Richie Fresh Is Turning 40

Richie Fresh 'IS" 40!!! Today!

2009-08-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

New Hampshire 1994
(click to enlarge so you can read the sign)

That's right Rich is 40 today!!! I told him last night it's not that big of deal in the morning your going to look and feel like you do right now! With the exception of getting totally pampered and fed good food allday long!!

Rich you can read this now! Enjoy my mispelled words poor grammar but know that I love you and care about your happiness most of all!! Have a super duper fabulous 40th!!

Peace out everyone,
Liz

*still need to figure out how to put the video on here so those who couldn't make it could see it. (Blake & Holly I might need your help, again!)

Party Harty!!!

2009-08-17T10:19:00.000-07:00

The GRAND event!

Some of the HD posse! Scott and the Bayer's!

H.S. friends from Tucson the Cooks and the Swanson's!

Church friends the Clifford's and the Schwendimans!

after married friends the Fischbeck's and the Stewart's!

Old time friend Rhonda and Rich!

the Cook's and the Swanson's!

Rich's Aunt Sharon and Uncle Jim came up from Tucson!

church friends Mark and Anne Nielsen and baby Sam!

The Birthday boy and his old lady!!

It's weird to think a year ago I started this blog and now the party has come and gone!! I think it went well all because of you!!! Almost everyone showed up I couldn't believe how many were there!!! It was such a fun night seeing friends and family we hadn't seen for some time! Thank you for all coming and making Rich feel so loved!! Because lets face it he is pretty much worth it!! I didn't take as many photos that I would have liked to but here are a few from the night!!

READ THIS!!!!

2009-07-29T10:56:00.000-07:00

Rich in NYC Winter 2009

I needed to move it to the other MI Amigo's Location in Mesa!!

EVERYTHING STAYS THE SAME JUST AT:
1264 S. Gilbert Rd.** Mesa, Az. 85204** 480-892-6822

Thank you,
Liz
480-242-2945

Last Post!!! (until after the party)

2009-07-19T19:22:00.000-07:00

Rich taking a siesta with Erica Jan 2008

Rich wishes he could take a long siesta and miss his party! But that's not going to happen!! I know Rich will be happy to see all you there!! So one last re-cap and I will leave you all alone.

Come celebrate with us for a Great guy! Great food! Great fun!
WHEN: Saturday August 15th 2009
WHERE: MiAmigos 6465 E. Southern Ave. Mesa, Az. 85206
TIME: starts at 5pm but come whenever you can and go whenever you want!
NO GIFTS!!

Call me if you have questions! 480-242-2945

Thanks everyone can't wait to see you all there and to see the look on Rich's face!!!

A Day and Time!!

2009-07-06T11:37:00.000-07:00

I forgot to give you the date in the last couple of posts!!!

AUGUST 15th 2009 SATURDAY at 5pm-whenever you wanna go!!
At MiAmigos Mexican in Mesa!!
I will be sending an E-vite sometime this week so I can get a headcount so look for that!! It's getting closer!!!

Happy 9yr Anniversary!!!!!!!!!

2009-06-30T15:29:00.000-07:00

9 !'s for each year I have had with you! And they have all been excellant, exciting, exhausting(just the first few months w/ each new baby), exquisite, extreme, exhilarating, expensive, expressive, and EXTRAORDINARY!!
I can't wait for the next 99+ years together....oh wait I mean ETERNITY!! Mmmwwaahhh.

It's Good To Be King!!

2009-06-27T15:49:00.000-07:00

Father's Day 2009

The kids insisted that dad should be treated like a King this Father's Day!! And I couldn't have agreed with them more. They wanted dad to wear a crown(all day) and have a staff to grant wishes that his heart desired. Of course this was only good for one day!! Rich made sure he took full advantage of that day. I hope he knows how much we appreciate all that he does for us. Life would be a lot harder without Dad around. Oh how it's good to be King!!!

