of Comfort Needed

I just wanted to let all know to pray for my cousin Edward and his family for comfort. He has been in a battle with Brain tumors and has recently been informed there is no other treatments that can been done for him. Hospice has been there to explain to him that he will never have to go to another doctor appointment, participate in chemo and radiation treatments, and that they are going to be there to make sure his is comforted the next couple months. It's so heart breaking that he has to experience this and it's hard on all of us that love him. Thanks for everyone that has prayed for him through out this past year in a half.

Charleston, SC

The kids had teacher workdays on Monday and Tuesday and it was the last weekend Grandma Linda was here so we were off to Visit Charleston, SC. What a great time we had. We packed our picnic lunches and we were off for a chilly but clear day and overnighter in Charleston. We had fun visiting The Citadel, Military Forts, Walking the Streets, Tolley rides and a Carriage ride through the Historical District. We also enjoyed a Delicious dinner at Hymans (a fabulous southern family owned and operated restaurant). Kids tasted their first Fried Green Tomatoes! Enjoy some of the photos we took. It's a lovely, rich in history place to visit. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful time and all agreed that the Carriage ride and walking is the best way to experience the time in Charleston Historical District. Look forward to going back (most likely not in the Summer).

OUR FIRST SNOW DAY!

No school is what the kids are saying! Snow fell overnight and the kids are enjoying the fun this morning early!!! So far we have experienced three seasons here in the Carolinas! So today will be a cozy day of blankets, hot chocolate, soup and snow.

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO ALL!

Well it's offically 2008 here on the East Coast. From Fireworks, Food, Fun, Movies, Games and Confetti we had a great night just hanging out counting down the 2007 year and putting it behind us. We wish all a great 2008 and wish we could share with all the new year ahead! 2008 lets make it great!!!