33 and a spoiled me!

Yep, I'm getting up there.  I am really enjoying being in my 30's though!  They are the new 20's, right?!  I have the nicest friends that spoiled me by helping me celebrate a few days early.  Lyndsi organized a birthday dinner at my favorite, the Olive Garden..mmmm!  Thanks ladies for laughter, good food, gifts, and happiness all around. 

L to R: Lyndsi, Josie, Katie, Jana, Mel, Angie, Jill, Kathryn, Tonya, Annette

It's my delicious chocolate cake that I got all to myself.  Everyone was so full after that yummy pasta.  My family enjoyed it with me later.  Josie, you would be so proud of me.  I didn't throw it away!

Here we are, the die hards who chose to see a movie after!  You won't be surprised to learn that we went to New Moon!  It was so fun to see it again and make new discoveries like, "Bellar is alive"!  We couldn't stop laughing at that one..infact, who can stop laughing in general in the late hours of the night?!  I know I certainly can't!

Lyndsi, my sweetest friend spoiled me ALL day on the 8th.  She first had me over for lunch.  We had delicious chicken salad croissants and a better than anything dessert! 

Then she spoiled me with this cute cute jacket that I totally love.  THANKS because you know me so well and spent way too much!

All of my children enjoy the Houskeeper home, especially Evey and Ella.  They would actually love to live there because they too are so spoiled! Too bad we have to go back to reality :)

After school I was spoiled by some dear friends who stopped  by to drop off gifts.  Thanks Katie and Josie!

Curt and the kids spoiled me to a night out on the town.  Red Robin was our destination and  Tuesday was a great day to go to enjoy my free birthday meal and the kids' free Tuesday night sundaes.  We had a grand time.  The children were very well behaved!

And then when we got home I was spoiled with gifts from all of my family members and also throughout the day I was spoiled with birthday wishes over the phone and through email.  Thanks everyone. 

Finally, Lyndsi spoiled me yet again to a late night movie, The Blind Side.  It had a wonderful message and we just enjoyed being together.  I then discovered later that night that she had created a most beautiful post about me.  I feel like I don't deserve you Lyndsi.  You are just so sweet to me in every possible way!  And thanks to all my kind friends and family who also left me some wonderful messages.  They all meant a lot!

Wow, I am one lucky 33 year old who is flying high and SPOILED for that matter!  I have an amazing family, extended family, and a wonderful group of friends!  I am so grateful for you all!  Thanks for making me feel so special and loved!

I can't wait for Christmas!

"I can't wait for Christmas" was the name of the song that Emery danced to at her recital.  She looked so cute smiling and bopping around on stage.  This year she is dancing with "Express Yourself", a studio that has many girls with the nicest owner and instructor.  Emery has really enjoyed herself.  Ella and Evey have loved watching Emmy dance at home along with her music.  When Emery performed on the stage Evey was singing right along to the music and shouting "there's Emmy"!  There is something magical about little girls dancing.  I just love watching them!  Way to go Ems.  You are a star!

Here she is with her friend Audrey

Let It SNOW!

Once again another piano recital is complete.  Wooo!  That's what I always say when they are finished!  I am trying to think more outside the box this year for piano.  So, for this Christmas recital I told everyone to wear winter clothes, you know, to create the setting!  Everyone did very well.  Carter played "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear", Caden played, "O Come, O Come Emmanuel."  Emery played, "The First Noel" and I played "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow".  I had the audience sing to it so they could cover up my unprepardeness! 

Hey, wait, where is Katie, the teacher!  I think you were gone Katie.  Sorry we missed you.  Thanks for teaching my children.  They do so well because of you and I am so thankful for your abilites and kindness.  We love you!

The boys played "Parade of the Toy Soliers", such a cute song that Katie used to play with her sister.

Emery and I played one of my favorites, "O Little Town of Bethlehem".  I love her concentration technique of sucking in her cheeks, so cute!

It was fun to imagine that we were in a winter wonderland even though I was sweating after :) 

Thanks to all my supporters for being there!  I love you all! 

And, I really needed a group shot of all my students.  Oh well, maybe next time!

My Thanksgiving Land

I've decided that my life is a thanksgiving land! There are things and people that I'm thankful for everywhere I turn and in everything I do.  I have to also recognize the Lord in my life.  I love that I have the knowledge that he is watching over me and that he loves me. I am one blessed momma! 

So here are just some of the random things on my list from my Thanksgiving land!  I am thankful for the Hasslers!  We were so excited to have them come spend the Holiday with us this year!  They are an amazing family who we look up to in every way.  They just couldn't get any better!  We especially valued them coming as they nearly didn't make it.  Some of their children had been sick and I was sick just thinking about them not being here.  So I got the kids praying on their behalf and voila, they arrived Thanksgiving afternoon just in time for the feast!  We had our yummy feast over at Shellie and Allen's along with their children and grandchildren.  With 12 children there and some delicious trimmings it sure made it exciting.  Thanks Shellie for having us all.  We love you!  I am definitely thankful for Curtis' family!