**Can you believe the party is a month and half away?? Either can I!! I guess I should get busy. I think I have a date!! Yippee!! I understand if the date won't work with most of your schedules. Or if you live to far away to make it here. But I am hoping even if you can't make it you could still be apart of this grand historic event!! I will be putting together a book of funny stories, memories, just anything you would like to share about Rich be it via e-mail, letter, pictures you have, video clips. Please let me know if you are 100% NOT attending so I can get you more detailed info. Thanks so much. Call if you have any questions.
480-242-2945

To Be Honest....

2009-05-22T19:12:00.000-07:00

April 2008 Erica's Blessing Day

I have neglected posting this month....I normally try to post each month on the 19th but as you can see I am now just getting around to it. My reason I feel is a good one. On May 16th last Saturday morning we got word that a friend had passed away. She was only 39 and she left behind 5 young children and a husband who would've celebrated 19yrs of marriage together next month. Since then it just has seemed that time has stopped. It was just such a shock. Today was her Funeral...it was one of the most beautiful funerals I've been to.
Rich and I have been doing a lot "what if???"..... talking. We just want to make sure we have things in order if something like this were to happen to one of us!! You just never know.
Rich is my best friend and I love him more then anything in this world. He gets me!! I am not the easiest person to live with me... trust me I know I have to live with myself everyday. He is a wonderful husband and excellant father. He knows how to treat a woman. He's a great provider. He never complains. Always looking out for mine and the kids best intrests. Willing to make sacrifices. example: when we got married Rich drove a nice two door Accura. He sold that to pay off debt I had made before we got married and now drives a little beat up Sentra he said he will continue to drive it until the thing can't be repaired anymore!! He is smart, well read. Great listener. Honest, well trusted. Has a great sense of humor...keeps me laughing. If I were to lose Rich early in this life I would be lost. I told him I wouldn't even know how to pay the bills. I love when we are together!! If I could spend every minute with him I would. I feel safe and secure when I am with him. I know I take him for granted... I will be the first to admit it. I have it so good. This recent experiance once again reminded us how precious life is...how short this life is. There are no guarentees how long we will have eachother in this life. We do however share one common belief... a commitment almost 9yrs ago we made to each other when we became husband and wife. That if we live true and faithful to eachother we would spend the rest of eternity together with our children and this makes us very happy. And who wouldn't want that??

9 years ago this month....

2009-04-21T15:47:00.000-07:00

There are many reasons why I love this month but let me share with you my favorite. Hopefully every girl out there remembers the day the got proposed to. If you don't you should!! I remember the night Rich proposed to me very clearly. It was about 9:30pm on April 30Th 2000 in my drive-way(parents) Sounds romantic huh? It was!
Just a little background Rich and I first met in August of 1999 we were taking a Religion class that met once or twice a week in the evenings. We happened to be in the same class. I knew who he was because he also played city league softball on my older brothers team. That was all I knew of him.
One night after institute my friend and I were walking to the parking lot to get in our cars and I hear someone calling my name. He introduced himself and asked me out for later in the week to a Collective Soul concert. We dated on and off for the next 4 months. Things started getting more serious January 2000 and for Valentines Day that year I surprised him and decorated his bedroom (well my parents did) while Rich and I were out on a hot date! I had blown up the night before about 100 balloons one of the little gifts I had given him was a little red book I thought we could write in it whenever we felt like we needed to share are feelings about each other. Fast forward to the month of April. Rich told me he was going to propose sometime in April I think I bugged him everyday that month. When the 30Th rolled around I forgot all about it. It was a Sunday and we would go to his parents for dinner so nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I honestly had no clue that "that night" was going to be "that night" I remember driving home and I reached over to grab his hand it was very cold and sweaty. I asked him several times are you OK? He ensured me he was fine. Still was not picking up on the clues. We pulled into my drive way I went to tell him goodnight and he said wait I have something for you. Oh OK I said he handed me the little red book and said I wrote in it. I told him I would read it before I went to bed. He said no I would like you to read it now. OK! Still not thinking anything. I read what he wrote. He said all these nice things about me and how happy he was and how much he loved being together etc... I remember thinking how nice that was and went to give him a hug and say goodnight again. He said turn the page. Oh there was more.. OK still no clue!! It was like a Ransom note these little cut out pictures to spell out words. I couldn't figure it out at first I think I read it three times. Oh duh "will you marry me???" Then it hit me this is it!! The moment every girl dreams about the man of my dreams is asking me to marry him!!! It was perfect of course I said YES!! Then he pulled the ring from his pocket it fit perfect. I was totally in shock and by this time it was about 11pm. I ran inside woke up my parents called my sisters who lived close by they came over we celebrated it was such a fun night. Rich even got my dads permission on the day before. Way to go Rich!!! Everyone new but me. I guess that is how it is suppose to be. We still have the little red book. It's almost full it is something we will cherish forever and so will our children and grandchildren. I spent .99cents on that little red book and now it's worth so much more!!!

