Happy Birthday Laura

Today we had a pizza party after Ethan's very last soccer game. You can tell by how messy Ethan's face is that he played hard!
I had to post this picture because Ella just stood at the end of the table and stared at one little boy the entire time. Her face did not change (unless you tried to pull her away from him). I don't know what she ws thinking, but it was so funny.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LAURA!

We are so thankful that Laura was born into the world. She makes everyone's life better for having known her. She is so full of enthusiasm for everything. Laura, we wish we could be there to go out to dinner with you, George, Craig and Cassie. We are counting down the days until you come to Washington. There will be a birthday cake waiting for you!

Here is a picture of Grandma Laura that Ethan drew a couple of years ago. Laura and I had such a great laugh (and still do) of this drawing.

Grandma took Ethan and I to see "Nemo on Ice" a couple of years ago. We had such a great time. Singing and dancing. We had seats right up front!
This is a picture of Laura with Ella at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii.
This is Laura with the kids at Folkston, Georgia. We had been talking about going to see all the trains that pass through there for years. There are supposed to be around 60 trains that pass through there in a day! Well, we finally made it up there and something was wrong with the tracks so we only saw about 6 pass over the course of two hours. We could have stayed in Green Cove and seen as many. Now we know and we don't need to keep wishing we could go to Folkston. It was a great adventure- as are all things with Laura.

Speaking of adventures, we drove home from Dallas to Florida with George and Laura for Christmas of 2006. It was a LONG drive . As you can see, Laura is up for anything. She never complains and always has a smile on her face- even if she's sharing a back seat with a suitcase!
My kids love it when we get to go to the caboose park.
While living in Florida, we were lucky enough to see the Blue Angel's air show. It was HOT (literally).

This picture is very dear to me. My grandmother passed away just before I met Kent and so my mother bought my wedding dress in honor of her. Then Laura lovingly made Ella's dress from the veil. She was so nervous to give it to me at Ella's baby shower. I absolutly love it. It hangs in Ella's room right next to my own blessing dress. Thank you Laura for sharing your talents.


There are so many fond memories with Laura. Here are a few highlights:

-Building many things together. We did so many projects that we teased each other about having a restraining order put on us from Home Depot.

-Laura would sew all the crazy creations I could think of. In every room of my house there is another piece of Laura's talent.

-Laura took me to a Yanni concert and I had so much fun with her.

-Laura and I were going to go to a movie together. I dropped her off at the door and went to park. When I got back up to meet her, she said our movie was sold out so she just bought tickets to "Meet the Fockers." Who else do you know that can watch that movie with their mother-in-law? hahaha.

Laura is an amazingly talented, loving, patient, giving woman. I am thankful for her example to me. Even though Laura is away from a lot of her family, she does her best to be there for the special moments in everyone's life. She is coming to babysit my family (Kent included) so I can go to Fiji. Thank you Laura for always being there for us. Happy Birthday!

The David Dual

So I have been a dedicated American Idol fan this season. Last night was a great show. David Cook and David Archuletta both deserve to be in the finals. It was so fun to watch Part 1 of the season finale last night. I can't wait to watch tonight to see who takes home the title. Like Cook said, "as far as I'm concerned that competition is over. Now we're just having fun." I know that both of these contestants will have careers. I am proud to see that both of them truly have talent so they will be putting out some good music.

Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my Dad's birthday. Although when he reads this, I'll have already be a day late in wishing him a happy one. Yesterday was today in Fiji. Happy belated, Dad.

Here are a couple of very special pictures of that pull at my heartstrings.
This picture was taken while my parents were visiting us in Florida.

While we were visiting my parents, in Utah, shortly after Ella was born we went swimming at their pool. My dad was so nice to hold baby Ella while the rest of us played in the water. He just kept smiling at her and she would just gaze up at him. Precious moment. I can't wait for him to meet her again in just few more weeks!

My dad is one of the most amazing men I've ever known. He has taught me so many life lessons by his example. I believe my dad is the most generous person in the world. He literally would give the shirt off of his back if someone needed it. I am so thankful for his example of love. He is so full of life and loves to be busy doing something.

Here are a few fond memories with my dad.

-He used to let us sit on his lap and steer the car. I loved when he'd give me the look that it was okay to climb into the front seat and take the wheel.

-I loved going to visit my dad at the school district while he worked there. I loved to sit on the chair, in front of his desk, while he was on the phone. Pretending that I was his next appointment, I thought I was so grown up.

-I loved going for Sunday drives to look at homes and walking through houses that were being built. I still love to do that and I think of my dad every time.