Black Friday!  What a blast!  Cynthia and Mike had never been, so ofcourse we had to fix that!  The evening before when the children were all nustled in bed, we gave them a crash course in viewing the flyers, compling a list, and then executing a plan of action.  The girls went to Target and the guys went to Walmart.  All in all we got some pretty good deals.  Mike was thrilled about his hard drive that was totally gone at Target but then was price matched at Walmart.  Don't you just love that!  He was completely satisfied!  We then enjoyed a yummy McDonald's breakfast.  That's something I haven't done in years!  YUM!

Here we are sporting our "Miche" purses!  Girl accesories are just the best.  The possibilites are endless! Cynthia, Chelsea, and Curtis got me an early Birthday present.  Thanks guys. 

Jumping Jacks was a hot place that the cousins enjoyed.  Poor Abby got a little sick and couldn't come with us though.  Her dad was a dear to stay back and hang out with her.  Ready..set...

JUMP!

I love having darling little girls to play matchy matchy with..ie. girls that LET me dress them the same.  It's so wonderful!

And ofcourse the wonderful world of hairstyles.  The possibilites here are also endless.  It's great to be a girl isn't it?!  Cynthia was incredible to pull this off on Sunday morning.  She created every single crown braid that you are now viewing.  Isn't she amazing.  Boy did I sure get the day off!  Thanks Stink!  You are the crown braid pro!  Simply gorgeous!

I love each of these girls below!  I have to mention Jenna and Abby!  When they first arrived they came bearing gifts the second they walked in my door.  And it was gifts for me!  What sweethearts.  Abby handmade me a "Twilight" ring which I just love and Jenna gave me a box of "New Moon" candy sweethearts and a scrumptious creamy "Edward" chocolate.  Mmmm! They each wrote me wonderful notes which I cherished!  Like, seriously, what 11 and 9 years olds spend the time to think about giving their aunt something, then specifically asking their mom to take them shopping, and then spending their own money on it!  It just leaves me speechless.  I love all my nieces and nephews!  Thanks so much you sweet things!

I love my sister!  Thanks for ALWAYS sticking by my side and letting me be myself!

There were many more activities enjoyed by all like, freeze tag at the park, Santa's workshop, Planet 51, Pizza Factory...  Thanks Hasslers for a wonderful Thanksgiving time!

And this is just the start of my thankful list.  There is so much more that I haven't even mentioned. See what I mean?  I really do live in a Thanksgiving land!  I just love it!

CELEBRATING MEL!!!

Today is a day definitely worth celebrating!!  It is this sweet, amazing, wonderful, talented, kind, thoughtful, strong, positive, beautiful woman's birthday!

And of course she wouldn't blog about herself, so I hope she'll forgive me for posting on her blog and inviting her family and friends to leave a comment and let her know how special she is to you!

I am her lucky friend Lyndsi, who feels SO blessed to have Melanie as a most special, dear, one of a kind friend.  I love you Mel and I hope you feel the same joy and happiness on your birthday as you bring to me and my family every day.  Everyone who knows you agrees that you are a choice daughter of our Heavenly Father.  You have so many divine qualities that bless the lives of your family members and all those who know and love you.  Thank you for sharing your love, example, and priceless friendship with me.  Have the best day ever!!!

Random November

We had many fun activities happen in the month of November!  I love that my family members keep me alive, happening, and out of trouble.

For Veteran's Day Carter marched with the 5th graders in a parade and then performed some songs.  They sounded angelic.  He got lucky sitting next to his buddies, Bradley and Tait.

A few days later Curtis took advantage of the warm weather to put up our red, white, and green Christmas lights.  I love to see the end result, so thanks Curt!

Cute little Evey wanted to be by her daddy's side every step of the way!

For some "Faith in God" goals, the boys put on a play about an event in the Book of Mormon.  Can you guess which one it is?  They were so cute to involve the girls!

One of the cute neighbor girls, Macie Larsen brought over a few of her kittens.  Evey loved and adored them!

One of my most very favorite activites to participate in this month was the viewing of New Moon on opening day.  It was so much fun to go with couples in our ward.  Thanks Josie for organizing it all.  I LOVED it ofcourse and Curtis even won me a t shirt during the pre show.  SO so great!

Curtis was a good sport to go.  I was in shock when he even agreed to go and then for him to pose for a funny picture.  What a guy!

Kathryn and Josie (cute middle girls) created these fun shirts.  They say, "My heart belongs to (husbands name) but my neck belongs to Edward.  Lynds and I had fun getting in on the action :) (thanks Jos for these pictures.  I hope you don't mind :)

And finally, the Jubilee of Trees.  Emery's dance studio were able to perform their class numbers.  She looked so cute up on stage dancing to "I can't wait for Christmas".

I was excited to learn that one of the trees was themed "New Moon".  Ofcourse I had to take a picture!

Donations were being requested to help pay for the use of this Life Flight Helicopter that the kids got to check out!

