Birthday Dinner

My sweet friend, Maryn, organized a birthday dinner for me at Tuscany. She had it the Thursday before my birthday and Lindsey brought yummy cake for us all. Thanks for making me feel so loved.

Sue, Michelle, Lindsey, and Jess

Amanda, Wendy, Jen, Susan, and Maryn

Me and Michalann

Jen took this of us all.  I guess this was the only way she could fit us all in.

Heart Cookies

My mom would make these cookies for Alycia and me to take to school on our birthdays. We were so proud and loved them. My birthday is on Valentine’s Day and Alycia’s is on the 10th so the shape was very fitting. My mom gave me the cookie cutter at Christmas so I made some for my kids. I really don’t know how my mom found the time to decorate forty cookies for us to take to school. I decorated 20 and it took forever. Thanks mom. I love you.

Gavin's Baptism

Gavin was baptized by Sam at our stake youth baptism. We are so proud of him and the decision he made to be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. There were three other children being baptized that day and the whole thing almost didn’t happen because of the weather. A pipe froze at the church building where he was supposed to be baptized. After the date and time were changed several times, Gavin was able to get baptized at 2pm at the stake center. He picked Uncle Nick and Brother Angerbauer to be his witnesses. During the confirmation I was watching Carter and had my eyes open. Gavin looked at me, gave me a big smile and a thumbs up. This wasn’t afterwards, this was right in the middle of it. Most kids reverently close their eyes, not Gavin. He always has me laughing. After the baptism everyone came back to our house for a luncheon. The Nelsons, Angerbauers, Thurmans, Sparks, Sherers, Smiths, Van Osdells, Collingwoods, and Trefethens came to support Gavin.
The next day when Grandma Debbie was asking Gavin about his baptism the first thing he told her was, “My mom and dad forgot to buy me white underwear, so I just didn’t wear any.”

Surprise! Alycia is 30

Alycia and Nick were going to be in Utah for her 30th birthday. Nick wanted to do something special for her, so Amanda and I helped him throw her a surprise party. The winter fiesta was supposed to be at the Nelson’s house. We were going to have fire pits with stuff to make smores but the weather changed our plans a bit. First of all, we couldn’t get Alycia out of the house with bad roads and cancelled school. Second of all, Nick invited everyone we know so we were worried about space. So, on Thursday night we moved the party over here and got started on the decorations. I had been painted like a mad woman all day Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday to get my formals and entry way finished so I had to do almost all the party stuff on Thursday night and Friday. Lindsey was a lifesaver and came over to help me decorate and set up. Friday was busy but we pulled everything together and there were about 50 people here to surprise Alycia. After the surprise, Sam took our kids and the Nelson kids back to the Nelson’s to be babysat.
At the party we had a Café Rio style taco bar and a salsa bar. I made 12 lbs of pork and there wasn’t an ounce left over. Nick filled a piñata with Mexican candy that took quite the beating before finally giving up the goods. Unfortunately, Mexican candy isn’t that great. We had tons of red velvet cake and ate all but some of the bottom layer. The green screen was a hit. Everyone had a fun time getting crazy photos. It was so much fun to surprise Alycia. Thanks to all of you who came and helped make this all possible.

I made her red velvet with cream cheese frosting.

Nick made this sign and you can see that I haven't painted the gameroom yet.

Lindsey and I made the tissue paper balls and I bought the inflatable chili peppers.

Me getting something ready.

Waiting for Alycia to get here.  You can see our taco bar.

Gavin was on the lookout.

Nick brought this HUGE pinata.   

Surprise!  She really had no idea.

A house full of people.  I think there were close to 50 people that came out to show their love.

Prize for the best dressed.

A birthday girl needs a birthday crown.

She got 29 out of 30 blown out.

Marci joining in the Pinata fun.

We are waiting for someone to break open the pinata.  Too bad it was filled with Mexican candy, thanks to Nick.

Kelli broke it a little.

Zach ran a green screen that transported us to a tropical paradise. 

The birthday girl in the new coat I got her.  Happy Birthday little sister!

Four Days No School

Because it was so cold, the ice on the roads didn’t melt. They don’t have plows or salt here, so school had to be canceled for four days in a row. On Friday we got even more snow, but the temperature warmed up enough that the kids and I could be outside for more than 30 minutes. I took some pictures when all the kids on our street were out playing together. I live on such a fun street. My kids have so many friends and during this whole four day snow vacation I either didn’t have kids in my house, or I had more than I could count.
I got a lot of painting done during the break and Sam was even able to help me for the two days he couldn’t go to work.

Carter can find a tool in any situation.

Gavin loves the snow.

Jinx loves the snow even more.

Jinx and Renée playing together.

Jinx might have been eating the snow.

Gavin found another use for the . . .

for the BYU dining trays.

The snow fight continues with the kids on our street.

Aaron, Gavin, Renée, Seth, and Mia in back.

The kids on our street enjoying Jinx.

Carter found another sled.

Renée sledding in Cindy's driveway.

My beautiful snow girl.

Sledding in Texas

We didn’t have school because of the crazy weather. Dane and Laurel brought us sleds down from Montana, so we got to sled on real sleds this year! (Last year we were on BYU dining trays) Sam even dragged his snow board out of the attic and gave the kids rides down the hill. We were soooo cold. It was in the teens with a windchill that put it close to zero. I know all my northern friends are going to make fun of me for being too Texas skinned, but we don’t have the gear for this weather. I lasted 30 minutes and then sat in the van with Jinx. Sam and the kids lasted 45 minutes.

Painting

It is time to paint my entry way. After three years of builder grade flat paint, it looks pretty bad. The Collingwoods were nice enough to let us use their ladder. The only problem was that the ladder was so heavy that I couldn’t move it. Each day Sam would put it in place for me and I would put three coats of paint on the trim and cut in with ceiling plant and wall paint. What a job!

Going up and down was the worst part.  Once I was up, I was okay.

While I was painting, this is what my kids with the help of the neighbors did to my kitchen.