-My dad used to pay me a nickel if I would lotion his feet. I thought I was getting the better end of the deal. Now that I am a parent, I know the truth.

Love ya, Dad! Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday Craigy!

Today is Kent's little brother's birthday. Happy Birthday Craigy! We wish we could be there to take you to Sonny's! Yumm! Craig is such a good-natured person. He is so out going and fun. He is a wonderful uncle to our children. Maybe when he finishes dental school, in a couple of years, he might come spend some time in Washington? We miss you Craigy! Have a good one!

A Few Good Movies

Here are a few movies I've seen in the last couple weeks. I love summer box office hits!

Happy Birthday, Izabella!

This is our sweet friend, Izabella. She had her 10th birthday party on Saturday and invited us to come to her party. It was such a great party. It was a mystery party. Each of us came as certain characters (that were assigned to us with our invitation) and we had clues to find the missing cake. Ethan helped Reagran as the detective. His name was Detective Handsomeboy. Again, Ethan was the only boy with eight 10-year-old girls. He was in heaven! Ella was little Serena Schoolgirl.
The weather went from being in the 60's on Wednesday to being nearly 100 on Saturday. So after the party, the girls came over to our house for some fun in the water.
We had a Slip and Slide, Popcicles and a kiddie pool! So fun!
Look at the fabulous divas sunbathing!

My new favorite thing

You might have noticed from the last few parties I've posted that I am loving these little candy stands. They are my new little obsession. I don't have any of these in this picture- but I hope to someday. They are so versatile and pretty.

Sam Moon online

With a set of suitcases like this, I would never again take someone else's luggage home on accident. Whenever I visit my sister-in-law's, Amy and Anne, in Dallas- we MUST go to Sam Moon. Today I found out the wonderful news they have a website. I had to pass the word along. They have great jewelry, sunglasses, head bands and bags. Dirt cheap! Check out the fun here!
Luggage comes in many patterns with matching duffle bags & make up cases. This bag is under $20!!

Sunglasses are only $5.95
T.J. Maxx is no longer the only place to find cheap sterling silver rings!

Happy Birthday Greg

Today is my brother, Greg's birthday. I hope he's out celebrating!Greg, You are a wonderful brother. I hope your birthday is a good one. I wish we could celebrate it together. You always have gone out of your way to make my birthdays special.Greg treated Camille and I to a FULL day at the spa for our birthdays last year. He didn't stop there- this is a picture of him with the kids, at Lagoon, while we were at the spa. He always goes above and beyond to make everyone feel important. I love you for that, Greg. I love you for so many reasons. I'm blessed to have you as a brother.

Jazz game, T-bone steaks, and Target practice

To hear that title, you wouldn't think I was talking about what I did for Mother's Day. Well, knowing my husband, maybe you would. I am going crazy, not having a camera because we had a wonderful Mother's Day. Sorry to those of you (like me) that would rather look at pictures than read ramblings... I am here to ramble. Yesterday was not what I would have planned as my perfect mother's day- but it was, oh so perfect. We started with church- what could be better than that? Our lesson in Relief Society was on the Priesthood. Sort of different- for a Mother's Day Sunday. I was, again, reminded of the blessings that come from having a worthy member of the Priesthood in my home. I'm so thankful to my Heavenly Father for giving me a husband that honors his priesthood. After church we went to Gary and Katie's house for lunch. Katie is in Florida right now, visiting Erin and Tanner, so Gary made a delicious meal for us on his own. T-bone steaks on the grill, chicken pasta salad, and grilled asparagus with onions and mushrooms. Divine! Brent is in town and so is Gloria, Katie's mother. It was wonderful to catch up with "grandmother." We met her last summer, when we first moved to Sunnyside and hadn't seen her since. She is an amazing woman, and I love being able to spend time with her. Kent was glad she was there too, because she is a Jazz fan. It helped Kent feel a little less guilty, for turning on the Jazz game on a Mother's Day afternoon. Then we took the kids out to the pond and watched Lola (Brent's dog) fetch the ball into the pond. I wished so badly I had my camera. To see Ethan standing on the edge of the pond, in a beautiful grape vineyard, throwing a ball for Lola to chase. It was a picture perfect moment. Then Gary taught Ethan how to shoot a pellet gun. We put a box on the opposite side of the yard as a target. Ethan hit it everytime. When we came home, Kent let me cuddle up in my bed (with my book-the Host- and some brownies), while he took the kids for a walk to see the cows. Did I mention there was a Rodeo, this weekend, going on in the field next to our backyard? Hilarious. Anyway, I had a wonderful Mother's Day. Thank you, Kent for being a thoughtful and loving husband.