Tell Me Mom....

Do you agree with my opinion.. Isn't she even cuter now?

Officially Old...

Today is my step-dad's birthday. 

Grumpy is an overgrown child, and even though we often times wish he would act his age, it would be sad if he was any different. Boyd is big and loud on the outside, but a big softy on the inside. He has been around for most of my life, and has been a great example of the kind of a husband and father I should want for my kids. He has loved my brother and I, as if we were his own kids and has never treated us like anything less.

Even though we had some rough years when I was a stubborn teenager, and liked to push my luck with him. There is no grudge held. My favorite is the time when I had been home past curfew one too many times and Boyd wanted to teach me a lesson (well, I think that's what he was doing...) and he locked me out of the house. His plan was to have me ring the bell, but I knew I was in big trouble, and there was no way in hell I was ringing the bell or knocking. After trying the back door I remembered that the back window to his bronco wouldn't close all the way and I wiggled my way into it to open the garage. Oh the sight that awaited me.... hehehe. We've all had to see Boyd's nasty bark, but there was never a time we questioned his love and support for us.

Boyd is a great example, he may not realize it, but we are inspired by his testimony of prayer and his kind heart. He would do anything for a friend and family... and after he does all that he can, he will pray for you.
We couldn't ask for a better Grumpy! We love his nasty attitude & his little old lady wave!
Happy Birthday Old Man, We love you!!

The Countdown is On...

I celebrated my last birthday in my 20's this week, & it was a great day!!

My friend, Kristen, made me this cake. I had come across some recipes that I was wanting to try & had been talking to her about them. She hunted them down herself & called me the morning of my birthday to tell me my cake was in the oven. How fabulous is she?! THANK YOU!!

The frosting is white chocolate cream cheese frosting (how good does that sound!?!) 

Kristen took the 2 cakes I was debating between & made them both. I'm calling the cake "The Great Divide". The frosting tasted so different on each cake, but the chocolate lover in me won.

Viv was ready for some cake...

Right before bed I realized I was not in a single picture from the day, so I requested one with the kids.... HA!
Here's out that played out!

It really was a great birthday,  Hannah is old enough to know how fun birthdays are & was so helpful & nice.
Thanks to Jeff for doing even more around here (didn't know it was possible), to Kristen for the cake & to all my family & friends for the birthday wishes!
 Jeff only has 360 days to pull together my 30th birthday party... I know you can do it!!

A Perfect Day

I love Sundays... spending low key time with the family, church, & best of all it's as close to a day off as I get when I am home (Jeff does so much for me on Sundays, getting kids ready for church, making dinner & usually breakfast as well.)

We've been away for the last 3 Sundays & it was so great to be back today. I slept in, had yummy meals made by Jeff, and great meetings at church. I love when I get so much out of it & today was one of those days. Great speakers in sacrament, an enjoyable Sunday School lesson (that's saying a lot coming from me) and a wonderful lesson on prayer in relief society. I left feeling recharged & ready to take on another week! I am renewed, recommitted & ready to make some improvements with my family, in our home.

Cross your Fingers

The house next door is for rent. We had some neighbors that were... well, they were renters. They moved out & the landlord is over there today. The sign will go up soon, & it won't last long, it never does, & we will get new neighbors. So we are crossing our fingers in hopes of getting great neighbors. We had great ones 2 renters ago, so I it's possible. I know Hannah would love someone with kids, but we aren't going to be too picky. Please keep your fingers, toes, eyes, etc. crossed for us! And if you live in our area & know anyone looking for a 3 bedroom rental send them this way!!

The Daily Dilemma

I've been away for a bit... the whole family spent time in California visiting family. Jeff returned home to get  back to work, while the kids & I stopped off in Utah for a quick trip to celebrate a 50th birthday a couple of weeks early. (Perhaps I'll get around to posting about the trip.)

We had lots of late nights, a few early mornings & not a lot of napping. By the 2nd week of our trip the kids were tired & I could see it in their behavior (a certain 2-year-old boy struggled the most), luckily no one else seemed to notice too much.  It was so great to spend some time with family, & let the kids play with all their cousins. Even though we had a great time, by the end I was feeling ready to return home.

I was ready to get back to our routine & Milo was more than ready to be back in his house, with his toys.I was ready to get back to eating more balanced meals (I had way too much sugar & white bread while away!) We got home on Tuesday & by yesterday I was already faced with the daily dilemma, & asking myself "What's for dinner?" I am find cooking the dinner, if someone would just tell me what to cook.

I know I'm not alone on this one, right?!?