Happy 40th!!

Last week we celebrated Rik's 40th birthday. As part of the celebrations we filled his car with 40 balloons. Just so you know, you about pass out when you try to blow 40 balloons up... It was a busy day, but we still had some of Rik's favorite foods for dinner: shrimp, veggie bars, asparagus, Caesar salad, and blueberry pretzel salad. Friday night he and the kids went snowboarding (except for Anaya... she and I stayed home and did nails). This was McKay's second time snowboarding, and he loved it! Turning 40 is a pretty big deal, so I thought I would do a quick list of 40 things that make Rik Rik (unless I can't think of 40 things...)


1. Rik comes up with the most unique nick names... then morphs them a few times until they are really, really strange. For example, Malia's nick name is "Moogie," and Anaya's is "Shnoogalish."

2. Rik has at least 4 times more clothes and shoes than I do.

3. Rik can play the piano, ukulele, and guitar.

4. He is left-handed, except for sports, which he plays right-handed.

5. Rik can fall asleep ANYWHERE... like the floor, the counter top, the computer chair, tanning beds, on the phone talking to his mom, or on the couch reading with McKay.

6. Rik likes super smart games... word games are his specialty.

7. He likes to watch UFC.

8. He will eat anything... and I mean ANYTHING. Macaroni and cheese is probably his least favorite though.

9. Rik loves volleyball and racquetball. He's been coaching Malia's team the last several years, and really enjoys it. Here's some pictures from their tournament in Utah a couple weeks ago:



10. In 16 years of marriage he has never taken a sick day. He just doesn't get sick.

11. He knows how to disc golf.

12. He always looks put together.... whether it's midnight at Walmart, or shoveling snow, he always looks perfect.

13. People are always shocked when they find out how old he is and how old his kids are.... it totally makes his day!

14. Rik likes to shop.

15. He can still do a standing back hand spring... and if you get him on the trampoline, he can do all sorts of flips.

16. Back in the day he was in a break dancing group.

17. He has a hard time remembering to zip up his pants... so funny!

18. Someday he would like to restore full-sized arcade games.

19. He likes to read.

20. Rik has run a full marathon.

21. He has a really nice tenor voice... especially when he gets the words right. He sang in a men's quartet a few weeks ago in sacrament meeting.

22. He spontaneously does jazz hands when he's walking through the kitchen.

23. He had rheumatoid arthritis when he was little, and was told he would never walk again (they were wrong.)

24. He is a healthy eater and not too big on desserts.

25. He has broken his front tooth at least 3 times.

26. He likes to snowboard.

27. He's addicted to synthetic fiber sports shirts (I just counted 27 in the closet right now!!)

28. He can't grow a beard.

29. He lived in New Zealand for three years (his mom is Maori.)

30. He is an incredibly hard worker.

31. He is an excellent writer. I used to proof read his papers when he was in college. I always thought they were a little wordy.... teachers LOVED his stuff and always wanted to keep them as the "example paper!"

32. If he could do it all over again, he would go into graphic design.

33. Every now and again Rik tries to communicate by whistling... this generally doesn't go so good.

34. He has one leg that twitches every couple of minutes all night long.

35. He can play hymns on the harmonica with his nose. Anyone need to borrow our harmonica? ew.

36. He went on his mission to Sacramento.

37. Rik won a TV at a spelling bee when he was younger.

38. He loves the gospel, and gives everything he has to whatever calling he is serving in.

39. He is a really, really good dad.

40. He still makes my heart skip a beat when he walks into a room.

Phew... that was harder than I thought! Oh... here's a picture of Rik in his birthday suit (hmm that doesn't sound right!):

I love you!