Zach in California with Dad

Over the past few months, Dad has been able to take most of the kids on little road trips, as he has worked out of town. Zach was the first to go and here are pictures of some of the things that he got to do with Dad! Visiting the Great Grandparents, going to the Reagan Presidential Library with Grandpa John and Aunt Tami, "sneaking" into Disneyland, and going to the strip in Las Vegas!

Student of the Month

Recently Zach and I had a little date night to celebrate him. Zach has been doing well in 3rd grade and he was awarded "Student of the Month" in his class. His teacher, Mrs. McCracken, has been the greatest teacher for him! She is super positive and kind and holds him to a high standard. She turns reading into a competition, her against the students. This has helped Zach really develop a love of reading...plus, he always wants to have more minutes than her! His attitude toward school has really changed and it is coming across in everything that he does...it's so great to see him loving to learn!

As part of his award, he received a free meal from Mimi's Cafe and he and I used it on our date. It was so fun to have a little one-on-one time and even he commented on how nice it was to just be able to talk without everyone else interrupting. He was so cute and held my hand, I just wanted to eat him up! I can't believe how fast he is growing up...Good job, Zach! We're so proud of you!!!

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!

Today is our 18th Anniversary!

Today is our 18th Anniversary...can you believe it? Where does the time go???

Jeff has been working in Las Vegas for the past 2 weeks, and he is still there, so to help ensure that this day was still special, a little package arrived today...some See's candy, 2 cards, and beautiful roses! He conspired with the kids, too, and Jacquelynne has been working on a special dinner and dessert...How did I get so lucky?

Just like everyone else, we have had our up's and down's, and maybe even some times when we weren't sure that we would make it...gasp! I know! But we've kept marching on, and after 18 years, and 6 kids, I can say that I do feel lucky! I feel lucky to have a husband that honors the priesthood! I feel lucky to have a husband that strives to take care of his family! But most of all, I feel lucky to have a husband that loves me and supports me and desires to make me happy (see us in Hawaii below) !!!

Happy Anniversary! I love you!