Happy Mothers Day Mom

I want to wish my Mom a Happy Mothers Day on Sunday!! I have the most amazing Mother and I am so blessed to have her in my life. She is truely an amazing person and I admire her so much. I think back of all the wonderful things she has done for me and my siblings as we were growing up and how she always made our house the "fun house" to be at!! There we so many other kids who called my Mom "Mom" because she cared for and loved our friends. She always had hot chocolate and cowboy cookies, a big pot of chili made for us at any given moment!! She still makes homemade cakes and cookies for us and her grandchildren and great grandchildren "just because"! She was the best softball coach, youth leader and mutal teacher, roadshow director and most of all my best friend!! When we had mutual she always made sure that we got to watch Happy Days before class and she was always up to date with music having us listen to the new song that just came out and was on the Top 40 Countdown. She is such a beautiful woman and has a heart full of love for everyone!! She is such a great example for our family and for others around her. She loves all little children and always makes them feel special! There are so many people that love my Mom but none as much as me! Thanks Mom for all you do!! I love you so very much and I am sending you lots of hugs on Mothers day and always!! Love, Peg of your heart

Happy Birthday Daddy!! 5/08/09

Today is my Daddy's 72nd Birthday! This picture of him was taken last year (in the Sacred Grove) when he came out to Pennsylvania to visit me. Dad, Mom and myself went to the Sacred Grove in Palmyra New York, Niagra Falls and Southbend Indiana. This was the most awesome visit that I've had with my Mom & Dad because I had them all to myself for two whole weeks!!!

I have the best Dad in the whole world!! He has always been there for me, sets a great example for me, he makes me laugh and most of all he loves me unconditionally!! He is such a wonderful Grandpa too!! My kids love being around him..........he makes them laugh and they tease him almost as much as he teases them! He has such a special relationship with each one of his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren too!!

I have so many wonderful memories with my Dad. I admire the man who he is and what he has taught his children. He is a great friend to many (including me)! I love calling him my Dad!!

I love you so much Dad!! I wish I could be with you today to help you blow out your candles but know that I am thinking of you and wishing you the best birthday ever!!!

Bart recieves award

The University of Utah presented Bart with the "John E. Willson Distinguished Alumnus Award" on April 22, 2009. This award was established to recognize a graduate of the University of Utah's Mining Engineering Program who has set a high standard by his or her accomplishments in the mining industry.
Bart was presented with this award and also recieved a Gary Prazen statue. He spoke to students in the Mining Engineering program as well as his Professors (many of who are Matt's professors now). Everyone enjoyed listening to him speak as he always does such a great job.
We are so proud of Bart and all of his accomplishments.
The University did a very nice write up on him about his accomplishments as well as his family background in Mining. Bart is a fourth-generation coal miner. His Great grandfather Jonas Hyita came to Carbon County from Finland and worked as a mine laborer. His Grandfather Raino and his father Robert Hyita were both employed at the Horse Canyon Mine. On his mothers side, his Grandfather Albert Kizerian was a coal miner and his Great Grandfather Evan James Griffiths started working in the mines in Wales at the age of 9. He immigrated to America at 12 and began working underground in the "mule barn. Bart's mom says that his family "bleeds coal dust"!
Bart is currently Chief Operating Officer for CONSOL Energy here in Pittsburgh. He has accumulated over 28 years of experience in underground and surface coal mining. He is so amazing at his job and also as a husband, father and grandfather!! I am so lucky to be married to such an awesome man!!!
Matt also recieved several scholarships that night from Joy Manfacturing, WAAIME, RMCMI and the William C. Browning scholarship. He has one more year at the U of U and then he will graduate. Matt is following in the footsteps of the Hyita Family as well as his great-grandfathers Hollis Branch and Nic Belich on my side of the family.........so I guess coal dust runs through his veins as well!

Funny things Corban says!

Today I went shopping (all day long) with Heather, the boys and Sam. Seriously, we were shopping all day long!! We were trying to find some summer clothes for Corban because he has grown and nothing fits him from last summer! Sam was looking for a new outfit or two for her trip to Utah and Heather..........well Heather just loves to shop for anything!!! We had lunch first at the Olive Garden and then began the process of shopping. Anyway, Corban and Jayce were such the little troopers! I know it can't be fun shopping but they are always so good but today after several hours.........yes hours Corban started to get a little cranky and just wanted to do anything else but go into another clothing store. Heather promised him a toy if he could just hold on a little longer so he decided that he wanted a "Rocket Rod Fishing Pole". Now once Corban sets his mind on something it does not change until HE decides to change it. Every store we would go into he would say "NO - NO I want a "Rocket Rod Fishing Pole"!! Finally after about 5 stores of this I asked him what a "Rocket Rod Fishing Pole" was to which he replied "Its a fising pole you shoot way out in the water........you know a Rocket Rod Fishing Pole............"as seen on t.v."! So as you can guess.............either Heather or I will be purchasing a Rocket Rod Fishing Pole as seen on t.v.!!!
Another funny.............last Thursday Heather made a big pot of Potato Chicken soup (it was so good....mmmmmm) and invited me and Jonas over to eat dinner with them. So we go over and of course Corban is playing with Jonas and not eating and so Heather is trying to get him to sit down and eat. He finally sits down and says to Heather "will you feed me" Heather said "yes, I would love to feed you"! to which Corban replied "but don't put food all over my face like you do to Jayce"!! I laughed so hard................this kid is so funny!!
I guess these little guys see the world from a whole different perspective than we do!! Thanks Corban my little buckaroo for making me laugh!! I love you and your little brother so much!!