**4 more months**

5 Months Left!!

2009-03-19T14:35:00.000-07:00

This is not the pic I wanted to post but it's fitting in the photo I was preggo and had 5 months left!!! (Rich's mission reunion in SLC 8-07)

Can you believe 5 more months and Rich will no longer be in his 30's. He will be old!! J/K Rich. You're like fine wine you age better with time!! Really you look great!! So this is it... my plans for the big day. After thinking about it for some time. I really don't want to upset Rich he really does not want a Big shin dig. So I am bringing it down a couple of nothches. I am kinda bummed about this but I really don't want Rich to hate me I love him to much to do that!! Which means the location I was going with originally is not going to happen. So I was hoping that I could get some help!! I really didn't want to have to do this but I was wondering if anyone new of place I could put approx. 50+ adults. A place large enough and cool (temp it will be Aug.) enough to eat and mingle and a few other things I have planned. For less then $400 like what it was going to cost me to rent the theatre. If you have any ideas or suggestions that would be super fantastic. The party is going to happen for sure!! And it is still going to be fun just trying to make the 40 year old HAPPY and cut my budget cost!!

Brother needs a HUG!!!

2009-02-19T14:44:00.000-08:00

Today we went down to Tucson to say goodbye to Rich's brother Ryan. He is moving from Tucson to Denver CO. to run one of the Pei Wei's there. Rich's mom Ty flew in from Michigan on Tuesday so we could spend some great time with her before driving her down to Tucson so she could help Ryan move. If you know Rich well you would know that Tucson was a big part of Rich's life. He lived there for almost 15yrs. graduated from Amphi H.S. and of course a huge Wildcat fan!! It seems like every time we go down there we always have to drive by his old Preschool, Elementary, Jr High, and H.S.. Even some of the homes he grew up in.
When I went with Rich for the first time to Tucson while we were dating the first thing he took me to was eegee's a great sandwich shop that are known for their icee drinks called eegee's. Awesome!!! Our trip today wouldn't have been complete with out stopping by EEGEE'S.

And the award goes to...

2009-01-19T14:10:00.000-08:00

I am talking about the worlds best dad. Drew, Paige, and Erica's DAD!!! We had a fun weekend just all being together the weather was beautiful a tad to warm for this time of year but it was perfect for riding bikes, playing at the park, rolling in the grass, and just basking in the sunshine (or shade as Rich did he says he is going to become a vampire skin cancer runs in the family)As I layed there watching him play w/ the kids and how each of them would take their own turn being with him. My heart grew fonder for this man. We became parents a little over six years ago and altough it seems crazy to think it took that long to have the feelings I did for him it was just
a different feeling
a good feeling.
That is why the award goes to my husband my best friend the father of our three children. You deserve it!!!

More to come about the party and the direction it will be taking. Stay tuned...

This is Serious!!

