Happy Birthday Lindsi!

Twenty-eight years ago today, Brian and I began our journey into parenthood with the birth of our first baby. I can't believe my baby is 28 and soon to be a mommy herself! I wanted to share her story and a few of my favorite pictures.



I had a fairly easy pregnancy and was so excited to be a momma! In the early 80s, ultrasounds were certainly not routine, so we had no early peeks of our baby, and had no clue if Baby Pugmire was a boy or girl. I really was hoping for a girl and even bought a few pink things. She was due on November 22, but I was getting anxious and hoped she would be early. There is definitely a trend beginning here of my pregnancies lasting no longer than 38 weeks. I had some blood pressure problems, so was put to bed on November 9. I knew that bed rest was not going to last, so on the morning on November 12, I began what I thought was labor. I also liked the idea of having my baby on a Friday so that everyone could come and see us on the weekend.



Always an early morning person, I got up at 5 am and announced to Bri that it was time. Off we went to the hospital where my parents met us. Since my blood pressure was still up, the doctor decided to induce labor. So after a few short hours of labor, I had an epidural which was great and off we went to the delivery room. Things were so different then; Brian had to be in full scrubs and the room resembled an operating room. No soft lights, nice music, or anything. I remember that just before I delivered, the nurses were making a big fuss over how much red hair my baby had. I have to be honest, I wasn't that excited about a red haired baby. But at 1:31 pm the Doctor announced that I had a baby girl. Yahoo!! Bri bought her to me and I rembering saying, " Hi Lindsi, welcome to the world" and she turned her head and looked right at me. Bri said that she knew her momma. I started crying and could not wait to hold my baby girl. Motherhood had begun...

Lindsi Kay

7 pound 3 ounces and 19 inches

She was a beautiful red head!

Lindsi at 2. This is Brian's favorite picture of her. In fact, at her wedding dinner, he showed this picture when he gave his talk.

Age 3

Family picture two years before we had Kristi

And here is my baby today! She is the cutest little mommy to be. She is showing Cashe's going home outfit.

So my Lindsi, happy birthday. Dad and I love you so much and are so proud of the amazing woman you have grown to be. You are going to be the best mom ,and we cannot wait for baby Cashe to arrive. Thanks for being our first, we learned with you and it was an amazing journey to be your parents. We love you!!!

Happy Birthday Ben!

Thirteen years ago our family was complete with the birth of our son. It had been 9 years since we had Kristi, so we were definitely excited to have another baby. I wanted to share a few thoughts about the day Ben was born.



Ben was due on November 26, but both girls were born about two weeks early, so I was hoping for the same with Ben. I went to the doctor on the 4th, and he said that he would see me at my appointment the following week. I was very disappointed as my maternity leave was beginning on the 10th , and I didn't want to waste it being home by myself.


The morning of the 10th I busied myself with errands, and by the time the girls arrived home from school, I was in the early stages of labor. Bri came home around 4 and by 5 we were off to the hospital. Lindsi, Kristi and Grandma joined us around 6 as Lindsi was going to be there for Ben's birth. I had decided I wanted to try another natural delivery and with the support of both Lindsi and Bri, I did it. At 9:00 p.m. Ben arrived! I remember that the minute I held him I just knew that he made our family complete.

Benjamin Earl Pugmire

7 pounds 6 ounces, 20 inches

Bringing Ben home on Lindsi's 15th birthday!


One of my favorite pictures of Ben. Kristi took this picture in our backyard. Ben loved to run around with our dog Max. For some reason, he always wore Kristi's bike helmet. It looked like he had an igloo on his head.

My boy growing up- 4 years old. He always had the biggest smile on his face. He was so blonde too.

And here he is today, 13 years old, sporting his new Utah jersey.

Happy Birthday Ben! You are the best son , and we love you so much. You have the biggest heart and are such a good brother to Lindsi and Kristi. You bring so much joy to Dad and I and we are so proud of the fine young man you are. We know great things are ahead for you. We love you!!!

NYC-Bermuda Trip-Finally!

Brian and I had the great opportunity to go to New York City and Bermuda the end of September with United Underwriters Insurance Company. I'm really late in getting this post done, but it was a fantastic trip.

On the plane, all smiles ready for shopping and sun!

Our first night; we stayed in Jersey City which is just across the river from Manhattan. No matter what people say about Jersey, we found it to be a great place. The NYC skyline in the background.
We took a boat ride on the Hudson River. It was overcast, but you can see the massive skyline in back of us.
On the boat ride. Whenever I see the Statue of Liberty, I appreciate so much what it has meant to those wanting to come to this country.We went to lower Manhattan and toured the 9/11 sites. This is a plaque to all the police and firefighters who lost their lives on that day. It was a sobering experience.
I am in one of the buildings at the World Trade Center. The gorgeous glass cathedral in the background was not damaged on 9/11 even though the building around it fell.
The construction site of the future Freedom Tower. It has a long way to go before its completion. It's hard to fathom that the twin towers once were here.

A shot of Times Square; noisy, crowded, but I love it! I didn't get any pictures of me bargaining for Lindsi and Kristi's purses on Canal Street. The girls really wanted purses and so off we went to find them. I was told to bargain and NOT pay full price. Well, guess I bargained a bit too much. At one point the lady selling the purses was totally done with me and would not show me any more purses. No worries, just walked down the street a bit and found exactly what I wanted and got a great deal.
We were able to see the Lion King on Broadway. It was amazing! There is nothing like a Broadway show. We had the choice to see either the play or the NY Yankees and Boston Red Sox game. As you know, Bri is a HUGE Red Sox fan, but he knew how much I wanted to see the play and since he is the BEST hubby, he chose the play. The Red Sox ended up winning the game!
Our first day on the cruise ship and ready to read. Bri choose a John Grisham novel and I read The Help; it was the best book! We finished them both!
Date night on the ship.

Bermuda is a gorgeous island! Here we are at a church courtyard with the ocean behind us.

This is the funniest picture. When you think of Bermuda, you think of shorts. Well, this man and his son are wearing them and it's considered appropriate business attire. Yep, shorts and a tie!
Going back to the ship after our first day in Bermuda; our ship is in the background. Bri is sporting a new hat; I think he looks very fashionable and handsome.
The things you do on a cruise! I never eat onion rings, don't like them, but at lunch at Johnny Rockets, I had to try them. Yum...they were great!
Another date night on the ship waiting for the show to begin. I love the entertainment on cruises; it's always great and so fun. We saw some great dance and variety show, a magician and an ice show.
Clark and Sarah Lee, our waiter Jose and Bri and I; our dinner group every night on the ship. Jose was the best waiter and always fixed my dinner just right. If you know me, I'm a little picky, so that is no easy task.

Maurine, our cute cabin steward. We tend to mess up a room pretty quickly, and she always kept things so neat and tidy. Maurine would make funny animals out of towels for us each night. This one was my fav-a cool elephant with my shades.

One of my favorite couples on the cruise-Neal and Brenda Dastrup. He was so funny and made me laugh all the time.
The United Underwriters CEO, Lynn Connelly and his wife Jill and parents. They were great hosts and so so generous. Thanks UU for a great trip!
The best part of the trip-coming home to the family. Thanks so much Kuri and Jordy for taking care of Ben, Duke, the house and everything else. You two are great. Here's the family (minus Abby) showing off their presents. It was a great trip...can't wait for the next one.