A wonderful day!

One of my friends that I've had since childhood sent me an email that was a chain letter. It was on Thursday and it said that if I didn't send it to 10 people that I was going to have bad luck starting the following morning. Oh boy...the next day was my birthday, I had a pre-op appointment in the morning. I didn't forward the email and so the worry started.

When I woke up yesterday morning I really felt like staying in bed. But the doctor appointment went fine. Mike was there with me to remember the answers to the list of questions I had and when I got to work I found these cards and presents on my desk. So the superstitious side of me started to waiver.The day continued to be a great day and with the beautiful weather in December who could complain? I was able to meet my sister, niece, mother and Mike for lunch. Then the whole family for dinner at 3 Margaritas. One of my favorite places. Grandma Tam came too but was gracious enough to take the picture. Krystal picked out this beautiful cake for me and wouldn't you know it payback is bad. All 37 candles on the cake. I told Mike it wasn't fair since his cake was much smaller but I think that some back up came to help me blow out the candles in one breath of air. Pictures are not my favorite thing but like Oprah says the light always makes things better! With all those candles we definitely had light! It was a wonderful day and the presents were all wonderful! The kids did some extra shopping and Mike picked out the perfect gifts. So when you get those emails that wish you bad luck....don't worry, it isn't true!

Happy Birthday Mikey

Yesterday Mike turned 37 years old so I am officially married to an older man for 11 days. It was a little hectic yesterday and as I was hoping Mike could have the perfect day. He in his "old" wisdom said, "life doesn't stop for birthdays".

Like he does every year Mike starts pointing things out at Lowes or on TV as ideas of things that would be good for his birthday. He kept asking for a pancake compressor. What the heck was that? But I found one on sale and decided to hide it in my trunk until his birthday. Wouldn't you know it that while he was finishing some work in the basement his big compressor decided it wasn't going to work. So as Mike was getting read to leave for the store I broke down and he got his present a little early. What a deal it didn't even have to get wrapped. Earlier in the week I asked Mike what kind of cake he wanted for his birthday. A poppy seed cake and not a lemon one. I had never made one before and was hoping he was joking. But no he wasn't and we discovered you can buy poppy seed in the spice isle of Safeway. Fortunately the cake turned out really good and wasn't as hard as I thought it would be.

I know life doesn't stop but sure wish he didn't have to work late and we didn't have wrestling meetings on this special day. But I know that we'll remember getting to go to one of your favorite restaurants and the poppy seed cake I was so excited to make for you! (not really) So glad that it tasted good and it wasn't as hard as I thought. I love you so much and so excited the day ended better then it started!

Fright Night

We have had a tradition of going to Fright Nights at Elitch Gardens. On Saturday after the busy day we all met back at the house at about 3:30 pm and decided to head up. We weren't sure how the weather was going to be but it was perfect!

This year Haley is finally tall enough to go on the roller coasters. Even though we have uneven numbers it all worked out. We took turns with one riding alone.

The boys wanted to go on the boomerang and the girls did not. I figured that it was worth a shot and since I was always a chicken and wouldn't go on this ride growing up it was time. Look at my face in the picture. I'd rather give birth then ride this one again.

The boys went after we did and loved it! Although I love roller coasters the suspense of this one just didn't agree with me. Seriously....hanging for 20 seconds before they do anything?

We all got to go on the flying coaster here is Krystal with David. It was Haley's first time on a "grown up" roller coaster and she screamed the whole time. Then wanted to do it again.

Chaos was an easy ride. But since it was freight night there were scary people all around. One guy was carrying a chain saw. The girls were so scared. They both ran out of this ride and jumped into my arms. We all acted as if we weren't afraid and he left us a lone. Think the boys were watching for him in this picture too.

The night lights of Denver and the park were beautiful.

Over all even though we didn't use our passes as much as we would like, we had a great time this season. Saturday night was a blast and we had so much fun. We aren't sure if we'll buy the passes for next year but if every trip could be this memorable would do it for the rest of our lives!

It's a boy!

Not only was yesterday our anniversary but it was the day that we welcomed another beautiful baby into our family. I have been so blessed to be able to be in each of my sisters births. This is her last one and it made it bitter sweet. It is wonderful because I'm not the one that is actually delivering and listening to someone counting to ten. (seems like it is in slow motion) But I actually got to count to 10 and watch this beautiful little miracle come into the world. Daniel was born at 7:09 pm and weighed in at a whopping 9 lbs 3 oz. She delivered a week early and they thought he was going to be a big boy but we didn't expect the family record to be hit.

We are all truly in love with this little man already. He is adorable and sweet, this morning when I went to visit him he had his little arms folded like he was praying so I had to take a picture. Daniel is baby number 6 in his family so he has to be a strong boy. He's off to a great start!

With as hectic as it was yesterday we didn't really get to celebrate our anniversary. So when I came into work this morning these roses were on my desk in a beautiful pitcher and a card. Not only is he not in trouble now. But he gets kudos for the surprise.