2009-01-14T13:03:00.001-08:00

(not me just how I feel right now)

OK I am having my doubts about this party only because when Rich hears me talk about it to someone he gets mad because he says he doesn't want a party he is fearing the 40's it really freaks him out. Remember he knows I am doing something he just doesn't know any details. People tell me, "why would you do it if he doesn't want it." "It's going to cost you so much money." I guess I don't see it like that. Why can't someone who is amazing to me and amazing to many others be honored while they are alive to hear about it. People always do nice things for people after they are gone. I really want this to work I want to do this for him. I know when it's all said and done Rich will say, "Thank you for doing this that wasn't so bad." So my next delima is to see how many of you are serious about coming, if I should just not do it. If you could please leave your comments,e-mails,voice mails I don't care which just let me know where you stand! Oh I guess I should tell you when it will be. I need your feedback on that too. Which of the following Fridays work better for people. The majority Friday wins. I know it seems so far from now but with peoples vacation plans and school resuming in August I thought this would help people out. Rich's birthday is Wednesday August 19Th.

The dates to consider:
Friday July 31st
Friday August 7Th
Friday August 21st

Keep in mind if a whole lot of people are not even going to be there I may have to scratch the theatre idea and go with something on a smaller scale. Don't be afraid to just tell me that you won't be able to come at all.

rbdalton@yahoo.com
480-242-2945 my cell

Merry Christmas

2008-12-19T22:17:00.000-08:00

We wanted to wish everyone near and far a very Merry Christmas. Rich and I were just reflecting about the last year and how many wonderful things have gone on for Our family. Here are just a few. First and foremost the birth of our 3rd child. A beautiful girl Erica Catherine. Second Drew starting Kindergarten and loving it and Paige starting Preschool and wishing she could go everyday like Drew. Third Rich's website up and running check it out at hansendalton.com. No major accidents to report everyone has been healthy. We still all love eachother and we can't wait to see what is in store for us in 2009. (photos taken at Rich's parents last Sunday)

**8 More Months**

Friends

2008-11-19T13:14:00.000-08:00

We get to see these people next week!!! One thing Rich has always said to me is, how thankful he is for good friends. Rich has many friends some near and far and in between and for the most part he keeps in touch with most of them on a regular basis. He considers his friends apart of his family he would do anything for them. OK almost! When Rich and I started dating I knew there would be a day I would get to meet his friends and I hoped I would get along with all of them because I knew how important they were in his life. I never struggled feeling uncomfortable they all have treated me very nice and I have appreciated this. So cheers to good friends!!! In these photos are Mike Benson(again), Jason Lane, and Rich This was the night before Jason got married in Oregon June 2000. The second photo was Nov.1999 PF Chang's in Tempe Rich, Liz, Shaunasey Oberly Lane(who is married to Jason in the other pic(Rich set them up)),And Mike Benson.

**Only 9 months till the BIG party I hope you are making arrangements to be in Mesa, Az.

BOO!! Happy Halloween

2008-10-18T22:17:00.000-07:00

Have a safe and Happy Halloween! Halloween wasn't always may favorite holiday I think Rich would agree with me on this.I think we have only dressed up once back in 1999 when we first started dating. My brother John and his wife Rebecca had a Halloween/costume party and we didn't want to be party poopers so we went as Deputy Sheriff and a inmate. We thought it was pretty clever. I think we won for most original.(see 1st photo)
Of course when the kids came along it has become a fun holiday that we look forward to. In Mesa thats when we finally start feeling the cooler nights and it is a kick start to the rest of the year with the Holidays! Family, good food, and all around great memories. The pictures are from last year at Halloween. Paige was a 50's chic (i made her skirt) and Drew was SpiderMan Black and Erica was still cooking in my belly.
10 MONTHS TO GO!!!

11 Months To Go!

2008-09-19T08:52:00.000-07:00

I know sounds crazy but 11months goes by fast. Our baby(Erica) will be 9mo on the 27th and I can't believe how fast that has gone by. So it will be here before you know it. You probably will be sick of me by the time the date arrives but I want you all to plan on being there. I would hate to do all this planning and preparation and the day comes and there is only a handfull of people there. So if I start now by drilling the date and info in your head I am hopeful you will never forget. And you will be so curious about what is all going to take place that trust me you will want to be there.