Time Out For the "Carter" girls!

I tell ya, I am one lucky girl these days!  I have been SO so lucky and blessed to have wonderful visitors come to my home.  I just love it!  Many months ago I had a dream to have all my sisters, sister-in-laws and mom come join me for Time Out For Women.  I LOVE this event and was so excited to learn that it would be in St. George.  Then the thought occured to me that everyone could stay at my house for the weekend.  I only thought it was a dream and was just expecting a few girls to make it.  Wow, was I wrong.  It all worked out so perfectly and now we have all agreed to make it an annual tradition.  I have to thank Dad who helped me get the ball rolling in the summer time.  He came up with a plan and got everyone thinking and we all made it.  Whew..it's hard to get away from home and make sure all your little ones are cared for.  So, thanks ladies for making the effort.  It was sure worth it.  I was so very happy when I saw that white sequoia full of beautiful women pull up to my house.  Was it real, you were actually at my house?! (many of these girls travelled all the way from Canada, an 18 hour road trip one way)

My sweet girls: Mom, Laurette, Jenny, Cynthia, Chelsea, Martha, Lori and Moi

We were lucky to meet Kenneth Cope after.  He has amazing talent!

This was a unanimous vote, Hilary Weeks was our absolute favorite.  She was in charge of the Fri. night session and was funny, spritual, and lovely to listen to!  Her new Christmas CD is wonderful!

I would love to see Lyndsi Houskeeper as a Time Out performer!  Lynds, you would be so amazing!  It was fun to have you meet my sisters and come join us on Friday!

Not only did we attend time out, we jammed in so many other activities like a giant sleepover, good food, shopping, a trip to Vegas to pick up mom, and a ridiculous movie!  We were gone for 13 consecutive hours on Saturday.  SO cool!  Thanks husbands for letting us get our girl time.  Five out of the 8 men were sick.  So sorry guys.  We were just glad that it wasn't us! :)

Such goofy girls!  Jenny, you win the prize for your crossed eyes face...SO hilarious, LOL!

I can't wait for next year girls.  What will it be, Logan or Salt Lake?!

It's surely the Sheers, yay!

Following our fun Halloween weekend, we were SO lucky to have the Sheer family follow us home.  That's right, they took off days from work to come visit US for part of their trip.  Wow, we were flattered and excited as ever!  It was so fun to have them here for a week and get to know Berkley and Corbin a bit better!

Here we are introducing them to the ever so yummy 25 main cupcakes..mmm..we just can't get enough!

A FHE spent at Pineview park in the tennis courts playing, "what time is it Mr. Wolf?"

A morning spent at the airport.  Evey LOVED it, especially when she saw a helicopter!  Poor Ella stepped in an anthill and got a few nasty bites..so sad.

A lot of other hours were spent on the trampoline.  That was probably Corbin's favorite place and Uncle Andrew who was the supervisor was so good to let my girls join in too.  Chelsea also played some fun games with our kids on the tramp.  That's what I love about Andrew and Chelsea, they spend quality time with the kids even though they are so busy raising their own. 

A lot of the adult hours were spent on shopping, he he!  At ROSS!  A fabulous store in which Chels and I created some great memories.  Too bad we didn't capture a few moments on camera!  After 4 trips to this store we ended up with some great hoodies, a few shirts, and a lot of laughs.  I'm sure the workers wondered what in the world we were doing..oh well.  It was SO much fun!  Curtis and Andrew played video games and more games!

There were some very entertaining moments given by Berkley and Evey, the 2 youngest.  Berkley loved to tease Evey.  She would grab her blanket and run or grab Evey's blanket, come super close to Evey and pretended to offer it, then quickly run off.  It was just so funny!  Ofcourse Evey would scream and cry.  By the end of the week Evey took matters into her own hands.  I heard Berkley crying so I quickly ran into the girls' room and found Berkley sprawled out on her back with Evey victoriously kneeling on Berkley's stomach while holding her beloved pacifier up in the air.  I just felt like Evey was getting revenge.  Ha, what a sight.  Ofcourse I felt bad for Berkley and quickly removed Evey from the situation but oh those 2!  We had some great laughs thanks to them!

Thanks Sheers for coming.  It was a grand time had by all!  Love you guys and your cute cute family!

Halloween Festivities

We were so lucky to spend Halloween in Kaysville this year.  We had one giant party at the church with the Hasslers, Carters, and the Sheers.  It rocked!  Thanks you guys for organizing it!

The Halloween cousins!

The lady party guests:  the hero, the tragic fire rescuee, the hippie, and hula girl

Stay very still and quiet for this game of "keeper of the keys", SO fun!

Yummy krispy cremes on a string!

Eager trick-or-treaters!

This was the adults favorite part.  After the children were in bed we enjoyed some delicious ribs done as a specialty by Mike on his wonderful new smoker...mmmm..these were to dye for and I don't even like ribs! 

Thanks Hasslers for letting us stay and showing us a grand time.  Halloween 2009 was a great success.  We can't wait for 2010!