Happy Fathers Day

For fathers day this year we didn't make a lot of plans. The week was a little chaotic and all dad kept saying was that he didn't want anything. Although for the last two months he has been playing with tools every time we walked through Lowes, Home Depot or Sears. He has wanted an impact driver for at least a year.So Saturday morning the kids and I went out looking for a present and a card. Dad was exhausted from scout camp and got home showered and went to bed. So while he was napping we decided it was the perfect time to sneak out.

Besides the home made cards and the traditional, no fighting plea we went out to breakfast at Gunther Toodays. It was a wonderful breakfast and NO ONE was on a diet today. Last year dad was working and we took his presents to the restaurant. This year he wasn't working but we took them anyway.

Dad pulled out his shirts one by one. When he got to the bottom of the bag, I got this look. It was a half-you weren't suppose to buy anything and a really? But as you can see in the picture below the smile says it all. He was so excited and didn't even ask what it cost.

When he got home he opened his driver/drill set. I was sure he was going to start building something right there, but he looked at the pamphlet that came with the set. He started dreaming of all the other stuff that we could get him. Now I wonder where the kids get that from? After a fun filled day of homework dinner was enchiladas and cheesecake. Over all a great day for one of the greatest dads I know. He truly loves each of the kids and is so much better then anyone I know at expressing that love. Something I am trying to learn from him is how even when the kids have done something wrong he can tell them he loves them. He is so great with each of the kids, and they all love him so much. Happy Fathers Day, Buddha!

Boys at Maiden

Back in December David had this wonderful Christmas gift idea. He wanted to go to a rock band fest. Anyone that knows me would know that I wasn't too happy. I love country music and rock isn't my usual source of relaxing music.

This is where Dad comes into play. We have compromised on the peak to wake up in the morning. He too would love to wake up to rock. So when he agreed to chaperon David and a couple of friends to the concert, the boy was in heaven! Not sure who was happier in the picture though!












After a late night it was an even earlier morning, this morning David was up to leave for scout camp. This will be a completely different experience for him and hoping it will be one that is just as memorable. I got a call not long after they left that they were involved in a car accident. All are ok and the panic left after I got to speak to David. He said, mom we're all fine so don't stress. It made me feel better just to hear his voice. So this scout trip is already starting off with memories!



This is the second full week out of school and with two boys at scout camp. Dad leaves for the last few days of Reid's camp (he is the assistant scout master). So grandpa will be left with all girls for a couple of days. Let's hope he doesn't have any complaints and all our boys come home safe!

Krystal's 15th birthday

Krystal had a long day yesterday but it was a great day! She went to seminary at 6 am and we took donuts for the class. Rachel brought her balloons so she had her arms full. Since Wednesday is late start at school a group of kids went to Keva Juice between seminary and school. She was able to do some shopping with both grandmas and would you guess that the 80's have made a comeback? Things I wore in high school seem to find their way into our house, scary!

She also had a soccer game after school. When I got there she was with the trainer and getting a some ice. She put it on her ribs and didn't say anything to me. Didn't know exactly why she had ice. But it was on her ribs. At dinner we noticed she had a shiner! I asked her how that happened. Before the game some kids from the school were playing and a boy hit heads with her. Krystal's eye was so swollen it looked like someone actually punched her in the eye. The boys had many suggestions on how to "fix" her eye. Like boxers slicing their eye open or pushing it down. We just asked the waiter for ice. She didn't want to look silly with the ice on her eye. But she put it on her eye anyway. We didn't tell her with the shiner she already looked silly.

We were pretty lucky grandpa went to dinner with us. It isn't easy for him to go out since he is on oxygen , but he said since his darling little granddaughter asked him he came. After two soccer games it was a late dinner but a fun time. The kids weren't real happy about pictures in a restaurant but humored me. Think we really surprised her with this gift. She had had a old ipod she bought a while ago with her own money. She has one that has radio. (hey Krystal want to trade?)

Krystal is such a joy in our home. She is a leader and sometimes we have to remind her we're in charge. But she is such a great girl and always dependable. She is so well rounded in all she does (church, soccer, clarinet, great student) She doesn't let things hold her back or put sports or other priorities in front of what she truly believes. We couldn't be happier to have a great 15 yr old! Love you Krys

Easter 2010

Easter turned out to be a sunny day here. Not something we get this time of year but the sun shining was something we were grateful for. Although the sun was shining the wind was blowing.Grandma Tam planned a lot of games for the kids. It was great for us and fun for everyone to jump rope, hoola hoop, koosh dodge ball and build marshmallow towers. Our camera is on the fritz so we were so glad that she brought her camera too. The picture below is someone taking pictures from the car because it was so windy. This we have determined is our before picture! Not sure if we will call it our before pie picture or just a before picture?????

The jump rope contest seemed to be the favorite. Krystal was holding out for the win until Laura decided to try again and won with 1 min 19 sec. Even some of the big kids tried, cousin Pat did a lot better then we expected.

After everyone went home the kids reminded us that the Easter Bunny hadn't come yet. Instead of us hiding the baskets they each got to hide one of the other kids baskets. It was fun watching them try to bribe each other and give clues.

So another Easter day has come and gone with the fun and the traditions. But we must always remember the true meaning of Easter. With Christ resurrection it has offered us all a new beginning and a chance at eternal life. So even though dying eggs and family fun is great hopefully we can remember what Easter is really about.