Also Rich and I just wanted to give Mike and Marissa Benson a big Congratulations on there new baby boy. Mike and Rich have been long time friends and once even shared a Condo together. The same Condo Rich and I lived in when we first got married. (sorry Mike we had to kick you out.) Side note about Mike: every once in a while when I am buying groceries at Safeway and they hand me my receipt they will say thank you Mrs. Benson for shopping at Safeway. At first I almost want to correct them but I smile & walk away thinking to myself why did they call me that then I quickly remember that Rich and I kept the same home phone number that Rich and Mike had while they were roomates. Now when I go shopping I always wonder who are they going to thank Mrs Benson or Mrs Dalton. I don't mind either one would be fine. Mike is hailarious and I know Rich would be happy to see him at his big shin dig it's been awhile . Mike and Marissa reside in Massachusetts now. We miss you guys!! The picture is of Mike,Rich, and Drew(taken about 4yrs ago) When Mike came to visit.

Life Is Good

2008-09-15T14:29:00.000-07:00

If you talk to Rich today this is what he would say,"Life is Good!" I hope that is what he would say. When Rich and I go out with are children most people assume we are in are late 20's because of the ages of are children 6, 3, and 9mo. I guess that is one benefit of getting married later in life. We don't mind we like that people think we are younger. But most recently I asked Rich if he thought he was looking older? He said, "I didn't think I did until I looked at our wedding pictures." Then he said, "we do look older." I will have to post a wedding picture(8yrs ago) and one that was taken in Florida this year at an insurance trip they took of us and you tell us what you think.(the photo above was taken on the same Fl. trip in March 08 of course that is Rich and our baby Erica at 3mo I think there heads are the same size) On a regular basis I like to ask Rich if he still likes his life, work, me . And he always tells me that he does. "He WE have so much to be thankfull for!" He would say. "We have a home, a good job, our faith, 3 healthy beautiful kids, eachother, good friends & family." "What more could I want?" "Life Is Good!"

What Would I Do Without My Baby!!

2008-08-19T22:17:00.000-07:00

Happy 39th Birthday!! I just wanted to give a big shout out to my best friend and husband. Just a little tidbit about Rich. Rich was born on a Tuesday the 19th day of August 1969 in the wee hours of the morning 4:02am to be exact in beautiful Falls Church Fairfax Virgina. He weighed in at 7lbs 3oz and 21in long. His full name is Richard Bryan Dalton after his grandfather. Aren't these baby photos priceless?!! Does any of are kids look like him? What do you think?

It took me almost an hour to post this one. I have never done this before with pictures and all. Hopefully I will do better. I have a year right?! Look for new postings on the 19th of every month. Oh and one more thing next time you see Rich ask him to see the inside of his wedding ring!!

I LOVE YOU BABY!!

Shh! This is a SUPRISE!!

2008-07-28T16:51:00.000-07:00

Ok if you are reading this it is because Rich Dalton considers you a dear friend. When Rich and I got married 8yrs ago I was already planning his big 40! I know he said the same thing, "that is 9yrs from now." I asked him, "if I were to throw you a huge 40th Birthday celebration and make it a suprise who would you want to be there?" And he said, "you!!" So I hope you highly consider making an effort to join us for the biggest party of 2009! Yep that is right Rich turns 40 August 19th 2009 a year from now. But most of his closest friends live far away. So I wanted to give you enough time to plan your next family vacation in 2009. The party will be in Mesa, Arizona and will be right around the 19th of August (the exact date will be posted at a later time) I am still working out the location it will either be a Harkins theatre or a conference room at a local Hotel. But you don't need to worry about that now. My plans for this celebration is to gather... oh I bet you thought I was going to share that part with you. Sorry TOP SECRET! Let's just say the only thing I want from each of you is to be there. Everything will be taken care of. Be prepared to share your favorite memories, stories, I want the entire night to be all about RICH. Oh yeah and wear only BLACK!! Also at a later time will be more postings so check back soon and when it gets closer to the big night you will recieve a personal invatation and this will be your ticket in. I am looking forward to this I have been for 8yrs and I know the only way for this to work is for you to be there. Oh yeah and did I mention this is a SUPRISE!!!