Jaymison is 5!

This is a big year for Jaymison...she turned 5! That means that she'll get to go to Kindergarten in the fall! She is so excited! This year she has been able to go to the preschool that is offered at our elementary school and I can't believe how much she is learning...she can almost tie her shoes...that is if she actually had shoes that tied! She's been practicing on anything she can get her hands on, and it has been fun to watch her learn and grow! She is so smart and she keeps us laughing all of the time with the funny things that she says! She has always been her Daddy's girl

and asks every day when Dad is coming home...she misses him! They have a special bond that is very sweet! She really is the light of our home and we are so grateful for her sweet spirit!

Vegas, baby....!

Some of you may know that Jeff has been working in Las Vegas for the past month or so. My mom had some construction projects that she hired Jeff for, and while he's been there, others have offered him work also. This has been such a blessing! With the economy the way that it is, we are so grateful for any work that he gets!

Anyway, I've been saving up some money for a little getaway for Jeff and I, in honor of our birthdays and our 18th anniversary. And with Jeff staying at my mom's, this presented a great opportunity for me to surprise him. Our niece, Jordan, came and stayed with the kids, and I went to Las Vegas and had a great weekend with Jeff!

Mostly we just hung out and wandered around. I was even able to sneak away with my mom for a bit for some shopping and lunch, too!

This is Jeff reclining in, and I quote:

"Only the most luxurious fishing pontoon boat ever!"

at the Outdoor World Pro Bass Shop

But the big event was Saturday night...

I saw Phantom when I was 17, and "All I Ask of You" was our wedding song. Ever since then, I had always wanted Jeff to be able to see it. So, when I was able to get really good tickets for a great price, I jumped at the chance! Really, I have my dad to thank...it was the Christmas money he gave to Jeff and I!!! It was really fun to finally share this with Jeff and it was every bit as good, if not better, than I remembered it!

We were also able to meet up with my bestest friend Julie, who was also in Vegas celebrating her mom's birthday! We went to breakfast at this restaurant called the Hash House, where every portion is the size of Montana

and they make the most ginormous pancakes that you have ever seen!

It's Birthday time!

February brings 3 birthdays at our house...first me, then Jeff, then Jaymison! Jaymison gets her own special post later. My dad was here and since my birthday was on a Sunday, we just hung out and had a good homemade dinner with tri-tip that Jeff bbq'd, salad and bread. It was very tasty! We were spoiled with lots of good wishes and treats from family and friends, like this:

this most-delicious-cupcake-ever, from Gretchen!

This beautiful, homemade cheesecake from Kevin and Wendy!

We feel so blessed to have so many wonderful people in our lives who love and care about us!

Thank you for making our birthday's special!

Fun with Grandpa!

Here, everyone always looks forward to a visit from my dad/Grandpa! And this year was no different. All the kids were so excited to have him come from South Carolina!!! Zach went with me to pick him up from the airport. On our way home, we stopped at Grandpa's favorite place here, Chadder's, and got a burger and a shake.The next day, we got all the kids out the door and my neighbor, Brooke, was kind enough to watch Jaymison while Grandpa took me birthday shopping and out to lunch, just the two of us. We found a few things like this:

and these:

and this yummy place:

Later on that day, we went here:

We played lots of games, went to the movies, had more Chadder's, and listened to bedtime stories!

It was so fun to have my dad here for my birthday and be able to celebrate with him! We are so grateful to have such a wonderful Grandpa!