Fabulous & Forty

Happy Birthday to Becky!

I've spent the last five years pointing out that this day was coming. Now it has finally arrived and we definitely had to celebrate. I don't think she knows I have this picture on my computer. I think she looks darling.

We had a great group of friends over for dinner, cake (a very warm cake when lit), gifts (some were pretty funny), great conversation, and lots of laughs.

I think Becky had a good time, and I know the rest of us did. This night was proof positive that Becky is loved by all!

Happy Birthday my dear friend.

You're the Best!

Breakfast at McDonald's

Today's the Day!

~Only one of my top five days of the year~

!!!April Fools Day!!!!

This year my aim was out on the kids. Layne gets off easy this year, unless I come up with something great in the next several hours.

This morning I woke the kids up for school and asked them if they'd like to "eat breakfast at McDonald's"?

YES! Was the answer.

We pulled in and I parked. I asked them to wait for a minute and I got out and got in the back of the van. When I came back to the doors I started handing out cereal bowls & spoons, handed Todd the jug of milk, showed them their several options of cereal, and even offered everyone a banana.

The look on all of their faces was Priceless! Todd was down right mad. Mitch and Judd thought it was way cool and asked if they could still get a 'breakfast soda' (I said no), & Josie said that she was a little surprised I hadn't done anything earlier that morning and figured I must have forgotten.

(Forgotten April Fools Day?! Um, NO!)

Mother's & Daughter's

Art By: Daphne Keskinis

Friday night Josie and I went to the symphony together. We had a fabulous time. We left early so we could do a little shopping and a little eating (mac & cheese at Noodles) before the performance.

At dinner I took a good look at her and she had changed right before my eyes! What happened to the little girl with the pixie haircut? Who is this beautiful young woman that is now taller than me? When did we stop talking about Clifford, The Big Red Dog and start discussing her aggravation with an algebra teacher or 'girl friend' stuff?

This post has been in the making for several weeks now. It started with going to high school orientation. It was then the thought occurred to me (and Layne) we only have four more years with Josie living with us! I know most parents are very partial, but I do have to say...Josie is a joy to have as a daughter and Layne and I got VERY lucky to have her join our family.

I don't know how many times people told me through the years to "enjoy this time". "It all goes so fast". Ya, ya, I know...it's flying by.....as I haul bawling children out of Sacrament Meeting, or clean up a sick kid. Now reality has hit. Time doesn't stop for me to enjoy the special moments so I must take them when I can.

My sister Audrey just had her first daughter this past weekend. Congratulations to her and Lane. Just a bit of big sisterly advice, Aud. Enjoy the time. She'll be grown up before you know it.

Established 1974

As you know, I love my birthday.

What makes my birthday so special this year is that I think I'll be able to remember how old I am all year without having to quickly calculate when someone asks. The years that end in {5} or {0} seem to be easier to remember. These past two years I've had an awful time remembering how old I was.

As usual, someone was sick and puking on my birthday. This year Mitch took a turn. Oh well, I got to do what I do best.

Be the mom.

We were going to go out and eat last night and then get my cake...aka, birthday banana splits (I don't love cake). Then it turned out that we needed to stay home so when I ran to the store last night I picked up everything to make the perfect banana splits. When I got home I realized that I forgot one thing...THE ICE CREAM! You kinda need that. So that got put on hold till tonight.

A great big shout out to all my awesome friends and family. The phone calls, emails, cards, gifts, e-cards, facebook comments...all of it, I loved it all.

I'm so blessed

and yesterday was another great birthday.

Make the Change

It never fails. Someone shows up to church a hour late because they forgot to reset their clocks. It always makes me giggle.

Just a friendly reminder to 'spring ahead' tonight.

Last year I thought it was so funny because even a whole day later Layne had someone come to work a hour late because they forgot. LOL

I love going around and changing all my clocks. I start around 6:00 pm. If you don't know me, or haven't been to my house...I have a few clocks. I LOVE clocks. One day someone commented on my clocks (I have some pretty big ones and all sizes in between.) and Layne jokingly said that he put a limit on my clocks to five per room. Well, I took that as a challenge. The kitchen is done but I've got a couple more rooms to go....

Down & Derby

The long awaited day has arrived.

Mitch won 2nd in the Wolf division,

and 5th over all!

(Average speed: 207 miles/hour)

Long gone are the days of the wooden race track that starts up on the stage at the church. Ours is done county wide (thank goodness they have a concession stand) and the tracks are hooked up to a computer. You get a lot of info with this technology: MPH,1st/2nd/3rd/4th,time. The good thing about that is that the results and who is racing now & next is projected on the wall. So really you have never have to leave your seat once you get there, unless the chips, donuts, or soda start calling your name. And I think they start calling my kids name when they see our van pull into the parking lot.

It has to be a Derby Dad's dream.

Good job Mitch!