Sweetheart's Dance

My oldest son got asked to another "girl ask guy" dance and they went last weekend. I love how they invite each other to dances with the posters all decorated with coded messages, it makes me laugh. It also makes my son have to get creative so he can answer the girl in a clever way. He actually comes up with some great ideas, I have to give him credit for being so creative at 16.

A group of kids from our ward went to this dance together. They had dinner at Donnie Mac's, went to the dance, and then ended up at one of the kid's houses for dessert. Our car was notimated as the vehicle to cart everyone off to the dance (I guess since it seats 9) and so my son got to drive. He was quite responsible and checked in with us several times that night by cell phone. I hope he continues to be this dependable and my other kids follow in his footsteps.

It's so cool to see him growing up and doing all of the things I did as a teenager, it also makes me feel a little old. Next year is his Senior year and I can't imagine the time when he won't be with us full time, okay I am getting misty so I am going to stop. What an awesome kid!!

Preschool Fun!

We had so much fun at our preschool Valentine's party. The kids made cards for their families and little hearts out of beads and pipe cleaners. They were so funny, they all said "I can't do it" and then I said "Oh, sure you can, see" and then I took their hands and helped them put the beads on the pipe cleaner and then you could see the light bulb go on in their heads, "Oh, I see" they said. It is so cool when they learn something and you can see it in their eyes.

We had fun watching "Be My Valentine Charlie Brown" and eating treats while looking at the Valentine cards in their mailboxes. It was a blast and they all went home nice and "sugared up" which I'm sure their parents just loved!! I love teaching preschool!!!!

This is the day I married my friend

It was this day 18 years ago that I married my husband. He has been the best and truest friend I ever could have hoped for. I am dedicating this post to him and here are 18 reasons why I would marry him all over again! (They are in no particular order but they are all great reasons).

1. He is kind
2. He loves kids
3. He is loyal
4. He is a hard worker
5. He makes me laugh
6. He loves his mother
7. He makes a great omelet
8. He is always happy when he wakes up in the morning (I'm not!)
9. He lets me choose the restaurant when we eat out
10. He is adventurous
11. He always gives someone the benefit of the doubt
12. He is a great father to our children
13. He still looks hot at 41!
14. He still thinks I look hot after 5 kids
15. He hates to see me cry and tries to make sure I never do
16. He is true to his faith
17. He is someone you can always count on
18. He loves me!

I made the best decision on February 2, 1991 to marry this man of mine and I would gladly do it again. Happy Anniversary honey and here's to the next 18 years, I'm sure they will be just as great!!

Winter Carnival

We headed up to McCall this weekend for the Winter Carnival. It is a family tradition to go up there in Jan/Feb each year and freeze to death while we look at ice sculptures, we love it!! This year we met the Beath family up there (and nearly drove them crazy with our big bunch I'm sure) and hung out with them. We ate dinner at the Toll Station, breakfast at the Pancake House, did some swimming in the hotel pool and went up to the activity barn to go down hill tubing. Kids and adults alike had a great time!

It was hilarious to watch the chains they would make by attaching their tubes to each other and hear the screams of delight as they came thundering down the hill. They were all laughing too hard, not to mention pulling the tubes to the hill (except for my little girl who seemed to con everyone into giving her a ride while they pulled her up) to get cold and then we were all awarded with hot chocolate afterwards. While my 3rd little guy was riding down a slide in one of the ice sculptures, the Idaho Press Tribune took his picture as well as a statement from me, so he may be in the paper today who knows. The trip was definitely a must do again next year!!!!

I can't believe he's 14!

It's amazing to see your first one grow up so fast, but when the second one grows up just as fast, it never ceases to blow your mind!

My second boy is now 14. He is such a fun kid (notice the shades he is wearing-just in case the flames from the candle were too bright). He had a great birthday, new cell phone, rip stick, games, etc. He also got to go with his 3 nutty friends to see "Inkheart". I love to celebrate my kid's birthdays!!

Tale as Old as Time

Grammy sent money for Christmas for all of the kids and while the boys put their money towards "electronic" type purchases, my daughter and I decided to use ours to go and see "Beauty and the Beast". We went with my friend and her daughter (the girls are good friends) and it was a fun evening to be out just as "the girls". We laughed and cried and really enjoyed the characted "LeFou" the most, he was hilarious. We love Starlight Mountain Theatre, they do such a good job and we especially appreciate their winter performances because they are all right here in Boise.

Never a Dull Moment!

I was going to post the Christmas pictures but we have already done so many things since then that it seemed kind of silly. My 3rd little guy just turned 11 on New Year's Eve (yes, he was my baby new year in 1997). He is growing up so fast and I can't seem to slow him down. Son number 4 has to promise to be my baby boy forever!

We had my little guy's party on December 30th and he had a great time with about 10 of his friends, playing video games, watching movies, eating lots of junk food, you know - the works! Then the next day we had a New Year's Eve party. We usually have a big bang with tons of people but we kept it kind of small this year, things are just kind of overwhelming for me this year. Since the party is always on his birthday, my son thinks that this party is a must have, so we did it but on a much smaller scale this year. Some of my really great friends came and one that I have been friends with for almost 14 years (she is pictured above with me). Our kids were just babies when we met and look at them now! My little girl is pictured with another friend's baby because if there is a baby within 100 yards she wants to hold it. She almost dropped this one though, that was a little scary!

Last night we went to Pack Meeting for cub scouts and it was my 11 year olds last time as a cub scout. He has graduated into Boy Scouts! He received his Arrow of Light which is the highest rank you can achieve in Cub Scouts (similar to the Eagle in Boy Scouts but on a much smaller scale). We were very proud of him! He ran right to the bathroom after the ceremony to watch the war paint off of his face though. Too funny!! I had to end out with a picture of my son and one of his best buds who he has known since we moved to this house. Such fun times, but truly never a dull moment in this busy family!!!