Trevor Turns Twelve!

Trevor's Ordination Day above - the Sunday after his birthday. Todd's folks were able to come up and spend te day with us. Trevor took took his responsibilities quite seriously and did a great job passing the sacrament his first Sunday. We are very proud of him!!

It was a crazy week with all sorts of things going on but we did make it to Red Robin on Trevor's birthday. We love this tradition!! Trev got a bunch of fishing gear that he wanted and part of his birthday was to take a fly fishing class with his dad. He loved it!

Happy Birthday to ME!!

I was very spoiled that year! Lots of Facebook bday wishes (loving that!), many calls from dear friends and family and lots of fun and FOOD. Too much food actually - but hey - I indulged. Probably should have been more careful but it was great. Lets see how many "out to eats" ...? 5 FIVE!! Craziness. Fun times though. Also saw two movies - Extraordinary Measures - I would highly recommend - and Leapyear - cute, but not a buyer for me.

Most of my gift receiving I will get during spring break when Brandon and I travel to Washington DC to visit our great friends the Ahlstroms - and DC. We hope to see Roger (Todd's brother) and Andrea as well. CANT WAIT!!!

Todd's birthday

The kids and I barely had time to get home before Todd's birthday the very next day. It was nice to be together again. We managed to make a cake and go to Red Robin. Luckily, we did the birthday shopping before and in Utah.

Happy Birthday Todd! We Love You!

Today I Have a Teenager!

Brandon also recenty won an award at school for Belief - not sure what that entailed, but we are proud of him!

I know we already had the party and all that but today is the actual day. I cant believe he is so old - which also makes me so old!! I made him pinkie promise that he would be a good teen. He really is a good kid. We had a big breakfast at home today and then we all went to see Bolt at the movies. We all thought it was really cute! Brandon was excited that we got him that new JK Rowling book. I cant remember what it is called. He got a couple of shirts but the main thing was the party last month. We went to Target and got a few things then went home and finally got our outdoor lights up. They look pretty good - except for one very large exposed orange cord. Now it is to dark to deal with it.

Brandon had to go to speak at a Priesthood Preview tonight. He just got home so I will post pics later. Its time for cake!! Speaking of cake - or too much thereof - I have made a big decision that I want to write it down to make it official. I am joining Weight Watchers this Tuesday. YIKES!! It is a necessary evil Im afraid. I dont seem to have the will power this time. I've been so disapointed with myself lately.

Well. . . wish me luck.

Brandon's Early Birthday Celebration

Brandon wont officially be a teenager for one more month, but we decided to have his friend party earlier. We only do a friend party every other year and then we dont do one this big very often. :) He had 9 of his friends come over to spend the night. they did pizza , brownies and ice cream, a scavenger hunt around the neighborhood and a movie and gaming.

In the morning they had pancakes and we went to Brandon's long awaited Madagascar 2 movie. It was fun and the kids were very well behaved. I am so glad that he chooses such great friends!! He still gets very sentimental about friends who have moved away - Josh several years ago and Andrew just recently! We missed you! However, he was able to have Calvin come from up north. He and Calvin were very first friends as babies and we still keep in touch. Thanks for letting him come, Andi!

I'm not going to get to overwhelmed at the fact that he is 13 -yet - because I still have a month. I still cant believe it though. Wow. I do love the stage where my kids are now. I think we all enjoy eachother more than we ever have. Its a great life!

More from the big 39th

Check out ALL OF THAT SMOKE! - and it wasnt even 39 candles!

And Misty dog eating "my" cake!! It was a great weekend. I actually had a friend of mine tell me that it was her birthday today and she was 30. I was feeling SO OLD!! I was thinking - OK I was 9 when she was born, etc etc. Anyhow, I hope I make the most of my last year in my 30s! My mom sent me a card that said life starts at 40 - so I guess I am good. I also should mention that I had a great few days with several friends. Leslie and I went out window shopping and for a steamer and danish, Lori and I went out to the movies, my friend Andi sent me flowers, Julie gave me a shout out on her blog, I had many calls and cards, my inlaws, mom, and Todd gave me wonderful gifts or $ and Todd and I had extra time together. What a lucky girl am I!!! -- Well, the checkers at the grocery store have actually been calling me ma'am for a while now. Yikes.

Baby, its cold outside!!

Well, you know that not much is going on when I resort to talking about the weather!! Actually, today is my b-day so it has been a good day as well. But first, IT HAS BEEN SO COLD!! Today we woke upto the trees being covered in ice because it snowed and it was foggy and freezing cold. 13 degrees for the high. We have had alot of that lately.

I have a few pictures it add at sometime but I need to down load - this time very carefully - but our computer actually crashed yesterday so Im going to wait for a few days. Maybe by then we will have a few b day pics too. We had to reinstall a few things but thankfully all of our pictures were saved!! We will be backing up ASAP!!

Todd has been so thoughtful this weekend! He could not tke much time off around Christmas so he offered to take off this past Friday and today. The kids had both days off too. Today Todd and I went out to lunch and the kids also were at friends house for awhile. Thanks Lori! Saturday - when it got up to a balmy 40 degrees we all went sledding together. They decorated the house and made dinner today. It has been a great day!

Well, gotta go for now. Pictures next time.

Happy Birthday Brandon Boy!

Saturday Dec 1st we celebrated Brandon's 12th birthday. - He will actually have his birthday on the 6th. I can't believe I will have a Deacon by next Sunday! He is such a good boy. We are really proud of him and the decisions he makes as well as the friends he hangs out with. We do birthday parties every other year - so this was it. He had 4 friends (one couldnt make it) over and we went to Brunswick Zone to play in the arcade and to bowl. Then we went home for pizza and cake and ice cream. One good thing from the cannery trip - see past blog-- was that I did get some YUMMY 6 inch (then frozen) chocolate cakes that we used for the party so it really was fairly stress free. Todd was a big help and we had fun watching Brandon with his friends.

Happy 80th Birthday Mom!

Last weekend Todd and I met up with my siblings to celebrate our Mother's 80th birthday!! We actually left our kids home with friends (who we greatly appreciate!) Todd and I have only been away on a plane one other time and it was great to be together. We mainly just visited and caught up. We enjoyed staying with my brother Ralph's in their beautiful home. We went on a tour of Welfare square and the Humanitarian center for the church. That was incredible to see all that is accomplished there! We ate VERY well - Thanks Teresa - and played a rowdy fun game of bunko with a Halloween twist as well as honored mom with cake, icecream, memories, and a wonderful dvd slide presentation on moms life. How blessed I am to be part of such a great family!!