Utah Jazz

Grandpa gave Caleb and I his tickets to the Utah Jazz game last night! We had a lot of fun, it was the first game of the season at home for the Jazz, so there was lots of promotional things going on. We both got Jazz hats, which are actually really nice. We went early to enjoy the atmosphere, and hung out around the tv studio, and even got on TV! (nobody saw it but us, but we were excited!) then i was telling Caleb all about the last time i was there with dad, and the Jazz bear showed up at our seats and played around with us... low and behold, Caleb turns around and there was the bear sitting right next to him! he gave him a high five! (and we held onto our hats for sure!! (inside joke with dad and i)The Jazz won and we had a really fun night.. thanks dad for the tickets and allowing Caleb and i to have a memorable night!

Sarami

October makes for easy blog ideas, since there are so many birthdays!! but i am especially excited to talk about my little sister! I don't know how she does the things she does, i just know she has been doing it for as long as i can remember. I know that Annie has commented on the "spaz" or energy bursts that the callister boys have, where they freak out momentarily to 'release' the built up hyperactivity (usually from sitting too long) that we tend to accumulate. well Becky has this trait as well, and there is honestly nothing more amusing to me, then seeing her in one of her spaz 'wigouts'. it always puts a smile on my face! but most things she does put a smile on my face. She is saintly, though she would probably never believe it. Strong personality and strong beliefs, strong determination and will, these october girls are pretty special. i think that is why i was attracted to Deena right away, she is the double image of what i grew up with all my life. So in a way, I owe my family to Becky, as well as my strength in dealing with these strong personalities. I love it, i need strong women in my life, and 2 of the strongest have had to deal with me for quite a while now! i love ya beck, and hope there are many more opportunities for me to see you 'spaz', chat about kids and school. discuss books, give each other strength, and help each other pull through. (or maybe take a spin on a motorcycle) happy birthday little sis!

Jimminy Cricket

I remember Dad getting a jimminy Cricket toy at work (or someplace) because it was the charactor that most reminded these people of Dad, or at least their thinking was that Dad, had a very Jimminy Cricket -ish personality. I thought that was pretty fitting for a man who "always lets his concience be his guide'.

I spent last night at the priesthood session alone, for the first time in, I don't know how long. I always have Dad and usually Dan with me, they were both gone for this one. It was telling that there was a talk about Fathers and Sons. Brother Ballard said that Fathers need to listen to their sons, and sons should seek advise from their fathers. Well, I have an exemplary Father, who i know had an exemplary father as well. I thank my 'lucky stars' this is the case. I can remember his attempt at the awkward (for both of us) bird and bees talk, I know he was trying to do what he as a father should do. mostly I remember that he never blew me off, there where times when i am sure it wasn't the most convienient or pleasant thing to father me. however, even in my more rebellious times, my friends always commented on how much they liked me dad. i know my dad didn't approve of what we were doing most of the time, but he genuinely liked my friends, he saw past adolesent stupidity and saw them as people with potential. Jeff, and Thayne, Matt Maio, Jason, all made comments about how they liked my dad, not because he condoned things we did, but because he was always friendly and asking them about thier lives, he was a fatherly figure to some of them who were missing that in thier own homes. Dad never left me out when i was living on my own. he came by all the time to see if i wanted to go golf, or come over for dinner, or go hiking or camping. I know he thought that if he gave me opportunities to be with family i would come back to family.. and he was RIGHT!!

i could go on.... and on. but i just want to wish my Dad a happy birthday! and let him know that i love him and hope that i can be half the dad to my kids as he was and still is to me!