First and Foremost

Welcome to the Gates family blog as seen through the eyes of their great leader...aka Mom.
We are an intense but loving family that enjoys a good laugh and each other's company. We often have an uncontrollable cynical outlook on life and a sometimes overwhelming need to keep people in the "real". We are all dreamers and know that someday we will come up with that perfect idea that will change our lives. Is this our year? I believe it is!!!

Gates Family Antics in the dictionary.

gate [geyt] noun,
a-an opening permitting passage through an enclosure.
b-any means of access or entrance: the gate to stardom is talent.

family [fam-uh-lee, fam-lee] noun,
a-parents and their children, considered as a group, whether dwelling together or not.
b-the staff, or body of assistants, of an official.

antic [an-tik] noun,
a- a playful trick or prank, caper
also defined as...
b- a grotesque, fantastic, or ludicrous gesture, act, or posture

hhmmm, that pretty much sums it up! A grotesque passage to our group of people?!?!?

I will be using many exclamation points and any other exaggeration method I can think of on this blog. I believe this easily defines my personality (and others that will be highlighted on this page), that has often been referred to as "dramatic". I don't see it but..........
You will probably gag on all the info I will share about our wonderful kids and our even more amazing grandkids. I will also sprinkle in a bit about our awesome extended family and friends that keep life interesting.

Let me introduce you to the fam!

My amazing hubby Bruce! We have have been in love for for 26 years! His unofficial job description is "Chief Gourmet Carniverous Technician", generally referred to as a Smith's Meat Department Manager. He is a great, hard working guy with a wonderful work ethic. He has always done everything he needed to do to take care of our family. Although he often comes across as a crusty old man, we all know he is a cuddly teddy bear, full of sweet.

The Baldwin family: Including Mike, Wendy and two great kids, Ezekiel 4 and Sierra 3. Mike and Wendy live in Logan Utah. Mike is the construction king and has done just about every building job there is. He is planning to go to school to be a Physical Therapist. Wendy is a busy, stay at home mom with a woodwork and vinyl business. She keeps a sparkling house and once a week, she helps another family to do the same.

Collin 25, the eldest of the bunch. Against all better judgement he is living here with his family to jump start his life in the direction he would like to go. He currently works at Schreibers in Amalga. His goal is to get his nursing degree and move back to his "good life" in Salt Lake City. We all know that he secretly hopes to stay with us forever! He loves fast cars, staying up late and his mom.

Timery and Michael Reis, both 23. Michael and Timery live in a darling little house in Richmond with their two beautiful girls, Miette almost 2 and Elliott 7 months. Michael is wonderful artist who insists that everyone has the ability to do art, if they would only practice. (huh? I don't buy it!). He is very patient as he helps me with my computer questions. He works as the Design Department Manager at Sign Pro. Timery is an amazing, selfless mother who adores her kids and they know it! Tim and I are pretty much unseperatable. I'm fine with that! She is currently in between jobs but works very hard at home, taking care of their girls.

Kyler 20, is the perfect one, or so I've been told. We do think he is marvelous! He is currently serving in the Maceio Brazil Mission and he loves it! It has been awesome watching him grow and we are more than anxiously awaiting his return in June. Just in time for Elliott's first birthday and of course...the 4th Of July!!!

Mason 19, is the second unwilling participant in the "living with parents" situation. He is excited to spread his wings and move into Logan with his friends. He goes to Utah State, working on degrees in Political Science and Economics. After he graduates in 2009, he plans to run off to a fancy school, far, far away to get his masters. He loves his job as a teacher's aide at Bridger Elemetary and still dabbles at the movie theater for free tickets.

Seth 15, is our angel. He loves his nieces and his dad, watching movies in his bed, ogre hugs, getting tickled and music. He meets each new challenge with his brilliant smile and loves his family unconditionally. We all hope that he will put in a good word for us in heaven.

I suppose that is more about us than most of you can stomach at one sitting. I will dabble with faces to the stories tonight when I have some leisure. Did I just use the word "leisure"!?!?!?!?!?! hahahahahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!